Page 48 - Seniorstoday January 2022 Issue
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further up when the climb became steep we
encountered a massive traffic jam. The district
authorities in all their infinite wisdom have
allowed a refueling station at a narrow corner
(with hardly any place for 2 vehicles to pass),
which brought the traffic to a standstill. We
encountered at least a 5 km jam and took
3 precious hours to clear – where a totally
sleeping administration was nowhere to be
Dhari Devi Temple found. We decided to stay at Joshimath for the
rivers enroute at the five prayags. It is only at night instead of our intended destination –
Dev Prayag where it meets the Bhagirathi to Govindghat (1830 mts).
form the main stream of the Ganges. Apart As we had booked for a heli ride at 6 am from
from the Char Dhams, the Panch Prayags Govindghat to Govind Dham, so we had to
too are considered very holy and one can see leave at an unearthly hour of 3 am to get to the
devotees taking a dip in the icy cold waters. helipad next to the big gurudwara here. The
Next morning we walked down to the road from Joshimath town then winds down
prayag and found that the icy cold water was to the river and this is the sight of Vishnu
muddy and heard that it had rained further Prayag (the last major Panch Prayag) - the
up towards Kedarnath. The clear waters of confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga.
Alaknanda and the muddy waters of the According to legend, Narada worshiped Lord
Mandakini made a clear divide at the point Vishnu seeking divine powers at this prayag
where they meet. After “purifying” ourselves and a big temple dedicated to that is situated
we hearded for Joshimath. The important here. Many pilgrims who are on a Char Dham
prayag of Karnprayag is next where the fast pilgrimage make it a point to have a dip in
flowing Alaknanda meets Pinder (originating the waters here. Unfortunately in the early
from the foot of the great Nanda Devi massif). morning darkness we could not see very
The epic Mahabharata legend narrates that much as we proceeded to Govind Ghat to be in
Karna did penance here and earned the time for our ride.
protective gear of Kavacha (armour) and With ample parking available here, we
Kundala (ear rings) from his father, the Sun quickly left our car and checked in for our
god, which gave him indestructible powers. short 4 minute heliride. With very limited
Climbing up from Karnprayag towards
Joshimath, the scenery changes dramatically
and with deep gorges and high mountains,
one can see the snow-clad peaks all around.
The road winds up becoming narrow and
with huge amounts of traffic, traffic jams are
pretty common. At Nandprayag (another
of the Panch Prayag) the Alaknanda meets
Nandakini (also originating from the foot of
Nanda Devi massif and flows through the
sanctuary beneath the mountain. A little Gangaria
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