Nineteen
JOSHIMATH TO DEHRADUN
Descending the height of Joshimath along the Alaknanda valley and passing through Pipal Koti, our buses stopped for breakfast at Bhimtala at 9:30 A.M. Fresh pooris, two vegetables and pickle, together with tea, were served. These items were prepared by the accompanying halwai, who reached the spot well ahead of yatris. Everybody had his share in his own plate. Even the passing by pilgrims were requested to share breakfast with our group. Actually, this place was a picnic spot by the name Bhim Fall - a water fall. Some of us enjoyed bathing under the fresh water crystal clear fall. Some of us enjoyed walking along the course of water. Many of us photographed the spot. Adjacent to the fall, a spacious restaurant was in service. The yatris made full use of the plastic chairs lying there, with smiles from the restaurant staff. It was learnt that the PCO there was in good shape. So, many of us flashed messages back to the families. After a break of two hours, the journey was resumed at 11:30 AM.
En-route some rocks reflected sunlight like mirror. Some trees were seen hanging precariously from the rocks. The forest cover indicated that the mountains were water fed and rich in fauna and flora.
In order to reach Dehradun at convenient time, the drivers continued at good speed, but without taking risks. At 2-30 P.M., the buses halted at Srinagar. Here, we were feeling the punch of heat. Some nearby area was visited in a short span of time. Srinagar city was also well developed like Joshimath. Srinagar area was mostly plain. Here, the Alaknanda did not flow in valley, but almost on a deep plain course along the mountain base. After a brief halt of 30 minutes, we left Srinagar with the seven buses. PARAMJEET reminded me that after Pipal Koti, we had passed through village Gadora, Paryag, Virhi, Bhimtala, Chamoli, Nandprayag, Gauchar, Nagrasu, Dholteer, Ratura and Rudurparyag, amongst other small villages dotting the highway.
The monotony of speed was broken when our bus stopped in front of a sign board that had the name ‘Dhamta’ painted on it. Time had ticked further to 3 P.M. This rest was meant for enjoying the lunch. The yatris got down from the buses. The halwai was busy in his work. To tone up the appetite sweet limewater was served. There were some general merchandise shops close by at this place. A canal flowed along the road that served as a bathing ghat. Above the canal was a large open uneven space where some chairs were lying. Chairs or no chairs, the pilgrims made use of this space. Children enjoyed snacks available in bewitching colourful packs. Some village boys were selling fresh mangoes @ Rs. 10/- per plastic bag without a guarantee of weight. The lunch comprising of rice pulao and chhole was ready. Every yatri enjoyed his share of lunch with pickle. As soon as the lunch service was over, the cooking utensils were washed and replaced in the buses finally. Now, the jathedar requested the pilgrims to get ready and be seated in the buses.
It was 5-15 P.M. that the drivers, after getting a green signal from the jathedar, activated their engines and the buses moved out of Dhamta area.
The buses sped. Within 15 minutes, we passed through Bhagwan village and continuing our journey on the banks of the river Alaknanda, reached Devprayag at 6 P.M.
Having a passing look at the meeting point of the mighty tributaries of the Ganges, we proceeded towards Rishikesh. By now the night had engulfed everything in sight. There was complete silence but the occasional twinkling lights of moving vehicles beautified the night.
Our motorcade reached Byasi at 7:15 PM and we stayed there for 20 minutes. That was to ensure that all the buses moved collectively after Byasi. Byasi was also a very good resting place for the pilgrims. It was a forest check post, having a few thatched roof shops and providing basic amenities to the travelling public. Here, the forest area in view was flat and full of dense forest.
Our ‘flag’ bus moved forward at 7:35 P.M. and all the other buses followed. Here the desirous pilgrims also had refreshments of their choice.
We reached Rishikesh at 8.30 P.M. The buses were parked in front of the Gurudwara. All yatris walked to the Gurudwara to pay obeisance and gratitude to Almighty for the success of the extremely fortunate journey. The Gurudwara was full of yatris intending to undertake upward or downward journey in the morning. Many of us went to the P.C.O.s and informed the waiting families about the location of the buses. We attended evening paath in the Gurudwara for some time, enjoyed Kirtan and performance of Arti by children of the Gurudwara music school.
By 9-30 P.M., all the devotees were back in the buses. One bus bound for Haridwar, moved to that place with jaikaras. The remaining six buses proceeded towards Dehradun. Crossing through the light-fed bypass of Rishikesh, the jungles, Doiwala, and Jogiwala, we reached the city of Dehradun. Out of six, one bus headed for Patel Nagar and the other five made for Gurudwara Race course. At 10-30, we reached Patel Nagar, the yatris alighted with a sense of overwhelming blessing.
PARAMJEET and I crossed the road with luggage. I walked towards the house to bring our scooter. Hardly I had reached the house, when a gentleman brought all our baggage on his scooter. I thanked him greatly. Meanwhile, PARAMJEET also arrived and we were both back at our dwelling at 11 P.M., after 5 A.M. of 5/7/2002 when we had moved out of it with prayers to embark upon a journey of great significance.
