| Tungnath By Chance/Ukhimath | | | | another night halt place. We got accommodation at |
| If I could escape my dull and hectic life of Delhi for | | | | Anushree lodge (owned by Tiwari Ji) for Rs. 200 |
| forever, Ukhimath could be the place where I would | | | | which was quite a clean new room with new bedding. |
| want to be settled down for my new abode. | | | | Later, that evening we went for the outing, met |
| I visited Ukhimath first time in July (2006) end, and | | | | some children from some village nearby, clicked pics |
| before I could do more fact-finding we had our | | | | and had good time. Gagan looked over joyous. We |
| bagpacks ready. Me and Gagan. It was a chance talk | | | | returned back at 7:20 to have our dinner at GMVN |
| that I had with Gagan a day before wherein I | | | | and from there retuned back to our room which was |
| mentioned to him the place and talked about a | | | | some 1 km far. Soft downpour was continuously |
| vacation together. Gagan, not sure at the time, gave | | | | signaling of bad weather to start anytime now. |
| his unsure 'Yes' with a 'But'! I knew Gagan since my | | | | The room had no light despite the connection. Some |
| graduation days. He has always been around since | | | | fault was being located. As we lay down I discussed |
| then. Half textile engineer and more than full - a fabric | | | | with Gagan about option of visiting |
| expert - had just resigned and this was the | | | | Madhyamaheshwar and we were ready to get up at |
| opportunity I was trying to get upon. A puzzled | | | | 5:00 and leave. It was 9:10 when somebody knocked |
| Gagan called up in the afternoon to inform me the | | | | the door. It was Tiwari's nephew asking us to join |
| unexpected. And we were ready. Like all the times, | | | | for dinner. We politely rejected. He went back smiling |
| he came late at ISBT, Delhi, than planned at 9:35 p.m. | | | | only to come back with Tiwari himself. Tiwari Ji, in |
| I was awaiting him for last 2 hours. Finally, he came | | | | some early 40s, looked quite strong and commanding. |
| and I gave him what I was holding back inside me. | | | | And politely he said; join us over for some hot milk, |
| We immediately took the bus to Rishikesh. I had | | | | which I and Gagan were happy to hear about. While |
| ensured the eatables for us and after we chatted | | | | sipping upon the thick milk, he suggested us to visit |
| for some 2-3 hours about things in our lives, we | | | | Tungnath. |
| stretched flat at the back seats of half empty bus. | | | | I remember of having seen the picture of Tungnath |
| We reached Rishikesh at 4:40 am after covering | | | | at the Survey of India map on Garhwal Hills. I was |
| some 240km of distance. It was pouring slowly. I | | | | carrying the map too. Tiwari Ji was of the opinion |
| asked one of the auto drivers for a drop at Tehri | | | | that for Madhyamaheshwar you might not manage |
| bus stand which was 2kms, but since he demanded a | | | | to get any vehicle and said moreover it would be |
| Rs. 10 flat for each, I refused to be cheated away | | | | risky trekking due to continuous downpour. Though, I |
| and we started walking fast to reach the venue. | | | | completely agreed with him, I still wanted to go to |
| Gagan cursed me for that! | | | | Madhyamaheshwar. At the same time, I was |
| At Tehri bus stand of Rishikesh, we took tea and an | | | | interested in Tungnath too. Choices were always the |
| hour break. It was at 6:30 our bus will leave for | | | | problem for me. When we entered back our room, |
| Rudraprayag which was some 120 kms from here. | | | | Gagan talked to his family and came to know about |
| We took the side seat for two, Gagan at the | | | | his interview schedule right after the 2 days. He |
| window side. Bus started and we smiled to each | | | | wanted to do an MBA and I remember clearly having |
| other for the trip to Hills has started. | | | | told from hi about this dream as a major life goal. We |
| At near around 9:20 we reached Devprayag which | | | | observed silence. He suddenly said 'I'll be going back |
| was enroute. I had tea again while Gagan preferred | | | | for this interview' though he didn't wanted to miss |
| taking a look around. We discussed further about his | | | | the trip and things to happen this way. It was a bad |
| first experience with hills. We moved again and by | | | | night after a full bright day. And the thunderstorm |
| 11:50 reached Rudraprayag. Gagan was tired and so | | | | started. |
| was me. So we made a halt in a dingy cheap room | | | | It rained all night. I woke up at 5:10 out of the shiver |
| for (Rs. 200 which was Rs. 50 more a price to pay) | | | | I guess. I decided to put on my windcheater. It was |
| but with all windows open it was a well lit and nice | | | | still dark outside. I thought to open up the door for |
