Page 49 - Seniorstoday January 2022 Issue
P. 49
of the year. The mountains which nestled
the lake were absolutely breath-taking and
we could see at least 4 of the 7 nishan sahibs.
The entire experience was very spiritually
soothing. After the Ardas and the customary
Chai langar we started back for Govind
Dham. The short lived energy burst lasted for
no more than a half hour into the descent and
by the time we entered the Kumaon Mandal
Majestic Neelkanth Vikas Nigam camp I was exhausted, cold and
baggage we took off for a scenic flight but hungry. After an early dinner I just got into
before we could take in the views of the bed and slept soundly.
thick forest, the imposing Hathi parvat and A breakfast of chai and aloo paranthas was
fast flowing stream of white frothing water just what was required before we flew back
below, we were already landing at Govind to Govind Ghat where after the customary
Dham. Excitement levels were at a high as visit to the Gurudwara, we left for Badrinath.
we had just saved a day’s trek, but did not The lush green forests on the mountain sides
account for the sudden increase in height. At now started becoming sparse and by the time
Govind Dham (3095 mts) we should have you arrive at Badrinath Township you do
stayed overnight to acclimatize but started not see very many trees. We drove straight to
to walk towards Gangaria soon after arrival our accommodation and after resting and a
and onwards to the Hemkund lake and the late lunch, went straight to the shrine to pay
gurdwara (4633 mts). This was a really big our respect. With some special arrangement
mistake on our part, and I hope that whoever we got special darshans and a small puja
is planning a similar visit does not repeat ceremony at the sanctum sanctorum.
this mistake. Halfway up the steep hike our Thereafter we headed to Mana village which
lungs were bursting and the snowladen is the last village where movement of tourists
paths made it much more difficult walking. and traffic is possible. We came across an
This was admittedly the toughest part of the incredible carpet of mauve flowers on the
hike where on several occasions I felt like mountain side and were told that this was the
giving up and just sitting. I even asked the famous herb – Oregano. We arranged to buy
Almighty for forgiveness for having come some excellent pure oregano and after getting
up so close to the gurdwara yet could not go a special permission went about 2 kms further
further. Strange are the ways of God that some
unknown energy shot through the body and
with a great effort I made it to the frozen lake
and the Gurdwara. The soft strains of the
kirtans going on spurred me but in spite of
my best intentions, I could not bring myself
to take a dip in the lake of icy waters. With
nearly 7 feet of snow on ground, pathways
had to be cut for the approach to the building
which remains closed for at least six months Nar Narayan Parvat
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #31 | JANUARY 2022 49
