| It was a cold evening. The sun was about to set. The | | | | rippling sound you could be engrossed in deep |
| round ball of sun, crimson red in color was gradually | | | | meditating thoughts. The flowing crystal clear, icy cold |
| going down the horizon. Nature was creating her | | | | water reminds about the temporary and perishable |
| magnum opus painting with various shades of red on | | | | nature of the worldly things. This also shows that the |
| great canvass. The beauteous colorful top dome of | | | | passed moment never comes back. The Formation |
| the famous high altitude temple Tungnath on my right | | | | and dissipation of small waves in the flowing rivers are |
| side was shining - bathed in all deep pink, looked | | | | admiringly beautiful. After having some refreshments |
| stunning. Standing beside the temple I was greedily | | | | you can resume the journey towards Chopta. Small |
| gulping the sublime natural beauty... | | | | vehicles like jeep are available from here to reach |
| I was on the trek to Tungnath. Situated at an altitude | | | | Chopta. Running on the meandering road, the jeep |
| of 3680 meters from the sea level, this shrine is the | | | | heads towards Gopeshwar through Chamoli. The path |
| highest among Hindu shrines and is one of the five | | | | is mesmerizingly beautiful and enough to take you to |
| "Kedars" - abode of Lord Shiva, revered by millions. | | | | trance. The public transport offers a mix of people |
| The rest four are "Rudranath", "Kalpeshwar", | | | | coming from different walks of life. Some locals and |
| "Madhyamaheshwar" and "Kedarnath". All five are | | | | some like us - the tourists. Travelling with such |
| collectively called as "Panch-Kedars" (Five Kedars). | | | | heterogeneous population also gives an opportunity to |
| Being at the highest altitude it has got its name. | | | | understand the various hues of life. |
| As the legend goes, after the fierce battle of | | | | Taking a circle round and passing through Gopeshwar, |
| Mahabharata was over the victorious Pandavas | | | | Mandal and Saggar the jeep reaches Chopta, from |
| wanted to repent the killings of their very own blood, | | | | where, trek starts. A gateway has been constructed |
| by worshipping Lord Shiva. Reluctant and annoyed He | | | | indicating the starting point. The route is cobbled, |
| was, Lord was unwilling to show them up and tried to | | | | passes amidst graceful Rhododendron trees and |
| vanish in the ground by morphing as a bull. Bhima, | | | | enchanting grasslands. Though the distance is small, |
| however, recognized and could manage to catch hold | | | | steep gradient poses a fairly tough challenge. Walking |
| of his hump. Rest of the body vanished under the | | | | against the gravitational pull drains a lot of energy. This |
| earth and resurfaced at five different places in bits. | | | | loss is well compensated by the natural beauty of |
| The place where locks of hair emerged was come to | | | | mountains, meadows and velvety vast grasslands |
| be known as Kalpeshwar. His forehead emerged at | | | | dotted with tall trees. It is advisable to take rest at |
| Tungnath, eyes at Rudranath, naval at | | | | some intervals and drink the nectar of serene natural |
| Madhyamaheshwar, and hump at Kedarnath. | | | | beauty. |
| Henceforth, all these five places are very sacred and | | | | The most optimum time for this trek is in the month of |
| pious for millions. Kedarnath is comparatively easy to | | | | October or the last week of September. This is the |
| approach rather than those of rest of the Kedars. | | | | time when rain gods takes leave and the climate |
| Situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand Tungnath | | | | becomes more clear and attractive. As the summit |
| can only be reached by 4 km. trekking. The nearest | | | | arrives, the great mountain peaks like Chaukhambha |
| spot from where the trekking starts is Chopta. The | | | | become more attractive and stunning. Amidst some |
| trekking is moderate and a person of average health | | | | stray patches of clouds these peaks looks gorgeous. |
| can take it up. A very rewarding, the trek is liked by | | | | Keeping of some dry fruits, water, a torch with spare |
| religious and the nature-lovers alike. | | | | batteries and some medicines for headache and |
| I started the journey from Bhowali - a small town in | | | | nausea are beneficial. |
| Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Alternatively the journey | | | | The temple, according to legends, was built by Arjuna |
| can also be taken up from Dehradoon - a capital city | | | | of Mahabharat. It is a very imposing structure with a |
| of Uttarakhand; is well connected with rail, road and air | | | | wooden platform at the top. In the sanctum sanctorum |
| traffic with rest of India. The morning at Bhowali was | | | | idols of sage Vyasa and Kaal Bhairav are housed |
| very pleasant. The picturesque Bhimtal Lake was | | | | along with "Lingum". The enterence of the temple is |
| looking like a pool of molten silver in the soft light of | | | | decorated and Nandi (a bull) is sitting at the entrance. |
| dawn. The diffracting lights from its surface were | | | | A visit to Chandrashila (4000 meters above sea level), |
| giving it various hues of colors. | | | | further two kilometers away from Tungnath is the |
| Running at moderate speed the bus from Bhowali | | | | most gratifying of this trek. Visiting this place at dawn is |
| drops you to Chaukhutiya (Ganai). Inhabited at the | | | | far more rewarding. View of rising sun is implausible |
| bank of river Ramganga, Chaukhutiya is a quiet and | | | | sight, not to be missed. A spectacular mountain view |
| small place. Travelling on serpentine road, the | | | | mesmerizes the beholder. Famous peaks like Nanda |
| connecting bus from here takes you to Karnprayag. | | | | Debi, Panchchooli, Banderpoonch, Kedarnath and |
| Karnpryag is a modest, cozy and beautiful place | | | | Chaukhambha can be spotted from here. To visit |
| where budget hotels, Dharamshalas and Government | | | | Chandrashila, one night halt is worthwhile where in |
| run rest-house with moderate facilities are available. | | | | hutments you can have a cozy night's slumber. After |
| Situated at the confluence of Pinder Ganga and | | | | return from Chandrashila enjoy tasty and delicious |
| Alaknanda, Karnprayag is said to be the place where | | | | potato stuffed bread (Aaloo paratha) along with |
| Karan - a legendary character of Mahabharata, used | | | | refreshing tea at reasonable rates. |
| to perform tough penances. A night's slumber will | | | | The trek is captivating and soul cleansing. It gives the |
| recharge you for further journey. | | | | feeling of oneness with nature and leaves an |
| A view of Karnprayag is advisable before moving for | | | | everlasting impact on mind and soul - an experience |
| further journey. The hills give a graceful look. Standing | | | | ineffable. |
| at the bank of gushing rivers with loud roaring and | | | | |