OUR TRIP TO BADRINATH AND
KEDARNATH
Things do happen even if we never give a
taught to it. Yes, it proved correct in our case. I have allowed 2 chances for
LFC to get lapsed, as i was not very much interested as my daughters have
become independent and are busy with there life( all tours my daughters have
accompanied us ). A tour without them remained out of mind as far as I was
concerned and hence I just never gave a thinking on those lines.However, my
wife was persisting me for going out on a LFC.
Few months back, I received a
call from my brother in law Sri Balasubramanian, informing me about a trip to
Badrinath and Kedarnath and he said my co brother’s family, my sambanthi would
be joining the trip apart from his famiy. This sounded as a good idea for me to
go on a LFC and to be away from the monotony of Bank atleast for few days and
hence I also gave my nod for the trip. Things happened quickly. Tickets have
been booked up to Delhi and tour Manager M/s Kala Rajan of Delhi was also
informed about our participation in the tour.
After availing the leave, we have
started from Trichy on 10th May 2018 to Chennai by Vaigai express
and on reaching Chennai, went to my daughter Priyadharshni’s house. As my
sampanthi Mrs Radha Krishnamurthy was also one of the participant in the tour,
she and my wife started preparing the food for the next day’s train journey to
Delhi and my part was to pack the food. After packing, we had a good chat with
Sabarish and Priya and went to sleep.
11th May 2018
Our journey to Badri started . We
have arranged a cab around 4.30AM and went to Central station to catch Garibrath express to
Nizamudin. Co brother family, Bala family along with Prof. Krishnamurthy and
his wife from Srirangam ( later became very close to us) assembled and we all
boarded the train. The train started around 6.35 AM towards Delhi. I am
proceeding to Delhi after a gap of 17 years.
The train journey was very tiresome with no specific events other than
our conversation.
(journey to
Delhi)
12th May 2018
We have reached Nizamudin
station around 10.30AM and took a taxi to our hotel at Paharganj. We could get comfortable room and
Mr Kannan our close friend at Delhi came to meet me and we had a good chat
recalling the old incidents. We, along
with Mr Kannan, went to Janpath area, to have our lunch. We had been to
Saravanabhavan and had a good south Indian lunch. Delhi due to the metro rail
system seems changed a bid but mostly remained the same Delhi, when we left at
2000. Mr Kannan took us to Rajiv chowk
metro station and left us. From Rajiv chowk, we all proceeded to Akshardham a
temple built in Gujarathi style, which is located on the Ghaziabad road. The
temple is situated in 50 acres of land and is provided with all amenities. I
took wheel chair and went round. “Aanthi” a dust storm was threatening to blow
up and hence, we had to hurry . After visiting the temple, we came over to the
metro station and took some photograph before boarded the train to New Delhi
station and back to hotel.
(In a metro
rail-Delhi) (Akshardam backdrop) (Mahatma Gandhi Samadhi)
13th
May 2018
We went for local site
seeing. As every place I have already visited many times, during my stay at
Delhi from 1997 to 2000 , it did not
enthuse me much now. However, to go with people, I had also undertook the
journey. We first tried red fort but it was closed. It was a disappointment for
others. My aim of going in to the fort
interior did not materialise, due to the closure. Then we paid homage to the
father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Just relaxed a bit. Just went
round Parliament, Rastrapathibhavan in
the car itself. Then we went to Munirka area and had purchases there. I
purchased bed spread ,3 sarees and asked the shop keeper to send as a parcel to
Chennai as the shop where we shopped belong
to Delhi Government. We had a good north Indian lunch and reached
Vaikundanathjee temple ( our starting point for Badrinath trip). After some
rest, myself, Geetha and Radha mami, went to Malaimandir and had a good
dharshan of Lord Muruga. Malaimandir is called as “Uthar Swamimalai” and the
project was inaugurated by the then President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad. The
committee was headed by Sri R Venkataraman another former President of India.
