Brahmatal Trek- The Land of Goddess Brahma

After letting this beauty settle inside our beings, we picked up our bags and trekking sticks and on we went to our ascend to the holy lake of Bekaltal. The trail starts from the Lohagunj village and goes through Mandoli village and all the way up to Bekaltal lake. The path is laden with rhododendron and oak trees. The path is beautiful in all its aspects with greenery surrounding your eyes and a well-laden trail. The rhododendron trees or Burach trees as they are called in the mountain dialect are very good for the heart and their extract is made in Lohagunj. On our path, we found water sources from where we filled our water bottles. Let me tell you guys, there is nothing more blissful than pure mountain water directly from the source. All this mineral water and RO water is a facade and pure BS. Once you taste that water, there is no way you won't feel the pureness and real minerals in every sip you take. Our trek leader told us that this water helps in digestion as well.

For those out there who are beginners in this trekking world, when you first start trekking on day 1 and that too on a steep trail with your backpack on, you will feel tired within minutes. But its very normal as our body takes some getting used to this newfound usage of muscles in our body, so hang in there. And the most important part is that all of it will go away when you see the rewarding beauties of mother earth. It may be a beautiful peak or an animal or plant or a tree, that feeling of achievement and bliss you feel in your heart is incomparable. It takes away all the exhaustion and weariness and replaces it with enthusiasm and confidence to keep on going. Till the time we reached our first resting point we all were very exhausted but as I said mother nature never ceases to reward and here it was. This black raven and the view along with good songs took away our fatigue.

On we went towards our campsite and on our way, there was another resting point after a small bridge called Link-Gaad to help us cross the stream of water and the way upwards was now more forest-like.The resting point is in Begum and from here Navali Bugyal and Bagdi Bugyal can be seen. Earlier it was stone trails and sands and now it was green trails and sands. Not that there were no trees earlier but now it was only trees. The green enchanted our beings and we all went on through the ravishing trails towards our destination.

After a while, you can see mount Trishul in the horizon in all its might and bright. We kept walking towards our campsite through the oak trees and there it was, in all its glory and its sight made our hearts filled with joy. No, I am not talking about our campsite but about the first snow on our trail to Bekaltal lake. The weather was freezing but it wasn't snowing yet. It was enough cold to not let the snow remain in its alluring white form. It was just before our campsite where we encountered it and we took our time to encapsulate it our hearts.

We continued on our way with snow trails beside us and we reached our campsite in 5 mins from there. We reached our campsite at around 2 in the afternoon. The mountains covering our campsite were also covered in snow and we took off our backpacks and shoes to get some rest. Lunch was being prepared and tents were being set up. We did some stretching to avoid cramps and sat in the open to bask in the sunlight while we still had the chance. Another piece of friendly advice, let your ears and nose and eyes stay open when you take rest for a while so that you can acclimatize. It is very important in the mountains to acclimatize your body.

There is a very beautiful story behind this lake. Our trek leader, who is a local, told us this story and some of you might not believe in it but after spending so much time in the mountains I have come to believe that something divine and heavenly is there. The vibes that surround you are just sublime.

This lake is named after Bekal Naag whose temple is on the banks of this lake. The lake is very deep and has a flower in the center of it. Now this flower keeps moving but earlier it used to be always in the center of it. The story is the villagers used to come with a bowl full of milk and used to keep it on one end of the lake. It used to flow towards the flower and go inside the lake and come up empty and then flow back to the end. Our trek leader's grandmother used to come here and do this along with other villagers. This lake and its pious water are considered holy and on every Janmashtami, there is a Mela at the banks of this river where villagers from different villages come to offer their prayers to the Bekal Naag.

An Interesting history lesson for those of you who are interested, back when Gorkha's used to reign our nation, they came here and wanted to shift this lake to a place downwards and so they started digging out a place to shift it and in this process, the present campsite at Bekaltal lake was made. But the Gorkha's were not able to achieve their goal. During their process, the clouds turned black and it seemed it was going to rain and it actually did but not the typical rain with water but with spikes of iron. All the Gorkha's were laid to rest in their process of shifting this holy lake for their own greedy needs. The evidence of these spikes can still be seen there with one of those spikes still stuck in a tree in those lands. Our trek leader also has one at his home and he got it tested to know what it was made of as it was not rusting even after so much time had passed. No one was able to identify the material it was made of but it was presumed iron of some sort but it was surely something more than it.

