23 December, 2016

Pilgrimage to the Himalaya 2016


This time I had planned a trip in advanced but nothing work out, so as usual I started a totally unplanned trip (I just get down at Haridwar station then decide where to go)

I stayed in temples, caves and forest. Most of the time in tents

I met many sadhus who stay in solitude at high altitudes, in forest, by the river etc

It was indeed a very fruitful trip

First visited the ancient Ansuya devi temple







Atri muni ashram near Ansuya devi’s temple




One needs to go behind this water fall to reach the ashram










Tungarnath the highest shiv temple in the world













Nandi ji 




Stayed here for only Rs 400 a day




Chandrashila (literally the moon rock) reached after an early morning trek above Tungarnath






Sunrise at Chandrashila







Kalpeshwar mahadev in the urgam valley







Urgam valley









Note: Tungarnath and Kalpeshwar mahadev are one of the panch (five) kedar temples

Dhyan Badri (one of the panch Badri temples)








Hot springs at Tapovan off Joshimath famous for their healing powers, it was cold and I just did not feel like coming out of the hot water---Wash me, cleanse me, purify my heart and set me free. Psalm 51:2


  



Ancient temple of Bhavishya Badri in Sumai vllage






Then trekked up to the forest where the self-forming idol of Bhavishya Badri is located










My tent at Bhavishya Badri




Nandadevi as seen from Bhavishya Badri



Neelkanth as seen from Bhavishya Badri


Niti Valley


View towards tapovan, joshimath



Then spent a few days at Badrinath







Inside Ekadashi Gufa



Trek to Muchkund Gufa off mana village



On the left is Mana pass the highest motor able road, then is the mana village and the road to Badrinath




Muchkund Gufa



 Trek to the base of Neelkanth





At the base of neelkanth


A cave ashram high above Badrinath temple, I always wanted to visit it. It is very well equipped, has a boiler / heater, solar panels and is fully insulated 





View of Badrinath from the cave ashram






View of Badrinath temple enroute to the cave ashram





























1 comment:

  1. Namaste,

    Very inspiring.... I wish i could do the same.... just explore the unexplored....I have a 5 yr old son. I have been to uttarakhand twice with him. I wish to settle in the himalayas and live a self sufficient simple life with him without compromising on his future. I think travelling to places like these is better than the fraudulent education system these days. Maybe he can always study privately with a tutor and learn some additional skills as well. I wish to join a community living in such a place living self sufficiently and naturally...peacefully.Do you think it is possible these days. Do such communities exist today? Would be possible with people who really have vedic knowledge?

    Prachi

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