When I was In Kausani - Part 2

Morning was chilly so nobody wanted to wake-up. We just wanted to spend some more time inside the quilt but after some sluggishness, I woke up and came out. Himalaya was awesome but still covered with clouds. I went for little walk inside the rest house campus. No one was seen their, except some foreigners. Well I enjoyed those moments with myself and after a short walk; I came back and ordered for coffee and breakfast. 

By that time my other friends also had been woke up. After breakfast, we made our plan for the day. We wanted to explore Kausani as much as we could in a single day. We got ready by the 11AM. Rest house manager told us that we can go to some places, like – Ansakti Ashram, Sumitra nanadan Pant Museum, which are inside the market and we also can go to Rudradhari Temple. He said – but for this temple, we will have to go by taxi and after drive, we would have to trek almost 3-4 km. we all were trekking lovers so decided that we'll go to this temple. Now It was sunny and view of Himalaya was clear. Kausani was in different mood.

When we reached market, first we went to Anskati Ashram. It was clean, calm and quite. Anskati Ashram is a place where Gnadhiji came in 1929 and wrote his Anaskti Yog. This place has well managed. Here you can find so many things about Gandhiji. One prayer hall is also here where we sat for a while. It was a nice experience for all of us. When we were returning from here, we felt very peaceful. After Anskati Ashrm we went to the Sumitranandan Pant Museum. Sumitranandan Pant was a great poet of kumaun. His Ancestral house is here which has converted in to the museum. His desk, his books and so many other things are here but the condition of this museum was very pitiable.

Some temple was also in the market and after roaming around here, we went in a shop to ask for a taxi for the Rudradhari Temple. He arranged a taxi for us and suggested to take guide along because temple was far from the road and jungle is very dense where we can easily get lost. First, we thought that he is making us fool for some extra bucks but when other people also advised the same, we decided to take a guide. After 1-2 hours taxi dropped us at trekking point, now it's trekking time. With our guide, we moved on.

 It was truly a dense pine forest. Our decision of taking guide was right and the village people were actually trying to help us. Route was very hard-hitting. Some time it was going downward and then abruptly, it was going upward. No doubt, any stranger can easily get lost here. Overall, we were enjoying this trekking. A rivulet was also there in jungle but the water level was low perhaps it would be monsoon rivulet.

 Well after this interesting 3 hours trek, we were at the Rudradhari Temple. We saw a huge waterfall there. May the water would be coming from the same rivulet, which we saw in jungle. We were little exhausted so could not stop ourselves from going inside the pond in front of waterfall. We were trying to go deep in this pond but our guide stopped us. He said – it's very deep there so don’t go there…could be dangerous. We turned back, set on the bank of waterfall and our feet were inside the water.

 After some relaxation, we went inside the temple. It was Shiva temple and one Shrine was also there but guide could not tell us much about the temple. He only said – one baba ji lives here but that time he was not there. When we were returning, I saw women carrying grass bundle on their head. It was something, which always makes me feel very sad. I suddenly said – Our villages are still alive because of these hard working women, Real example of Nari Shashaktikaran. Guide said - Yes, you are right. Men do not do anything. They play cards and drink, which has become a biggest problem now and those who are little literate they are migrating in big cities for work. Only women, kids and old people left in village and women have to take all responsibilities of their house and agriculture. We realize, our guide is a nice and emotional fellow. He sang a folk song and no doubt, his voice was very sweet.

When we were on the road, we decided to go further on the road, which was going into the village. When we were on the way one cow came in front of our car and got scared. She started running frantically here and there. We thought cow could fall down so we back. We spent a beautiful day and exploring day but now time to take food. We went in a hotel… had rice and dal and then walked back to rest house. This time again, we had tea in a same restaurant. Though, we explored a lot but get exhausted also. Evening time we took a small walk to the restaurant, had tea and back. After dinner, we went into the bed.

Next morning we had to back. We wanted to stay there for some more days but time was a big problem. May be one day we will go there again to spend some more time…

End…

When I was in Kausani - Part 1

I had this journey in 2006. Me and my friends planned this trip in a hurry. Actually, we had two days off so we decided to go some suitable and beautiful destination and then we thought about Kausani. After our final planning, we booked K.M.V.N. rest house for our stay. Kausani is situated in the Bageshwar of the Uttarakhand State. The altitude of Kausani is about 1890mts. From Kausani many Himalayan Peaks like Trishul, Nanda Devi and Panchahuli can bee seen easily. Mahatma Gandhi called this place the ‘Switzerland of India’.

Month was perhaps October or November. Eerily morning 6.30 we set off for the Kausani. By all good luck, we found direct bus for Kausani. We took tickets and start chattering. After a while bus moved to Bhowali, a town with a small market. Around 25-30 minutes, we were at Bhowali and From Bhowali, we set off to the Almora. This route was well known for me. This road goes along with a Kosi river. We crossed Garampani, and after Garampani  another small town, Kanchi Ashram, Kakrighat and Somvargiri Maharaj Ashram. Water level of Kosi was very low. In fact, it was almost dry. Around 10.00 A.M. we were at Almora.

