Mana Village- End of Indian terrain bordering Tibet/China.

I was a bit weary when the guide made the announcement about our next visit, the Mana, after finishing lunch that day, at Badrinath. Least I knew about the significance of the tiny hamlet another 2000 feet up there in the Himalayas. Boy!!!..what a place it is. It has not one but many unique features tucked under its folds!!!.
The river Saraswathi, which can never been sighted on surface anywhere else originates from a mountain near this village.
This is the last destination from Indian side, after which starts the Tibet and China border.
There is a tea shop that was started 25 years ago, which claims to be The last tea shop of India.
The Vyas Gufa has a small temple dated back to 5000bc!!
The Ganesh Gufa and the bridge of Bhima also has a mention in the epic Mahabaratha.
The path was very steep and there are people with basket like seats fastened to their back, slung by a rope from their head , to carry the persons who are unable to make the steep climb. They are the locals of the village.
A Bhotia lad.
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The people of Mana village are the Bhotias, an Indo Mongolian descendants. They stay there during the summer months raising short term crops and engage in tribal handicraft work. They also rear cattle. Each house has a patch of land in the front and everybody in the family work, including small children. I dont think there is any school up there, and was curious to know what this small bunch of people do to educate their offspring.There are 180-88 houses in this hamlet, the population not exceeding 600. During winter when the Badrinath temple closes. they move down to Chamoli .
River Saraswathi originates from here, the water gushes out with great force through a rock, from nowhere and flows for some 100 meters before it goes underground. It also merges with Alaknanda at Keshav prayag, some one km from the place of origin. Then it disappears only to surface again at Allahabad, to confluence with other two river Ganga and Yamuna.

Keshavprayag
Saraswathi river
The simple tribal people has all the warmth in their smiling face and courteous behavior, that will make one forget the hardship of tough climbing and lack of basic amenities at that height.Great place for the younger generation who are inclined in adventurous trekking and camping.

Colorful rugs and mats done by the Bhotias.