Team Patanjali discovers Himalayas in Himalayas

In a first-of-its-kind expedition, consisting of Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) and Patanjali Ayurved, led by Acharya Balakrishna conducted a survey at Raktyan glacier area of Gangotri in Himalayas. They created history by mounting three unmounted peaks and discovered many rare herbs.

Speaking to media about the rare feat, Acharya Balkrishna said that this time along with discovery of rare herbs, they discovered Himalayas in Himalayas by reaching three inaccessible peaks.

He said the area between these peaks have been named Rishi Glacier or Rishi Bamak. "During this Vijay Yatra, we identified about 550 rare herbs and made their checklist. Soon, we will research on these herbs," he said.

He said while climbing those peaks facing the adverse environmental conditions, the first sight they got in their minds was that of the shape of a sage doing penance. There was also a feeling of national pride. Throughout the journey, the team visualised how the great sages and ascetics had made these mountains, places of Tapas (Penance). Balakrishna said that above 6,000 meters, the highest peak was named as Rashtra Rishi on the basis of the tradition of Nationalism, and the adjacent second peak was named as Yogarishi on the basis of the tradition of Yoga and the third peak to its left side was named as Ayurveda Rishi on the basis of Ayurveda tradition. We have named the vast area among these three peaks as Rishi Glacier or Rishi Bamak.

The mountaineering expedition took off on December 10, jointly by Patanjali Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi and Indian Mountaineering Institute, New Delhi. The expedition team included Colonel Amit Bisht. From NIM, mountaineering coach Deep Shahi and Vinod Gusaai participated in this expedition.

Felicitating the mountaineering team, Swami Ramdev said that this journey was a very difficult one. Conquering the unnamed, unconquered mountains devoid of human footprints was a very courageous act. He said in the past many efforts were made. The last attempt was 42 years ago in the year,1981. After that no one tried to reach there. Acharya ji and Colonel Amit Bisht made this history, this is a proud moment, he added.

In 1981exploration was done by the Joint Indo French Expedition team. Despite the tireless efforts, this investigation team succeeded to cover only half the area. The team led by Acharya Balakrishna succeeded in not only climbing the peaks but found many life-saving herbs and other important species of plants including medicinal plants located in the Raktavarna Glacier region of the Himalayas.