These stories made us realize the holiness of that place and after praying at the temple we came back to our campsites to shed all our fatigues and gather our strength for the days to come. We had gathered wood from here and there and after we had our dinner we all went to this shelter where there was a fireplace to get ourselves warm as it was freezing cold there at night. We played dumb charades and talked about stuff until it was time to sleep.

There was no cell service there and that is the time you get to know about a person. You see the real person and not the one hiding behind his phone. We all got to know each other in a way we didn't have a chance to yet. It was an amazing and cold night in those mountains. Far away from home, yet it felt at home somehow in those mountains. Maybe that's just me and my love for the mountains or maybe it was for everyone who was there that day.

And to the right, from the ridge of the meadows, you can see the valley from Lohagunj to Wan. There is an excellent panoramic view of the mountains and you can also map the meadows of the Roopkund trail- Aali and Bedni Bugyals from the opposite ridge.

The way ahead was towards the Jhandi top and I was walking with 2 of my fellow group members and our assistant trek leader(ATL). Soon it was only me and the ATL with the other 2 members far behind but still at a reasonable distance from us. We ran into an old local who was with his mule and going towards Brahmtal campsite. He told us about many new things such as our campsite for tomorrow and that it is located just above the second resting point on our first day of ascent towards Bekaltal lake. We also saw our campsites from way far out and we were told about the uses of moss that grows on mountains. Apparently, it is used to clean the wooden utensil used for making curd or "mattha" as they call it.

The path at many points was laden with rhododendron trees and after a while, the climate took a change for the worse. It was getting more and more certain with every few miles we ascent, that snowfall is coming. It was not before we reached Jhandi top that it started but OMG it started.!!!! I, especially, was very happy that snowfall had started as I had not seen live snowfall before let alone trek in it. That moment, me on the highest point on the ridge (Jhandi top), snowfall directly on my mouth and witnessing the mountains getting one with the snow and changing their colors to that astonishing and lovely white, all the while taking in the beautiful views from that top is one of the many memories that have left an indelible imprint on me. Those are some of the most cherished moments of my life. The top has clear views of the Roopkund trail and other mountain panoramas. The peace you feel inside at this height and the vibes you feel in the air are somethings which cannot be defined in words. They can be just felt and are meant to be kept with you, inside you, for your being and soul.

While we were taking in these serene beauties of life, the other 8 members of our group were with our trek guide and were trekking in snowfall. Trust me guys, no matter how much amazing it sounds it is as much, if not less dangerous. One side, there is a downhill slope which leads to the valleys through many rocks and on the other side, there is more of the same with rocks being replaced by trees and bushes. It is times like these which make you realize the real worth of your trekking shoes.

After a while, we all regrouped at a point below the Jhandi top and the way forwards was descent towards our campsite. Now we just had to go downhill and there was no steep which was a relief. There was heavy snowfall on our way and the way forwards which once was all mustard and green was covered in white. We took shelter behind a big stone had our packed lunch. Aloo jeera and Paranthe in the middle of the mountains in snowfall. HOW COOL IS THAT :D ( LITERALLY)!!!

After lunch, we clicked some photos and goofed around in the snow after covering ourselves in proper layers. Soon the snowfall came to an end, and we started again towards our campsite. In the mountains, when after a snowfall the sun comes, it gets hot AF. I saw the way we walked upon getting back to its original mustard and green.

We got back to our campsites and got some rest after we did stretching. We were served mushroom soups and we all decided to sit together in the dinner tent so that it will warm and cozy.

We all knew that tonight the temperatures were gonna drop crazy and snowfall was a sure shot. We were playing cards and I was introduced to a new game called MAFIA. The group of 7 MBBS students taught us that game and we were hooked on to it. We kept playing it for around 2 hours which was until 5 in the evening. We got out then to gather wood for the night and it was nighttime before we even knew it. The stars were much closer and the sky was clear. The night was one of the most beautiful sights for our tired eyes from our trekking.

