CHENNAI TO GOMUKH -18TH TO 23RD JUNE 2010

GANGOTRI – GOMUKH TRIP – 18TH TO 23RD JUNE

Trek persons –Venkat , Rama , Savithri (Archana’s mother)

Our trip to the high mountains of Gomukh, deep in the Himalayas started from Chennai, the southern part of India right at the rearing summer on June 18th.

We got up early morning in the wee hrs at 4.00 a.m in Pallikarani Chennai for the 6.00 a.m train – rajadhani from Chennai -Central

At the same time at Nesapakkam Chennai Archana’s parents and grandmother too were getting ready to catch the same Rajdhani to Delhi.

Though the distances were far from the station, early morning hrs being traffic free we could wiz through the usually over crowded Chennai Metropolis well in time and settle ourselves in the prestigious Rajdhani. It is a fully air conditioned train with all the 17teen coaches centrally air-conditioned also the railways take care of food , supposed to be in line with airplanes. So we were scot free with out saddling ourselves with food packages.

Our coaches were little apart , while we had our seats in B7, Archana’s parents had theirs in B5 as the bookings were done on different dates.
We settled for the 24 hrs journey. Vaageesh was in his elements. He was excited at the prospects of travel, with all the familiar faces around him in the journey.

The food services started with clock work precision. But to our dismay we found the prestigious Rajdhani far falling short of the expectation. To redress the matters Ravi started a long letter to the Contract manager concerned, true in lawyer style.

In the mean while Vaageesh was busy hopping between the compartments.
We had a fitful sleep and when we got up it was time for Delhi to come.

DELHI TO RISHIKESH














OUR GROUP – RAMA,VENKAT,RAVI,ARCHANA,SAVITRI,VAAGEESH
VENKAT – ENJOYING THE MOUNTAINS


RAMA- IN HER TREKKING ATTIRE
VAAGEESH WITH HIS MOTHER AND GRAND MOTHER
SAVITRI AND MYSELF ENJOYING THE FLOWING GANGES
RAVI & ARCHANA GETTING READY FOR THE MOVE

At Delhi station we were received by Archana’s sister Subha along with the lunch for the day. Also a innova vehicle was waiting for us to take us immediately to Rishikesh.

We parted ways . Archana’s father and grandmother went with Subha while we boarded our waiting vehicle along with Archana’s mother to Rishikesh.

So here we were a team of six – Myself, Venkat , Ravi, Archana, Vaageesh and Archana’s mother on our way to the most sancified ( Religious) plus adventurous trip to Gomukh, the starting point of river Ganga where she is called Bhagirathi.

It is said in the mythology the king Bhagirathi did penance for 6500 yrs to get the river from Shiva’s coils at Himalayas. Hence this part of river Ganga is called Bhagirathi and any act involving such strenuous tapas to get it done is called `Bhagiratha pryatnam’.

The other major tributaries of Ganga are Alaknandha from Bhadrinath and Madhakini from Kedarnath which meet at Rudraprayag and later down stream at Devaprayag.
These combined main tributaries of Ganges meet Bhagirathi which by then would have traveled 250 kms from its source at Devaprayag. From Devaprayag these three tributaries combine to become river Ganga..

After reaching Delhi at 10.30 a.m we drove to Rishikesh about 250 kms away and reached the place at about 6.30 p.m The first trip of the journey was pleasant and comfortable. We had picked lunch sent by Subha on the way and halted for tea break at Cheetal .
At Rishikesh we halted at the prebooked Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN). Vaageesh was in elements enjoying the trip. He was so excited at the terrace of GMVN where we went to see the sunset, that he ran around and round like a top screaming and laughing excited to be in a new place.

RISHIKESH TO BHAIRAV GHATTI

Next day we had planned an early start from Rishikesh to drive to Bhairav Ghatti, about 240 kms away along the winding mountain path, involving an ascent of 2000 mts , about 6500 ft climb up the hill.