The temple is very well maintained. I recalled the frequent visits I made to
this temple, during my stay at Delhi especially on a new year day ( January 1 is
a working day at Delhi)Almost all the persons booked for the trip assembled at
the Vaikundanathjee temple, when we returned.
We all waited in the corridor of the temple. Behind the temple a branch
of Andavar Ashram of Srirangam is
functioning and they provided us the night tiffin. Due to stomach upset, I did
not take anything. Around 9 PM Mr Suresh
son of Mr Rajan the organiser called for a meeting and described about the trip
and he said he would be accompanying us during the trip. Around 10.30PM we were allotted buses and gave
us the seat number and asked us to go over to the Buses. The journey towards Badri and Kedar started.
(vaikundanath temple from
where we have started the journey)
14th
May 2018
Reached Riskhkesh via
Haridwar( by pass )around 5.30AM. I have already visited this place during
1998. But the serine atmosphere, prevailing at that time is missing a bit (
this is my feeling). We were accommodated in an Ashram. The rooms were
comfortable, though not very neat. We proceeded to Ganga to have our bath. The
Ganga was flowing just 50 feet below the ashram and steps were provided to go
to the river. The flow of water was not furious. Kumar helped me to cross the
rocks and go over to middle of the river
( no water in between). There i chose a comfortable place and had bath for
nearly 40 minutes. In the meantime, Kumar finished his bath and performed
Tharpanam in the Ganga ( that day happens to be ammavasya day ). In the mean
time, Geetha and other friends had their bath near the bathing ghat itself (
where the river flows like a canal )and got themselves ready. After our bath,
we all went back to our rooms and dressed up. After a while, we all assembled
in the centre of the Ashram where Mr Suresh briefed about that day’s programme
and he introduced one guide to us and informed that he would take us all to the
places. We hired a motorised rickshaw which can accommodate 8 persons and first
visited Sivananda ashram. It lies in the
slop of the mountain facing Ganga. There we went to the Samadhi of Sivananda
and offered our prayers. Then went round book shop and I purchased two books. In
the mean time, others went round all places in the Ashram ( as the places are
in high altitude, I preferred not to go to all places). They normally offer
rooms if we book through on line and can stay there even for a week. Food will
be provided and we have to participate in their daily routine only. Kumar
expressed his desire to come over to this ashram for a week’s stay. After leaving the ashram, we crossed the
Raman jouwla. We went to the other side of Ganga, where we had been to a siva
temple. It is believed that Pandavas started their journey to himalayas from
this temple only. We made abishekam to Lord siva by ourselves and left for Kala
kambliwala samathi. His real name could not be ascertained and he was a rich
man from Kolkatta and visited Badri.
During those days, it was not sure whether any body who undertake the
journey to Badri would return back due to the fact that they have to cross
dense forest with animals and to bear the inclement weather. However, this man
came back successfully but was moved by the hardship underwent by the pilgrims.
Hence, he used all his money to build choultry in many places between Riskikesh
and Badrinath. After that he settled in Rishikesh and did not return to
Kolkatta. He always use to wear a black blanket and hence got the name Kala
kambliwala. His ashram was neat and tidy. We could see statue of Radha and
Krishna and Anjaneya apart from his samathi and his statue. We came out and
went for shopping at Utharkand government shopping centre. There we all
assembled and the shop incharge gave a brief account about spadiga malai ,
rudracha malai etc., There I got my spadiga malai tested andgot confirmed as
original. Our people made shopping and after shopping we all went to Lakshman
juwla. All had photograph and crossed the bridge. Both Raman and Lakshman juwla
are made of iron strings and it is an
engineering marvel indeed. While crossing due to air pressure, the juwla swings
a bit which is a thrilling experience. ( when I first visited Lakshman juwla 17
years back there were no construction on either side of the banks and full of
jungle only. But now both sides are full of concrete jungle).