| ventilated room. We changed and went out to eat. | | | | some fresh air and to observe the things around. I |
| We spent our time by Alaknanda's side in warm sum | | | | came out and saw the clouds all over and over them |
| and glacier water in which we put our feet and then | | | | the snow clad mountains. I shouted 'Gagan'! |
| yell 'Chill hai yaar'! We were more than happy. No | | | | Tiwari was up too and made me some tea. We |
| family, no work, nothing to feel and nothing to share, | | | | sipped upon looking at massive clear mountains. |
| just the plain sound of flowing Alaknanda and our | | | | Tiwari and the rain in the background broke the |
| offbeat communication to content ourselves. | | | | silence. He said 'Go see Tungnath and you'll not be |
| Next I realized when we got back to our room, that | | | | disappointed'. Gagan was out too. He was all lost in |
| I forgot the memory card for my digital camera, at | | | | the scene more than both of us. We got ready and |
| home only. So we spent the evening searching for | | | | by 6:15 were ready to approach Tungnath. Gagan |
| the card at every nook and corner helplessly but no | | | | planned to complete the trip and sacrificed his |
| success. We retired at our bed soon at 8:00 pm. | | | | interest for a while. We came to the conclusion of |
| Next day we got ready at 8 and planned to go back | | | | why not try calling the college and let them know |
| to Srinagar which was enroute some 30 kms back | | | | that you are out so if possibly the interview could be |
| from the place we were at. Going back was the | | | | re-fixed after 3-4 days. Gagan made the call and |
| chance we were about to take because we were | | | | succeeded. We were more than celebrating. |
| not certain whether we will get the Card there or | | | | Tiwari asked the milkman to drop us at Chopta, |
| not? Anyway, we reached Srinagar - bigger and | | | | some 20kms from this place. We 3 in the jeep |
| better city life than Rudraprayag. While I waited for | | | | discussing about the weather, temple and problems |
| the shop to open, Gagan opted for a close shave. | | | | we could face if we do not plan return soon. At |
| Luck was with us, though we got the card for a | | | | Chopta, we were almost alone. Among the mild rain, |
| higher a price at Rs. 1300. We stuffed our stomach | | | | we prepared to trek. The time was 8:30. We started |
| and prepared to resume our journey. We reached | | | | finding our way on the slippery surface amidst the |
| Rudraprayag again, got down and started locating for | | | | vast jungle. The trek was some 3.5kms straight uphill |
| bus that goes to Ukhimath. | | | | to the temple of Lord Shiva called Tungnath, which |
| We reached Ukhimath at 2:00 pm after travelling for | | | | believed to have received the arms of Shiva. |
| some 60-70 kms. The route was rough and bad | | | | The place was full of vast grasslands, meadows and |
| patches on road appeared all over. The route was all | | | | a serpent trail over which we were climbing up. We |
| along the river Mandakini through Tilwara and | | | | reached temple at 11:00, performed the ritual and |
| Chiliyasaur and finally the Ghat from where one road | | | | started to click the pictures from various places |
| goes to Guptakashi and other goes to Ukhimath. | | | | surveying things. The weather by now was getting |
| Initially the program was to go to Madhyamaheshwar | | | | really bad and clouds all over the temple and we |
| so we were told that the same bus that leaves at | | | | planned comeback. The temple made of huge stones |
| 4p.m from Ukhimath market shall drop us at Uniyana | | | | was said to be some 5,000 years old, built by |
| some 18-20 kms further. We had the time at hand. | | | | Pandavas and restructured by Shankracharya. The |
| Some 2 hours. We had 'Dal Chawal' which Gagan | | | | temple had all the 5 deities resting. These 5 were the |
| never liked, and for me it was as usual ok. After it | | | | forms of Shiva representing panch-kedar, in between |
| was around 4:00 pm we enquired about the bus and | | | | was - Tungnath form. |
| got the unexpected reply. The bus actually | | | | I remember while coming back Gagan and I had tea |
| developed some as we were told and would not go | | | | and took biscuits at a hut shop with an old lady and a |
| today further. | | | | kid. Gagan threw packs of biscuits at the crows who |
| So we returned down the market to GMVN our first | | | | gathered all around him. It was the good gesture. |
| choice to stay. Chamola Ji, the care taker and Rawat | | | | Maybe some Karma scores were to be settled from |
| Ji, the cook, we met there who offered the room | | | | the past lives. He looked eased soon after. |
| but tariff was quite high Rs. 600 for room. So we | | | | And, I prayed to Bhagwan (God) Tungnath, make us |
| planned to move after a cup of tea to search for | | | | come for once more... soon! |