We sat around in the fire letting our eyes drink in this night for we aren't getting anything close to this where we live. The cold night felt somehow warm from the inside. Our bodies were cold yet our souls weren't. It is a beautiful feeling to have felt and I treasure and bask in it every chance I get in my life. I took it with me along with many other memories.

We were only a tad bit away from the top and the view raised our spirits through the roof. We had seen a sight so heavenly and that too from so close that we couldn't wait to run the remaining way up to the top. YOU GUESSED IT RIGHT !!! WE DID THE SAME!!!

There we were, on the Khamira top and everything seemed so serene and peaceful. It was the end point of our trek, and we had been through it all to reach here. IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY AND EVERY SECOND OF IT!!!!

The view from up there offers the most prominent peaks of Uttarakhand. You can see the entire Roopkund trail and even the Roopkund pass. Mount Nanda Ghunti, Mount Trishul, Mount Hathi Ghoda etc. You can also see the way to Badrinath via Roopkund pass and Hathi peak.

On the opposite side, you can see the entire valley and your brahmtal base camp. You can literally map the route you have climbed through the reach here. You can also see the entire Khamira range on another end of the top. The views are a lot to take in and you get lost in them the minute you lay eyes on it. When you are up there, everything in the world seems small (literally as well as metaphorically). The sense of something enlightening glows in your heart and soul and the worldly problems and issues seem small and almost irrelevant.

Our trek leader told us that China tried attacking India once through the other side of Mount Trishul and they had to climb Mount Trishul to attack us. Our army was deployed here on the Khamira top and the neighboring ranges. But the Chinese Army couldn't climb the gigantic and heavenly Mount Trishul and many soldiers lost their lives in those mountains. It was that Mountain that proved to be an impedance for the Chinese Army and a boon for us.

After spending a considerable amount of time to take in the beauty of nature from the top, we went on towards our campsite. We had to walk through the Khamira range and reach Jhandi top from where our descent would start towards our campsite which was near Bagdi Bugyal. The path was very dangerous with steep valleys either side of the trail but also with rewarding and astonishing views.

Climbing through steep trails laden with snow and also small pathways between two mountains, we reached the Jhandi top. By the time we reached the Jhandi top, the clouds had covered the majestic mountains. But lucky us, we had already seen the view. We rested there for a while and ate some refreshments, we carried with us and got on our way.

The path was now descending and I personally prefer descending trails than ascending. Now you may think that DUH MAN EVERYONE PREFERS IT!!! But no that's not true. For example, my trek leader prefers steep as compared to downslope trails. Soon we were in the green lands of mountains and trees surrounded us. The path downwards offers great opportunities to just slide through them if they are covered in snow. Unfortunately, there was no snow there that day. As the trip was coming to an end, we all were getting a little sad from inside. That all of this would be over soon and once again we will have to get back to our respective lives. This is the worst part of every trip. As a result, there were many breaks during our descent downwards. These breaks were not made by us but the trekking team with us. They were also a little overwhelmed I guess. After all, we were the first batch of 2019. And what a new year it had been. The best I have ever had in my life. Starting a year with a trek in the Mountains of Uttarakhand. IF THAT"S NOT A HAPPY NEW YEAR, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS!!!

After resting for a while, we walked on towards our campsite which was hardly a 10 mins walk from there. Just before the camp, there was a Maggi point and we all had Maggi and Egg Bhurji and Tea. We also ate KitKat chocolates. There was a water source near the point and we filled the water bottles from there and on we went to our camps. The realization that this was the last night we were all going to spend together had dawned upon everyone and yet no one wanted it to ruin the time we still had in our hands. The campsite had a fantastic view of the valley that leads to the Lohagunj village. The campsite was in Daldum.

We sat in the open and saw the sunset and had our soup. The last sunset in the mountains, it was majestic.

