Day 5 : Neelkanth Peak
- HANUMAN CHATTI TEMPLE - Exploring Joshimath - Enroute to Rishikesh -
Rishikesh Dayanand Ashram - Haridwar - Char Dham Trip Concludes
Finally....
7.00 AM - A few hours after watching the Neelkanth spectacle in the morning…
The market lane was deserted… well almost. The Diwali fervour of the previous night had died down and there was a sense of quietude and composure all around. A very few pilgrims could be seen making their way towards the Badrinath temple. I was also one among them… to take the blessings of Lord Badrinarayan in the Badrinath temple for one last time… till I would be summoned again…
…till I visit next, vivid memories and visualizations like these
etched forever in my minds eye…
Take in the quiet and the solitude... The Alaknanda Bridge
The Tapt kund area was empty too,
only the misty fumes emanating from them seemed to register any presence
I stood there at the Alaknanda bridge once again, the same place where I had started my journey in the holy town from… blanking off in absolute stillness, in quiet introspection and taking in every bit of the sacred air of divinity… ‘Do call us again, O Lord and make sure You do it early this time’… with this silent prayer, I bid Him Goodbye and took leave…
9.00 AM
After warming ourselves up with a hot cup of coffee, we started our return journey down the winding road once again, this time towards the plains. Our next night halt destination was Srinagar but before that we did have quite a few stoppages on the way to visit some temples that crossed our way enroute.
9.00 AM
After warming ourselves up with a hot cup of coffee, we started our return journey down the winding road once again, this time towards the plains. Our next night halt destination was Srinagar but before that we did have quite a few stoppages on the way to visit some temples that crossed our way enroute.
The scenic route was grand...
...but alas predictably bumpy as it had been on our way up!
10.00 AM : Our first stop of Day 5 – Hanuman Chatti
After driving for about 1 hr, 11 kms from Badrinath, we stopped at the Hanuman Chatti Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. There are two villages by the same name of Hanuman Chatti in the Garhwal Himalayas. One is on the way up to Yamunotri and the other one is this, on the Joshimath - Badrinath route.
The beautiful temple looks small in stature (its about 5 ft tall) but has an impressive history behind it. The pundit (temple priest) informed us that it was at this place that Lord Hanuman had humbled the Pandava brother Bhim and crushed his ego.
Lord Hanuman Temple at Hanuman Chatti
The story goes like this…
One day, Bhim was traversing this path and encountered an old monkey lying across the path. His tail was spread along the way which caused obstruction in Bhim’s route. Despite several requests by Bhim to remove the tail, the monkey refused to budge saying that he was too old and tired to give way. This angered Bhim who then, decided to take the matter in his own hands by moving the tail himself. The tail did not move…not even an inch! After several failed attempts, Bhim (renowned for his strength and power) was surprised and realized that this was no ordinary monkey and humbly requested the monkey to reveal His true identity. This is when Lord Hanuman – the devoted disciple of Lord Ram - showed him His original form and this is how the place got its name.
Vishwanath, our driver who was an excellent guide in the entire journey of ours, enlightened us that the place can also be thought as dedicated to the two siblings - Hanuman and Bhim - who are both sons of the Wind God, Vayu. He further added that the temple is also known for its mystical power to fulfill wishes.
The bridge just besides the temple was an added draw too
Related Info
Hanuman Chatti is an important stopover on the way to Yamunotri or Uttarkashi. The trek tour to Hanuman Chatti from Dodital also holds a lot of thrill and excitement for trekkers.