All our people went to a 8
storey temple ( recently built ) and I preferred to watch them going and
coming. After that we all assembled in the boat jatty and boarded a boat to
cross Ganga. We all crossed the Ganga in the boat and went to our Ashram. As we
went round Risikesh in the hot sun, We all took rest in the room. Around 6.30PM
all went to Ganga riverbanks to witness Ganga arathi. As usual as I could not walk any further, I preferred
to rest in the room itself. Geetha came and told me that the Aarathi was very
superb. There were songs and dance and finally 16 persons stood in a stool like
structure and performed arathi to matha Ganga amidst vedic chanting. We all had
our night dinner around 8.30 PM and went to bed. Geetha and Pushpa went to
Balaji mandir and a Siva temple in the morning, which i omitted to mention.
(two samiyars at Rishikesh)
(after holy dip in Ganga) (at Sivananda ashram hall-Rishikesh)
(Lakshman juwla –
Rishikesh) (Raman
juwla-Rishikesh) (Crossing Ganga river)
(Ganga Arathi – Rishikesh)
15th
May 2018
The actual ascenting of
himalays towards Badrinath started from thisday. The Badinath shrine is 260 Kms
from Rishikesh and entire road is in the ghat section. We started in 3 buses
and a Traveller van around 5.30 AM. ( The notable thing here is that the sun
rise is around 4 30 AM itself and hence
it looked like 8.30 AM in the morning at 5.30 AM itself with bright sun shine
)The river Ganga was accompanying us by our side. Around 7.45 AM, we have
reached Devaprayag. Here the river Alaganandha and Bagirathi
amalgamates and river Ganga starts flowing from here. Alaganandha was very
ferocious and Bagirathi very calm. We
have to descend around 200 meters to reach the meeting point of the river. As usual all our tour mates descended towards
the sangamam and I preferred to stay in the bus itself. In the ghat as the
river is very ferocious, the members were not allowed to get in to the river.
Instead, two of our tour crew members have used bucket and poured the water to
all the members. The tour members bathed
in this fashion here. After that they have visited the Neelamega perumal shrine
which is considered as one among the 108 Tirupathi by the vaishnavaites. Thirumangai
Alwar gave a song in praise of the deity here. Around 9.30AM we have reached a
small village were an ashram is situated. We had our breakfast here . Here
River alaganandha and Adhi Mangadini meets and further flows as Alaganandha. A
beautiful hanging bridge connects two hills here and we can walk in the bridge
to see the rivers. A beautiful and thrilling experience indeed. After our break
fast, we undertook a tedious bus journey.
Around 1PM, we reached SRINAGAR (
GARWAL DIST) and had our lunch and
resumed our bus journey and reached Adi
Badri around 3 PM. This is a very
small place were 5 temples are situated. Each temple is dedicated to Lord
Vishnu, Annapurani, Hanuman, Radhekrishna and Siva. Unlike the present Badri,
this shrine is closed during the month of Margazhi only (December 15th
to January 15th ). The place is surrounded by Himalayas on all sides
giving a beautiful scene. We resumed our
journey and reached KARNAPRAYAG. It is a small town in Garwal district where,
the river Alagananda and Mandagini meets and further flows further as
Alagananda. Here, we have crossed the
river Alagananda through a bridge and reached the other side of the hill. Here,
we have experienced the first rain during the tour. Due to heavy rain, we had
to proceed very slowly . One side highly elevated himalays and on the other
side deep valley and we had to proceed in the slippery road due to the rain
which gave a very thrilling experience. We have reached PIPLEKOTE around 8.30 PM and reached our hotel . The
day’s tiresome bus journey got concluded. The room was a 10 bed dormitory type
room but was comfortable. Our team ( consists of myself, Geetha, Kumar,
Srividya, Radha mami, Mr Krishnamurthy’s sister in law ) had a good chat and
retired to bed.
