Chilling Facts You Didn’t Know About
In 1942, a British forest guard found over 300 skeletons at Roopkund Lake, sparking global intrigue. Initial fears suggested the skeletons belonged to Japanese soldiers from World War II. However, investigations confirmed the bones date back over 1,000 years.
The most widely accepted theory suggests that the individuals died from a sudden hailstorm. Fractures found on the skulls are consistent with injuries caused by hailstones the size of cricket balls.
According to local folklore, the skeletons belong to a king’s entourage who angered the goddess Nanda Devi with their noisy pilgrimage, leading to a deadly hailstorm as divine punishment.
Some theories suggest that the skeletons belonged to people searching for 'keeda jadi,' a rare caterpillar fungus with medicinal properties. The search for this valuable fungus may have trapped them in a deadly storm.
DNA studies conducted in 2004 revealed the skeletons belonged to two distinct groups—one of South Asian descent and another with Mediterranean ancestry, possibly from Greece.
Some skeletons show Mediterranean ancestry, hinting at the presence of a Hellenic kingdom in India. This kingdom is believed to have existed from 180 B.C. for around 200 years.
Roopkund is accessible from May to June and late August to mid-October. The trek begins at Lohajang Pass and takes about 8 days to cover 53 km through alpine meadows and rugged terrain.
The trek to Roopkund begins at Lohajang Pass, well connected by motorable roads.