Previous posts from this trip -
4. ISKCON Temple, Delhi
5. Entire DAY 1 of the Yatra (includes The journey finally begins... Haridwar to Uttarkashi)
5. Entire DAY 1 of the Yatra (includes The journey finally begins... Haridwar to Uttarkashi)
6. Entire DAY 2 of the Yatra (includes Enroute to Gangotri - Gangnani, Enchanting Mother Ganga... Our First Dham - Gangotri, Places to visit in and around Gangotri, Bhaironghati, Harsil, Pilot Baba Ashram in Bhatwari, Temples of Uttarkashi)
7. Entire Day 3 of the Yatra (includes Uttarkashi to Birahi (Chowrangikhal), Uttarkashi to Birahi (Kemundakhal))
7. Entire Day 3 of the Yatra (includes Uttarkashi to Birahi (Chowrangikhal), Uttarkashi to Birahi (Kemundakhal))
8. Entire Day 4 of the Yatra (includes Birahi-Badrinath:Joshimath Gate System, Badrinath introduction - Where to stay, Eat, Alaknanda River and Brahma Kapal Ghat, Tapt Kund and the Panch shilas, The Badrinath Temple,
Exploring the last Indian Village in Uttarakhand - Mana Village, Places to visit in Mana Village, Diwali Celebrations in the Badrinath Temple)
9. Entire Day 5 of the Yatra (includes Neelkanth Peak)
9. Entire Day 5 of the Yatra (includes Neelkanth Peak)
59 Comments
आप की ये वाली पूरी सीरिज देख कर मन प्रसन्न हो गया,
ReplyDeleteहोता à¤ी क्यों नहीं जब कोई जगह देखी हुई होती है
तो उसे फ़िर से देखने का अपना मजा होता है।
Ahhh, must dig out the old photos to look at it. Places seem to be more developed but the roads and mountains are still the same.
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful, I love the feeling I get seeing the pictures, makes me want to explore! :)
ReplyDeleteHow can I find devotional words for every Divine yatra.....you give us?......I am just watching these pics from some time.....and ya thanks for the story too.
ReplyDeletelovely place...you are so lucky to visit such wonderful places...
ReplyDeleteCheers!
SUB
Good info, thanks, never knew this :)
ReplyDeleteNice trip! If you like join us on PicStory with some of your beautiful pictures! LG Tina
ReplyDeleteSo exiting! I coul do with a bit of that peacsful and yet dramatic landscape now!
ReplyDeleteNice to read the story behind the place :) I guess that what makes your blog stand out from several other travel blogs. It gives complete information and tips of a place, with teaser photographs ... a great read this one Arti!!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, like you said sketching a plant did brighten up my day!
♥
ReplyDeleteI love this post and your blog so much.)) You have a talant *-)
I need your help...
A few days ago I got my Ipad. Do you have Ipad? What programs do advise to download?
♥
Wonderful place...i would definitely love to visit these places...
ReplyDeleteit must have been a bittersweet to say farewell to this holy town of such solemn beauty. I'm happy that I was able to accompany you in some respects, on this journey. but it isn't over yet! I'm charmed by the tale/tail of the monkey! thanks for sharing Arti. lovely as always. you have in me a captive audience, to be sure.
ReplyDeleteArti - What a wonderful pilgrimage you had! I enjoyed following your travels. Those misty morning photos are magical.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard this story before. My favorite picture is the beautiful mountains!
ReplyDeleteExcellent..! write-up and some nice pictures depict the place beautifully. I feel like visiting this place.Hope I would do so someday and your post is going to be of immense value then, I am sure!
ReplyDelete@ Mary
ReplyDeleteI dont own an ipod, sorry I cant help you with regards to your question.
Marvelous post as always, Arti! I do love the wonderful tours you take us on. Such beautiful, fascinating places and I do love the information/history you include! Hope your week is going well!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
nice pictures and wonderful narration
ReplyDeleteThanks for such a fabulous trip Arti .I enjoyed every bit of it .Will carry the printouts of your posts whenever i plan Char Dham Yatra.
ReplyDeleteHi, Arti.
ReplyDeleteThe scene looks very steep. But the high mountains with snow behide are very beautiful. The Monkey's story was fun. I want to get my wish fulfilled at Hanuman temple,too.
Thank you for sharing atmosphere of there.
Have a nice week!
interesting tale!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your good wishes!!
ReplyDeleteHey Arti,
ReplyDeleteI feel so good whenever I visit your lovely space here. If I ever got a chance to visit or plan Char Dham yatra or any holy place in India, I know where to look for all the infos.
You're making me fall in love with your country, Arti. I am seriously thinking of going there. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to join you on one of your wanderings :)
ReplyDeleteSuperb post!! Wish I could travel to these marvelous places. Great breathtaking pics. Way to go :)
ReplyDeleteThe story of Bhim and the old monkey teaches me I’m tested on the situation where things don’t go as I expect with my ego. Thank you for sharing the spiritual journey with your touching words and mystic photos as always, Arti. Enjoy the rest of the week.
