Holy trip to chardham

*Holy trip to Chardham!*

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After hearing about the importance and greatness of Chardham from my friends, I was eager to embark on the journey myself. However, Radha wasn’t as keen, given the challenges and difficulties involved. Over time, my enthusiasm began to fade.

But this year, when Mantra Yatra announced a travel program to Chardham, I casually mentioned it to Radha. To my surprise, she spontaneously showed interest! Without wasting any time, I immediately registered for the trip. The trip was arranged between September 4th to September 16th,2024

Mantra Yatra’s Balaji advised us to prepare for the physical demands of the trip by walking regularly and doing exercises. We embraced the challenge, excited by the thought of traversing the majestic Himalayas.

Our anticipation grew, but fate had other plans. On August 22nd, while going for my morning walk, I met with a scooter accident. I fell flat on the ground, injuring both my hands, my left leg, and my forehead. I felt dejected and worried that my dream of visiting Chardham would remain unfulfilled.

Our doctor, Mrs. Yamuna, treated my injuries and gave me hope, reassuring me that there were no fractures and I would be fit to travel soon. Her encouragement lifted my spirits more than the medicines did, and within a few days, I was almost fully recovered.

September 4th:

We began our journey early, leaving home at 2:30 AM to catch a morning flight to Dehradun via Mumbai. The excitement of venturing toward the sacred peaks of the Himalayas kept us energized, and we reached Dehradun by 11:30 AM. After waiting briefly for the other group, we boarded two luxury buses and reached Haridwar by 1:30 PM.

In the evening, we visited the Daksh Prajapati Temple and then headed to the sacred Har Ki Pauri ghat to witness the Ganga Aarti. As the sun set behind the towering mountains, the glow of the aarti illuminated the mighty Ganges. The sight of devotees offering prayers, with the powerful river flowing beside us, was nothing short of divine. We returned to the hotel by 8 PM, filled with serenity, and retired for the night.

September 5th:

We departed early for Barkot, a picturesque town nestled amidst the snow-capped Himalayan range. The journey itself felt like a pilgrimage, with towering peaks flanking us on either side. By evening, we reached our hotel, Rig Veda, located in a serene, enchanting setting. The grandeur of the Himalayas surrounded us—an awe-inspiring reminder of nature’s raw beauty. After dinner, we retired for the night.

September 6th:

Our journey to Yamunotri began early in the morning. The path, carved into the mountainside, offered us breathtaking views of the valleys and peaks. We encountered a roadblock for 45 minutes, giving us time to admire the towering ridges above. At the doli pick-up point, there was some commotion, but once we secured our palki, we began the ascent toward Yamunotri.

The climb was strenuous, but with every step, we were rewarded with sweeping vistas of the majestic Himalayan range. The air was crisp and fresh, and the snow-covered peaks shimmered in the morning sun. Reaching the temple, we had a blessed darshan of Goddess Yamuna Devi, with the river Yamuna gushing forth from the mountains—a sight so pure and untouched, it felt as though the very soul of the Himalayas was blessing us.

September 7th:

The following day, we journeyed toward Uttarkashi. En route, we crossed the Tehri Dam and gazed upon the vast expanse of the river, flanked by the mighty Himalayas. We also passed Rudraprayag, where the confluence of rivers formed a dramatic meeting point of nature’s power. We arrived at Hotel Suryansh, visited the Uttarkashi Vishwanath Temple, and rested for the night.

September 8th:

In the morning, we made our way to the Gangotri temple, deep within the Himalayas. The journey was long, but the sheer grandeur of the mountains made every minute worth it. Upon reaching Gangotri, we had a divine darshan and performed puja at the sacred river. The sight of the holy river, originating from the glacier-capped peaks, was both humbling and breathtaking.

September 9th:

Our journey continued to Sitapur, where we arrived by evening, resting before our next sacred destination.

September 10th:

We rose early and headed to the Trans Bharat heli base. As our chopper ascended, we were treated to panoramic views of the Himalayan range. The towering peaks, with their snow-capped summits, stood like sentinels guarding the sacred land below. Upon arriving at Kedarnath, the sheer magnitude of the mountains surrounding the temple was overwhelming. The divine atmosphere, combined with the majestic Himalayas, made this an unforgettable experience.

Inside the sanctum sanctorum, we were allowed to touch the swayambhu lingam, an indescribable moment of spiritual connection. After offering our prayers, we also visited the Adi Shankaracharya statue and the Bheem Shila before heading back to the heli base.

September 11th:

With the rains subsiding, we visited the Triyuginarayan temple. The journey took us through lush green valleys, framed by the towering Himalayas, their peaks hidden behind clouds. The landscape felt surreal, as though the mountains themselves were bearing witness to the divine history of this land.