(way to Devaprayag)
(Devaprayag at a distance)
(Sangamam point of
Alagananda_
Bhagirathi)
(After snanam at
Sangamam-Devaprayag) (Hamara Gadi uthar
kadi hi )
(Adhi Badri )
(chanting of Vishnusahasranamam at Pippalkottee)
16th
May 2018
(started
for Badri )
(Rock erosion due to 2013 floods)(First glazier on sight)
Our’ team’ at Joshimutt (Unity of Saivam and Vainavam )
Temple entrance_Joshimutt
(Adisankaracharya temple-backdrop)
We started around 5.30 AM
for ascending further in the Himalayas. The ghat section road was narrow but
the surroundings were very beautiful. Around 8.00AM we have reached JOSHIMUTT. Joshimutt, is formed by Adi
Sankaracharya. The town is very beautiful and we could see the movement of
Indian Army vehicles there. A school run by the military is situated there and
we could see kids wearing uniform travelling in the military van. Our vehicle
stopped few meters before the temple and we could reach the temple by foot. We had to decend few meters to reach the
temple. The temple ( in north Indian style ) is not very big but beautiful.
Lord Shiva adorned the sanctum sanctorum and Pooja was being performed by the
Pandas. People were sitting with reverberation chanting the nama of the
almighty. We also sat in the pooja and after the arathi, Prasad was distributed
. We have after that, visited a one storyed building inside the temple premises
where a small idol of Adi Sankaracharya is placed and daily pooja is being
performed. The entire room is made up of
wood and could withstand the weather. During 6 months of winter, the idol of
Badri is brought here and the temple of Badri is closed for six months .
After spending nice time at
Joshimutt, we proceeded our journey to Badrinath.
The
last 10 minutes drive to Badrinath was very thrilling. Sharp hairpin bends with
no support and very deep valley scared us. But the drivers ,very efficient as
they make frequent visit, drove with ease. All our fears vanished in thin air,
when we entered the Badrinath town and we could see the Badrinath temple from a
distance itself. “Bolo Badrivishal ki
Jai” slogan reverberated in the air
and all our strain vanished once we saw the temple.
Badrinath
at sight Badrinath ji
temple
We
were accommodated in two hotels and the hotel in which we were ( my family,
Kumars’ Radha mami, Krishnamurthy family and his brother in law family stayed
together throughout the tour) accommodated had a open balcony in front of our
rooms and table and chairs were provided and sitting through which, we could
enjoy the himalays and also could see the last post of our military guarding
the Indio- China ( Tibet ) border, which is on the high mountain.
Immediately
on occupying the room Kumar and others made a visit to the temple. I decided to
stay back as I was tired and also could not walk to the temple as the way to
the temple was very steep.
Around
3 PM, we all went to the temple. I have engaged a dolly ( it is made up of a
basket carried by a person on his back ). The dollywala was a well built young
man who took me with all care. First we went round the temple and had a
dharshan of Hanuman, Sita and purchased ticket for aarthi dharshan and waited
for the same. In the meantime, our team sat in the corridor of the temple and
started chanting Vishnu Sahasranaman. Some north Indian pilgrims also came and
silently sat with us and enjoyed our chanting. After that we all went to the
queue for the aarthi dharshan and went inside the temple and sat in the sanctum
sanctorum. We could see Nara narayan ( Badi Narayanan, Kuberan and Naratha muni
idols, for which the aarthi was made. The Pandit first elaborated the story of
Badrinath and chanted the mandra during which the aarthi was performed. After
that we all made to go near the idols to have a close dharshan. During that
time, we gave the coins bundle we have carried with us for this tour to the
Pandit. He placed the same on the foot of Kuberan and returned the same to us,
which is meant for distributing to our friends and relatives as Prasadh. We
came out of the temple and myself and Geetha went to another place from where,
we had direct dharshan of the Badri narayanan. After satisfactory dharshan, wecame
our of the temple where the dolly walla was waiting to pick me and using the
dolly we returned back to our hotel and asked him to come the next day morning
to pick me up for a dharshan of Badri narayan again. We sat in the balcony
enjoying the chill atmosphere , during which time other members also came back
from the temple and our supper also came. After finishing our super, we retired
for the day.
