The reality at high altitudes..lived experience
30/07/2025
This is the continuation of the previous blog. Our experiences at Paushpatri on 30/07/2025 need to be described, as it was an experience that I will never forget.
After we reached the tent, there was a kind of measured silence inside the tent. There were three tents with bunk beds in two rows. In a corner, we could see the blankets piled up.
One of the inmates advised us to use the vacant space. We realized that the women will be in one area and the men in another.
My bags were wet and shoes were dirty, and as I had two raincoats, water didn't enter inside the dress.
I used the upper part (third level) to keep my bags and climbed up to find a place. Sanghamitra found a place at lower berths.
Slowly my fear became a reality. All people moving from Sheshnag towards Panchtarni are diverted to the available space in the tent. The organisers of the bhandara were shouting and trying hard to control the crowd. I tried to keep my bag within my reach and tried to lie down by securing my space. I found Sanghamitra wrapped the sleeping bag around her and resting at the lower berth.
Another couple of minutes, the Bhandara organiser (one young fellow called Kaki) and two other old people came inside of the tent. We were asked to sit and arrange the space in such a way that a small tent could accommodate as many as 3000 people.
It appeared like a general compartment of a train completely packed, with people eagerly waiting for space to keep their feet in.
From 3 pm to 6 pm, there were a lot of commotions. I control my hunger and thirstiness to go out, as I feared the space would be lost. By evening the organisers of the Bhandara realised things were going out of control, as literally there was no space. They forced all inmates to sit in such a way that more people could be accommodated.
Suffocation, noise, and foul smell from the wet clothes and the wet bags with several yatris.
At that moment I was wondering how Sanghamitra would manage. But to my surprise, her position was better than mine.
By evening, 6 pm, an announcement came. The weather improved, and yatris are allowed to proceed. It gave a breathing space to many as everyone realised the difficulty of staying in that condition.
I went outside to relieve myself. I found the beeline of people moving towards Panchtarni. I was tired and was not confident to proceed, the same as the case of Sanghamitra.
Although half of the occupants in our tent left, conditions didn't improve much. I had to lie in the same posture the whole night. On either side of me were two fatty guys. I cannot compare it with a jail, but more or less, it appeared like that.
I was concerned about many things that night. Sleep was beyond reach in that environment. Health of Sanghamitra, safety of bags, and continuation of the trip...
The tarpaulin sheet covered the roof, which was wet, and water drops were falling down throughout night... Although blanket provided by bhandara helped us to manage the cold....
Restless night. A person like me who never liked crowded environments adjusted to such an environment... I realised one thing in life: that whatever comforts we have in everyday life, when we take up challenges, we should be ready for anything in life. I am sure that a person holding my designation may not even believe the way we had to adjust in these kinds of pilgrimages and how ordinary people don't bother about it because they have a greater reason to travel and they are willing to take such risks.
