Wander through India : UTTARAKHAND : AN ODE TO THE HIMALAYA AND SPIRITUALITY ( Day VI : ONWARDS TO BREATHTAKING CHOPTA )

UTTARAKHAND : AN ODE TO HIMALAYA AND SPIRITUALITY

#DAY VI: Rudraparayag-Chopta

41. The day started with some splendid views of the lavender laden trees that were growing along the main streetand I savoured my time capturing their beauty.I can even now feel that feeling so subtly within as I think back on those moments , early in morning a small town waking up to another day in the foothills of great mountains. The destination for the day was Ukimath and thereafter Chopta. I was supposed to meet my guide Mr Umed Singh Rana at Ukimath who was going to be with us for next couple of days .

42. The drive to Ukimath was along the Kedarnath route but bifurcated at the diversion to Guptakashi. One needed to take the right turn towards Ukimath. This route took us via Augustamuni where one could visit the ashram of Sage Augustamuni and there after one crossed Bhiri ,Kund and finally Ukimath . All the places are small towns nestled in the foothills of mountain ranges but slowly waking up to commercialization and urbanization.

43. The scenic beauty was evident all along the route and I am sure during the winters or spring this must be a scenic drive. Ukimath situated uphill was reached by 1045 and is accessed by narrow roads , we met our guide at the Ukimath market and thereafter proceeded to visit the Omkareswar temple at Ukimath.

44. Omkareshwar temple at Ukimath houses the deities of Kedarnath as well as Madhmaheswar during the winter months. There are five shiva lingas established here which represent the five paanch Kedar. The temple construction and decoration of the Parvati temple is very soothing The temples of goddess parvati are also out here.This temple is a must visit.

45. Post the visit we proceeded towards Chopta via Baniyakund and Duggalbitha. The roads grew narrower as we progressed further into the mountains steadily gaining height .This was the region comprising of deodars ,pines and birches with range after range of heavily of heavily forested lands.

46. I was told that the scenic beauty of these places in the winter was worth seeing but even now was not disappointed by the vistas spread in front of me , the rain gods were in the sky and black clouds were dancing in symphony over green tall mysterious forests.

47. Chopta was windy and cold as we reached in the afternoon and our stay was decided at one of the many dhabas that dotted the place. The temperature dropped steadily as the afternoon bore on as we decided to go on a small walk of a few kms to get a feel of this amazing region. So off we went for a short hike of few kms in the late afternoon.

48. As the stay was decided at Chopta , our guide negotiated with one of the dhaba owner and we checked into a one room shack , as the evening wore on we kept sitting in the dhaba itself while dinner was being cooked on the wooden chulha. The total number of people for the night were we two , our guide and three staff at the dhaba itself . There is no power so it was solar lamps to the rescue and Garhwali songs on the NOKINA 3300 for entertainment. I feel fortunate that I have experienced this way of life also, maybe not for extended periods but yes definitely frequently.