17th
MAY 2018
Next
day early morning the dollywalla promptly came to the hotel and took me in his
dolly to the temple. Geetha accompanied me. Others came by foot. First we went
to GHOWRIKUNT a hot spring pool situated very near the
temple. Arrangements made by the temple authorities for the gents and ladies to
take bath in the spring separately. I have taken bath in the hot spring and Geetha also took bath in the place
specified for the ladies. The dollywalla helped me to take bath and took us to
the temple, after we changed our cloths. Again we had a clear dharshan of Badri
narayan, Sita, Hanuman and Rishi Vyasar and came back to the hotel fully
satisfied with the Dharshan of Badri Narayanan.
In
Badrinath, persons who are fatherless, can give Tharpanam to their fathers and forefathers and the same
is more than the tharpanam performed at Gaya . Hence, some members have gone to
the place were tharpanam could be performed.
The
next visit by us was to MANA VILLAGE. As per the tour itinerary, we should have been
taken to this village by the tour management. However, they avoided to take us,
citing some reasons, for which Kumar was not happy. He immediately arranged
vehicle for our team ( the members, I have already mentioned ) and we visited the village. MANNA VILLAGE is
a very small village situated 5 Kms from Badrinath. This is the last village in
the Indian territory. After this
village, the China ( Tibet) territory starts roughly about 12 Kms from this
village. The speciality of this village is that The Pandavas, after ruling
Indraprastha ( by winning the war at Kurukshetra ) took Vanaprastha with an
intention to relinquish the world. They proceeded to the heavenly abode by
foot, and the starting point was this village. Dharma told his brothers and his
wife that whatever happens during the journey to anybody, the journey should
continue without looking back and accordingly the started the journey. First
Dhroupathy not able to bear the journey died but others proceeded. Second to
die was Nagulan and after that Sahadevan. Subsequently Arjuna and Beema also
died. But Dharma continued the journey.
During his journey a dog also followed him sincerely. At one point Indra came
in his chariot and asked Dharma to board the chariot enroute to heaven. At that
time, the dog preceded him and boarded the chariot. But Indra objected to this
and asked Dharma alone to board the chariot for which Dharma refused. He said
the dog sincerely followed him and it is not dharma to leave the dog . At that
time the dog transformed in to Dharma devathai and both Indra and
Dharmadevathai informed Dharma that they have only tested his virtues and he
passed the same.
(at
Mana village )
(Vinayaga temple at Mana) (last tea shop on Indian side)
(Vyasa
cave where sage vyasa Bridge of Beema Pandavas route to Heaven
Dictated
Mahabaratha to
Lord
Ganesha )
In
Manna village, there are two places to visit , one is Beema bridge and another
is Vyasa cage. Beema bride is a rock of 3 meters length, connecting two sides
of the river Sarawathi. River Saraswathi originate at Badrinath and believed to
be flowing underground only and amalgamates with Ganga and Yamuna at Prayagraj
( Allahabad ). It is believed that during the journey of the Pandavas ( as I
have aforesaid ) they had to cross the ridge and Drowpathy was hesitating to
cross the ridge and hence Beema using the rock made a bridge to cross the ridge and also river Saraswathi. Another place is the Vyasa cage. It is
situated at an elevation and people have to take steps to go near this. It is
believed that Sage Vyasa was narrating Mahabaratha verbally and Lord Vinayaga
wrote the same in palm leaf and that is how the Mahabaratha is known to us.
There is a temple for Vinayaga also there.
Though
I could not visit these places due to altitude problem, all other team members
visited these places and good number of photographs taken by Kumar in these
places.
There
is a tea shop also in this area with a board “ Last tea shop in Indian
territory” and our team members had a tea in this shop.
