The Himalayan Mystic Cave ~*~

It is 01:30 in the morning and one has just reached back into the comfort of the home, travelling non-stop for almost 20 hours in different buses, from one of the most adventurous, difficult, tiring, dangerous and spiritually charging journey beyond Badrinath Ji, which is one of the most spiritual & powerfully charged places located in Uttranchal, north India. Here one would like to start typing, to share the experience with all like-minded souls.

Over the years, one has come to the conclusion that all the spiritual travels one undertakes are not of one’s own making but they are designed and approved by the divine, before one even sets a foot on it. To think that one alone has planned and executed the whole trip, is the greatest foolishness.

Though the area of Badrinath Ji, where a temple of Lord Vishnu is located, which was established by Adi Shankaracharya, is not new as one has been to that area dozens of times earlier. There are so many other places around Badrinathji that it will take years to visit such places which are scattered all around, some seen and some hidden. As one progresses and qualifies along the spiritual journey in life, more hidden places are revealed to the sadhak.

After visiting Kalpeshwar Mahadev in 2009-10 near Helang, one desired to visit a particular cave in which Baba Hanuman Giri Ji. who established Kalpeshwar Mahadev, stayed for the last nine years of his life in a cave beyond Badrinathji before taking the final Samadhi. One or the other reasons did not allow one to undertake this particular journey. But at last, due to continuous yearning, the whole program became possible in this month of September, 2016.  Leaving one’s home early morning on 9^th September at 6.45 am, one went to the local railway station to board a train to Hardwar, the door to Hari or door to Shiva (Har). Reaching around 2:30 pm in Hardwar,one booked a ticket for early morning on the 5 am bus for the onward journey to Sri Badrinath Ji.

Boarding the early morning bus next day one started the journey. One passed through Rishikesh, Byasi, Kaudiyala etc. to reach Devprayag. It is here that Alaknanda from Badrinath and Bhagirathi from Gangotri meet to form the sacred river Ganga. There is the famous Sri Raghunath temple here, which is said to be established by Adi Shankaracharya.  One can also go to Chandrabadani, a Shakti place around 35-40 km's away on a mountain top.

The next stop was Rudraprayag, from where one path leads to Kedarnath via Guptkashi while the other one leads to Badrinath. There is an ancient Tripurasundari temple also located here. It started raining from here. Going through Srinagar, Karnprayag, Chamoli etc. one reached Joshimath in the evening around 4:30 pm. The road to Badrinath was closed and nobody was allowed to proceed further as some accident took place, stones rolled onto the road and crushed a car killing the owner and his wife, though the driver and their daughter sitting at the back were miraculously saved. Peace to the departed souls. Some photos taken from the bus are being shared here below.

                 

Badrinath distance board at Joshimath

Taxi parking in Joshimath

Backside view from Guest house, Joshimath.

                                                                                            

All the passengers in the bus had to stay put for the night in Joshimath itself and were asked to assemble at the bus point next day at 6 am. Next day started from Joshimath around 6:45 am and on the way we saw mangled remains of the car accident, a grim reminder of the sheer force of nature. Without wasting any time, one went along with the Panditji to the temple, there we took a hot water bath, performed poojan of the Lord and local divinities along with pitr tarpan for the ancestors.

Here are a few photo shots taken from the bus on the way.


       

               

After that one had darshan of the Lord in the temple and sought blessings for the planned journey to Baba's cave and Satopanth.

                 

With Anil & Babaji (from Ayodhaya) at Tapt Kund

We met the above very nice Babaji in the bus itself. Had an opportunity to sit and talk over a cup of tea. One really liked his sincerity and straight forwardness. He planned to visit our side of the country and we invited him to stay with us whenever he comes to our city which he agreed to do taking our address details.

Anil with Bhotia women

Palaki of Badrinathji

Anil with Baba inside the tapt kund

On the next day was a special Matamurti festival. This is the only day in the whole year when Lord in his palanquin, along with Udhav ji, goes to meet Her. All the local people dress for the occasion, defense personal accompany the Lord, Raval ji rides on his horse behind the procession and musicians walk in front of the procession beating drums etc. We also were walking towards the temple when the procession came along. One was taking photos of the procession, and stepped forward to touch the palanquin. By the wish of the divine, the pandit supporting the lord at back moved over and gave a place to enter. One replaced the pandit and carried the palanquin on one’s shoulder with great joy. One considered it a great favor from the Lord, and carried it barefeet into temple premises. Then one took part in the free distribution of food to all the yatris and met Joginder Singh, a sikh gentleman from Patiala, who comes every year on this day to serve free food (prasadam) to the yatris at this Matamurti festival. All the defense personnel seem to know him.   

