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