After
visiting these places, we have returned to our hotels, were lunch was provided
first to the persons who have performed Tharpanam at Badrinath and after that
we also had our lunch. After that we left Badrinath with the fond memories of
Badrinath and reached PIPALKOTE and
stayed in the same hotel where we have stayed during our visit to Badrinath. We
had our supper in the hotel and we were briefed by the tour organiser about
Kedarnath visit by Helicopter. We ( none other than our team members) decided
to visit Kedarnath for a night stay at the shrine place.
18TH
may 2018
Out
of the 3 buses and a Traveller, which undertook the tour, one bus returned back
to New Delhi from Pipalkote and the rest ( 2 buses and a Traveller) started the
journey to Kedarnath. Up to Karnaprayag, the route was the same as we proceeded
to Badrinath. From Karnaprayag, our tourage took a separate route to proceed to
Kedarnath. The route was very pleasant for more than one hour of journey. We
stopped our vehicles near a motel and had our breakfast. After that, we could feel that the vehicles
were going upward in a steep mountain and the road became very narrow. Almost
only one vehicle could pass in that road. At many points, we faced the traffic
jam and some of
(traffic jam
at Ghat- heading to Guptakasi) (taking lunch
before proceeding to Kedarnath)
our
tour friends and Kumar regulated the traffic at many points. It was a thrilling
experience indeed. We really appreciated the Driver’s skill . My co-brother Sri
Subramanian also regulated the traffic at one point. After a thrilling journey, around 2.30 PM we
reached a spacious place with some motels and rest room, where we had our
lunch. At this point, our “team” members
were asked to shift to Traveller van from the bus as we have decided to make
night stay at Kedarnath. Mr Suresh , son of the tour organiser also accompanied
us. Around 4.00 PM we have reached GUPTAKASI.
This is the last town before Kedarnath. From here people use 3 modes of
transport viz., by walk, by pooni and by helicopter, to reach Kedarnath. We have reached the helipad directly, which
is further 1 KM from Guptakasi town, to get the accommodation in the
helicopter. Here 1 state owned Hans
Pawan company and other 3 non Govt companies operate the helicopter service to
Kedarnath. Here some 20 people including our team assembled to get the
helicopter. Our Weight was measured and after verifying our Aadharcard tickets
were given. We were asked to assemble in the launch. Only 5 members can travel
in the helicopter at a time. Myself,
Geetha, Pushpa and two other passengers ( not our tour members) were assigned
to go first in the helicopter. Hence, Kumar asked me to book accommodation at
Kedarnath for all our “team” members. The travel time is 6 minutes from
Guptakasi to Kedarnath helipad. While flying, I could see people walking(
rather climbing ) towards the temple and could see almost the entire route to
Kedarnath by foot. It was indeed very steep and I really got lot of respect for
the people who travel by foot and admired their Bakthi.
When we started from Guptakasi it was very sunny. But almost 1 minute
before our landing at Kedarnath, it started raining and we had to rush to a
shelter immediately on landing at Kedarnath. My self , Geetha and Pusha rushed
to the accommodation booking counter and booked a dormitory for our team. Due
to 2013 flood havoc, all permanent structures were replaced by tents only.
These tents are called as Spanish tents. They are made up of fibre glass and
are rectangular in size with flat top. 10 beds like train berth were provided
inside. The rain started heavily and other members of our team also arrived by
that time. We have rested at the accommodation for few minutes and decided to
go for dharshan in the rain itself as we felt that the rain would not stop.
Hence, Kumar rushed outside and purchased a rain coat made for a single use
only for all our members. We adorned the same and others started walking
towards the temple. I have opted for dolly and Geetha accompanied me. The
temple is situated 150 meters from our tent and many shops in temporary sheds
could be found through out the passage to temple.
The
Kedarnath and Badrinath temples are managed by Badri-Kedar temple trust.
Actually both the temples are separted only by 30 Kms but a steep mountain
stand in between. Hence, all have to take a circuitous route from Badri to
reach Kedar.