With Jogindr Singh who gives free food to all on Matamurti festival day.

One met a Naga baba here and had an interesting discussion with him. Before turning onto this path, he had worked in the Indian film industry in Bombay. He shared some of his spiritual experiences with us, which he has published in a book. After an hour of interesting talk with him, he was told of our plan to start our yatra. Just thinking for a second, he asked us not to go as he thought we are not prepared for it yet. But one told him one's firm resolve to go on it whatever may be the result. In the end, he blessed and embraced us,patted one’s back meaning that one can proceed on the yatra. After getting free from there around 3 pm one returned to the dharamshala to prepare for the next day's trip to the cave. We bought the provisions and with the help of guides packed up everything.

The next day around 6:30 am one started the yatra, walking on the Narayan Parvat as

                 

                       

       Around Badrinath   

Shelter before moving out of Badrinath ji on way to yatra ahead.

there was no Vasodhara glacier at this time of the season to cross over to this side if one started from Mana village side. Passing by Matamurti temple, bowing down and seeking Her blessing for a safe and fruitful journey ahead, one proceeded.

                                        

Matamurti Temple

Thus walking on the opposite side of the mana village one proceeded on the cherished journey.

  

Taste of the terrain that lay ahead

Bridge across Alaknanda leading from Matamurti temple side to Mana village

Paramilitary camping & training the recruits on the other side

As one negotiated various difficult pathways going up and down, there was sometimes only stones, sometimes only bushes and sometimes shepherds with flocks of sheep moving around. Many times one would be a witness to the powerful Alaknanda flowing over big rocks and crashing down with such ferocity that normal hearts would shudder hearing the roar. Praying to her for her support one just moved on.

After that one reached Luxmi Van (forest) where one can see many Bhojpatra trees on which our ancient Rishis use to write down their commentaries on various scriptures. There must have been a whole jungle of it in ancient times. Now they have been reduced to only a few, thus all the more reason to preserve them with great care and not spoil them by taking their bark off. These trees are just like great old Rishis standing there, who are witness to all the events and changes that have taken place. One again could only bow down to them, still standing guard and reminding our self-centered human race to mend its ways or else be ready for further wraths of nature.

Going through the Luxmi Van, one passed the cave, in front of which one had pitched one’s tent last time. One has great memories of that spiritually enhancing night stay many years back. One prayed to the cave, who must have given shelter to so many in the past and will do the same in the future too without asking for anything in the return. Humans should learn from her too if they want to survive well. Sharing is the key.

  

This is Vasodhara River as seen from the Luxmi Van side.
The importance of it has already been explained in an earlier article.

Saraswati River emerging at Mana Village

   

Alkapuri Mountains with Alaknanda Glacier

After this, the harder part of the yatra began. One had to move through big boulders scattered all around, rolling down the mountain for last millions of years thus also a witness to all the changes. One had to move step by step some times taking a sip of water to moisten the parched throat. A bubble gum or small toffee was kept in the mouth to help keep the throat moistened. As one moved more and more forward, the altitude increased more and more. The yatra started from Badrinath, which is at 10,000 feet height from sea level. As the height increases, oxygen reduces and one has difficulty in breathing. Thus people whose blood has a better oxygen carrying capacity, the body soaking in more of it in its cells, will have better endurance to face the travails of such ascents than other people. Thus a little preparation is always helpful before starting on such a yatra. The fitness of both body and mind is essential for any test in our lives, whether in THIS world or THAT world.

Moving through the rocky path, one loses so much energy that one is forced to rest after every few minutes. If one is not acclimatized then it is extremely difficult to move. Thus one should keep moving slowly and resting a little in between to progress on such yatras. Too much liquid drinking and too many halts are also not good for long treks. It is said generally that ‘you can reach any place only by walking and not by sitting’. So one should keep at it slowly and steadily.