At Rishikesh we are at 340 mts (1140ft) altitude and our destination 240 km away at Bhairav Ghatti, we were to climb up to 2650 mts ( 9010 ft).The journey started tumtoulously. Just as we started the climb, both Archana and Ravi had their vomiting bouts which was followed up by Vaageesh.

By the time we reached Bhairav Ghati after twelve hrs of travel up the hills all the three youngsters were feeling low with repeated vomittings which was tried to be kept in check with Avomin tablets, inhaling cut limes & doing Acupressure at right places. The three seniors were relatively stable. Well we had to take this round and round journey, as there was no other way to reach up the hills.

At Bhirav Ghatti, 15teen kms short of Gangotri, we checked in at GMVN and went to Lord Bhairav temple( right across) to pay our regards and ask to give us the strength for the onward journey.

We took to bed early after dinner and next day we had to go to Gangotri and start our trek to Gomukh as early as possible.

BHAIRAV GHATTI TO GANGOTRI & GANGOTRI TO BHOJVASA TREK

The day dawned with little Vaageesh completely out of form. He was under weather during the previous day travel , now the chill of the upper regions seemed to have pulled him down. He had both caugh and bouts of vomiting and loose motions. We then decided that it wont be advisable to take the little child along with us to the trek. So Ravi, Archana and the child decided to stay back at Gangotri or at lower regions for three days while myself, Venkat and Savitri ( Archana’s mother) were to go further.

We started early and reached Gangotri by 8.00 a.m There we had to meet the officials first as it was essential to get the permit done by the forest department for our further journey.

As per the new roles, since the main catchment area of Ganges the Gomukh- Gangotri glaciers should not be corrupted by too many piligrim movement , they had restricted per day entry to 100 to 159 pilgrim with just 15teen to 20 horses to help them climb up. Also all the onward facilities like food shops, coolies etc are almost non existent. So the journey up from Gangotri ( a tough trek) has been made further tougher by cutting off all essential facilities. One has to carry one’s food & drink over the long trek.

We got for ourselves a pittu – coolie ( the one who has a basket in the back), a nepali- Bahadur to carry our luggage for three days.

After visiting the Gangotri temple ( a temple dedicated to river Ganges) and having a sankalp at river Ganges with the help of a pandit, we three seniors started our onward journey carrying sturdy sticks to help us climb the treacherous and tough trek at 9.00 a.m

Our programme was to do the first lap of 9 km trek Chirbasa and then move forward to Bhojvasa a 5km trek and halt their for the night.

As we started the climb, just in a hr and half I found it difficult to climb.. That was slowing Venkat also down as he climb to catch me going was tough and not as easy as we thought of , with our memory of having done that 18teen yrs back in 1992 when we were at Dehradun.

At that time youth was in our side and we reached 9 km up Chirbasa for a 12 `0’ clock lunch.

In our group Savitri ( Archana’s mother) was most agile, she could cover up substantial climb close in hand with pittu – Bhadhur. While I was finding the climb pretty stiff and had to halt after every climb to catch my breath. That was slowing Venkat also down as he was waiting for me to catch up as he did not want to leave me alone.

Enroute we were finding sleek sadhus who were doing the climb with out much effort. While the city sleeks most of them had caught on a horse , the safest bet to go up. While few city people like us were struggling on foot as the gradient at some places was real steep , adding to our difficulty was at places the path was strewn with stones and we had to do the balancing act over the uneven stones.

While at some stretches we were asked to rush past as they were slide prone and there were chances of we coming under a rush of sliding mountain stones.

Thus the going was getting tougher and tougher and our energies were also dwindling after the initial bout.

By the time we reached 5 km climb it was 3.00 p.m, we had still to climb 9 km to reach Bhojvasa where there was facilities for night halt.Then we decided to part ways instead of the entire party tagging along with the slowest climber.

