India has so many surprising hidden and unexplored gems that most of us are unaware of. The picturesque mountains of this country are the home to the world’s most expensive fungus and we are excited to share all the deets with you. This costly fungus is known as ‘Caterpillar Fungus’. Various districts of Uttarakhand deal with selling these fungi. These are super high-priced and there are so many reasons for such cost. Read on to know all about Caterpillar fungus.
You Will Find World’s Most Expensive Fungus In Uttrakhand!
Uttarakhand is a magnificent destination and every nook and corner of this state looks absolutely beautiful with the mesmerising mountains, pristine waterfalls, and natural beauty. Some districts here such as Bageshwar, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh are famous for this expensive fungus. The scientific name of caterpillar fungus is Cordyceps sinensis and you can find it in places with a high elevation of above 3500 metres. The best places to find this parasite are the alpine pastures of the mighty Himalayas. You will find the world’s most expensive fungus in abundance in these parts of India. Also, Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal, and China are some countries where you will find these.
Also read: 5 Mysterious Places In Uttarakhand That Will Surprise You!
Reasons For This Fungi To Be So Costly
Caterpillar fungus is so much in demand for its immense qualities. It is very expensive and you need to spend lakhs of rupees to purchase a very small amount of it. And these beneficial qualities increase the price of this parasite. It is said that caterpillar fungus comes with many aphrodisiac qualities. In fact, it is believed that it has the power to be used as medicine for cancer and lung diseases. Many athletes in China use this as a steroid. This herb also helps in boosting immunity and strength.
Also read: 5 Adventure Sports You MUST Try On Your Next Trip To Uttarakhand
The cost of this expensive fungus is dependent on its availability and the weather of the place. A report of TOI stated that its price can increase up to ₹20 lakh for just 1 kg. Unfortunately, the accessibility of this expensive fungus is reducing. In the past couple of years, its accessibility decreased to about 30%.