Passing through this harsh track one descended into the Sahasradhara (1,000 falls). On one’s left side there are sheer dark rock faces, shooting up thousands of feet in the sky and snow capped peaks. They are enough to decimate one’s ego. In between, one could see packed glaciers from many rivulets of water issued in the form of falls down the mountain faces. Hence the name of the area as ‘1,000 falls’. All these falls come to the foot of this mountain range and form one river which flows down into the glaciers under which Alaknanda tributaries flow. The whole valley is full of small rivers, which were not that many this time. During ones visit many years back in the rainy season the whole area was flooded with water and even difficult to cross. At that time one had realized it to be a place of Varun Dev and did a Panchopchar poojan. So this time also one sat and did the Panchopachar poojan for the Varun Dev, the god of water, to support one’s journey ahead as without water nothing is possible in this world of ours. Trekking such paths one realizes the importance of one sip of water while people in the cities waste gallons on shining their cars. One prays to God not to be too harsh on such people in teaching them the importance of water and teach them to respect and preserve it for the future generation too for a healthy and clean environment.

Dark Towering mountains of Sahsrdhara

Reaching Sahasradhara area one felt quite tired and decided to put up the tent in the area to rest. The tent was put up by the side of flowing river at the feet of the mountain range. One could hear sounds of water crashing down in the form of so many waterfalls along the whole length of the mountains. A few trekkers coming down from Satopanth met us. One washed hands, feet, and face in the cold water of the flowing river. Since it was getting cold one retreated into the comfort of the tent and sleeping bags. A steaming cup of black tea was made of the clean fresh water of the waterfalls to provide some warmth and energy and the kitchen started. Later, rice and daal were cooked to satisfy the hunger a little. 

After this early dinner, one sat in daily poojan and thanksgiving. After that, one crept into the sleeping bag to catch up with some sleep and rest so that one is ready for the next day's hard trek through the glacier.

Tent at Sahasradhara with Srinand sitting and Pooran Singh standing,
our literal lifelines on the whole yatra.

Glacier to trek from a distance

Entering the glacier in from Sahasrdhara side

Getting up early morning, after having a cup of black tea and little breakfast the future trek was discussed. There were two possible paths for crossing. Either, we proceed to Chakratirth and then cross the glacier or we enter the glacier from Sahasradhara itself. Finally, it was decided to enter the glacier from Sahasrdhara itself. Thus everything was packed up and one thanked the Sahasradhara for the good night stay and after daily morning poojan one descended into the glacier track. At the start it looked not very far off, may be 1.5 to 2 km length. One thought it will be very easy to cross over but once one entered it then only one could realize the problems of such a track.

The whole track was a mix of sand and stones atop the glacier. The path was littered with thousands of stones in the form of innumerable mounds, which were totally unpredictable. While going up a mound, one thought one would get down the other side. But once one reached the top of the mound, then one realized that one was standing at the top of a glacier wall with waterhole on the other side. No way to go that side but to retreat back and change the direction and check another stone pile to go up. Thus all the way to the other side one has to rise up the mound, descend on the other side to ascend the next one. One realized that the more one plants feet on loose stones more one loses energy. The firmer the stone below your foot, the lesser the energy will be consumed in negotiating it. Thus the porters who were adept in walking through such terrain must be thinking in advance and pinpointing in their mind five six stones in advance to step on to save energy. Though it is a small lesson but great energy saver. Every ten-fifteen minutes, one would stop to have a little rest and a sip of water to charge the batteries. 

Some water holes in between these stone piles were small and some were big and radiant. One wished to jump into them but such things are extremely dangerous when you hear gurgling water below your feet while you are standing on the stones. Some stones were small some quite big, it made one think how such big stones were thrown there. While negotiating the terrain once one had to walk through a little stream coming out of the water hole and could not stop from washing hands, face and feet in it. All others were sitting at the top of the stones but one was sitting in level with the waterhole on the glacier itself, howsoever thick it may be at that place. One could hear water flowing underneath. Then one realized that it is a dangerous thing to do and hence, never did it again during the whole trek.  The energy sapping, undulating terrain which seemed only 1.5-2 km took almost six hours to negotiate.

On way to Sahasrdhara

Him kund or water hole in the glacier.

The porters exclaimed jubilantly that we were almost there but one preferred not to look up but count ones steps moving slowly on the path 1-2, 1-2, 1-2. You see, when one is trekking with such professionals, to keep one's spirits up they do say, ‘Oh! We are almost there’, which one hardly is. Their unit of distance, also differs from your own understanding. So it's better, not to believe till you actually arrive. So no need to get euphoric but always better to focus on what is at hand,  your walking steps  1-2, 1-2, 1-2.

