The 1200+ Km Bike Trip --- Day3- Pakhi-Joshimath To Badrinath and Mana

Badrinath and Mana:

Joshimath:

At the Gurudwara we woke up early, freshened up, had some tea & snacks, deposited the beddings etc, gave some donation and started our journey towards Joshimath. We started our journey at around 6:30 am. The way was quite steep and it was raining heavily. The way was quite picturesque, with Lush Green Mountains all around, clouds passing by you and a deep gorge on one side. The ride was just awesome. The road is steepest as you reach the Vishugad Hydro Power Plant. The road is at its curvaceous best near the Vridh Badri Temple. We kept riding in the rains and again got completely drenched. By the time we reached Joshimath, it was already 7:30-8am and the heavy rain had turned into a drizzle. We thought that we would have our breakfast at some restaurant at Joshimath and then move further.
At a roadside restaurant in Joshimath main market we ordered Aaloo (Potato) & Gobhi (Cauliflower) Paratha (Flat bread) with some Tea. Having hot Paratha and Tea in the rainy season is such a delight. 
Joshimath is a tinsel quite town, where you would find the last petrol pump on the way to Badrinath, so one can get the fuel tanks filled at Joshimath.

Joshimath is a town with such astounding beauty that you would wish to live here for a lifetime. The fresh air is a delight for a person from the metros. I can compare the air here with the air in Engelberg, Switzerland. Engelberg has the best air in all of Europe. Joshimath perhaps beats Engelberg. Standing on the roadside and looking at the mountain peaks, the flora, the clouds and the greenery gives a feeling of being transported to wonderland or looking at a Live painting. I believe the paintings of the mountains must perhaps be inspired by the towns like Joshimath.

Joshimath

After finishing our breakfast, we bought some cheap plastic raincoats. After selling the raincoats the shopkeeper suggested that we should we the raincoat after leaving Joshimath as plastic is banned in Joshimath. We then started our journey towards Govindghat. As we drove through the lanes of Joshimath clouds passed by touching our faces. We could not resist stopping at some places and taking snaps so as to capture the astounding beauty via the camera lenses.

Vishnu Prayag:

The road towards Govindghat is a steep downhill drive from Joshimath towards Vishnu Prayag. Vishnu Prayag is one of the "Panch Prayags". It is a place where the River "Dhauli Ganga" meets the River "Alakhnanda". The scenery and atmosphere is just majestic. After the descent as you cross the bridge over the gushing river you are bound to stop by to capture the beauty of the mountains with the gushing river flowing by the roadside. You can see the gushing river, lush green mountains with conifers, the clouds passing by all in one picture frame. After Vishnu Prayag bridge there is an ascent towards Govindghat. There are overhanging mountains and you drive beneath them to move towards Govindghat. We kept driving through the picturesque way to reach Govindghat by 11 am. We noticed that Badrinath was just 25 km away, so we thought we would go to Badrinath pay our homage to Lord Badri Vishal and comeback by mid-day and then start trekking towards Ghangharia and halt at Ghangharia for the night.

Vishnu Prayag

Hanuman Chatti:

Driving for some more time we came across a Hanuman Temple, better known as "Hanuman Chatti". We visited the Temple and sought blessings from Hanumanji. For the first time in our journey we realized that we have completely lost cellphone signals. Locals suggested that except for BSNL most of the telephone operators don't have connectivity at Govindghat and upwards. After Hanuman Chatti the road becomes steeper and curvaceous.

Badrinath and Mana:

As we drove for few more kilometers we saw busses queued up. On enquiring with the people around we were told that there has been a landslide further towards Badrinath, the road link has been broken and hence the busses have halted here. We kept moving, later to witness that a big chunk of road has been wiped out due to the landslide. The place was all in silt and water flowing over the path. It was very difficult to drive in in all silt, mud and knee deep water. Anyhow we managed to cross the rubble and finally arrive at a broad road. This road was steep and took up to Badrinath.
While driving we crossed some stunning views including frozen glaciers, frozen streams and huge mountains. While driving uphill we noticed that ours were the only two bikes on the road, probably people were stranded by the landslide.

As we reached Badrinath we were asked to register ourselves at the check post. It was bit chilly at Badrinath. In-fact it became a bit cold at Govindghat itself but Badrinath was much chillier. Our warm clothing was used for the first time.
We reached Badrinath Temple at around 1:30-2pm. By then the temple was closed. The temple opens for public each morning at 6:30 and closes at noon. It open's again from 3pm to 9pm. The best part was that unlike Kedarnath, via our bikes we were able to reach until close proximity of the Temple. 

We had some time until we could visit the Temple when it opens again. The locals suggested us to visit Mana. Mana is one of the most popular attractions near Badrinath. Mana is the last Indian village along the Tibetan border. Mana is around 4 km from Badrinath.
We took our bikes and started moving towards Mana. The weather, the surroundings, the scenery were all splendid. We crossed a mountain stream flowing over the road to finally reach Mana. On the boundary of the village there is a Huge board suggesting "Last Indian Village".

Mana - Last Indian Village

We had to park our bikes on the entry of the gate to Mana as vehicles are not allowed with in the village. We visited and explored places like Vyas Gufa (Vyas Cave), Ganesh Gufa (Ganesh Cave), Bhim Pul  ( Bhim Bridge) etc, on foot.

Further from Mana you can explore Vasudhara Falls, or you can do a multi-day trek to Satopanth Lake or Arwatal.

For information on Mana, its history, places to visit around Mana and Photo Gallery visit my Blog on Mana.

