I am am told that the Bicchu booti is a tame thing when compared to the wild flora of Valley of Flowers (Nanda Devi National Park) and Hemkund Sahib. Not all the plants there have been documented. And some have special powers of stinging, causing swelling, itching and even unconsciousness. Plus there are just a few locals to help a traveller out with antidotes. So the general advice to all trekkers there is, ‘Do not touch or smell any plant.’
Naina Devi being a Sidhpeeth, Kumaonis from far off villages come here to pray and worship. The Puranas name Naini Lake to be as sacred as Mansarovar Lake (Kailash Mansarovar, Tibet). Naini lake is a manifestation of Lord Shiva's wife Devi Sati's left eye. The Puranas also mention that many Rishis including Atri, Pulatsya and Pulah meditated on the banks of Naini Lake.
Dhanu our guide regaled with information and anecdotes from the jungle. He marvelled at the sensitivity and focus of the foreigners when visiting Corbett.
The Uttarakhand High Court, Boat Club, Naina Devi temple, parks around Mall Road, Gurney House and The Naini Retreat Hotel were some of the places I found these flowers growing. Hydrangeas, geraniums, dahlias, lilies, roses, margaritas, fuschias, marigold, snapdragons, cosmos, hibiscus and begonias are the ones that I recognized.