The day wonderfully started in the morning from Govind Ghat. The journey to reach Badrinath was not really easy. I struggled along the way, but I somehow managed to reach Badrinath. I had planned my day around spirituality, but as always, God has other plans waiting for me. After I reached there, my eyes got mesmerized by the view of the stunning waterfall nearby. The off-season brought fewer crowds, which added more beauty to the place, and the silence brought more peace to me. The walk to the temple was just 1 km, which usually takes about 15 minutes to reach. But for me, it took a little longer as I paused often. I stopped at almost every shop along the way, curious to know and see the things they were selling, like some woolen chadar, scarves, socks and so many little things.
Really wanted to buy something but couldn’t take it and waited for the right moment. I moved a little further ahead, and the automatic smell of delicious food pulled me. Found the delicious smell of my favourite chola bhatura at one restaurant. For a moment, it was like the bhaturas were calling me out. Then I took a deep breath and said to myself, “Not now. I will have them after I return back. “Walked just a few steps and noticed a protest going on for the reconstruction and development of Badrinath. I paused for a while to see what was going on but quickly left, as I didn’t want to be late for the temple. On the way, there were many shops lined up, selling rudraksh and pooja samaghri. I gently passed by them and crossed the bridge, and finally I reached the temple premises.
My first stop was to take prasad and a tulsi mala to offer in the temple. I took a right turn and went towards the Tapt Kund first, where the water was burning hot. A boy was bathing in the hot spring, and you know the best part was that there was a separate, covered space for the women to bath comfortably. I didn’t stop but walked from the side and made my way straight to the temple. And then there it was, the grand Badrinath temple that we usually see only in the pictures. The very first impression just left me speechless. I stood there, completely mesmerized by the peace, the calmness, the silence and the beautiful towering peaks around the temple.
I was really very happy; my heart felt full, and, at the same time, I kept praying silently. As usual, I arrived late around 12 noon, and by that time, the temple was closed for Bhog, which was being offered to the God. There was already a queue outside the temple waiting for darshan. The sun was very hot, so I found a place to sit under the shade. Soon, I met a group of 16 people who had come from Kolkata on a Char Dham tour. Just a little chit-chat and we exchanged a few words.
They told me that they were from Kolkata, part of a larger group of 80 people travelling together for the past 20 days. The moment I heard “Kolkata”, I couldn’t hold back, and seeing them, yes, I switched to “Bangla”, and the conversation felt warm. Since they were getting late, they had to leave quickly. But, just before they left, I suggested they should visit Mana Village, which was the first village of India, a 4 km drive away.
After waiting for about half an hour, the temple door finally opened by 12:30. But since the darshan time was allowed to be only half an hour, the door had to be closed again by 1 for bishram. The temple would again reopen by 4 pm, and another set of rituals would start. For me, it was not possible to wait until evening, so I quickly did my Darshan. I offered the prasad and tulsi mala, and though there was a rush, I felt grateful for such a wonderful darshan. After coming out from the left side of the temple, I saw that the bhog was served as prasad. With a token system, I quickly bought one for 100 rupees and joined the line. I waited for my turn to come. After, I received my plate, filled with simple rice and dal, and it felt divine.
I found a shaded corner to sit, enjoying my bhog. People were sitting scattered around me wherever they could find a place. Two other people sat beside me, and as it was crowded, I still felt the sense of peace in eating that meal. The bhog was very hot, and as I cannot handle very hot food, it took me some time to finish. Then after I disposed of my plate in the dustbin, I washed my hands. Finally, I wandered around the temple premises, taking pictures all around the place to capture the beauty and memory. While coming down the stairs, they were closing the temple doors again, as it was almost 1 pm.
Everyone was busy taking pictures and selfies, so I too joined. At first, I started taking my selfie, and then I asked someone to click a proper picture for me. After spending enough time soaking in the environment of Badrinath, I was very happy. Just then, I overheard someone say that they were leaving for Charan Paduka. Curiously, I wanted to know more about it. But as time was flying and as I mentioned earlier, I had to be back to Govind by evening. So, I was again left in a small dilemma: “should I plan the visit to Charan Paduka or head early for Mana Village?” So, I decided to leave Charan Paduka for my next visit. It was about 3 km one way with a steep climb to a higher altitude. This would take at least 1-2 hours to reach, so I left it to next to-do list.
I stayed on the Badrinath temple premises for half an hour and left around 1:30 pm. Again walking back, I passed by the same place, the row of small shops coloured in orange. Oh yes! My bhatura was still giving me those tempting looks. But as I already had eaten the bhog, I was too full to think about it. Instead, I wandered around and started seeing clothes displayed in the shops. Most of the stuff I saw, I already owned, and honestly, the price was quite high. I really wanted to take something as a keepsake, but I couldn’t decide what to buy. After walking a bit more, I found myself back in the same place where I started my walk for Badrinath.
Now it was time for my next adventure to Mana Village. Yes, I was too excited but had no idea how to reach there. So, I started asking people along the way that – “How do I go to Mana?” People along the way helped me with the direction. That’s when I learnt that in Badrinath there are two main taxi points. One was the regular Badrinath taxi stand/bus stop, and the other was for the Mana Village taxi stand. So, I walked about a kilometer more to reach the Mana stand. But once again, there was the same issue that started with the vehicle. There was no one to go to Mana, and I was the only passenger standing alone and bargaining.
The fare should have been ₹50 one way, but he asked for ₹500 since I was alone. Which was next to impossible for me, so I was waiting for others to show up. I have already walked for about 1 km to reach this stand. With time slipping by, it was already 2 pm, and I felt restless. I couldn’t afford to waste more time just waiting. And finally I find out a way to reach Mana…..
👉 Read my next blog: Bike Ride to Mana Village with a Stranger – by Nabamita
👉 Mana – The First Himalayan Village of India – Read more
Leave a Reply