Kedarnath ..Contd.

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. Helicopter operations start at as early as 6.30 am as the weather in the afternoon is unpredictable. Every 2 to 3 minutes we see helicopters bringing devotees. The flight takes 8-10 minutes from the base camp.

Once we cross the sangam (River Saraswati and Mandakini) we reach the temple premises directly.

reminder of 2013

The temple and nearby premises are filled with camps and hotels for pilgrims. On an average, a hotel room for 4 cost Rs. 2000/- . For hot water (bathing purpose, it cost Rs. 80). There are very few luxurious hotels, but we can find hotels at the said rate every where.

We found our hotel for a small rest and getting ready for Darshan. The que was comparatively small, but the morning sun was blazing from east. The darshan was really a ever memorable one as when we move each step, we realise the feeling of internal happiness and fulfillment. Butter (makkan) is the offering to Lord Shiva here.

We also had enough time to explore the area as the return was planned for the next day. Food and refreshments are really expensive as everything has to be brought on horses from the Gourikund, which is 16 km far from here. The day hours we can explore the near by places, but the trek routes to the Retas kund and other points are not possible as the connectivity has been lost.

The temple is an example of architectural master piece as from the foundation to main entrance and the sanctum is built in solid stone blocks. Murtis of Goddess Parvati, Pancha Pandavas and other main deities can be found inside.

We can also find a huge stone which protected the temple from a huge damage. People offer prayers at this stone area too. Evening Arti started at 7.30 and ended by 8 and the whole environment changes and elevates you in to a high degree of devotion and spirituality.

The darshan is available for pilgrims from morning and permission is allowed till 3 pm to have darshan of the Jyotirlinga inside the main sanctum. Darshan is closed from 3 pm to 4 pm and till arti time at night we can have the darshan from outside of the Sanctum.

It is believed that Adi Shankarachrya attained Samadhi here and the structure meant for smritimandapam was washed away in 2013. Lot of works are being taken up by workers here even now.

We could also see lot of sadhus sitting in line and the devotees were offering them daan (Donation). Our trip to Kedarnath was really a memorable one and the experience of walking over 40 KM in three days made us really to recognise the endurance level of body and mind.