September 12th:

By 5 AM, we embarked on our journey to Badrinath. As the bus wound through the lush green valleys and majestic mountains, the sheer beauty of the Himalayas captivated us. Their magic goes beyond just scenery—it seeps into your soul, offering mental peace, strength, and a deep sense of serenity. These towering peaks seem to cure all psychological ills, awaken poets, spark romantic feelings in lovers, and, most importantly, ignite a profound sense of spirituality in everyone who witnesses them.

We continued to soak in the grandeur of the Himalayan ranges as our journey progressed. However, upon reaching Langsu, we were forced to halt due to a roadblock. After waiting in vain for the road to clear, it became apparent that we would not be able to proceed. Lodging arrangements were made for us, and we spent the night in Langsu.

September 13th:

Early in the morning, we were taken to Badrinath in jeeps, traversing roads that were riddled with landslides in several spots. Despite these challenges, we prayed fervently for protection and safe passage, trusting in divine grace to guide us through.

By 1:00 PM, we reached Mana village, the last Indian village before the Tibetan border. The rain was relentless, dropping the temperature significantly and leaving us shivering in the cold. Many of us were partially soaked, but this did little to dampen our spirits. Our excitement remained intact as we ventured forward, carried in "pittu" baskets to visit the Ganesh Gufa and Vyas Gufa. These caves hold incredible significance—this is where Sage Ved Vyas recited the Mahabharata, and Lord Ganesh transcribed it with his divine trunk. We also had the privilege of witnessing the origin of the Saraswati River, a sacred and mythical sight.

Later, we checked into a lodge in Badrinath. By 4:30 PM, despite the rain's persistence, our determination to visit the Badrinath temple was unwavering. Once again, we were carried in pittu baskets through the downpour until we finally reached the temple. The darshan we received was truly fulfilling. We stayed for the Kuber Pooja and bhajans, and by 7:00 PM, we were ushered inside the temple to witness the Vishnu Sahasranamam pooja and aarti. Sitting in the presence of Lord Badrinath, chanting the holy Sahasranamam along with the priests, was a divine experience beyond words. We felt deeply blessed, praying for the well-being of our family and loved ones, as well as for the welfare of all.

By 8:30 PM, we returned to the hotel, had our dinner, and retired for the night.

September 14th:

As is now routine, we began our journey at 5 AM, this time heading toward Dev Prayag. We had a quick breakfast en route, but our journey was once again interrupted by landslides. After some waiting, the drivers chose an alternate route. Though it was longer and more taxing, this path spared us from further disruptions and safely led us to Dev Prayag. We arrived by 5 PM and checked into Hotel Chahat.

Sitting by the hotel, we enjoyed tea while watching the tranquil flow of the Alaknanda River behind us. It was a soothing moment after a long day of travel. Dinner was served at 7:30 PM, and we retired to bed, content and peaceful, ready for the next leg of our spiritual adventure.

September 15th:

It was a nice morning! The weather was pleasant! After our breakfast at 7:30 a.m., we stepped outside the hotel to enjoy the scenic beauty around us. We took a few moments to soak in the surroundings and capture some pictures.

Our journey began at 8:00 a.m., and by 10:30 a.m., we had reached Devprayag. This sacred site marks the confluence of three holy rivers: Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, and the mythical Saraswati—though, of course, the Saraswati is invisible to the naked eye.

To reach the Devprayag Sangam, we descended more than 200 steps. Along the way, we passed the Raghunath Mandir, a serene and spiritually uplifting sight. Once at the Sangam, we dipped our feet in the holy waters and offered prayers for the well-being of all.

Afterward, we resumed our journey to Rishikesh and reached Hotel Chahat by lunchtime. We enjoyed a hearty meal and took some time to relax at the hotel. At 3:00 p.m., we set out to visit Sri Ganga Maiya Mandir and Akhileshwar Mahadev Mandir, immersing ourselves further into the sacred energy of this holy place.

By 5:45 p.m., we reached the Ganga Ghat to witness the evening aarti. The ceremony was performed by five pandits in a beautifully sacred and divine manner, enveloping the entire atmosphere in a deep sense of devotion and reverence.

After the aarti, we returned to the hotel, had dinner, and retired for the night.

September 16th:

Today, we woke up at 5:30 a.m. with coffee ready for us. After a relaxed morning, we had our breakfast and rested a bit before lunch at 1:00 p.m.

We left the hotel at 1:30 p.m. for the airport at Dehradun, with our flight scheduled for 5:45 p.m. We reached Chennai via Hyderabad by midnight.

This marked the end of our holy Chardham Yatra—a truly memorable experience. The Himalayas not only tested our endurance but also filled our hearts with awe and reverence. Their beauty, combined with the spiritual energy of Chardham, made this pilgrimage a once-in-a-lifetime journey.