About Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP):

• It is a high altitude national park located in Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh.
• Nestled in the far Western Himalayas, the park comprises four valleys: the Tirthan Valley, the Sainj Valley, the Parvati Valley, and the Jiwa Nal Valley.
• It is surrounded by steep ridges and permanent snow on its northern, eastern, and southern
• The GHNP is situated adjacent to Pin Valley National Park, Rupi-Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Tirthan and Sainj Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• Topography: The park is a stunning mix of lush coniferous forests, meadows, glaciers, and mountain peaks.
• It was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2014.
• Flora:
  • Vegetation grows in well-defined altitude zones, beginning with rather open, subtropical forests at the lowest valley bottoms, gradually grading to mixed forests of horse chestnut, evergreen oak, spruce, and deodar, then to rusty-leaved kharsu oak, spruce, and fir in the upper temperate zone.
  • Further up is a subalpine zone of birches, stunted firs, and rhododendron bushes, followed by the higher alpine areas where vegetation is reduced to grasses, herbs, and low shrubs, such as juniper.
• Fauna:
  • The park is home to 31 mammals, including the elusive snow leopard, the majestic Himalayan brown bear, and the vibrant blue sheep, or bharal.
  • Other notable residents include the Himalayan tahr, musk deer, and serow.
  • Birdlife in the park is equally diverse, with 209 species recorded, such as the endangered western tragopan and the impressive lammergeiers, alongside the Himalayan griffon vulture and golden eagle.

About Ichak:

• Ichak is a small village in Jharkhand.
• Known as the “temple town” of Hazaribag district, Ichak is dotted with hundreds of ancient temples, ponds, and gardens, many of which today stand in a state of alarming neglect.
• Ichak’s origins trace back over two centuries to the Ramgarh Raj under the Singh dynasty.
• The rulers had established Ichak as one of their prominent capitals before shifting to areas near the Padma River.
• During their reign, they built an extensive network of temples, akharas (traditional centres), ponds, and gardens.
  • At the heart of Ichak’s main market stands the imposing Singh Dwar, a massive domed gateway that once marked the entrance to the royal palace.
  • From Baba Banshidhar and Bhairavnath temples to Lakshmi Narayan (Bada Akhara) and Shri Ram Janaki (Chota Akhara), each structure carries historical, architectural, and cultural value.
  • Ichak is also home to the Budhiya Mata Temple, where devotees worship a formless deity — a rare and unique tradition for over 300 years.
  • Bhagwati Math Temple reflects architectural influences akin to the Mahabodhi Temple, showcasing the artistic excellence of the past.
• The style of the temples reveals the Nagara and the Bengal styles of architecture. The mosque-type domes emphasize the Moghul influence on these temples.
• Historians and locals said that at one point, Ichak had nearly 174 temples. Today, only a fraction of them remain, and many of them have either lost their idols—allegedly stolen—or are on the verge of collapse.