I have been visiting Haridwar and Rishikesh since my child hood. But whenever we were in Rishikesh, I always saw the mountains on other side of Laxman Jhula with great interest and heard sound of vehicles moving in that part. I was very curious to go to that side where the way to Badrinath and Kedarnath existed.
Ultimately in 2001, when I bought my new Wagon R I decided to go to Badrinath and in 2002 May, we started for the trip. It was exciting when I passed ahead of Laxman Jhula, as it was a new territory for me. It was hot during day but manageable with excitement to be in Himalayan region.
We stopped at Devprayag, where Bhagirathi joins Alaknanda to form Ganges. It was beautiful sight to see two rivers of different color meeting and making great sound. By 4-5 pm we reached Rudraprayag. Rudraprayag is sangam for Mandakini and Alaknanda and is point from where one road on left goes to Kedarnath and another one straight to Badrinath. We tried to find rooms in many hotels but none was up to expectations. Hotels were not good enough to stay. We tried in GMVN(Gharwal mandal vikas nigam) but it was fully occupied. We even drove up to Monal Resort on Badrinath way, but it was too expensive. Exhausted we were depressed at thought of staying in hotel of not of our choice. Suddenly on left side I saw a board of Birla Dharamshala/Rest house. We asked for way and reached there. Staff was helpful enough to allot one room to us, which was clean enough to stay. Later some one from downside dhaba came and took our dinner order. It was a good and hot food enjoyed by all of us. This place has a very good lawn and after dinner when we were strolling there, we met a group, which had come from Kedarnath and was heading for Delhi. Those people guided us as to how to reach Kedarnath and told us to go to Kedarnath first and then followed up by Badrinath.
Next day early morning at 5 am we started for Kedarnath and reached Gaurikund quite early. We hired pony for children(who were reluctant to go on pony). Me and my brother in law started our journey on foot. Kedarnath is approx 14 km trek from Gaurikund. There is hot water pond at Gaurikund and temple of Parvatiji. We didn’t take bath in that pool as it looked dirty. Entire way to Kedarnath is dirty because of ponies, sudden rain and mud. Your clothes stink after you reach Kedarnath. It is not an easy way so I suggest it is better to hire ponies to save one from unnecessary exhaustion. We could climb up to Rambara, which is halfway between Gaurikund and kedarnath. At Rambara we also hired ponies and continued our journey. The first sight of Kedarnath area is extra ordinary.
My children and wife had reached much early in our comparison. It was a new place for all of us. I was sure to find them on way to temple and in bazaar they were at a teashop. Two young fellows had taken good care of them. We had cup of tea at same shop and started our search for a place to stay in. As usual no rooms in GMVN, but we landed up in a very good place called Bikaner guesthouse. The guy who helped my wife and kids was a panda and took us for evening darshan of Kedarnath temple. We also fixed up with him for morning darshan. He was in queue at 2 am. It was extremely cold in month of May and we had to use 3-4 quilts in night. We had great darshans in early morning around 6 am.
We proceeded back to gaurikund and started our badrinath journey via chopta. This place is also beautiful and from here road leads to Tungnath one of the panchkedar. We passed through Gopeshwar and halted at Pipalkoti. It was bustling with people who were on way to Badrinath or returning back. We started early morning and got in queue at Joshimath because of gate system. We were to wait for approx 1.30 hrs; suddenly a policeman came and asked as to why are we standing in queue. I had no answer for this, he asked me to pull the car in right side and cross the gate. These policemen stopped other people who tried to follow us. Now it was all empty road and comfortable drive to Badrinath. We had morning, evening and night darshans. Its mesmerizing deity of Vishnu in padmasan.
Tips
Book for the hotel preferably GMVN before starting your journey. I was told about it but didn’t. Fortunately we had no problems, but it may not be there always. Start early in morning and stop by 5pm. This way you are always safe in mountains. Drivers of plains should stick to speed limit of 40-50 kmph. Always keep a mineral water can of 20 liter. Before starting journey from Delhi. It lasts for good period and empty jar can be used for bringing back gangajal to be distributed amongst your relatives. Stick to non-oily foods, preferably fruits or homemade ladoos in morning breakfast. Negligence about food quality may cut your trip short. Always gather information about nearby places to the place of interest, so that these can be covered in same trip, as it is not possible to go to this place as per your desire.