So we asked Bhadhur ( the pittu fellow) to escort Savitri to Bhojvasa while we thought we will look out for a horse at Chirbasa another 4 km away to reach Bhojvasa by night. So Savitri took off without getting chained down by our slow pace. She reached Chirbasa (abode of chir(pine) trees) by 5.00 p.m and from there to Bhoj vasa 5 km away she could reach by 7.00 p.m and check in to the comforts of GMVN. They have dormitory with well appointed beds and good food for travelers.

Here myself and Venkaat dragged ourselves up to Chirbasa 4 km up by 6.00 p.m and what greeted us there was a real anti climax. No horses to take us to Bhojvasa , not only no horses , no human beings too. We were greeted by a forlorn landscape of howling cold winds at the ht of 3600 mt(12,200 ft) . We were aghast. Truly we were at our tethers end as what to do next? We were in the forest of Chirbasa with out a soul in sight and no clue as where to halt or how to move further. The dusk was falling fast enveloping the landscape with darkness . Neither we had woolens to sustain up as the luggage was carted off by Bhadhur.

We called to the God’s for help. To add to the confusion we were met by a couple of local villagers who told us there is no place to halt near by and advised us to walk 4 to 5 kms in opp direction to get a halting place. It was impossible to walk that far. At one point of time Venkat asked me to stay put in the forest and told he will go about and find a place to halt. I told him that will be most foolish, to part ways , as anything can happen here once the sun sets. Then we went half km further hoping to locate the forest chowki about which people had told us enroute.And luckily in ten minutes we saw the shiny tinned roof of the forest chowki. We thanked all the God’s whom we were calling and surrendered ourselves to the forest chowki guys. They turned out to be real darlings . With their frugal resources they made us comfortable.

First they prepared and gave us a cup of hot tea. Then asked us to stay in a tinned shed having couple of beds in the floor and lot of worn out quilts. The place looked heaven to us then. Further they prepared hot food of rice, dhal and vegetables and served us in an hrs time.

We were really saved at the nick of the time ,because just when we located the forest chowki, where we were standing in the forest five minutes ago. A cheetah was spotted. As the place is cordoned off for environmental reasons and made to a wild life park. Hence there is lot of wild life movement. We shuddered to think if we had not found the forest chowki in good time we would have been dinner for the cheetah which was following us close behind.

We spent the night in the tin shed but now worrying about what is the status of Savitri who was left with Bhadhur. As there is no telephone connection anywhere. We tried to contact her by wireless at the forest chowki there but we were told there is no one monitoring at the other end at Bhojvasa. So there was no way but worrying about her prospects.

22nd

As soon as it dawned the next day we started climb at 5.30 a.m to Bhojvasa. In the mean while Savitri too was spending sleepless night at Bhojvasa worrying about us. Early morning she sent down Bhadhur to find out about us. He met us half way to Bhojvasa. However the other trekkers at GMVN in Bhojvasa with Savitri were a good solace. They had such hardship tales to narrate and they were consoling Savitri that we would be safe and not to worry.

Here we were met by Bhadhur who repeatedly was entreating us that he is capable of carrying me in pittu to speed up the climb, as on that day after reaching Bhojvasa we had to trek 4 kms up to Gomukh and 4kms down again to Bhojvasa.

Finally after some persuasion I sat on the pittu and was carried on the back by hardy Bhadhur up the hill.

Sitting in the pittu carried in somebody’s back is an experience by itself . All you can see is the sky and the mountains and hear pittu dredging with your heavy wt. in the back. Soon I reconciled to the idea of sitting in pittu for difficult stretches and we reached Bhojvasa by 10.00 a.m.

We were met by a relieved Savitri who had been worrying sick of not finding us. The GMVN is a real heaven at such hts. ( 3783mts- 12866 ft ) . It is a dormitory with about 10 beds in each room. So we have human company to share our travel trials and hot food served.

