Haridwar

A memorable trip on bike to rediscover myself in the foothills of Himalayas – Part III

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It was closed to 800 km. I was able to save some money as staying was almost free at all the places and didn’t cost much. I also had to survive the entire month till next month’s salary.

Though the trip started with a negative mindset, at the end of it I carry home many many positives, which will always help me. I will always cherish those sweet memories throughout my life.

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गढ़वाल घुमक्कडी: दिल्ली – रुद्रप्रयाग – कोटेश्वर महादेव

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खैर यहाँ लगभग 2 घंटे मस्ती करने के बाद, 5 बज चुके थे इसलिए अन्य मंदिरों के जल्दी से दर्शन करके चढाई शुरू कर दी वापसी के लिए. यहाँ से हमारा अगला पड़ाव होना था, उमरा नारायण मंदिर जो की यहाँ से लगभग 4 किमी आगे था. मंदिर तक पहुँचते पहुँचते अंधेरा सा होने लगा था, इसलिए सोचा की रात यहीं बिताई जाए. यह मंदिर यहाँ से कुछ दूर बसे सन्न नामक गाँव के ईष्ट देवता उमरा नारायण को समर्पित है.

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A memorable trip on bike to rediscover myself in the foothills of Himalayas – Part II

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By evening, I used to come again at Har-ki-Pauri for the evening ritual (Sandhya Aarti) performed by the priests on the banks of river Ganga. This is a highly enchanting and divine experience. Devotees light ‘Pradip’ or Diyas and let them flow in the river Ganga… The beautiful diyas float on the water and it is a wonderful sight to experience. A splendid aura of lights and chants fills the atmosphere in the evenings.  I used to sit there hours after hours, doing nothing, but never felt bored even for a second…it attracts me always. I knew that I would be visiting this place again & again during this trip and forever in my life. I would have loved to go there any time,  can sit there hours after hours, fully aware of the fact that my mind is trying to figure out the reason.

After spending three days in Haridwar, I thought to go to Rishikesh, which is ~ 25 km from Haridwar. The plan was to go there in the morning and come back by afternoon, as I was staying in Bharat Seva Shram Sangha. The drive to Rishikesh from Haridwar is wonderful and is a joy to your eyes.  You need to pass through Rajaji National Park, few small streams, railway line (Delhi to Dehradun). Landscape changes as you are getting closer to Rishikesh and all of a sudden the mountain is just in front of you. Amazing! I reached there around 8:30 in the morning.

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A memorable trip on bike to rediscover myself in the foothills of Himalayas – Part I

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Life is full of joy and sorrow, happiness and disappointments, ups and down and Life can also throw unexpected surprises – I was taught in my school and I am also explaining the meaning to my son now. But, at that point of time those are only “THE WORDS” for me and nothing else. Remember ‘3 Idiots’ – “Jab dost fail ho to dukh hota hai, lekin jab dost top kare to aur bhi dukh hota hai”

What else would you do in my place, when the requester is the CEO of your Company? Do you have any other option? I know some who might still have some other options, but fortunately or unfortunately, I am not so impulsive in nature and the other option to fly – was an unthinkable proposition for me that time.

I have a great respect for Mr. Ram S. Ramasundar, the then CEO of Electrolux India, who is like a God Father for me, I had no other option but to say “Yes Sir, I will”.

It was already 11 in the morning and I had an i-ticket. I asked permission to go to the counter to cancel the ticket, to get 50% refund for the cancellation. Who says money doesn’t matter.

“Do one thing, prepare a voucher – it will be reimbursed fully from accounts, I will approve the same.” So, one of my worry had been taken care of…but what about the disappointments.

From a very beautiful morning, all of a sudden it became one of the worst day for me. With a heavy heart, I called up home to inform that I won’t be able to come. Durga Puja was over by the time I hang up the phone for me, as well as for them, even before the first sound of Dhak.

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Bamsaru Khal Trek

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In the morning, view outside our tents  was spectacular. We saw snow capped Mountains all around , took some pics, but after 15-20 Min  Mist covered the valley and mountains were not visible. We were supposed to start early , but got  late, we finished our breakfast by 8:30AM and started  walking towards Gidara.

