Real life experience to Gangotri &Gaumukh
This is no end to holiness in Uttaranchal and which has Char Dham
-Kedarnath;
Badhri-Vishal( Badrinath)
-Yumnotri
-Gangotri.
About Gangotri: This is the perfect place for people who have a desire for adventure or to a wish to appease the Gods above. The Originator of the sacred Ganges is here at an altitude of 3042mts approx above sea level. The main attraction is surely temple town & trekking trails to reveal the natural beauty. The natural rock Shivling, the is submerged in the river is an amazing attractions. Tourists cannot miss visiting the shrine of Gangotri dedicated to the Goddess. The peak season for pilgrims to visit is during May & June. Gangotri is one holiest temple in India.
Famous places Submerged Shivling – Unique Attraction, Shrine of Gangotri – Religious Importance.
Route for trekking Gangotri- Kedarnath Trek.
Gangotri- Nandavan-Tapovan Trek.
Gangotri – Kedar Tal.
Gangotri – Gaumukh.
Places Around Uttarakashi – 97 kms, Gaumukh – 19 kms, Kedar Tal – 18 kms, Nachiketa Tal – 131 kms, Dayara Bugyal – 93 kms.
Thanks to my lovely husband who introduced this place in to our trip list. Not too much of planning took place…but we were ready with our travel bag packs for the trip.
We started our trip on 14th August 2009 at 5:30 AM in the morning. My husband (Vijesh) took lead on the driver seat & one of our best friend Yogi.. who is one of the members of our VMY-Roadies( i.e. the name I have given to my group( Vijesh; Mini &Yogi Roadies).
I was fasting that day since it was Janamashtami Lord Krishna’s B’day ..kept this fasting till we reached one of the local Dhaba in Uttaranchal around 2:30 PM of the same day(14th Aug).
I was too hungry to keep my fast ON hence indulged on Khadi-Chawal….it was Yumm.
Immediately after Lunch we took off to our targeted destination of the day…
”Harsil” apples in Harsil are one of the best qualities found ..that’s what I heard from local people in Harsil. We reached this place around 9:30 PM and found a hotel called Skylark beautiful clean hotel…but was kindaaa MID night for them.
People who have the habit of just staying in star hotels ..for them I might say beware you might get disappointed. I didn’t happened to see 3* or 5* hotel however one should feel happy & lucky if he/she gets decent clean place to lodge-in.
As soon as we reached Harsil it was an achievement for 3 of us especially for my Pilot who was driving the Plane (Maruti Zen) all throughout the day till Harsil.
Myself & Yogi are the supervisors to fix the rate & do instant booking for Hotel and arrange food for further thought…we try and keep it to the Local best food available throughout the journey.
So Skylark Hotel was the place we had finalized to spent our night in..it was real lovely feeling and we were away from the crowded sound of vehicles; less people around;no electronic gadgets …the mighty & mysterious sound of “Great Ganges”
We had been following Ganga since we entered Haridhwar..and had wished to see the Starting point of Great Ganga.:) that indeed is Gaumukh..
Then on 15th Augest we got up around 9:00 AM in the morning and started getting ready for our mission. ( Gangotri & Ghomukh). Hmm I took a walk in Harsil and found a small apple orchid..shooted some pictures. Weather was COLD..so all 3 of us had finally decided to wear Jackets..
Then took breakfast which included cup of Milk tea; Chow-min; Bun Butter…and at around 10:30 AM we took off our Plane (Car) to Gangotri.
By 2:00 PM we approached our Gangotri.. which was wow…the plan in our mind was to start trekking the same day to Gaumukh, unfortunately we came to know of interesting fact which we didn’t guidance on was one needs to get permission from National Park of Gangotiri Forest department ..We thought that’s fine we shall get it and at the sametime learned from local people we might not get it since its too late for current day trek permission. We were really furious and cribbing what the hell is this permission all about we can’t waste a day in Gangotri in a hotel.
Eventually decided to push off to the forest department office which is local town Gangotiri very much near to the Bus Stand. All 3 of us were brave to say no no.. we need the permission and them our tone mellowed down when we heard there is a quota of only 150 people in one day to be permitted for trek. Ultimately we failed to get the permission and were asked to visit by 5:30 Pm for tomorrow’s permit.
On further enquiry we learned the Gate will be open at 6:00 in the morning..There are 15 Horses in total which are permitted…but we thought of trekking by foot to Ghomukh.
Hmm now the next things required was food and next plan to visit local places in Gangotri….Will write back in my next post on how the trekking was till then stay tuned…….
Thanks for your valuable time. And comments are welcome.
