Garhwal Diaries 14 – Haridwar

Haridwar, one of the holiest Indian cities in India, is a world unto itself. According to Hindu Mythology, Haridwar is one of the four sites where drops of Amrit (the elixir of immortality) fell while Garuda was carrying the same in a pitcher. It is also one of the cities where the Maha Kumbh Mela is held. The photographs below have been clicked on the ghat of Har ki Pauri. For the rest, I will let the photos speak.

Har ki Pauri – Sepia Tuned

The clock tower

The flowing water

A submerged foot

Shackles amidst flowing life

Related articles

• Garhwal Diaries I – Haridwar Hopping (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 4 – Reaching Sitapur (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 6 – Memories of Kedarnath (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 8 – Random Clicks in Kedarnath (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 11 – A Day at Devprayag (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 9 – Descent From Kedarnath (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 5 – Reached Sitapur (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)

Garhwal Diaries 13 – Moments Captured on a Day Trip Through Rishikesh

Some more moments at Rishikesh depicted through these random clicks:

This is the Chotiwala restaurant, a famous food joint that is over 50 years old. Sumptuous vegetarian delicacies are offered here.

The Chotiwala himself!

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• Garhwal Diaries 10 – Enroute Rishikesh (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 9 – Descent From Kedarnath (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 8 – Random Clicks in Kedarnath (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 6 – Memories of Kedarnath (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 11 – A Day at Devprayag (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 5 – Reached Sitapur (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 4 – Reaching Sitapur (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries I – Haridwar Hopping (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)

Garhwal Diaries 12 – Rishikesh Retro Riviera

Some moments captured within a span of 24 hours in Rishikesh – the gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas.

A bird in the eye

Painted Bark

The Bridge

Ray of Hope

Still Life

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• Garhwal Diaries 10 – Enroute Rishikesh (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 9 – Descent From Kedarnath (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 11 – A Day at Devprayag (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 8 – Random Clicks in Kedarnath (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 6 – Memories of Kedarnath (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 5 – Reached Sitapur (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 4 – Reaching Sitapur (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries I – Haridwar Hopping (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)

Garhwal Diaries 11 – A Day at Devprayag

I waited for more that 2 hours on the road. But when the authorities declared that it will almost the entire evening for the roads to be cleared, I decided to return to Devaprayag for a night halt.

One of the five Prayags, Devaprayag is the Confluence of Alkananda and Bhagirathi.

I put up in a motel for the night. I must say it was a welcome break. Especially keeping in mind the view from the motel balcony.

A bend in the river

Bend Captured from the Motel Balcony

The Confluence

Chai with Choco Pie

Vegetable Garden at the Backyard

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• Garhwal Diaries 8 – Random Clicks in Kedarnath (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 9 – Descent From Kedarnath (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Dev Bhoomi Drowning (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 5 – Reached Sitapur (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries I – Haridwar Hopping (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries 4 – Reaching Sitapur (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)

Garhwal Diaries 10 – Enroute Rishikesh

The drive was long from Sitapur to Rishikesh. It was Monsoons so splashes of rains accompanied us every now and then. And then there were landslides. Yes. Here are a few snaps:

Snapshots on my way

Random shots

Landslide captured from the car

A closer look at the landslide

Road blocked due to landslide

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• Uttarakhand: Water, Water Everywhere… (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)

Garhwal Diaries 9 – Descent From Kedarnath

It started drizzling by the time I started from Kedarnath. As the sun had already set I evaded the idea of clicking. By the time I reached Sitapur, it was already dark. Tired and hungry, the dal makhni with roti and salad made for a sumptuous dinner. Next morning I started from Sitapur for Rishikesh.

Postcards from Sitapur Skyline. Could not resist myself from clicking.

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• Garhwal Diaries 4 – Reaching Sitapur (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries I – Haridwar Hopping (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Kedarnath, epicentre of tragedy (gulshabegum.wordpress.com)

Garhwal Diaries 8 – Random Clicks in Kedarnath

They say you are really lucky if you have been able to visit Kedarnath at least once in your life. Well, may be or may not be. For a travel enthusiast and a nature lover like me, the experience was just mindblowing…memories that I will forever cherish in my mind…

Random clicks of the surroundings at Kedarnath

I was quite amazed to see the crowd

View of the valley.

Another random click!

Goldy, someone I befriended on my way back from Kedarnath

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• Garhwal Diaries 4 – Reaching Sitapur (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Garhwal Diaries I – Haridwar Hopping (missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com)
• Kedarnath, epicentre of tragedy (gulshabegum.wordpress.com)

Garhwal Diaries 7 – Offering Prayers at Kedarnath

After offering my prayers i took a round of the temple complex. Here are a few snap shots:

Indian Mystic Sadhu

A temple behind a temple

Carvings within the temple complex

For Whom the Bells Toll

Temple pichhwada!

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• https://missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/garhwal-diaries-4-reaching-sitapur/
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Garhwal Diaries 6 – Memories of Kedarnath

My heart wrenches as I continue the series on Garhwal Diaries. The recent mayhem in the Garhwals has stirred my memories and left me despondent. However, through my photo blog I make an effort to fall back on my memories of Kedarnath.

Random click of flowing water

Good Old Maggie with chai at Ramwara

The scenery changes as I come closer to Kedarnath

Finally Kedarnath!

A closer look at the steeple!

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Garhwal Diaries 5 – Reached Sitapur

Nature is at its best in the Garhwals. I could not stop clicking even if it meant capturing blurred images.

I was so smitten by the beauty of nature that I almost lost track of time only to be reminded  by the driver that I have reached by next destination Sitapur.

A recently developed small-town, Sitapur has a few motels where you can spend a night. Most of these motels offer home-cooked sumptuous meals. These days travellers prefer Sitapur over Gaurikund in order to avoid crowd.

The Sitapur Skyline

Next morning heading towards Gaurikund

I started for Gaurikund sharp at 8 in the morning after Breakfast. The drive took barely 40 minutes. Upon reaching Gauri Kund I was shocked to see the crowd.

The trekking base for Kedarnath, Gaurikund has a hot water spring of the same name. However, I did not waste much time and headed towards the much awaited place.

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• https://missionsharingknowledge.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/garhwal-diaries-2-enroute-devaprayag/
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