Pushpawati River

The Pushpawati rises from the Tipra Glacier, near Rataban, in the central part of the Garhwal region in the Himalayas. It flows in a southerly direction to join the Bhyundar Ganga near Ghagharia. The combined stream is thereafter known as the Lakshman Ganga. The latter merges with the Alaknanda River at Govindghat.[1][2]

The Pushpawati drains the Valley of Flowers.[1]

The glaciated upper valley of the Pushpawati is U-shaped. The river flows past thick glacial deposits. A number of glacier-fed streams join it in its upper reaches. It flows through a gorge in its lower reaches. The upper tracts are under permanent cover of snow. Alpine, sub-alpine and temperate vegetation is there in the middle and lower catchments of the river. Human habitation is very sparse.[1]

According to legend, the Pandavas, during their years of exile, saw flowers floating down the river. They named it Pushpawati.[1]

• 
  A view of Pushpawati from the gorge crossing while entering the Valley of Flowers
• 
  A bridge over Pushpawati River, while entering into the Valley of Flowers

• Valley of Flowers
• Gobindghat