ARRIVAL AT GOVIND GHAT – RETURN JOURNEY

Seventeen


ARRIVAL AT GOVIND GHAT – RETURN JOURNEY


It was high noon at 1 P.M., when we reached inside the Gurudwara premises. The porter was waiting there with our luggage. We collected our bags and proceeded towards the particular room, where our group members were already resting. Most of the yatris had returned by that time. We placed the bags inside the room. Then, I went to the ‘gathri ghar’ to take back the bedroll and the attache case. Both the sticks were lodged back into the same drum from where these were picked up earlier.

It had been decided by the jathedar that the yatris would stay for night rest at Gurudwara Joshimath. So everybody was expected to be seated in the bus by about 5 p.m. at the bus stand, which was almost one K.M. away. So, we had ample time to rearrange all our items, visit Gurudwara and the bazaar. First of all, we went to the Darbar Sahib room to pray and pay respects. Then, we called on the cash counter. Thereafter, we got packets of parshad and saropas. Parshad and Saropas were also obtained for the devotees, who had sent offering for Sri Hemkund Sahib but for any reason were helpless to visit the Holy Place. Then, we had langar and tea. After that, we came back to our room. Following a respite of a few minutes, we were again off to the bazaar. PARAMJEET wanted to have some gift items that could be termed as unique. We had an inquisitive look at the shops, but nothing exclusive was available. We could not opt for the artificial dazzlers. A good number of these items had already been purchased at Badrinath and Gobind Dham which were not surpassed in quality by these shops. However, PARAMJEET purchased three mounted photos of Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib. After spending an hour or so, we returned. Like us, the other yatris were seen purchasing gifts at every shop.

In the room, we arranged all our items all over again. Mostly the items were stuffed into the bedroll and the attache. We kept our shoulder bags as light as possible, as after one hop at Joshimath, we were to be back at Dehradun. Having got freed ourselves of the packing work, once again we wanted to pay our respects in the Darbar Sahib room. We walked to the Darbar Sahib Room and prayed there. We moved around in the premises for sometime just to renew the memory of sojourn. I tried to understand the difference between the feelings of the permanent staff of the Gurudwara serving the yatris at different spots and those of the pilgrims themselves. While we could refer to sevadars even in future, yatris for them were just like the flowing waters of a river. The management did deserve gracious appreciation.

Now, we returned to our room. All the room mates were getting ready for the journey. It was quarter to 5 p.m. The porters were waiting outside. The hire was agreed at Rs. 4/- per item/bag etc. Our companions were leaving the room one by one. We had to pay Rs. 13/- for two items due to the size of the bedroll. Slowly, the yatris passed through the bazaar. By 5:30 p.m. all members of our group were present at the bus stand. The luggage was securely placed in respective buses. The yatris were now counting the minutes for the buses to move.


Far away in the distance, were visible pigmy human figures trekking downhill for ‘Gobind Ghat’. Also in view was the confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and Himganga. These turbulent rivers created a lot of noise while dashing against large stones which lay in their courses. White surfing waters were, in fact, playing down the hurdles.

The yatris were marking time till the start of buses and many were enjoying hot popcorns etc. Because of the gate system, we had to wait till 6 p.m. when our buses were allowed to move.

So amidst loud and repeated Jaikaras "Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal", we left Gobind Ghat on the evening of 10th July 2002.


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