Travelogue

Some dreams refuse to fade. They linger in the background of your mind, whispering, “One day…” For me, trekking to Hemkund Sahib was one such dream. Sitting high at 15,500 feet above sea level, surrounded by the serenity of the Himalayas, Hemkund Sahib holds immense spiritual significance. It’s a place where devotion meets endurance — where faith is tested as much as the body. Two years ago, I came close. The plan was perfect — my family and I would visit the Valley of Flowers, Badrinath, Vasundhara Falls, and finally make the climb to Hemkund Sahib. But just before the final leg, I fell ill. Standing there, knowing the goal was within reach but out of grasp, was heartbreaking. We completed the other parts of the trip, but the mountain remained undefeated. Lessons from Failure At first, I told myself it was just bad luck. But over time, I understood that my setback wasn’t purely physical. There had been another barrier — my mind. I had underestimated how self-doubt and negativity can w...

 Day 8: The Penultimate Day – Of Sunrise, Legends & Goodbyes We began our day early, waking up by 5 a.m., hoping to witness the sunrise from atop the iconic Rock Fort Temple in Trichy. Although a few travel delays meant we couldn’t make it to the summit in time, we did manage to catch the mesmerizing sunrise halfway up the hill—a golden hue spreading across the sky, gently lighting the ancient stone steps beneath our feet. This Rock Fort stands atop a geological marvel—a rock that is said to be older than the Himalayas, possibly among the oldest in the world. Standing in its presence felt like being embraced by time itself. At the base of the hill, we visited the Ganapati temple, and after a short but steep climb, we reached another Ganapati temple perched on the summit. The complex also houses shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, completing the divine triad. The Ganapati Temple atop the hill holds a fascinating legend that adds to its spiritual gravitas:  ...

 Day 7: Trichy & Srirangam – A Journey Through Time & Devotion As the sun rose over Thanjavur, we embarked on our journey to Trichy (Tiruchirapalli), an hour-long ride filled with anticipation. Given the extensive travel planned for the next two days, we strategically booked a room near the bus stand, ensuring easy access to both buses and the railway station within walking distance. After a quick check-in, we wasted no time and set off towards our first destination—Srirangam Temple. Srirangam – A Temple That Encloses a Town Unlike most temples that are built within villages or towns, Srirangam Temple is an entire town within a temple! Spanning an astounding 155 acres, it is believed to be the largest religious complex in the world. Ranganathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, has references dating back to 100 BCE, making it more than 2,000 years old. The sanctum houses Lord Vishnu in a reclining pose over the mighty Sheshnag (serpent king)—a sight strikingly similar t...

 Day 6: Chidambaram Nataraja Temple & Vaitheeswaran Koil – A Journey Through Divine Healing & Dance We woke up early and, after a quick breakfast, headed to the central bus stand to catch a bus to Chidambaram Nataraja Temple. Though we started our journey at 8 AM, there was no direct bus, so we had to change midway to reach our destination. Meanwhile, a dear friend had recommended visiting Vaitheeswaran Koil, a temple known for its unique spiritual and healing traditions. Since it was midway to Chidambaram, we decided to make a detour—even though time was tight, as the Chidambaram temple closes at noon. Vaitheeswaran Koil – The Healing Temple As soon as we entered Vaitheeswaran Koil, we discovered its two fascinating aspects: Lord Shiva as a Divine Healer  In this temple, Lord Shiva is revered as Vaitheeswaran, the divine physician. It is believed that the temple pond’s water has miraculous healing properties. Following the traditional ritual, we purchased jaggery, imm...

 Day 5: Thanjavur & The Magnificence of Brihadeeswara Temple We woke up in our IRCTC retiring room and soon shifted to Ponni Residency, which was conveniently located closer to the Brihadeeswara Temple—our primary reason for visiting Thanjavur. Our journey to Thanjavur was driven by two deep fascinations: witnessing the grandeur of the Brihadeeswara Temple, an architectural masterpiece of the Chola dynasty, and exploring the Thanjavur Museum, which houses some of the oldest manuscripts in India. Brihadeeswara Temple – A Testament to Chola Grandeur After quickly freshening up, we made our way to the Brihadeeswara Temple, also known as the Big Temple. This magnificent structure, built over 1,000 years ago by Raja Raja Chola I, stands as a testament to the artistic and engineering prowess of the Chola dynasty. The temple’s majestic architecture left us in awe. The exquisite carvings and intricate sculptures on the temple’s exterior reminded us of the Khajuraho temples. Though the ...

 Day 4: Rameshwaram and Journey to Thanjavur – A Day of Divine Blessings and Tranquil Transitions Our day began before dawn, as we had to wake up at 4:30 AM to witness the darshan of the Sphatik (Crystal) Lingam at the Rameshwaram Temple, which is available for viewing only between 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM. By 5:30 AM, we were ready and made our way to the temple. The temple volunteers guided us to the ₹200 special darshan queue, and by 6:00 AM, we had the divine blessing of witnessing the Sphatik Lingam, a sacred Shiva Lingam believed to have been gifted by the Maharaja of Nepal to Adi Shankaracharya. The peaceful and spiritually charged atmosphere made this an unforgettable experience. As we stepped out of the temple by 6:10 AM, we decided to head towards the boating area for a serene experience on the Bay of Bengal. The boating service was scheduled to start at 6:00 AM, but due to a lack of passengers, it was delayed until 6:45 AM. While waiting, we were blessed with a breathtaking su...