After spending some good time exploring places and simple lifestyle of villagers in Mana  we started travelling towards Badrinath. We reached Badrinath at about 2:45 pm. The Temple was about to open. We could drive through on our bikes to reach until close proximity of the Temple. We parked our bikes and started walking towards the Temple. We clicked some snaps to capture the beauty of the place in our cameras. Once you reach Badrinath you can opt to bathe in the Tapt Kund, Narad Kund or Suraj Kund. There are a few religious places near the Temple and Tapt Kund which you can opt to visit.

For information on Badrinath, its history, places to visit around Badrinath and Photo Gallery visit my Blog on Badrinath.

Badrinath

People started lining up at the Temple entrance. We also queued to get inside the Temple complex. The mood was both thrilling and religiously bent at the same time. We took some more snaps at the entrance. Finally the doors opened and we got inside the Temple complex. Just at the entrance there was a Temple. Initially we thought it was the Temple of the Deity, but eventually we figured out that Temple of the Deity was inside the Temple Complex in the middle of the complex across the entrance verandah. We quickly ran to queue for Darshan ( to see the Deity and sought his blessings).

Finally in sometime we had the opportunity to offer our prayers to the Deity and sought his blessings. I would only say that the Darshan was so Divine.
We spent some more time there enjoying the religious atmosphere and the serenity. We took some more snaps to in an effort to capture the moments in our camera.

Govindghat:

After sometime we started our journey downhill. The downhill journey was much faster. In sometime we reached Hanuman Chatti and then eventually we reached Govindghat at round 5 pm.
We had planned that we would trek to reach Ghangharia by the night and halt at Ghangharia. As we reached the check post we were told that the permit to trek to Ghangahria opens only until 2 pm. people are not allowed to start their journey towards Ghangharia after 2pm. 

We had no other option other than to halt at Govinghat and stat the trek towards Ghangharia next day early morning. What it meant was that we had to now arrange for lodging at Govindghat. We started looking out for hotels; soon we could realize that due to peak tourist season all the hotels were booked. During our search someone suggested that we could look out for accommodation at Gurudwara Sri Govindghat. As a last resort we approached the Gurudwara.

This was a huge Gurudwara, bustling with pilgrims heading towards Hemkund Sahib. We noticed that you need to cover your head and be appropriately dressed even to enter the Gurudwara Complex. The Sikh Guards at the entrance of the Gurudwara were directing the pilgrims towards the Registration Desk. Staying around the Gurudwara Complex we could realize that people all around were pilgrims and the atmosphere was very religious. People entering the Gurudwara Complex, when enquired by the guards, would suggest that they are visiting Hemkund Sahib. The Guards would grin and show them the way to the Registration Desk. We could easily sense that the Guards and the people working in the Gurudwara are religiously inclined and feel happy when people suggest that they are on a pilgrimage.
When we were asked by the guards and the people on the Registration Desk about our destination we suggested "Hemkund Sahib". They were happy to greet us with a smile and helped us.

Anyways after registration we were allotted a room, and were told to collect beddings and blankets from another place near the rooms. Finally we reached the room. It was a clean room with basic amenities. We collected the blankets and beddings. We had to return them when we leave. The Gurudwara had a common area for urinals & lavatory. There was a separate common area for the bathrooms, where there were many bathrooms. All the Common areas were pretty clean. We were just amazed to witness that all of this fabulous arrangement was all free of cost.

We came to the Langar* hall to have some Tea. We were amazed to see that some snacks was also served with Tea, again all free of cost.

*Langar- Langar is the term used in Sikhism for the community kitchen in a Gurudwara where a free meal is served to all the visitors, without distinction of religion, caste, gender, economic status or ethnicity.

The Way Towards Govindghat

There were no telephone signals at Govindghat. So we thought we will roam around the place to see the place and also call our family if we get telephone network somewhere. 
While roaming around the Gurudwara also had the facility of a cloak room (again free of cost), where we could keep our keep our extra luggage and carry only the bare essentials with us while trekking uphill to Ghangharia. As carrying every ounce of extra weight uphill become a tedious task and you get exhausted soon, so as a thumb rule one should carry only the bare essentials that is needed.
Roaming around we could see that the shops are selling religious items and the complete atmosphere is so religious and pious.
We did not get telephone network anywhere there. We were told by the locals that except for BSNL most of the other telephone operators don't have proper connectivity at Govindghat or anywhere uphill. We borrowed phone, from a pilgrim who had BSNL connection, to call our family and let them know that we won't be able to call for 2-3 days until we reach Joshimath on our return journey.

It was dark now, we headed back to the Gurudwara had Langar and went back to our room. Before sleeping we segregated the essential stuff that we would carry and dumped the non essential stuff in a spare bag that I was carrying. I always carry a folding bag (that can be expanded) with me when going on trips for any contingency purposes; this bag was of great help now.
We also decided to dump our shoes here itself as they were not waterproof and once got wet they took a lot of time to dry up. We decided to use sandals instead. As a learning we came to know that while travelling in the Himalayas during monsoon one should carry good heavy duty waterproof boots and jackets (rain coats).
Anyways once the essential and non essential stuff was segregated we went to bed with a plan to wake up early and start the journey towards Ghangharia ASAP. The Day 3 of our journey had come to an end now.

Our Journey:

Day 1: Gurgaon to Shivpuri-Rishikesh (Stay at Shivpuri)

Day 2: Rishikesh to Pakhi-Joshimath (Stay at Pakhi)

Day 3: Pakhi to Badrinath/Govindghat (Stay at Govindghat)

Day 4: Govindghat to Ghangharia & Valley of Flowers (Stay at Ghangharia)

Day 5: Rest at Ghangharia (Stay at Ghangharia)

Day 6: Ghangharia to Hemkund Sahib (Stay at Govindghat)

Day 7: Govindghat/Joshimath to Dev Prayag (Stay at Dev Prayag)

Day 8: Dev Prayag to Gurgaon

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The 1200+ Km Bike Trip --- Day4