At 11.00 a.m after having a mini breakfast we started the climb again to Gomukh. Again Mr.Pittu was at our helms. This time Venkat took turns to sit in pittu as his health was more on the down list. Mid way through while climbing up to Gomukh Venkat got severe stomach cramps and was carried by pittu time to time. Added to that the weather as were reaching Gomukh at about 2.30 p.m was getting from bad to worse with the thick rain clouds descending down , pouring chill rain drops on us. The landscape was bleak with no trees after Bhojvasa with only boulders strewn all along. The walk was a real religious penance. We reached Gomukh with great ordeal at 3.00 p.m and by sheer will power took off our clothes and had bath in the chill ice cold waters issuing out of Gomukh glaciers. Myself and Venkat followed the dictum of our `sankalp’ and had bath. Ofcourse we did not dare to dip in the river as thee was warning of Ice boulders which can wash us away. We picked water bottle and poured it over our heads. In ten minutes the act was over for which we had taken all the pains.

We started walking back to Bhojvasa in good speed as we wanted to be back before the rain can catch us up.

Any way walking down is less arduous and we were back at Bhojvasa by 5.30 p.m

After a hot dinner of Roti, dhal and `bhindi’ sabzi, we tried to rest ourselves. But either due to high altitude or the battered body , our bodies were refusing to get lulled to sleep. The night turned out to be a restless one. Added to that Venkat’s uneasy stomach and light loose motions were troubling him through the night.

For return we had booked a additional coolie from Bhojvasa as we wanted to keep the pittu free from load to help him carry us back if req.

23rd On 23rd morning we were scheduled to leave by 6.00 a.m for the return trek back to Gangotri . But due to Venkat’s indisposition we were able to leave only by 7.00 a.m

The trek back was much more simpler in comparison to the climb in patches where we had to climb down while coming now we had to climb up. Now the pittu fellow again helped us to cross over the difficult patches and since Venkat was feeling a bit weak he restored to pittu at certain patches . Huffing and puffing we would have covered about 8 to 9 kms by `12’ noon.

At 6 km mark still to go down we had a pleasant surprise , finding Ravi climbing up and meeting us in the route.

At Ravi’s end they had moved a bit down from Gangotri to a beautiful spot called Harsil where river Ganga takes a magnificent journey along the pine enclaves making wide banks along the mountain slopes. They had halted there waiting for us . After 2 days he felt a bit apprehensive about out plight and had contacted Bhojvasa through police wireless and came to know we are on our downward journey on 23rd morning. So he decided to meet us enroute.

Ravi’s coming gave a boost to our morale. We climbed down and reached Gangotri by 5.30 p.m. There the vehicle was bought to cart us back to Harsil about 40 km down Gangotri.

Soon we reached home to be greeted by Archana and still a bit laid down Vaageesh. We were happy to be back to civilization and with our people in contact over the phone.

That night we stayed in the banks of now magnificent Bhagirithi at GMVN rest house. Next day we moved off from Harsil to Rishikesh. Again the return journey from hts to plain along the winding paths caused a lot of uneasiness, this time to Archana and Vaageesh.
At Rishikesh we checked in a hotel Ganga resort, just again in banks of Ganges . Next day morning Ravi and Archana left for a rafting trip , while we were all enjoying with now stable and happy Vaageesh.

We then moved from Hotel Ganga to Dayanand Ashram nearby to spend two peaceful days in the Ashram next to river Ganges, recouping the health and also reminiscing the trip as well getting into the Ashram atmosphere which was very serene and calming.

That is when I am penning this write up . Ravi & Archana left two days prior to Delhi and Chennai & are back home. While Savitri too left the same day back to Ludhiana.

Myself and Venkat back to normal . We are now returning back to Chennai via Delhi by Tamil nadu. Enroute we plan to meet Prerna’s parents at Delhi.

