Char Dham

Time: May 2004
Place: Delhi, Haridwar, Yamunothri, Gangothri, Kedarnath, Badrinath
Company: Parents, but a package trip
Highlights: A beautiful 18-day trip with parents organized by Vikram travels. Amazing food everyday, great accommodations, and good travel bus.
Delhi: A repeat of places I had seen. Including Indira Gandhi’s assassination scene. Sweltering hot!
Haridwar and Rishikesh. A repeat again. Went on jhoola this time. And saw innumerous places of interest in and around. Quite fascinating really.
Yamunothri. A tiring 7 km up and 7 km down steep climb. A climb which makes you feel colder as you climb higher. Nearest place where we can see River Yamuna originating, but it actually originates much higher. Unfortunately for us, there was a strike that day which delayed us the whole morning. So, we climbed late, and had to hurry back down because it was becoming pitch dark!
Gangothri, which is the nearest place where we can see River Ganga originating, but it actually originates from Gaumukh, which is a further 7 km steep trek amidst the cold mountains. Remembered breathing heavily in Gangothri because of lack of Oxygen content.
Kedarnath. 14 km up and 14 km down. I took a horse ride up, but realized within moments, the brutality of it! Suffered, along with cold, all the way up. Idol is a mere flat faced rock which is considered as Lord Shiva. Paid the whole amount but came down 14 km walking. A girl of my age giving me company, made it all the more easier! A feverish strain in the night.
Badrinath. The sacred house of Lord Vishnu. I had at last fulfilled my vow! Then, Vyaas Guha.
Overall: Hot water geysers in all the cold places were a pleasure. Overnight stay at Uttar Kashi and Joshi Mutt. Latter because we missed the 5 pm deadline after which the stretch of 30 kms to Badri is closed as it is considered to be dangerous. Tiny winding roads all around, with deep gorges, magnificent yet fierce rivers, scenic snow-capped mountains. Easily, one of my greatest trips!