Living the life in a magic world

We reached Jammu Tawi station at the right time, i.e., 11 am approx., on 26 July 2025. It was a humid and hot day. Earlier I contacted PRof. Anil Gupta at the University of Jammu, and he told me that he would try to meet us in the station. We waited for Prof. Anil Gupta. As we couldn’t see him, we moved to the waiting room. I wondered how poorly equipped Jammu station in comparison with other railway stations in India. This station is very important for India in many terms. Millions of pilgrims arrive and depart from this station every month. In the mean time, I had to get a new SIM card as prepaid mobile numbers from other states do not work in Jammu & Kashmir.  I got a new SIM card and contacted Anil, sir. He was already there in the station searching for me. He came to the waiting room. He also brought food and some sweets and Namkeen for us.  After briefing him about our plan, we waited for the train which leaves at 2.30 from Jammu to Katra. When we looked at the statu...

An evening at Prayag Ghat.. A tv crew gets ready for anchoring Another side the chanting of prayers on A group of pilgrims with hiring moves in a Three boat tied together Ganga aarti goes on one side.. A procession of boats move slowly Decorated with theme of Sri Ram Navami Floats with colourful lighting as well.... Its Kashi..the eternal city....

Our next trip point was to reach Badrinath. The bus which we boarded stopped at Joshimath at around 6.30 pm as it was proceeding to Auli. The evening was very pleasant at Joshimath as the dark clouds at the horizon was slowly telling as it may rain any time. After waiting for some time, one family going towards Badrinath offered us space at a price of Rs. 200 per person for 45 k.m.  When we started to Badrinath, the night has already shown its arrival. The route was empty as the uphill vehicles are stopped after evenings. Govindghat comes in between Joshimath and Badrinath. Here Sikh pilgrims stop for their vehicles and start trek to Hemkund Sahib which is situated at an altitude of 4500 meters approx. above sea level.  Badrinath Dham (Main Gate) When we reached Badrianth it was 9.30 pm. The streets were occupied by devotees and almost all restaurants were full. We were looking for our accommodation and finally found a place at a rate of Rs. 2000 per night for a fa...

WE can;t say our sleep was good. It was just a resting place as the bell sound of horses and yelling of other camp mates kept our sleep away. At 5 in the early morning, we started again after having a cup of hot tea. The sky was clear and the fog, rain clouds everything disappeared. The sight of the near by hills  and the flow of river Mandakini caught our attention.  The ambush of flooded water on the riverbanks and the pilgrim routes in the year 2013 was clearly embedded. The track ahead was scant as the pilgrims were yet to reach that area, other than those who continued it from previous evenings trip. The last hill to climb literally pulled our legs back as it was very steep. We could get a birds view of Kedarnath Temple and the surrounding area from there.  The view of the valley was really a reminder of the incident of cloudburst and the flood. The temperature was very low and we were shivering with cold. People were getting ready at the helipad area. Helic...

Kedarnath dham It was a long cherished dream to visit Kedarnath as it is one of the most important Jyotirlinga temples in India. Me and my wife were highly excited to start the trip and after passing Rudraprayag, we realised the toughness of the journey. Narrow road where only one vehicle can go at a time, sharp bends, and the high chances of landslides. At one point I literally shouted at the bus driver that the last wheel is about to fall in to a gorge while he was giving side to another car.  Gupt Kashi is the nearest main town and a number of helipads can be found while moving towards Gourikund. We stayed overnight at a point called Phatta which is almost 1 hour away from Sonprayag, the base camp of Kedarnath.  Early morning we started to Sonprayag. All yatris  should get themselves registered  and give the biometric at Gourikund in order to proceed further. The next part is to wait for your turn to board a jeep to Gourikund. Jeeps take pilgrims to a dist...