So here we are in one piece after the breath taking ( literally) adventurous trek up Himalayas to meet river Ganges right at its inception






























GANGOTRI – GOMUKH TRIP – 18TH TO 23RD JUNE

Trek persons –Venkat , Rama , Savithri (Archana’s mother)

Our trip to the high mountains of Gomukh, deep in the Himalayas started from Chennai, the southern part of India right at the rearing summer on June 18th.

We got up early morning in the wee hrs at 4.00 a.m in Pallikarani Chennai for the 6.00 a.m train – rajadhani from Chennai -Central

At the same time at Nesapakkam Chennai Archana’s parents and grandmother too were getting ready to catch the same Rajdhani to Delhi.

Though the distances were far from the station, early morning hrs being traffic free we could wiz through the usually over crowded Chennai Metropolis well in time and settle ourselves in the prestigious Rajdhani. It is a fully air conditioned train with all the 17teen coaches centrally air-conditioned also the railways take care of food , supposed to be in line with airplanes. So we were scot free with out saddling ourselves with food packages.

Our coaches were little apart , while we had our seats in B7, Archana’s parents had theirs in B5 as the bookings were done on different dates.
We settled for the 24 hrs journey. Vaageesh was in his elements. He was excited at the prospects of travel, with all the familiar faces around him in the journey.

The food services started with clock work precision. But to our dismay we found the prestigious Rajdhani far falling short of the expectation. To redress the matters Ravi started a long letter to the Contract manager concerned, true in lawyer style.

In the mean while Vaageesh was busy hopping between the compartments.
We had a fitful sleep and when we got up it was time for Delhi to come.

DELHI TO RISHIKESH














OUR GROUP – RAMA,VENKAT,RAVI,ARCHANA,SAVITRI,VAAGEESH
VENKAT – ENJOYING THE MOUNTAINS


RAMA- IN HER TREKKING ATTIRE
VAAGEESH WITH HIS MOTHER AND GRAND MOTHER
SAVITRI AND MYSELF ENJOYING THE FLOWING GANGES
RAVI & ARCHANA GETTING READY FOR THE MOVE

At Delhi station we were received by Archana’s sister Subha along with the lunch for the day. Also a innova vehicle was waiting for us to take us immediately to Rishikesh.

We parted ways . Archana’s father and grandmother went with Subha while we boarded our waiting vehicle along with Archana’s mother to Rishikesh.

So here we were a team of six – Myself, Venkat , Ravi, Archana, Vaageesh and Archana’s mother on our way to the most sancified ( Religious) plus adventurous trip to Gomukh, the starting point of river Ganga where she is called Bhagirathi.

It is said in the mythology the king Bhagirathi did penance for 6500 yrs to get the river from Shiva’s coils at Himalayas. Hence this part of river Ganga is called Bhagirathi and any act involving such strenuous tapas to get it done is called `Bhagiratha pryatnam’.

The other major tributaries of Ganga are Alaknandha from Bhadrinath and Madhakini from Kedarnath which meet at Rudraprayag and later down stream at Devaprayag.
These combined main tributaries of Ganges meet Bhagirathi which by then would have traveled 250 kms from its source at Devaprayag. From Devaprayag these three tributaries combine to become river Ganga..

After reaching Delhi at 10.30 a.m we drove to Rishikesh about 250 kms away and reached the place at about 6.30 p.m The first trip of the journey was pleasant and comfortable. We had picked lunch sent by Subha on the way and halted for tea break at Cheetal .
At Rishikesh we halted at the prebooked Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN). Vaageesh was in elements enjoying the trip. He was so excited at the terrace of GMVN where we went to see the sunset, that he ran around and round like a top screaming and laughing excited to be in a new place.

RISHIKESH TO BHAIRAV GHATTI

Next day we had planned an early start from Rishikesh to drive to Bhairav Ghatti, about 240 kms away along the winding mountain path, involving an ascent of 2000 mts , about 6500 ft climb up the hill.

