Pilgrimage And Powerful Shrines :

» Haridwar
» Rishikesh
» Uttarkashi
» Gangotri
» Gaumukh and Tapovan
» Kedarnath
» Triyuginarain
» Joshimath or Jyotirmath
» Badrinath
» Jageshwar

Haridwar means "the gateway to Hari (Vishnu)" Situated near the foothills and on the banks of the holy river Ganges, Haridwar is a town dotted with temples and ashrams. It is also one of the four places in India, where the great assembly of yogis "Kumbha Mela," takes place. The evening worship of the Ganges is an incredible sight, when thousands after bathing in the river, float lamps & flowers resting on a boat made of leaves on the river, as an offering. One can see thousands of such lamps floating on the river to the accompaniment of blowing of conches and ringing of bells. The brahmin priests light huge flaming lamps and move the lamps in unison while the mantras are being chanted. It truly is a sublime and enchanting experience. Rishikesh is about 40 minutes drive from Haridwar. Nestled in the foothills and on the banks of the river Ganges, Rishikesh in ancient times, was the meditating center of sages and ascetics. It is so today also, albeit with a difference. A large number of ashrams (spiritual retreats) and institutions of international repute, serve as centers for learning of yoga and meditation. Temples abound here and so do pilgrims. Upstream from Rishikesh are facilities for white water rafting. Forest hillsides add to the charm. Seeing wild elephants is a possibility in the forests around. We find quiet spots and experts in yoga & meditation.

Uttarkashi or the Varanasi (Kashi) of the north, is en route to Gangotri (where the temple of Mother Ganges is located). An ancient temple of Vishwanath (Shiva), the presiding deity of this town, is situated here with a temple of Shakti (Parvati or Mother Goddess) in its courtyard. A massive trident is located inside the Shakti Temple. During the evening worship at this temple, the chiming bells and the priests chanting Sanskrit mantras make a great impact, overwhelming the visitors with devotion and pure enchantment. A large number of ascetics (sadhus) and sanyasis (renunciates) live in a separate location and many of them are reputed to be scholars.

Gangotri, where the Ganga (river Ganges) descended on Earth, is a beautiful tiny settlement, set amidst giant pines and conifers at a height of 3140 meters. Ganges or Gag is not merely a perennial source of water and energy but is revered as the benevolent mother, feeding and cleansing millions of people. So intense is the faith in the proven healing properties of the river and the fact that she emerges from the Himalayan peaks which are the abode of Shiva, that she is revered in all extremities of India. Ganges binds India into one cultural entity. Here from time immemorial, yogis have spent their lives to meditate on the supreme soul. This tradition continues till date. A temple to Mother Ganges stands here, where millions come every year with faith and reverence. A visit here with reverence truly cleanses the body and the soul.

Gaumukh and Tapovan, A two days trek ahead of Gangotri is the mouth of a huge glacier called Gaumukh or Cow’s Snout, from where the river Ganges emerges in a huge gush. The trek route is most scenic with the almost hypnotic Shivalinga peak hovering above, on the right. En route one can see ascetics sitting in meditation or going about their daily routine. Some smoke ganja to help concentrate but others do so to get a kick. The glacier is simply awesome with hues of white, blue and green. Trekking over the glacier and the morraine, beyond Gaumukh, will take you to Tapovan. Tapovan situated at a height of 4850 Meters, is an open flat land at the base of Mount Shivalinga. Since ancient times, Tapovan has attracted serious seekers of the eternal one, who have meditated here, surrounded by the great Himalayan abode of Gods and celestial beings. Here the feeling of awe and surrender to the almighty is so great, that one feels full of bliss and in the presence of some divine ethereal all pervading entity in it’s pure form. One can find a few ascetics here too. Kedarnath is an ancient and a magnificent temple of Lord Shiva situated at an altitude of 3583 meters above sea level. One of the most powerful and revered of the 12 jyotirlingams (Lingam which is not man made/installed by man, which derive currents of power from within themselves), this temple is magnificent structure built with huge blocks of perfectly cut granite. Building a temple on such scale, at such height and thousands of years ago, must have been quite a feat. A 14 km trek to this temple unfolds amazing scenery. The magnetic pull of this great shrine, set amidst grassy lands with towering white mountains, mantled with snow in the background, is intense. The great 8th century saint, Adi Guru Shankaracharya after completing the incredible task of reviving Hinduism chose this place to take samadhi at the age of 32 years. Visiting Kedarnath is an incredibly emotional experience, which uplifts one to feel, as if one is really in heaven. Short treks from the temple are various lakes with floating icebergs and amazing legends connected to them.

Triyuginarain is a beautiful temple of Lord Vishnu. Set in the portico to the front of the temple, a fire known as "Akhand Dhuni," has been burning for thousands of years. Tradition attributes this fire to the occasion of the wedding of Lord Shiva & his consort Parvati. The view of the perennial snows from here, is fascinating.

Joshimath or Jyotirmath is the place, where the great Adi Guru Shankaracharya attained enlightenment, while meditating in a cave, which is situated under a 2400 year old mulberry tree. The original Math or monastery set by Adi Guru Shankaracharya is set amongst vast gardens and an orchard. It exudes an atmosphere of serenity, devotion and simplicity. A visit to the Math during the morning and evening worship is worth one’s while, as one can see the worship ceremony done by the monks with great devotion. An audience with the head of the monastery can be arranged, if prior notice is given.

Badrinath at 3110 Meters, is one of the 4 most holy shrines of Lord Vishnu in India. This ancient shrine is said to be the Himalayan abode of Lord Vishnu, who sits here, in deep meditation. Thousands of pilgrims visit this Himalayan region with great faith and devotion. Morning and evening worships are a real treat to watch. Behind the shrine, a delightful trek through green Himalayan meadows is Charanpaduka, a boulder bearing the footprints of Lord Vishnu. This area is full of caves, some of which are reputed to be very powerful and fruitful for the seekers of the divine, through meditation. Many yogis stay & meditate in these caves, from time to time. In the backdrop is majestic Nilkanth Peak ( 6597 Meters ), which shines like a pyramid of white crystals. This area and its sights are formidable enough to make one feel, as if there is some great divine presence here.

Jageshwar is an ancient grand temple complex, consisting of 124 temples and hundreds of statues, set amidst alpine scenery. The main temple belongs to Lord Shiva and is a Jyotirlinga or a naturally occurring black stone, representing Lord Shiva and deriving currents of power from within. These temples are held in great respect for amazingly beautiful architecture and also this temple was visited by the great Adi Guru Shankaracharya himself.