Travelogue of Uttarakhand, 2nd June 2103



2nd June 2013
We got up at 7am and were ready to go by 8. After calling Mr Manjit Singh, we were on our way to Gangotri. We reached there by noon, and had the entire day for our disposal. On reaching Gangotri, we told  Mr Manjit to leave as we had a contract only till here. I paid him Rs9000 and tipped him Rs 500 for his excellent service. Then we checked into Gangotri Vashnav restaurent and hotel. As we had not got permit at Uttarkashi because we were late, the officials had told us that permit to Gomukh will be available at Gangotri. So after keeping the bags in the room, the first thing that I did was go to the forest office and check for the permit. On reaching there we were told that it will be available after 5pm. So we went back to the room, had our food and relaxed for some time.  Then we went for the darshan of Ganga Mata Temple. Having taken the darshan, we spent some quality times at the banks of flowing Bhagirathi. The water was so cold that our fingers used to get numb in 20 secs once immersed in that water. We roamed around the market, picked up some plastic disposable raincoats as there was some likelihood of rain. Then at 5pm I was at the forest office for the permit. We were asked to fill up a form and attaching our ID proof, we submitted it to the official present. After paying Rs 150 per person we got the permit. While filling up the permit form we had added the name of the porter also. He was our guide cum porter.  With the permit with us, we had our food early and were into the bed.We had called Mr. Sunil Singh, our guide at 5am at the hotel.  As planned we had given ourselves two night for acclimatization, one night at Gangnani and one night at Gangotri and we were ready for the most eagerly awaited trek to Gomukh
Stupendous scenery

Apple orchards

Winding Ganga, or Bhagirathi as it is called here


Apples

Kalp Kedar temple at Dharali. This temple is well below the ground level

A river flowing in from China, as told by the driver

Bhairav mandir

Bhairav Ghati

At Gangotri

History

Ganga Mata Mandir

Surging Bhagirathi

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 5, Khajuraho

Image
Amidst the timeless allure of Khajuraho's temples, we were captivated to the point that an additional day was deemed essential to truly savor the grandeur that unfolded at every turn. With the majority of these architectural marvels under the watchful gaze of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), our extended day in Khajuraho promised a sunrise-to-sunset odyssey. Kicking off our explorations at 9 a.m., the enchanting Jain group of temples beckoned us first, conveniently nestled near our accommodation. Each temple, adorned with intricate sculptures, stood as a testament to the artistry of ancient times. Venturing inside, we sought the blessings of the deities enshrined within, immersing ourselves in the spiritual ambiance. Our reverie was interrupted by a friendly ASI personnel, eager to share the nuances of Khajuraho's divine sculptures. With passion, he guided us through the labyrinth of gods and demigods, decoding the significance of weapons and animal compani
Read more

Trip to MP, Chitrakoot

Image
In front of Kamadgiri Temple Embarking on the enchanting trail from Maihar to Chitrakoot on the crisp morning of January 15th, our expedition unfolded with a tapestry of cultural exploration and scenic wonders. Navigating through the heart of Chitrakoot, our journey began with a scenic bus ride from Maihar to Satna and another from Satna to Chitrakoot. Enroute, a fellow passenger shared a local gem—Kamadgiri Bhavan—as the perfect abode. With anticipation building, an auto-rickshaw swiftly transported us. This haven was available at a reasonable cost of 1500 rupees. Our cozy three-bed room at Kamadgiri Bhavan boasted modern amenities, including an attached geyser and an air conditioner—though the chilly weather rendered the latter unnecessary. Freshened up and brimming with excitement, we embarked on the Kamadgiri Parvat Parikrama, a captivating 6km journey that included side branches like Laxman Pahadi. The barefoot parikrama unfolded with a visit to the sacred Kamadgiri Te
Read more

Day 4, Tiger safari and glimpse of Khajuraho

Image
Awakening to the promise of a thrilling tiger safari, we decided to embrace the chill and venture into the wilderness of Panna National Park. The anticipation of the day ahead led us to check out of Prannath Dharamshala, leaving our luggage in the safe confines of the National Park office. At the crack of dawn, at a bone-chilling 5 degrees Celsius, we eagerly awaited the auto-rickshaw that would transport us to Mandla gate for our safari. The dense fog painted an ethereal canvas, and as we embarked on the 20 km journey, time seemed to stand still in the surreal landscape. Upon reaching Mandla gate, we confirmed our reservations for the tiger safari scheduled at 6:45 a.m.  Despite the biting cold, our spirits soared as we met our guide and the driver who would accompany us on this wild adventure. The early morning mist shrouded our surroundings, creating an air of mystery and excitement. The safari began, and although the initial fog hindered visibility, the day gradually unfolded its s
Read more