From Dayara one black dog started walking with us , we thought it will go away after sometime but it  remained  with us till the end of trek. The Dog was too hairy, and resembled a  bear , got scared of him twice, he also had a bad habit  of crossing  the path when there was a difficult climb or narrow path.

While on the trek an idea popped up that we should also visit “Dodital” ( Lord Ganeshji Birthplace ). Dodital situated at a distance of 30 km from Dayara Bugyal, is also popular among tourists. Going there meant an  extension of 2 More days , which we could not  afford. Hence all  agreed to keep walking towards Gidara.

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हरि का द्वार हरिद्वार – भाग २..

हरि का द्वार हरिद्वार – भाग २..

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ऋषिकेश हरिद्वार से करीब २५ किलोमीटर दूर हैं. इसको हिमालय का प्रवेशद्वार भी कहा जाता है. ऋषिकेश हिन्दुओ के सबसे पवित्र स्थलों में से एक हैं. ऋषिकेश को केदारनाथ, बदरीनाथ, गंगोत्री, यमुनोत्री आदि का प्रवेश द्वार भी कहा जाता है. यह कहा जाता हैं कि यंहा पर भगवान विष्णु ऋषिकेश अवतार में प्रकट हुए थे. इसलिए इस स्थान का नाम ऋषिकेश हैं. वैसे तो ऋषिकेश में सैकड़ो मंदिर आश्रम हैं, पर समय अभाव के कारण में कुछ ही मंदिरों और आश्रमो में जा सका.

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यात्रा हरि के द्वार हरिद्वार की – भाग १

यात्रा हरि के द्वार हरिद्वार की – भाग १

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हरिद्वार यानि हरि का द्वार, या हरद्वार कहो यानि भोले कि नगरी. हरिद्वार हिन्दुओ का सबसे बड़ा तीर्थ स्थल, देव भूमि उत्तराखंड का प्रवेश द्वार. माँ गंगा पहाड़ों से उतरकर हरिद्वार में ही मैदानों में प्रवेश करती हैं. इसलिए हरिद्वार का एक नाम गंगा द्वार भी हैं. हरिद्वार कुम्भ कि भी नगरी हैं.

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हरिद्वार एक दिन एक रात

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दिल्ली से हरिद्वार एक दिन और एक रात , एक एक्सप्रेस प्रोग्राम था घूमने का। जिसमे हर की पौड़ी ,मनसा देवी और चंडी देवी के दर्शन सम्भव हो पाये ।

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Mussoorie..Queen of hills.

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This story is about Mussoorie, and the destination on it way like Crystal World water park, Har ki Poudi, Malsi Deer Park Dehradun. It covers Company garden and Mall Road of Mussoorie. I hope it will win your heart.

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Maha Shivratri , Kovad Mela and a long weekend…

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We had been stuck in Gurgaon for quite some time, due to work, weather or some other celebrations in the riends/family circle. Luckily Mahashivratri Monday holiday coincided with no other commitments. So, we decided to get out during this long week-end.
For three whole days –February 18 to 21. Decided against hill resorts, due to weather, and a strong call from Haridwar to attend the Ganga Arti and a holy dip at Har-ki-Pauri. WE checked up on the Haridwar from various write-ups on the Ghumakkar site just to refresh ourselves with any tips, though we have visited the place number of times.

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घुमक्कड़ी – कुछ खट्टी…. कुछ मीठी (2)

घुमक्कड़ी – कुछ खट्टी…. कुछ मीठी (2)

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क्या है घुमक्कड़ी…
पढ़ो तो इक किताब है घुमक्कड़ी
देखो गर तो इक ख्वाब है घुमक्कड़ी
हंसो तो आसान बन जाती घुमक्कड़ी
सुनो तो ज्ञान बन जाती घुमक्कड़ी

Dear friends, in my previous post of the series, you saw how important the reminiscences are in our travelling. Many a times, we forget other details of our travellings and remember it by the sweet & sour memories of that travelling. Travelling is not simply going to some places or reaching the heights of Himalayas… when we rewind the films of our travels and see it frame by frame … we find that it has changed our life altogether. It has made us more confident, given us more tolerance, given us more strength and sometimes even changed our perspective towards life and its aim.

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