Kedarnath

I loved the fact that I could make it to my dream destinations. Haha. Actually, it’s true. Many times your journey itself becomes your destination, and something similar happened with me on my trip to Kedarnath. My trip wasn’t a smooth highway but I enjoyed its crookedness just as I enjoyed the crooked roads up to the mountains on my journey. With train schedules going haywire, it led some strangers into my travel experience and they only added to the bliss. It was my solo trip, and I must say, as we wander about, looking for ways out of certain challenging situations we might find ourselves into, we get to meet so many new people, most of who are so friendly, helpful, and indeed come across as angels.

I had visited Kedarnath in the month of July. While in the nights the temperature in Kedarnath used to be sub-zero (the winters, always dream about), the morning weather used to be quite relaxed and pleasant.

From Rishikesh, on our route to Kedarnath, we passed by Devprayag, Shrinagar, Rudraprayag, Augustyamuni, Guptakashi, Sonprayag, and finally reached Gourikund, from where the actual journey towards Kedarnath begins, which is the Kedarnath temple trek. I reached Gourikund in the evening and was supposed to begin the trek the early next morning. In the hotel, where I checked-in in Gourikund, I happened to meet two travellers, who informed me that the weather at Kedarnath was quite cold and the temperature was at freezing 0 degrees Celsius. I geared up myself and my mind for the challenge of both the freezing cold and even the Kedarnath trek distance of a steep 16 kms. The next day when I started with the trek, I was quite determined that I will walk all the way, but it so happened that just 500 mts. into the trek and I was already out of breath and was feeling exhausted. I was wondering how am I going to ever reach Kedarnath. However, I continued with my resolve and my trek. As I was ascending further, nature was turning magical with every step. Be it the surrounding mountains, trees, the gushing Mandakini river below… I felt as if mother nature was re-energizing and charging me up to make it to the temple. I tasted magic for real when I spotted the temple’s dome with snow-capped mountains in its backdrop.  This very visual drained off all my exhaustion and after having taken almost 10 hrs. to complete the Kedarnath trek, I wouldn’t have minded trekking for 10 more hours.

So, be it the tedious steep trek up to the temple, which of course, later on, turned into one of the most cherished memories of my life along with the magical sunrise; a visit to the delightful Mana village – which is the last Indian village towards the eastern border of Uttarakhand; the divine darshan at Kedarnath temple; the vibrant Ganga Aarti that I attended in Rishikesh; the scenic vistas that I took in from atop the mountains; my beautiful bus journeys across the state of Uttarakhand; the small yet cosy hotels I stayed in; the unexpected truck journey that seemed to be straight out of a Bollywood movie; even the piping hot Maggi noodles I eat along my trek to Kedarnath… I may just lose count of things I loved on my trip. All in all, it was magic unfold, and just as they say, ‘When it’s magic, it’s ought to be all so lovely’. Being in the travel industry, I have had opportunities to travel to many exciting places, both on the professional and personal front, however, I must say, this trip of mine has been not just a trip of a lifetime but indeed an experience of a lifetime, so far. Uttarakhand is my second home and it’ll forever remain so.