(Helipad-Kedarnath- (Our tent at Kedarnath) ( ghost at Kedarnath ) (Kedarnathji temple)
(Heavy rain and our winter cloth
( for joke only )
Totally inadequate )
(Snow covered mountain infront of (
tents on the way to temple) ( pani padarntha malai – at Kedarnath )
(tents – another view –Kedarnath )
( Helipad – before leaving Kedarnath )
(Helipad-shivering cold )
The
temperature started dipping due to the rain and we could reach the temple
shivering. Myself and Geetha went inside the temple after standing in the
queue. Ofcourse we stood for less than 5 minutes only in the queue before we
entered the shrine.
We
all know that Pandavas killed their cousins, Guru and Grand father and other
relatives only to win the kingdom. In order to do pariharam for their sins,
they decided to approach Lord Shiva for the salvation. Lord Shiva understood
their intention and inorder to avoid the Pandavas, took the form of cow and
mingled with group of cows grazing. Pandavas realised that Lord Shiva took the
form of a cow to avoid them and decided to find Shiva and Beema stood with both
of his legs apart and asked all cows to pass through his legs. As Shiva
hesitated to pass through Beema’s legs, he started digging the earth to go to
the other side. Beema found Lord Shiva’s act and pulled the tail out. But only
the back portion of the cow could emerge out. The face of the cow emerged out
from the earth at Pasupathinath in Nepal. Hence, at Kedarnath we could see the
back portion of a cow only which is worshiped as Lord shiva.
Immediately
on entering the temple, we could see the idols of Dharumar, Arjunan, Beeman,
Kunthi devi and Drowpathy. Inside we could see Lord Shiva in the form I have
mentioned in the previous para. After a clear dharshan for nearly 3 minutes, we
could come out of the temple. However, other members of our “Team” had a clear
dharshan for several times as the rush was minimum due to rain. Myself and
Geetha returned to the tent totally shivering. Immediately on entering the
tent, we entered in to the Rajai. I have tried to keep myself and also Geetha
warm, by rubbing my foot as well as that of Geetha’s several times. After
nearly 10 minutes of constant rubbing, we could get some warmness and the
shivering gone a bit. Other members came after 15 minutes all shivering. The temperature outside was 2 degrees. Rain
was still on. We all chanted Vishnu
sahasranamam and Shivapuranam. Lakshmi madam had breathing problem and she went
out of mind due to fear. The mood was very sober and all remained speechless.
Sri Krishnamurthy and his brother in law tried to cheer up Lakshmi madam. Kumar
was cheering up all and he went out and bought some bun and biscuits for our
dinner. The winter clothing we all had was totally inadequate and hence we had
a sleepless and a very sober night.
19th
MAY 2018
We all got ready for our
return by 4.30 AM. We went to the helipad around 5 AM and given our names for
the first trip. It was very cold outside and we all were shivering. The
helicopter service started around 6 AM. Lakshmi madam came to me and apologised
for her indifferent attitude the
previous night. I told her that we did not take that seriously and requested
her to forget the incident . This time myself and Geetha were the last to take
the helicopter back to Guptakasi.
The weather at Guptakasi
was very bright and sunny and totally different from that at Kedarnath.
Immediately on landing, we all had a cup of hot tea and slowly regained our
strength. We went to the hotel, took bath and had our breakfast. Some members
of our tourage went to nearby temple and we preferred to take rest. After lunch, we were shifted to another hotel
very near to the helipad, which was very clean when compared to the previous
hotel we stayed. In the evening, our ‘team’ started chanting Vishnusahasranaman
in the corridor of the hotel. Some other members of our tour also joined us in
chanting. After that one lady member of our tour team sung songs from
Tirupugazh and Kumar also joined her. Indeed that evening was totally relaxing,
happy and totally contrary to the experience we had the previous night at
Kedarnath.
(Helipad-Guptakasi) (Relaxing at Guptakasi ) (Kedarnath hill – view from
our hotel at Guptakasi)
20th
MAY 2018
Today we started our return
journey to Haridwar. The entire day we had to undertake the bus journey with a
stopping at two places for breakfast and Lunch. It was littlebit tiresome only.
