BADRINATH TRAVELOGUES AND TRAVEL STORIES

In this time of tactic schedules, a highly formated life and cities blanketed by pollution one tends to run away from all this at least for some time the mind and heart start seeking it change from the deadlines, time zones, continuos commenting and you desperately start wishing to escape for someplace that offers solace and natural beauty. When I started thinking of giving myself a break and deciding about the destination Badrinath was the first and the last name came to my mind. Just imagining about the town which lies cradled between the Nar and Narayan mountain range on the banks of the Alaknanda river filled me with great thrill. Badrinath is a spiritual town and a Nagar panchayat I Chamoli district Uttarakhand. It is believed that this town is the permanent abode of Badri Narayan or Lord Vishnu. Badrinath was established as a major pilgrimage site on the 8th century. While searching about it I ha da definite feeling as if the city which is a gateway amny mountain rain expeditions is welcoming us. Te overshadowing mountain ranges, the cultural history, the feeling of being apart of nature all feelings are there in the tourist heart but the best thing is the competent naturalness without any artificiality which made us feel belonged the moment we started in a cab from Rishikesh.
Though we could have reached Badrinath city Vaya airways or by road but we prefer to reach by train and then cover the rest of kilometres by cab. This gave us a unique opportunity of passing through away rich with scenic beauty. On reaching the city firstly and foremostly we decided to book in a local tourist resort set on a hilltop and with a clear view of the silver waters of Alaknanda. There are many options for staying in the city but these small resorts are best as decides to provide all facilities. They provide a home-like atmosphere in a place 1000 kilometres away from home. My group had decided to spend the night camping in the famous camping sites of Chamoli. After checking in and having Garhwali delicious snacks we decided to visit the Badrinath temple Tapkund and the Nanda national park. The visit to the Badrinath temple was an experience beyond. The beautiful temple promises scene to deacon all the tourists to come in the protection of Lord Badrinath. The beautiful place located at a height of 3133 meters. We felt that there may be man spots of pilgrimage between heaven and earth but none is as splendid as Badrinath. After offering prayers we reached Tapkund which is just below the temple. This is a natural thermal spring which has healing properties and it is an experience both comforting and mystical. It will be not wrong to mention the nealkanth peak set in the background of the temple which becomes golden at a time of sunset and sunrise. After visiting these places we decided to have a meal at the Brahma kamal restaurant some distance away from the temple. The vegetarian dishes served were very extraordinary because of the use of specific spices. After resting for some time we moved on to the Mata murti mandir 3 kilometres from the Badrinath temple situated on the bank of Alaknanda river. The Mata murti mandir seems to be a must-visit place for all the devotees visiting the Badrinath temple. All this while we had to wear heavy warmers as the temperature was almost freezing and the wind was strong. The tantalizing waters of the Alaknanda river and an atmosphere of mystery of thousands of year old culture coupled with the continuous warmth of human community around you feels you with being and essential parts of the universal cosmos. At night we had reached camping site of Chamoli and the greatly excited to experience a night under the shines of stars. They were any other groups to on the site hence there was no question of loneliness. Armed with a delicious packed dinner and warmers we were actually in sync with mother nature. In the very next morning we started for the Vasundhara falls. These falls are accessed after covering 3 kilometres by road and trekking the other 6 kilometres by foot. However, the first sight of the beautiful falls located in the tranquil surroundings was a beautiful reward for the exercise. From there we moved on to charanpaduka a cave 3 kilometre fro the Badrinath city which fills you with devotion on seeing the footprints of Lord Vishnu. By this time the whole group was looking for an opportunity to have a hot drink and filling meals. Many small and beautiful roadside food stalls fulfilled our desire sufficiently. In all our experience one common element was friendly and welcoming of the attitude of the local people. You never fault that you do not belong there. The people, mother nature, the magnificent mountain, te flowing rivers all open their arms to the traveller.as if inviting him to visit again and again. Very soon it was time to start packing for the return journey. But this time we were accompanied by the beautiful memories of the Badrinath which were not the only invaluable but also timeless.