Would You Dare Visit Roopkund? The Land of Skeleton Lake

When hundreds of human remains were found scattered along the edge of the lake by a British forest warden in 1942, Roopkund initially gained the attention of people all over the world. Skeletal bodies, some of which had skin intact, emerged from the water as the ice melted during summer, raising several questions. Who were these people? How did they perish? And why were there so many of them?
A mass suicide or an epidemic were among the initial speculations. The bones were believed to be those of soldiers from General Zorawar Singh's forces who perished during the 19th-century Himalayan trek. But when further research was conducted, these speculations proved to be untrue.


The Roopkund riddle has been partially resolved by contemporary scientific discoveries, but many concerns still need to be addressed. A group of scientists headed by the National Geographic Society analyzed the bones' DNA in 2004, and the results were shocking. The remains did not belong to a single homogeneous population, but rather to several groups of individuals. While some of the bones were much more recent, others were from the ninth century.
According to the most commonly recognized idea, these people were pilgrims passing through the area. According to local legend, a party of tourists—possibly including members of the royal family—went on a pilgrimage to the revered temple of Nanda Devi. But they were struck by cricket-ball-sized hailstones during a devastating hailstorm. Hundreds of individuals died suddenly as a result of the hail's devastating injuries.

Another level of excitement was added in 2019 by more genetic study. Three different genetic groupings were discovered by scientists: South Asians, people of Mediterranean heritage, and an unspecified East Asian origin. The existence of Mediterranean DNA, maybe originating from Greek or Persian ancestry, implies that Roopkund was the location of a global commerce, pilgrimage, or even an unidentified historical event.

Roopkund has become one of the most sought-after hiking spots in India despite its notorious history. Since it demands tremendous bodily stamina, mental resilience, and acclimatization to high-altitude conditions, the trek is not to be undertaken for the faint-hearted.
Typically, the trek begins at the Uttarakhand village of Lohajung. Trekkers traverse gushing streams, ascend steep ridges, and walk through dense oak and rhododendron forests in six to seven days. As one approaches the lake, the landscape shifts from green meadows known as Bedni Bugyal and Ali Bugyal to rocky, barren terrain.

Roopkund’s rising popularity has sparked debates about conservation and ethical tourism. While the site remains a major attraction, the presence of trekkers has led to concerns over the disturbance of the skeletal remains. Some visitors have been known to take bones as souvenirs, an act that is both unethical and disrespectful.
The Uttarakhand government has made efforts to regulate tourism, implementing strict trekking guidelines and promoting eco-friendly practices. Scientists and archaeologists have also emphasized the need to protect Roopkund as a heritage site, preserving the remains for further research.
Roopkund is a journey with adventure, science, history, and mythology that goes beyond just a trek. The mystique of Skeleton Lake continues to enthrall and terrorize people in equal proportions.
This place remains mystical, whether you perceive it to be a region of ghastly death or a gold mine of archeological treasures.
Roopkund is not just an opportunity for the body to suffer on behalf of one's adventure soul; it's a confrontation of nature, of history, of the mysterious unknown. Would you venture into the heart of the Himalayas to see for yourself the story of Skeleton Lake?