ReplyDelete@Rachana I feel so glad whenever you drop by.. I am really blessed to have met blogger friends like you who find time to visit my space and leave impressions even when they themselves are not updating their blog...Please Keep posting and keep blogging Rachana :)
ReplyDelete@Angeli Thank you so much :) If that is indeed the case, then it is a huge compliment for me and sure makes me feel very happy and proud to have got such a comment from you! Thank you and I hope you do get to make a trip to India soon :)
ReplyDelete@varsha I would love to have your company anyday :)
@stardust You are bang on, on the moral. Thank you for I got to learn something more as well through your thoughtful comment.
@ALL Thank you for all the appreciations. I am really glad to have you all along in my travels. Thank you once again :)
ReplyDeleteThe view from Alaknanda Bridge is simply stunning. That looks like a fairly bumpy road but the scenery is really worth it.
ReplyDeleteHello, Arti!
ReplyDeleteYou always take us to fascinating tours with mysterious and beautiful photos! However, what a bumpy and steep road you went up! The Hanuman temple looks much more mordern than the others I saw on your post before. Thank you for sharing the interesting about Bhim's trip and an old monkey. It is interesting!
Have a great day,Arti.
Tomoko.
Those mountains look so rugged!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the highlights of your pilgrimage.
ReplyDeleteSo pristine and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteReading your post I almost felt I was with you there walking and enjoying the divinity of the place. It is always a pleasure to be here ~ great post Arti!
ReplyDeleteUs Masala
Wonderful write up of the yatra. Feel like visiting those place once. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI also feel its time you get an camera upgrade... and provide more justice to your readers on the places you visit :)
ReplyDeleteThis place looks something out of our natural world... like some mysterious place which has tales hidden in every stone.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy seeing these quiet places -- spiritual in their own way and amazingly scenic! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteExcellent Arti. Your write-ups make us yearn to go on the 'yatra'.
ReplyDelete@ Santosh
ReplyDeleteI have got one but there are a few trips left to be told here of the times when I used the old camera :)
beautiful memories arti. gorgeous photos
ReplyDelete~laura xx
Like something from another world. I can't thank you enough for introducing me to all these wonderful sights.
ReplyDeleteVery regional. I want to explore this place too in the future.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful pictures. Really very nice.
ReplyDeletewonderful post Arti, Ur indeed so very lucky to get to go these temples...beautifully captured!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to visit the place of Hanuman-ji's encounter with Bhima!
ReplyDeleteHope you will comment on my posts on Hanuman-ji [his temple in Bangalore] and an inspiration anout his positive mental attitude. Here are the two links:
http://nowritehere.blogspot.com/2011/07/hanuman.html
http://inspirindia.blogspot.com/2011/07/think-achieve.html
Hey Arti! I've been to all these places but your mesmerizing pics and and an all encompassing narration makes me feel as if they are some far off foreign lands, or, that I missed something(s) when I was there! Thoroughly enjoyed the refresher through your lovely post!
ReplyDeleteArti, this narrative brings back the memories of my treks to these lovely places which are heavenly:)Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhenever I read your posts, I feel like I am traveling with you on your magical trips. Beautiful pictures and a lovely narration. And a nice info about how Hanuman Chatti got its name. :)
ReplyDeleteThe history behind this temple is interesting.
ReplyDeleteIts a dream for me to see Himalayas...Thanks for the nice post..Lovely pics..:-)
ReplyDeleteyou are indeed lucky to have seen such beauty
ReplyDeleteBahut badhiya.. when are you going on your next trip ?
ReplyDeleteYou have taken beautiful pics of these places...they are very inviting...i hope i can visit them some day.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I feel so envious of you Arti didi! You travel and post awesome stuff about them! :) I wish to explore the world as well! :|
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures. Reminded me of the era before digital cameras became popular. These pictures look so like the ones we used to get with film cameras.
ReplyDeleteNice write-up. I can recall watching the scene in Mahabharata where Bhima tried lifting Hanuman's tail from the path ;)
Many of my friends have been urging me to go on a char dham tour and visit the places you write about...now I have a ready reference and inspiration to make this happen this summer. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDelighted you stopped by... Your suggestions, feedback are really appreciated. Thanks a lot :) Hope you visit again!
If you have asked a question, please give me at least 2 days to reply back. Thank you :)