At Rishikesh we are at 340 mts (1140ft) altitude and our destination 240 km away at Bhairav Ghatti, we were to climb up to 2650 mts ( 9010 ft).The journey started tumtoulously. Just as we started the climb, both Archana and Ravi had their vomiting bouts which was followed up by Vaageesh.

By the time we reached Bhairav Ghati after twelve hrs of travel up the hills all the three youngsters were feeling low with repeated vomittings which was tried to be kept in check with Avomin tablets, inhaling cut limes & doing Acupressure at right places. The three seniors were relatively stable. Well we had to take this round and round journey, as there was no other way to reach up the hills.

At Bhirav Ghatti, 15teen kms short of Gangotri, we checked in at GMVN and went to Lord Bhairav temple( right across) to pay our regards and ask to give us the strength for the onward journey.

We took to bed early after dinner and next day we had to go to Gangotri and start our trek to Gomukh as early as possible.

BHAIRAV GHATTI TO GANGOTRI & GANGOTRI TO BHOJVASA TREK

The day dawned with little Vaageesh completely out of form. He was under weather during the previous day travel , now the chill of the upper regions seemed to have pulled him down. He had both caugh and bouts of vomiting and loose motions. We then decided that it wont be advisable to take the little child along with us to the trek. So Ravi, Archana and the child decided to stay back at Gangotri or at lower regions for three days while myself, Venkat and Savitri ( Archana’s mother) were to go further.

We started early and reached Gangotri by 8.00 a.m There we had to meet the officials first as it was essential to get the permit done by the forest department for our further journey.

As per the new roles, since the main catchment area of Ganges the Gomukh- Gangotri glaciers should not be corrupted by too many piligrim movement , they had restricted per day entry to 100 to 159 pilgrim with just 15teen to 20 horses to help them climb up. Also all the onward facilities like food shops, coolies etc are almost non existent. So the journey up from Gangotri ( a tough trek) has been made further tougher by cutting off all essential facilities. One has to carry one’s food & drink over the long trek.

We got for ourselves a pittu – coolie ( the one who has a basket in the back), a nepali- Bahadur to carry our luggage for three days.

After visiting the Gangotri temple ( a temple dedicated to river Ganges) and having a sankalp at river Ganges with the help of a pandit, we three seniors started our onward journey carrying sturdy sticks to help us climb the treacherous and tough trek at 9.00 a.m

Our programme was to do the first lap of 9 km trek Chirbasa and then move forward to Bhojvasa a 5km trek and halt their for the night.

As we started the climb, just in a hr and half I found it difficult to climb.. That was slowing Venkat also down as he climb to catch me going was tough and not as easy as we thought of , with our memory of having done that 18teen yrs back in 1992 when we were at Dehradun.

At that time youth was in our side and we reached 9 km up Chirbasa for a 12 `0’ clock lunch.

In our group Savitri ( Archana’s mother) was most agile, she could cover up substantial climb close in hand with pittu – Bhadhur. While I was finding the climb pretty stiff and had to halt after every climb to catch my breath. That was slowing Venkat also down as he was waiting for me to catch up as he did not want to leave me alone.

Enroute we were finding sleek sadhus who were doing the climb with out much effort. While the city sleeks most of them had caught on a horse , the safest bet to go up. While few city people like us were struggling on foot as the gradient at some places was real steep , adding to our difficulty was at places the path was strewn with stones and we had to do the balancing act over the uneven stones.

While at some stretches we were asked to rush past as they were slide prone and there were chances of we coming under a rush of sliding mountain stones.

Thus the going was getting tougher and tougher and our energies were also dwindling after the initial bout.

By the time we reached 5 km climb it was 3.00 p.m, we had still to climb 9 km to reach Bhojvasa where there was facilities for night halt.Then we decided to part ways instead of the entire party tagging along with the slowest climber.

