Ten
MORNING AT GOVIND DHAM
After all, the long awaited day and the memorable moments arrived. We stirred out of sleep. There was darkness all around the hall. The generator was to be started at 3-30 A.M. but it was still a little past 2-30 A.M. Most of the yatris were still fast asleep. Outside, it was drizzling. A gentleman entered the hall from the bathroom complex. We understood that it was time to get up; otherwise, there would be rush at every step. Picking up the tooth brushes with tips of toothpaste, we moved out together with requisite clothes. It was very cold outside. It had stopped raining by then. Very many yatris were busy outside like us. The water was hard and bitter cold. Bathing appeared to be a feat of courage. The water being such, soap lather was not getting removed easily. After taking the bath, I returned to the hall. PARAMJEET had returned a few minutes earlier.
By 3:05 a.m. we were resting back in our beds. By now, a few more companions had woken up. The generator had also been activated. Within a few minutes, the lights were switched on. It was 3:30 a.m. There was now the sound of the generator and the voice of the respective yatris. The task before all of us was to get ready, as early as possible, so as to embark upon the next portion of the journey which was the ‘journey’ in its real sense.
People were seen moving around in all directions, moving to and fro, with tooth brush in hand while some put it in their mouth straight away, some fetched towels, clothes, soap etc, some combed their hair, changed clothes, gossiped about the cold and hard water with the difficulty in removing soap etc. The hall was very dimly lit due to low voltage and the solitary bulb that glowed in the large firmament of our hall.
The activity was picking up all around. We desired to have tea and thus went-down stairs. Our clothes/bags were almost in place, so we were not at worry. There was active movement and the hustle bustle of yatris in the Gurudwara complex as some had to go uphill while others downhill on return journey. We had one glass full of tea each after we had paid obeisance before the Darbar Sahib. Regaining a little of heat energy, we traced our steps back to the hall.
We rested and talked with others for sometime. It was 4:30 a.m. when we folded our blankets, placed them properly and picking up our sticks and shoulder bags left the room. All the extra articles were to be left at the bed, as we were to have night rest here in the same hall. After the exit of all the yatris, the hall was to be locked. All the yatris, who did not have an arrangement like that of ours, were to deposit their extra belongings at the ‘gathri’ room.
soon, we reached at the ground floor. All over there was a big rush as the Sangat was getting ready for the holy onward / return journey. Gaiety and enthusiasm gripped the yatris for putting their first foot forward. Faces bright with hopes, of children, men and women of all ages, beamed all around.
We had information that langar would not be available at Hemkund Sahib. So one had to depend on the langar taken at Gobind Dham or on the edibles carried with self or available at dhabas en-route. So, we had 'mitha parshad' with dal and tea. (mitha parshad in Gurudwara parlance is the food that remained spare after the previous langar). “Mitha parshada” and tea were served in the veranda of the langar hall. Almost every yatri was desirous of having 'mitha parshada' and tea before undertaking journey for Hemkund Sahib during the same limited time. Though chapattis were served on hands, glasses were needed for getting hot tea. Thus with some effort, one could get the glasses. PARAMJEET arranged two glasses from the washing spot, only then we could take tea with chapattis.
Some yatris who were not a part of the organized yatra, deposited their extra luggage at the ‘gathri ghar’. Thank God we did not face this formality.
Small lathies in the hands of every yatri presented a charming scene and looked like an army of devotees on the march. Sticks with spikes, with varnish stripes, with angled hands and with missile shaped iron ends, were in sight. These sticks virtually provided strength and support to the traveller to move up the hills safely. It was a must friend. PARAMJEET had a sleek iron-ended stick, whereas mine was comparatively thicker and heavier with a blunt end.
Before leaving, we proceeded towards the Darbar Sahib room, offered prayers and paid obeisance for the successful journey ahead. We then moved to the ‘Nishan Sahib’, bowed our heads with folded hands praying for the grant of tall strength and perseverance.