We could see all the rivers again viz., Bagirath, Alaganandha and Ganga and
Rishikesh again. Around 4.30 PM we could reach Haridwar and got accommodation
in an ashram. The ashram contains numerous pilgrims and was very busy. We took
rest some some time and after refreshing ourselves, proceeded to Harikabari on
the banks of Ganga to see the aarathi.
Myself and Geetha sat on a bridge to see the aarathi and others went to
the aarathi spot itself to have a better look. We ( myself and Geetha ) after
seeing the aarathi from a distance, returned back and made some shopping in the
bazaar of Haridwar and returned to the room.
(Ganga –
Haridwar ) (Ganga at
night – Haridwar) Harathi
at Haridwar
21st
MAY 2018
All members started towards
Ganga to have a bath and as usual, our ‘team’ also set out to River Ganga in a
autorickshaw. We reached a bathing ghat with less crowd and had a good bath. We
worshipped mother Ganga and returned to room and had our breakfast. After that
some persons went out to Manasadevi temple including Geetha and I preferted to
stay in the room. Further Kumar also had fever and hence rested in his room.
Around 3 PM Kumar felt better and hence, our ‘team’ has set out to see Haridwar
. We could see 4 temples and 3 ashrams. Out of which one temple had glass wall
and many artistic works were displayed. After satisfactory visit to all places
returned to the ashram. In the night we had a good dinner as this is the last
dinner as far as the tour is concerned. Around 10 PM our tourage started our
journey back to New Delhi. Before starting we have ( the persons travelled in
our bus ) honoured the driver Sri Singh and assistant Mr Bahadur by presenting
cash and a shawl. Afterthat, we started our journey.
Baradwaj
ashram –Haridwar Gita mandir –
Haridwar Rudraksha tree at backdrop gnana mandir - Haridwar
Krishna
mandir-Haridwar our team on
our way back to Haridwar from Kedar
22nd
MAY 2018
Around 5PM, we returned
back to Vaikunthanathji temple from where we had started our journey to Badri.
We had our bath and had a good dharshan of Lord Vishnu in that temple. We had
our breakfast at a nearby tiffin centre. All the tour members started leaving
one by one bidding farewell to each other. Today was the marriage day for Sri
Krishnamurthy and Lakshmi madam and hence all tour members gathered and wished
them and presented with a gift. Myself and Geetha have booked our ticket back
to Trichy by air and others have booked ticket in the Tamilnadu expresss in the
night. Hence, we ( myself and Geetha ) have around10 AM bid goodbye to all and
left for the airport. Two assistant cooks who were party in this trip also
booked their ticket back to Chennai in the same flight and hence accompanied us
to the airport. We have reached the airport around 11AM, got the boarding pass
and got in to the plane at around 12.30 PM ( Air India ). The plane took off at
1PM and reached Chennai at 3.30 PM. After getting our luggages we came out of
the airport and phoned Priya as well as Varsha. Varsha said she would come to
the airport to see us and hence asked us to wait in the corridor itself. She
came around 4.30 PM and we had our
evening snacks and was talking to each other. She bid good bye to us at around
7.30 PM and we entered again to the airport to take the flight to Trichy (
scheduled at 8.30 PM. We waited in to the launge for the plane ( jet airways )
and could boarded the plane at around 9.30 PM ( the plane was late ) and
reached Trichy around 10.30 PM and we have reached our home at Karumandapam
around 11 PM.
Mostly, the journey to
Badri and Kedar was good and we could mingle with lot of people, could see the
beauty of Himalayas ( we could see the after effect of 2013 flood havoc also in
the mountain). A journey, which I never thought that I would undertake, went on
very well and the beautiful moments will
remain fresh in my memory for ever. THANK YOU LORD BADRI AND LORD SHIVA FOR
YOUR DHARSHAN AND YOUR BLESSINGS SHOWERED ON US ( OUR ENTIRE TEAM ).