At last, one climbed the other side up to come on to grassy plot with a thick cushion of grass which sheep must have loved to nibble on. One came directly at the base of a towering mountain, where up above around 300 feet was the face of the cave which we aware supposed to enter. One wished one had wings to fly into it rather than claw one's way up the 70-75% gradient rock face with grass patches here and there. Porters announced that we have reached the point of the Samadhi of Baba at the foot of the hill. So we took off our shoes in veneration, lighted a dhoop and offered our prostrations to the baba and requested him to take care of us as we ascend into his cave.

A view from the cave face outside perched up at 12,000 ft.

The local porters with all their baggage at the back easily started moving up but one could hardly find a path to set foot on. Holding a walking stick in hand seemed to be an extra burden which one wanted to throw away but was advised against it. So holding a pole in one hand and rock face bushes in the other, one started the slow, tiring ascent. With help from the porters from time to time, one could at last reach the mouth of the cave which was almost 50 feet wide 8-10 feet high at some places and 40-45 feet deep inside. The whole floor of the cave was inclined downwards and outward. The overhang was about a few feet and gave good protection to the cave from rain and snow. Inside the cave apart from a water source, it was completely dry. One did dandwat pranam (flat prostration) at the entrance to the cave and prostrating to the powers of the cave and all the mahatmas who did their sadhana there. There was an inch thick continuous water fall coming out of the rock face. It is said to be there throughout the year thus providing a lifeline for the sadhak in the cave.

Entering the cave, the left corner of it was converted into a room with stones piled up all around to form three walls and inner rock face being the fourth wall itself. The cave faced east direction, with glacier in front with the opposite mountain range on the other side running parallel to ours and open sky all around. The room also had a window like entrance through which one had to slide in. Inside was pitch dark and the whole space was around 8x8 feet. Inside, on the north was a small havan kund made and the rest of the length was divided into two steps. Maybe upper level for sitting and lower level for sleeping. The lower level was covered with dry grass to provide some cushion on which one spread the mattress which one found lying outside. Some rodents were running around, smaller ones with tails and larger ones without tails. According to the locals, if these eat grains, they develop tails. We moved inside and spread our sleeping bags, lighted 3 candles and inspected the whole place. It seemed to be a starred accommodation in such surroundings! Srinand and Pooran, our guides, porters and everything for the trip, spread their sleeping bags in another recess and started the welcome kitchen with local wood collected from around the cave. Hot steaming black tea was made and served. One checked from the watch, height of the cave was 12,000 feet. The evening programme of Yantra poojan, Gurumandal poojan and Havan was informed to our guides. It was decided that food will be served afterwards. One rested for over an hour and started arranging things for the evening poojan and havan.

Rough sketch of the inner view of the baba's cave

Looking for the mango wood which one has carried from Chandigarh itself to do havan, one realized it was left behind by mistake at Sahasrdhara by our guides and porters. Now came the problem of havan wood. Srinand, ran and brought special wood from the mountains, telling us that it is used for making dhoop and should be used in havan. One was thankful of finding something to support the havan fire. It clearly meant that outside material was not to be used in havan here, this must be the wish of the local powers. So around 4 pm one started arranging things for the evening poojan, tarpan and havan. We planned to have dinner after the havan. So daal was cooked first and rice were left to be cooked after. 

One had planned to do first general poojan, Guru Yantra poojan, Guru Mandal Tarpan poojan and havan. So at exactly 5 pm all the four persons assembled inside the room for poojan. Starting from the Shwet Varah Kalp down to the present day all the divine forces were requested to come and take their offerings one by one. One was in such a flow of the poojan that one only realized that instead of starting the yantra poojan first one had embarked on the Guru Mandal Tarpan poojan instead. Realizing it to be the desire of the subtle forces there, one carried on with more than 250 poojan-tarpans of the Guru Mandal tattvas covering Divyaudh, Siddhaugh, Manvaugh line of gurus and their Shaktis respectively. After completing it one started the poojan of Guru Yantra and one's own Guru Lineage. It gave great pleasure in doing it. The havan kund was quite small so it was not possible to sit all around it. Thus one person was asked to feed the wood, while other was asked to give Ahutis with Karpoor and Anil was asked to ahut ghee into the havan fire. One chanted the slokas of dhyan and ahuti for all. Thus more than 100 Ahutis were offered into the havan fire. Which soever shakti of the area could be remembered, was offered an ahuti. After that poorn ahuti with a coconut was done, then Aarti and Kshama Prarthana was completed. It took almost 2.5 hours to finish the whole procedure. But one felt elated to have completed what one had done sankalp to do in this special cave. One also mentally thanked all the subtle forces of the region in helping complete the desired task. After (do not know how many) years the  havan fire was lit in that kund, where Babaji must have given daily ahutis when he was alive and living in it. All felt very happy and satisfied and prepared rice. So one had daal-rice and a little mango pickle to enjoy a hard-earned dinner. After that, all retired to their respective places as one lay in the same room where baba used to stay. As one has experienced earlier also, it is not easy to sleep in such spiritually charged places, hence the whole night was spent with closed eyes and mantra going continuously in the mind. Seeing the difficulty of coming to such places and staying there in harsh conditions, one thought that even living there itself is sadhana. If one can perform some anushthans also, than it is a great grace of the Shaktis there.