With folded hands, we begged acceptance from the Almighty to start the journey for Hemkund Sahib. We moved out at 5 a.m. with the jaikara "Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal" and started walking with the fellow yatris.
www.hemkundji.com
MORNING AT GOVIND DHAM
After all, the long awaited day and the memorable moments arrived. We stirred out of sleep. There was darkness all around the hall. The generator was to be started at 3-30 A.M. but it was still a little past 2-30 A.M. Most of the yatris were still fast asleep. Outside, it was drizzling. A gentleman entered the hall from the bathroom complex. We understood that it was time to get up; otherwise, there would be rush at every step. Picking up the tooth brushes with tips of toothpaste, we moved out together with requisite clothes. It was very cold outside. It had stopped raining by then. Very many yatris were busy outside like us. The water was hard and bitter cold. Bathing appeared to be a feat of courage. The water being such, soap lather was not getting removed easily. After taking the bath, I returned to the hall. PARAMJEET had returned a few minutes earlier.
By 3:05 a.m. we were resting back in our beds. By now, a few more companions had woken up. The generator had also been activated. Within a few minutes, the lights were switched on. It was 3:30 a.m. There was now the sound of the generator and the voice of the respective yatris. The task before all of us was to get ready, as early as possible, so as to embark upon the next portion of the journey which was the ‘journey’ in its real sense.
People were seen moving around in all directions, moving to and fro, with tooth brush in hand while some put it in their mouth straight away, some fetched towels, clothes, soap etc, some combed their hair, changed clothes, gossiped about the cold and hard water with the difficulty in removing soap etc. The hall was very dimly lit due to low voltage and the solitary bulb that glowed in the large firmament of our hall.
The activity was picking up all around. We desired to have tea and thus went-down stairs. Our clothes/bags were almost in place, so we were not at worry. There was active movement and the hustle bustle of yatris in the Gurudwara complex as some had to go uphill while others downhill on return journey. We had one glass full of tea each after we had paid obeisance before the Darbar Sahib. Regaining a little of heat energy, we traced our steps back to the hall.
We rested and talked with others for sometime. It was 4:30 a.m. when we folded our blankets, placed them properly and picking up our sticks and shoulder bags left the room. All the extra articles were to be left at the bed, as we were to have night rest here in the same hall. After the exit of all the yatris, the hall was to be locked. All the yatris, who did not have an arrangement like that of ours, were to deposit their extra belongings at the ‘gathri’ room.
soon, we reached at the ground floor. All over there was a big rush as the Sangat was getting ready for the holy onward / return journey. Gaiety and enthusiasm gripped the yatris for putting their first foot forward. Faces bright with hopes, of children, men and women of all ages, beamed all around.
We had information that langar would not be available at Hemkund Sahib. So one had to depend on the langar taken at Gobind Dham or on the edibles carried with self or available at dhabas en-route. So, we had 'mitha parshad' with dal and tea. (mitha parshad in Gurudwara parlance is the food that remained spare after the previous langar). “Mitha parshada” and tea were served in the veranda of the langar hall. Almost every yatri was desirous of having 'mitha parshada' and tea before undertaking journey for Hemkund Sahib during the same limited time. Though chapattis were served on hands, glasses were needed for getting hot tea. Thus with some effort, one could get the glasses. PARAMJEET arranged two glasses from the washing spot, only then we could take tea with chapattis.
Some yatris who were not a part of the organized yatra, deposited their extra luggage at the ‘gathri ghar’. Thank God we did not face this formality.
Small lathies in the hands of every yatri presented a charming scene and looked like an army of devotees on the march. Sticks with spikes, with varnish stripes, with angled hands and with missile shaped iron ends, were in sight. These sticks virtually provided strength and support to the traveller to move up the hills safely. It was a must friend. PARAMJEET had a sleek iron-ended stick, whereas mine was comparatively thicker and heavier with a blunt end.
Before leaving, we proceeded towards the Darbar Sahib room, offered prayers and paid obeisance for the successful journey ahead. We then moved to the ‘Nishan Sahib’, bowed our heads with folded hands praying for the grant of tall strength and perseverance.
With folded hands, we begged acceptance from the Almighty to start the journey for Hemkund Sahib. We moved out at 5 a.m. with the jaikara "Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal" and started walking with the fellow yatris.
www.hemkundji.com
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