We finally had networks and everyone called their loved ones to let them know that they are alive and well. We gathered together and played the MAFIA game for around an hour and a half and it was time for dinner. After dinner, 10 of us got inside one Alpine tent and played MAFIA for about 3 hours. It was another one of those memories I cherish every day. Around 11: 30, we got to our respective tents and dozed off.

The night was not that cold as compared to the other two nights we had been through. We woke up around 7 and sun was on us already. It was a relatively warm morning and we all freshened for our breakfast. Breakfast was a typical mountain Sabji called Jhol. YES, IT IS EXACTLY AS IT SOUNDS. In the mountains, due to the shortage of vegetables, a mixture of various vegetables is cooked and served hot along with Roti or Puri. We ate Jhol and Puri and filled our water bottles for our final descent towards our base camp, where it all began.

The trail was downhill and laden with trees. One thing I learned while trekking downhill was that, sometimes when you are going downhill, your toes start to hit the stone guard of your shoes from the inside. As a result, your toes start hurting. Whenever this happens, I find it best to use side foot while stepping downhill. This way your toes won't hit against the stone guard and all your wait will be on the side foot. Keep in mind that you must have ankle support in your trekking shoes to do this, otherwise, your ankle may twist if you step recklessly by mistake.

The Vibes around the group was one of melancholy due to the impending end of our trip. Songs being played in one of the Bluetooth speakers and we sang our way downhill. It was one of those moments when you are all ecstatic as well as a little sad.

It was a sunny and windy day.Soon we reached the similar trails that we walked on our DAY 1 of ascent. We could see the different villages and We stopped there to have our lunch and we lied down beneath the clear sky. Songs, Sunlight, Clear sky and Good Company. It was almost PERFECT.

It was Around 1 when we reached our base camp. Everyone somehow ended up deciding that we all are gonna take a bath and we all ordered a bucket of hot water from the lodge with the exception of two fine gentlemen in our group. They both wanted to take a bath with cold water. Trust me guys, the cold water there is no joke. And as expected we heard them both screaming when the very first drop of water hit their body. But somehow they made it. IDIOTS.

So after a while, when we were all freshened up, we went to explore the small village of Lohagunj. There is not much to see in that village. We returned the stuff we had rented and My friend Vatsa bought a bottle of Rhododendron juice for his heart.

We all went to a temple in Lohagunj and by that time, it was getting dark. We came back to our rooms and we all had decided to party that night.

We had all the STUFF needed to party in the mountains ( IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN ;) ). Our trek leader came and gave us a certificate for completing the trek and we all had to go for the dinner in the restaurant. After our dinner, it was TIME TO PARTAYYYYYY!!!!! Speakers were out and liquor was served. Of course, the other STUFF was there too.

In that night, beneath the lovely lit sky of Lohagunj, we sat and enjoyed every moment of the time we had. We laughed, we shared, we drank, we played, we sang and most important of it all, we made memories. Everyone who was there that night had one wish in his heart, to do this again, this trip, we wanted something like this again. HOPEFULLY ONE DAY !!! We had to leave at 8 in the morning in the Traveller for Kathgodam railway station but we didn't care. We partied hard till late in the night and went to our beds around 2 in the night. It was a Night to remember.

Nainital is named after Naina Devi ( Goddess of eyes) and the Naina lake is in the shape of an eye. I decided to not eat anything except some chips and juice because I wasn't feeling good. After boating, we roamed around the Tibet market and mall road and from what I can tell, the place is commercialized too much now.

My other group members decided to dine at Dominos because it had been some time since they last saw a pizza. All this while I was thinking of ways to get out of yet another bus trip to Delhi after I reached Kathgodam railway station. Unlike other group members, I and Vatsa didn't have train reservations as we didn't book them on time. Fortunately one of the 7 students from the AIIMS who was in our group decided he didn't want to go back to his life yet. He decided to stay back in Nainital for 2 days and booked a hostel. The other 6 were kind enough to help me and Vatsa out and offered us the empty seat. We just had to buy a general ticket worth 95 bucks. I was happy AF with this news and although I was scared that TC might say something or I might have to bribe him, all in all, I was happy AF. I didn't want to endure yet another journey on a bus.