            (Last photos of the havan fire, after which the camera battery finished)

Next day, one decided to stay put in the cave for another night and soak in the vibrations of the place.  One could hear the rumble of the crashing glaciers around sitting in the safety of the cave. It was planned that Satopanth yatra will be started the next day. Srinand went for an advance lookout for finalising the trekking path of tomorrow. He came back after 4-5 hours. He brought 4 Neel kamals (blue lotuses) picked dry from about 15,000 ft height, one for each one of us. It was a bonus for all. The whole day was spent remembering one's Ishta Mantra. Planning was done for the next day's course. Since it was a sheer slide down to the bottom, from the cave mouth, which seemed a little risky, it was decided that we will continue to move at the level of the cave along the mountain range till we reach a place where the distance to the foot of the mountain range was minimum. Anyway, with the help of the guides, one kept on moving on the goat path till about a kilometre ahead, an easier spot was found to descend to the bottom. But it was like out of the frying pan into the fire. The harsh trek of the glacier awaited again in front. Once again one became busy with 1-2 count of the trekking feet. At least, this time, one was quite refreshed during this stretch. One kept on following the guides, moving-resting and sipping water. To bypass Chakratirth, one was walking at an angle through the glacier to reach below the hill of Satopanth. If one drew lines from the Sahasradhara and Satopanth to the cave they must have made around 140-50 degree arc with Chakratirth lying in the centre nearly opposite to the cave on the other side of the glacier. The Him-kunds (glacier water holes) in the glaciers seemed quite inviting but one was told not to enter into them. It was also conveyed that Apsaras bathed in these. At one place one had an opportunity to wash hands and face in the water coming from the glacier hole. One quickly did that and moved on to the higher level on the stones to be safe. Thus one kept on walking resting walking again for hours. Going around a mountain one came out of the glacier path on to the less dangerous stone path, though they were also covering glacier and water below them. From here one could see the flag flying on the Satopanth Mountain. It gave some strength to look at it. With the little bag at the back, one kept on walking, concentrating on the stones and one's steps. When one reached the bottom of the Satopanth mountain one felt  quite drained. Rising up the last gradient of around 60-70 degrees  step by step, one chanted Jai Satopanth! Jai Badri Vishal. All of sudden there was such a forceful wind experienced that one was pushed up the last ten steps in a fraction of a second. One took it as great favour and blessing of the Lord and realised that He is overlooking one's journey continuously.

Seen on reaching the top, down on the other side was the lake of Satopanth. But one was perturbed to see so much less water in it as compared to the last visit. Around 10 local people were staying there doing a survey of the water bodies in the mountain ranges. We descended with great joy and found a place to put up the tent. After putting up the tent and baggage inside it one went down to take a bath in the lake.

 Sitting on the bank of the  lake, one did poojan of all the divinities, offered tarpan to all the ancestors, remembering all family members, all sadhaks and all friends, one took a bath in the freezing waters of the lake. All this process became quite  emotional and one had nothing but one's tears alone to offer to the lord for his continuous blessings though one may not be up to the mark to deserve them. Thinking that Lord must have bathed in it during Shukla Paksha Ekadashi passed a few days back, one felt overjoyed.  On completing the bath, the Sun was covered by clouds and one changed clothes and went back into the cover of one's tent.   