That was the idea, planning and execution of the blessed desire to undertake yatra to Sri Hemkund Sahib. We are grateful to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji for successful consummation of our pilgrimage to holy place.
www.hemkundji.com
JOSHIMATH TO DEHRADUN
Descending the height of Joshimath along the Alaknanda valley and passing through Pipal Koti, our buses stopped for breakfast at Bhimtala at 9:30 A.M. Fresh pooris, two vegetables and pickle, together with tea, were served. These items were prepared by the accompanying halwai, who reached the spot well ahead of yatris. Everybody had his share in his own plate. Even the passing by pilgrims were requested to share breakfast with our group. Actually, this place was a picnic spot by the name Bhim Fall - a water fall. Some of us enjoyed bathing under the fresh water crystal clear fall. Some of us enjoyed walking along the course of water. Many of us photographed the spot. Adjacent to the fall, a spacious restaurant was in service. The yatris made full use of the plastic chairs lying there, with smiles from the restaurant staff. It was learnt that the PCO there was in good shape. So, many of us flashed messages back to the families. After a break of two hours, the journey was resumed at 11:30 AM.
En-route some rocks reflected sunlight like mirror. Some trees were seen hanging precariously from the rocks. The forest cover indicated that the mountains were water fed and rich in fauna and flora.
In order to reach Dehradun at convenient time, the drivers continued at good speed, but without taking risks. At 2-30 P.M., the buses halted at Srinagar. Here, we were feeling the punch of heat. Some nearby area was visited in a short span of time. Srinagar city was also well developed like Joshimath. Srinagar area was mostly plain. Here, the Alaknanda did not flow in valley, but almost on a deep plain course along the mountain base. After a brief halt of 30 minutes, we left Srinagar with the seven buses. PARAMJEET reminded me that after Pipal Koti, we had passed through village Gadora, Paryag, Virhi, Bhimtala, Chamoli, Nandprayag, Gauchar, Nagrasu, Dholteer, Ratura and Rudurparyag, amongst other small villages dotting the highway.
The monotony of speed was broken when our bus stopped in front of a sign board that had the name ‘Dhamta’ painted on it. Time had ticked further to 3 P.M. This rest was meant for enjoying the lunch. The yatris got down from the buses. The halwai was busy in his work. To tone up the appetite sweet limewater was served. There were some general merchandise shops close by at this place. A canal flowed along the road that served as a bathing ghat. Above the canal was a large open uneven space where some chairs were lying. Chairs or no chairs, the pilgrims made use of this space. Children enjoyed snacks available in bewitching colourful packs. Some village boys were selling fresh mangoes @ Rs. 10/- per plastic bag without a guarantee of weight. The lunch comprising of rice pulao and chhole was ready. Every yatri enjoyed his share of lunch with pickle. As soon as the lunch service was over, the cooking utensils were washed and replaced in the buses finally. Now, the jathedar requested the pilgrims to get ready and be seated in the buses.
It was 5-15 P.M. that the drivers, after getting a green signal from the jathedar, activated their engines and the buses moved out of Dhamta area.
The buses sped. Within 15 minutes, we passed through Bhagwan village and continuing our journey on the banks of the river Alaknanda, reached Devprayag at 6 P.M.
Having a passing look at the meeting point of the mighty tributaries of the Ganges, we proceeded towards Rishikesh. By now the night had engulfed everything in sight. There was complete silence but the occasional twinkling lights of moving vehicles beautified the night.
Our motorcade reached Byasi at 7:15 PM and we stayed there for 20 minutes. That was to ensure that all the buses moved collectively after Byasi. Byasi was also a very good resting place for the pilgrims. It was a forest check post, having a few thatched roof shops and providing basic amenities to the travelling public. Here, the forest area in view was flat and full of dense forest.
Our ‘flag’ bus moved forward at 7:35 P.M. and all the other buses followed. Here the desirous pilgrims also had refreshments of their choice.
We reached Rishikesh at 8.30 P.M. The buses were parked in front of the Gurudwara. All yatris walked to the Gurudwara to pay obeisance and gratitude to Almighty for the success of the extremely fortunate journey. The Gurudwara was full of yatris intending to undertake upward or downward journey in the morning. Many of us went to the P.C.O.s and informed the waiting families about the location of the buses. We attended evening paath in the Gurudwara for some time, enjoyed Kirtan and performance of Arti by children of the Gurudwara music school.
By 9-30 P.M., all the devotees were back in the buses. One bus bound for Haridwar, moved to that place with jaikaras. The remaining six buses proceeded towards Dehradun. Crossing through the light-fed bypass of Rishikesh, the jungles, Doiwala, and Jogiwala, we reached the city of Dehradun. Out of six, one bus headed for Patel Nagar and the other five made for Gurudwara Race course. At 10-30, we reached Patel Nagar, the yatris alighted with a sense of overwhelming blessing.
PARAMJEET and I crossed the road with luggage. I walked towards the house to bring our scooter. Hardly I had reached the house, when a gentleman brought all our baggage on his scooter. I thanked him greatly. Meanwhile, PARAMJEET also arrived and we were both back at our dwelling at 11 P.M., after 5 A.M. of 5/7/2002 when we had moved out of it with prayers to embark upon a journey of great significance.
That was the idea, planning and execution of the blessed desire to undertake yatra to Sri Hemkund Sahib. We are grateful to Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji for successful consummation of our pilgrimage to holy place.
www.hemkundji.com
No comments:
Post a Comment