| Harmukh | |
|---|---|
 Harmukh | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 17,388 ft (5,300 m)[1] |
| Prominence | 4,797 ft (1,462 m)[1] |
| Coordinates | 34°24′00″N74°54′30″E / 34.40000°N 74.90833°E /34.40000; 74.90833[1] |
| Geography | |
  Harmukh Harmukh on a map of Jammu and Kashmir, India Show map of Jammu and Kashmir Harmukh Harmukh (India) Show map of India | |
| Country | India |
| Territory | Jammu and Kashmir |
| District | Ganderbal district |
| Parent range | Himalayas |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1899 byDr Ernest Neve andGeoffrey Millais, United Kingdom[2] |
| Easiest route | Arin,Bandipore |
Mount Harmukh is a mountain in theHimalayas ofJammu and Kashmir inIndia.[3] Harmukh has a peak elevation of 5,300 metres (17,388 ft), and is located inGanderbal district, between theSind River to the south andKishanganga River to the north, rising aboveGangabal Lake[4] in the vicinity ofKashmir Valley. It is mostly climbed from the northwestern side of Arin, via Kudara,Bandipore.[2] Harmukh is considered sacred inHinduism.
Harmukh derives from Haramukuta, meaning "the diadem of Hara (Shiva)".
The entire region of Harmukh is also known asRamaradhan, as it is believed thatParashurama had meditated near lakes on this mountain range.[5]
Harmukh, with Gangbal Lake at its foot, is considered a sacred mountain byHindus. It is also known as 'Kailash of Kashmir'.[6] According to the legend of "Hurmukhuk Gosoni",[7] once a hermit tried to reach the summit of Harmukh to see Shiva face to face. For twelve long years, he tried to scale the summit but failed until one day he saw a Gujar descending the summit. When the Gujar approached him, the hermit enquired as to what he had seen there. The Gujar said he had been searching for a stray goat, and that while searching he saw a couple milking a cow and drinking the milk from a human skull. The couple had offered him some milk, which he refused to drink; when they departed they rubbed a little of the milk on his forehead. When the Gujar indicated the spot where the milk was rubbed, the hermit was extremely joyful and rushed to lick his forehead.[citation needed]
This pilgrimage takes place every year on the eve of Ganga Ashtami. The yatris begin their yatra fromNaranag.[8]
Harmukh lies in the northwesternHimalayan Range. TheKashmir Valley lies to its south. Water from melting glaciers formGangabal Lake which lies at its foot to the north east side and contribute significantly to the regional fresh-water supply, supporting irrigation throughSind River. It is notable for its local relief as it is a consistently steep pyramid, dropping sharply to the east and south, with the eastern slope the steepest.
The Harmukh mountain massif has several summits, the Station Peak being the lowest with a peak elevation of 4,698 metres (15,413 ft) was first climbed by members of theGreat Trigonometric Survey ofBritish India led byThomas Montgomerie in 1856. Montgomerie made the first survey of theKarakoram range which lies some 210 km (130 miles) to the north from here and sketched the two most prominent peaks, labeling them K1 (also calledMasherbrum) and K2, which is the world's second-highest mountain.[9][10] The highest eastern peak 5,142 metres (16,870 ft) was summited byDr Ernest Neve andGeoffrey Millais in 1899.[2] The mountain has since become popular among climbers and mountaineers.
The easiest route among the different routes of Harmukh is via Erin,Bandipore,[11] 47 km (29 mi) motorable road fromSrinagar to Erin and 18 km (11 mi) of high altitude alpine trek leads to the base of Harmukh. Another trek leads fromNaranag[12] to the base of Harmukh atGangabal Lake, but it is a steep climb at some places.[13]
