The bridge at Gartang Gali

 

 

Far above the Harsil hills,

By the cliffs of Ganga’s blue

A bridge of wood hangs even today

Where traipses just a few

 

The granite cliffs were carved by hand,

Upon hills of deodar

Centuries back, by Pathans, they say

Who came from Peshawar

 

The wooden bridge thereon to trade

To Nelong and Tibet

Where salt and milk and rice would flow

And two cultures would have met

 

Divine this place, here Gartang prays

Where Ganga stays and waits -

Between Gangotri in summer’s warmth

Mukhwa when winter sets

 

If you ever come to Gartang’s bridge

You’ll see Jadh Ganga in teal

But in the silence of these hills

There’s much more you can feel

 

The timeless flow of traders past

Their treads upon the bridge

That hope of something more to find

In routes beyond the ridge

 

Himalayan tales written past

Only a handful that we hear –

Heinrich’s flight to Tibet past

Or Pahadi Wilson’s adventure

 

And so many more we never hear

All on this wooden way,

Gartang’s tales of trade and nerve

Alive even today….

 

10^th May 2025

 

Gartang Gali, a historic bridge in Uttarkashi’s Nelong Valley, once served as a vital trade route between India and Tibet. Built around 150 years ago by Pathans from Peshawar who came to trade, it facilitated exchanges across the rugged terrain of the valley. However, following the Indo-China war in 1962, the Indian government closed the bridge for strategic and security reasons, effectively ending its role in cross-border trade.

 It is said that this is the bridge that Austrian mountaineer. Heinrich Harrer (of “Seven Years in Tibet” fame) used to flee India to Tibet during World War II which is where he met the Dalai Lam. His story later inspired the Hollywood film of the same name starring Brad Pitt. There are also references to this place by the famous Pahadi Wilson, who lived not far, in Harsil.

(Image Source: Himalayan Hikers)