So we asked Bhadhur ( the pittu fellow) to escort Savitri to Bhojvasa while we thought we will look out for a horse at Chirbasa another 4 km away to reach Bhojvasa by night. So Savitri took off without getting chained down by our slow pace. She reached Chirbasa (abode of chir(pine) trees) by 5.00 p.m and from there to Bhoj vasa 5 km away she could reach by 7.00 p.m and check in to the comforts of GMVN. They have dormitory with well appointed beds and good food for travelers.

Here myself and Venkaat dragged ourselves up to Chirbasa 4 km up by 6.00 p.m and what greeted us there was a real anti climax. No horses to take us to Bhojvasa , not only no horses , no human beings too. We were greeted by a forlorn landscape of howling cold winds at the ht of 3600 mt(12,200 ft) . We were aghast. Truly we were at our tethers end as what to do next? We were in the forest of Chirbasa with out a soul in sight and no clue as where to halt or how to move further. The dusk was falling fast enveloping the landscape with darkness . Neither we had woolens to sustain up as the luggage was carted off by Bhadhur.

We called to the God’s for help. To add to the confusion we were met by a couple of local villagers who told us there is no place to halt near by and advised us to walk 4 to 5 kms in opp direction to get a halting place. It was impossible to walk that far. At one point of time Venkat asked me to stay put in the forest and told he will go about and find a place to halt. I told him that will be most foolish, to part ways , as anything can happen here once the sun sets. Then we went half km further hoping to locate the forest chowki about which people had told us enroute.And luckily in ten minutes we saw the shiny tinned roof of the forest chowki. We thanked all the God’s whom we were calling and surrendered ourselves to the forest chowki guys. They turned out to be real darlings . With their frugal resources they made us comfortable.

First they prepared and gave us a cup of hot tea. Then asked us to stay in a tinned shed having couple of beds in the floor and lot of worn out quilts. The place looked heaven to us then. Further they prepared hot food of rice, dhal and vegetables and served us in an hrs time.

We were really saved at the nick of the time ,because just when we located the forest chowki, where we were standing in the forest five minutes ago. A cheetah was spotted. As the place is cordoned off for environmental reasons and made to a wild life park. Hence there is lot of wild life movement. We shuddered to think if we had not found the forest chowki in good time we would have been dinner for the cheetah which was following us close behind.

We spent the night in the tin shed but now worrying about what is the status of Savitri who was left with Bhadhur. As there is no telephone connection anywhere. We tried to contact her by wireless at the forest chowki there but we were told there is no one monitoring at the other end at Bhojvasa. So there was no way but worrying about her prospects.

22nd

As soon as it dawned the next day we started climb at 5.30 a.m to Bhojvasa. In the mean while Savitri too was spending sleepless night at Bhojvasa worrying about us. Early morning she sent down Bhadhur to find out about us. He met us half way to Bhojvasa. However the other trekkers at GMVN in Bhojvasa with Savitri were a good solace. They had such hardship tales to narrate and they were consoling Savitri that we would be safe and not to worry.

Here we were met by Bhadhur who repeatedly was entreating us that he is capable of carrying me in pittu to speed up the climb, as on that day after reaching Bhojvasa we had to trek 4 kms up to Gomukh and 4kms down again to Bhojvasa.

Finally after some persuasion I sat on the pittu and was carried on the back by hardy Bhadhur up the hill.

Sitting in the pittu carried in somebody’s back is an experience by itself . All you can see is the sky and the mountains and hear pittu dredging with your heavy wt. in the back. Soon I reconciled to the idea of sitting in pittu for difficult stretches and we reached Bhojvasa by 10.00 a.m.

We were met by a relieved Savitri who had been worrying sick of not finding us. The GMVN is a real heaven at such hts. ( 3783mts- 12866 ft ) . It is a dormitory with about 10 beds in each room. So we have human company to share our travel trials and hot food served.