Half a cup of tea was accepted from the hands of Mauni baba as prasad. The tea was really delicious as he had put many herbs into it. Lying in the tent one still could feel stones moving under one's feet. Around 6 pm, dinner was prepared, same daal and roti. The Survey of India team people were moving around singing songs. One of them was singing 'Ai Neele Gagan ke Tale, Dharti ka Pyar Pale'. By 9 pm all fell silent and one could hear the mantra moving with the breath inside. At around midnight, there was a crash of glacier somewhere nearby, the same thing happened at 1:30 am, 4:00 am and around 5:30 am. Each sound and vibration reminding one of the ferocity of nature in the area. Getting up early and packing up inside the tent, one thought of starting back so as to reach Badrinath ji the same day. The guides were busy making tea and breakfast. One had a cup of black tea and a rusk. Being not in the mood to eat that early so one told them that one would start return journey while they can pack up all the material and the tent, to start our return journey. Descending down the mountain once again one set foot on this million stone wilderness. In between on the way, one lost track of the path. There was no way to go further lest one went in the wrong direction. So both the travellers sat on the stones waiting for the guides to appear at the top of the Satopanth mountain. But waiting for 45 minutes bore no result. 

It was decided to move forward instead. Looking at the mountain front, one saw an angular ascent path on its right-hand corner. Thinking it to be the best place to ascend one approached it. The face was 150-200 ft high and at 75-80 degree gradient. Once started to climb with all fours slowly. One of the travellers ascended the face with difficulty. Following in his footmarks one tried to ascend also but after some time it was realised that in absence of proper footholds, it will not be possible to go up further. So the one who had negotiated earlier descended onto the mountain face again and gave support to rise up but to no avail. Thus both were struck on the rock face and not sure of what to do next!  All of a sudden, the guides were seen on the other end i.e left side of the mountain and then one realised the wrong committed. One had to detour that mountain to climb the next mountain instead. One whistled a few times and they were able to locate two of the travellers on the rock face. One of them came running and seemed very angry. Anyway, he easily climbed up and brought both of us down one by one. One felt to be stupid hanging there while the guide made the whole descent look like a cake walk. That is what we call experience and skill.

Thus it was decided, in future we will not leave them but stick close together. So we detoured the mountain and saw another one in front after the stone wilderness and two flags, fluttering at the top of it, which indicated Chakra teerth, where Arjun has left his body in his ascent towards Swargarohan. The whole surface of it is like honey-comb, each one representing a chakra. This is the speciality of Chakra teerth surface.

Descending the great ascent from the flag post down into the Chakra teerth, one was reminded of the last trip, when it was snowing and one had just sat on the snow and slid down in a matter of few minutes. this time, it took much longer. Walking through it, one saw a few tents put up there and porters preparing food for the party. One slowly walked through the Chakra teerth and once again ascended into the stone path. Going up and down through it one entered the area of Sahasrdhara. One stopped near a resting place below a big stone and prepared black tea. A sadhu was also sitting on that stone since the previous night and going to Sahasradhara. He seemed to be new to this trek and did not know how far the final destination was. He had nothing to eat but was simply smoking his chilam. Tea and biscuits were given to him. After a little rest one again started on the return journey. 

By this time one felt better as one had descended from 15,000 to around 11,000 ft height. Oxygen being more, walking became easier. Thus, one kept on walking, stopping in between only for 2-3 minutes and a sip of water of Sahasrdhara which one had collected in a bottle. One has requested Varun Dev to enter into it and provide all the energy to go up easily. Moving through stones, vegetation and Luxmi Van, at last around 5:00 pm one reached the Matamurti Mandir with great relief. Dreaming of a welcoming Booransh drink, but it was not be found on this side of Alaknanda. It was available only on the other side in Mana village for which one had to descend and cross over the river to ascend again into Mana. Nobody found this proposition enough motivating. So instead one continued the walk towards Badrinathji's temple. On the way, there was a small shop where soft drink bottles were displayed. Though one never drinks such things but at that time one was so thirsty that one had one with a little salt in it. The moment it went inside, one felt charged and then continued the return journey. On reaching the Badrinathji Temple, one went for darshana and offered bhog to the Lord for His protection and blessing on the whole yatra and requested Him to keep calling one again and again to His lotus feet. After that, one went for early dinner in Saket and straight to the Dharamshala for resting the tired frames. Pandit Kashinath ji came to meet us when he heard that the travellers are back. The next morning taking 5:00 am bus from Badrinath one bowed for the final time and started the return journey to one's hometown, Chandigarh. Om! Jai Badri Vishal! Jai Satopanth!   

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