Nine
ARRIVAL AT GOVIND DHAM GURUDWARA
On our left was holy Nishan Sahib. We bowed heads on the platform and proceeded towards the Darbar Sahib Hall (on our right side) to offer prayers. This enclosed area had roof of iron sheets over it. On its North were the Langar Hall and Yatri Halls over it, on the East were the Darbar Sahib Hall and a facility, to its West were the office room, gathri ghar, the room for issuing Parshad receipts and over it the Yatri Hall and on the South was the main gate. The floor of this enclosure was full with resting Yatris. After a brief respite, we had tea in the veranda of the Langar Hall. Now, we were to check as to which room had been booked for our group. On enquiry, the sevadar directed us to go to hall no 3 at second floor. We stepped up through the winding concrete staircase and reached the said hall slowly.
Most of our companions had reached early. Especially, those on horsebacks were inside the hall by 12:45 PM, In the vacant space, we spread two foam mattresses and picked up four blankets for each bed. The beds were shaped up for cozy rest. For convenience of the yatris, the floors of the halls had surfaces made of wooden planks. It was to avoid contact of the beds with the too cold concrete floors.
Now, we slumbered in the bed. Mostly, the yatris were seen resting or sleeping, some were getting a massage treatment to off set fatigue and be ready for the next move. The veteran yatris, who had undertaken this yatra earlier, had an air of self-confidence with them. But the first timers like us, were operating cautiously, so as to steer clear of any mistake or lapses which could land them into difficulties.
We left the bed after 7 P.M. and made a round of the public conveniences. Then landed down at the langar hall. We had chapati, dal and pickle. Lukewarm water was served. After some utensil seva by PARAMJEET, we had tea outside in the veranda. Because of low temperature here, it was advisable to have intake of hot water in the form of tepid water, hot tea / coffee and hot milk.
Like the short bazaar at Badrinath and Gobind Ghat, here the bazaar area was also a small one. We had desired to have a look at the total length of the bazaar and to know if it was different in any respect.. Common items like fake jewellery, rosaries of various origins and qualities, karas, rings, toys and pieces for decoration were on display. The rates were exorbitant. There were halwai shops selling sweets, pakoras, tea, milk etc. There were also small hotels available for the yatris. Garhwal MandaI Vikas Nigam had also constructed the Rest House facility at Gobind Dham. The market thrived only during the yatra season when the place was blessed with the rush of yatris. We had preferred to visit the bazaar than to get holed up in the beds, as consequent to uphill journey and resultant weariness, sound sleep was bound to prevail upon us.
Now, we felt a little satisfied. Stopping at a halwai shop, we enjoyed two glasses of hot milk for Rs 20 per glass. After the intake of milk, we returned to the Gurudwara and we had our langar and tea in the Gurudwara, as we were staying in the Gurudwara with other fellow yatris. But there were also persons, who stayed and lodged in the hotels available nearby.
The yatris had thinned out to their rooms for rest. Bowing our heads in front of the Darbar Sahib room, we moved towards the main hall. Langar was still being served. We reached the room within a few minutes and were back in our beds.
For the onward journey beginning the next day morning, only selected items were to be carried in bags. We confirmed that the clean clothes, bottle for Amrit, rain coats, dry fruits, edibles, soft drinks, torch, medicines, water bottles and the camera, were right there in our bags. The walking sticks were also intact and safely kept.
Meanwhile, the Jathedar had also managed his bed for resting in our hall. The generator was switched off. There was now darkness all around. There was no powerhouse to supply electricity to this area.
It was well past 11 PM. Having mustered all possible satisfaction regarding our preparation for the next journey early tomorrow, we retired to sleep soliciting HIS BLESSINGS.
www.hemkundji.com
ARRIVAL AT GOVIND DHAM GURUDWARA
On our left was holy Nishan Sahib. We bowed heads on the platform and proceeded towards the Darbar Sahib Hall (on our right side) to offer prayers. This enclosed area had roof of iron sheets over it. On its North were the Langar Hall and Yatri Halls over it, on the East were the Darbar Sahib Hall and a facility, to its West were the office room, gathri ghar, the room for issuing Parshad receipts and over it the Yatri Hall and on the South was the main gate. The floor of this enclosure was full with resting Yatris. After a brief respite, we had tea in the veranda of the Langar Hall. Now, we were to check as to which room had been booked for our group. On enquiry, the sevadar directed us to go to hall no 3 at second floor. We stepped up through the winding concrete staircase and reached the said hall slowly.
Most of our companions had reached early. Especially, those on horsebacks were inside the hall by 12:45 PM, In the vacant space, we spread two foam mattresses and picked up four blankets for each bed. The beds were shaped up for cozy rest. For convenience of the yatris, the floors of the halls had surfaces made of wooden planks. It was to avoid contact of the beds with the too cold concrete floors.
Now, we slumbered in the bed. Mostly, the yatris were seen resting or sleeping, some were getting a massage treatment to off set fatigue and be ready for the next move. The veteran yatris, who had undertaken this yatra earlier, had an air of self-confidence with them. But the first timers like us, were operating cautiously, so as to steer clear of any mistake or lapses which could land them into difficulties.
We left the bed after 7 P.M. and made a round of the public conveniences. Then landed down at the langar hall. We had chapati, dal and pickle. Lukewarm water was served. After some utensil seva by PARAMJEET, we had tea outside in the veranda. Because of low temperature here, it was advisable to have intake of hot water in the form of tepid water, hot tea / coffee and hot milk.
Like the short bazaar at Badrinath and Gobind Ghat, here the bazaar area was also a small one. We had desired to have a look at the total length of the bazaar and to know if it was different in any respect.. Common items like fake jewellery, rosaries of various origins and qualities, karas, rings, toys and pieces for decoration were on display. The rates were exorbitant. There were halwai shops selling sweets, pakoras, tea, milk etc. There were also small hotels available for the yatris. Garhwal MandaI Vikas Nigam had also constructed the Rest House facility at Gobind Dham. The market thrived only during the yatra season when the place was blessed with the rush of yatris. We had preferred to visit the bazaar than to get holed up in the beds, as consequent to uphill journey and resultant weariness, sound sleep was bound to prevail upon us.
Now, we felt a little satisfied. Stopping at a halwai shop, we enjoyed two glasses of hot milk for Rs 20 per glass. After the intake of milk, we returned to the Gurudwara and we had our langar and tea in the Gurudwara, as we were staying in the Gurudwara with other fellow yatris. But there were also persons, who stayed and lodged in the hotels available nearby.
The yatris had thinned out to their rooms for rest. Bowing our heads in front of the Darbar Sahib room, we moved towards the main hall. Langar was still being served. We reached the room within a few minutes and were back in our beds.
For the onward journey beginning the next day morning, only selected items were to be carried in bags. We confirmed that the clean clothes, bottle for Amrit, rain coats, dry fruits, edibles, soft drinks, torch, medicines, water bottles and the camera, were right there in our bags. The walking sticks were also intact and safely kept.
Meanwhile, the Jathedar had also managed his bed for resting in our hall. The generator was switched off. There was now darkness all around. There was no powerhouse to supply electricity to this area.
It was well past 11 PM. Having mustered all possible satisfaction regarding our preparation for the next journey early tomorrow, we retired to sleep soliciting HIS BLESSINGS.
www.hemkundji.com
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