At 11.00 a.m after having a mini breakfast we started the climb again to Gomukh. Again Mr.Pittu was at our helms. This time Venkat took turns to sit in pittu as his health was more on the down list. Mid way through while climbing up to Gomukh Venkat got severe stomach cramps and was carried by pittu time to time. Added to that the weather as were reaching Gomukh at about 2.30 p.m was getting from bad to worse with the thick rain clouds descending down , pouring chill rain drops on us. The landscape was bleak with no trees after Bhojvasa with only boulders strewn all along. The walk was a real religious penance. We reached Gomukh with great ordeal at 3.00 p.m and by sheer will power took off our clothes and had bath in the chill ice cold waters issuing out of Gomukh glaciers. Myself and Venkat followed the dictum of our `sankalp’ and had bath. Ofcourse we did not dare to dip in the river as thee was warning of Ice boulders which can wash us away. We picked water bottle and poured it over our heads. In ten minutes the act was over for which we had taken all the pains.

We started walking back to Bhojvasa in good speed as we wanted to be back before the rain can catch us up.

Any way walking down is less arduous and we were back at Bhojvasa by 5.30 p.m

After a hot dinner of Roti, dhal and `bhindi’ sabzi, we tried to rest ourselves. But either due to high altitude or the battered body , our bodies were refusing to get lulled to sleep. The night turned out to be a restless one. Added to that Venkat’s uneasy stomach and light loose motions were troubling him through the night.

For return we had booked a additional coolie from Bhojvasa as we wanted to keep the pittu free from load to help him carry us back if req.

23rd On 23rd morning we were scheduled to leave by 6.00 a.m for the return trek back to Gangotri . But due to Venkat’s indisposition we were able to leave only by 7.00 a.m

The trek back was much more simpler in comparison to the climb in patches where we had to climb down while coming now we had to climb up. Now the pittu fellow again helped us to cross over the difficult patches and since Venkat was feeling a bit weak he restored to pittu at certain patches . Huffing and puffing we would have covered about 8 to 9 kms by `12’ noon.

At 6 km mark still to go down we had a pleasant surprise , finding Ravi climbing up and meeting us in the route.

At Ravi’s end they had moved a bit down from Gangotri to a beautiful spot called Harsil where river Ganga takes a magnificent journey along the pine enclaves making wide banks along the mountain slopes. They had halted there waiting for us . After 2 days he felt a bit apprehensive about out plight and had contacted Bhojvasa through police wireless and came to know we are on our downward journey on 23rd morning. So he decided to meet us enroute.

Ravi’s coming gave a boost to our morale. We climbed down and reached Gangotri by 5.30 p.m. There the vehicle was bought to cart us back to Harsil about 40 km down Gangotri.

Soon we reached home to be greeted by Archana and still a bit laid down Vaageesh. We were happy to be back to civilization and with our people in contact over the phone.

That night we stayed in the banks of now magnificent Bhagirithi at GMVN rest house. Next day we moved off from Harsil to Rishikesh. Again the return journey from hts to plain along the winding paths caused a lot of uneasiness, this time to Archana and Vaageesh.
At Rishikesh we checked in a hotel Ganga resort, just again in banks of Ganges . Next day morning Ravi and Archana left for a rafting trip , while we were all enjoying with now stable and happy Vaageesh.

We then moved from Hotel Ganga to Dayanand Ashram nearby to spend two peaceful days in the Ashram next to river Ganges, recouping the health and also reminiscing the trip as well getting into the Ashram atmosphere which was very serene and calming.

That is when I am penning this write up . Ravi & Archana left two days prior to Delhi and Chennai & are back home. While Savitri too left the same day back to Ludhiana.

Myself and Venkat back to normal . We are now returning back to Chennai via Delhi by Tamil nadu. Enroute we plan to meet Prerna’s parents at Delhi.

So here we are in one piece after the breath taking ( literally) adventurous trek up Himalayas to meet river Ganges right at its inception