From here, we start our journey for Kausani. This route was utterly new for all of us. So many small and beautiful villages were on this route. I forgot the name of those villages now but the whole valley was very stunning. I was gazing out and imagining that everything was moving with us. New villages were appearing one after one. On this route, we crossed the Someshwer Valley, which is beautiful and historical place.

Slowly - slowly bus was moving forward and stopping to drop and pickup the passengers only. On the whole journey, bus stopped only one place for tea and breakfast. Weather was pleasant. It was not very hot, not very cold. After 15 minutes rest, bus starts for next destination, which was Kausani.

Around 12.00 noon, bus dropped us at small market of Kausani. We went in a shop and asked for K.M.V.N. rest house. Shopkeeper told, only taxi goes there and will charge 50 bucks. We took a taxi and set off for the rest house. After 20-25 minutes, we were at rest house. We already had our booking so after some formalities, we entered in room. In front of our room, the mesmerizing view of Himalaya was seeking our attention, though, it was covered in clouds. We called for a coffee and had it with the majestic view of Himalaya. Those moments were magical and after those magical moments, time to pamper our hunger so we ordered for lunch. After lunch, we lie down and decided to go for a walk at evening.

At the evening around 4.30 we went for a walk. Scenario of Kausani was change this time and was looking spectacular. Manager told us – we cannot go elsewhere this time except market because all places would have closed by this time. So we took walk to the market. Manager alerts us and said – don’t go anywhere else coz its evening and soon it will get dark, which can be dangerous for us.

When we were walking, we met with many foreigners. Their behavior showing, that they knows everything about the place. Weather was slightly cold but not chilled so it was enjoyable. When we were walking, we found that rest house was only 2 km. walk from market, which is good walking distance. It was sunset and market of Kausani had closed. Only few shops were open but not for people like us. Only for those who love to have some drink… So we thought it would be good to get back. When we were returning we saw a small PAHARI dhaba. Restaurant was good means no one was drinking there so we went in and asked for a tea. Restaurant guy said, he would make a ginger tea for us. We came out and set in verandah where wood fire was burning. It was marvelous experience to sit in front of wood fire coz in cites this luxury is unaffordable. Same time some village people came to us. They wanted to know about us. We said - We are also Pahari. They said – Now mostly Bangali come here. I asked – but we saw many foreigners here. They said – actually, they are foreigners but now turn into Pahari. Many of them have settled here and completely adopted our culture. They can speak Hindi and our regional language Kumauni with full command.

We were indulge in our discussion meanwhile restaurant wala brought us tea. We took a sip and our reactions were like woooow… Tea was yummy and same time we decided, we would take tea here only. After finishing tea, we said goodbye to those guys and back to rest house. It had been extremely dark by this time. All of a sudden, I saw the sky and it was astonishing. Clear blue sky was dazzling with stars, which were looking like small diamonds. We didn’t wanna miss that chance so for few moments we just stood there, looking at the nature's spectacle. Now a days this sort of sky can be seen only in villages because cities are so polluted that it's next to impossible to see bright and clear blue sky. We were so deeply engrossed with it and forgot that we have to go back to rest house. After a long time we realized that, we have to move now. We were in our mood and don’t know when we took a wrong turn. Suddenly we realized that we are going inside the jungle. It was deep silence there and no people were to be seen anywhere. We couldn’t understand from where we took a wrong path. No one was there whom we asked for a right path and we don’t have our mobiles with us so we cannot call to rest house and asked for the right path. That time we were really terrified. After a while, we decided that we'll go back to the same route and there we can ask for rest house. It was very hushed. Eventually, we were at main road. Now we realized our mistake. Actually, what happened, the rode was divided there and we couldn’t see the main road and went in wrong way, which was going into the jungle. Well we were stress-free when we find a right way. After a 10 minutes' walk we were at our rest house.

At night, it was lonely. We took our dinner in our room and after a short talk; we went to sleep in nature lap…

Continue…

Pictures From My Haridwar Trip

Some more pictures from my Haridwar Trip...

When I Was In Haridwar - Part 4

At evening, we moved market little early so that we could stroll at the market and roam around some other Ghat as well. When we headed to market, we stopped in Thandais' (Cold Drink) shop. Though we were watching those shops since first day but as we thought, these shops would be Bhang shops (homemade charas kind of stuff) so we avoided them but today someone told that this Thandai is like herbal cold drink, which can be drink without any tension so we entered in Thandai shop. Method of making this Thandai was absolutely traditional. Shopkeeper collected all the herbs in a stone bowl, and messed them with long cylindrical wood. On the top of this cylindrical wood one rattle kind of stuff was hanging. When he was mixing all the herbs with wood, rattle was making attractive sound. It was new thing and full of flavor too. 

After this appetizing drink, time for moved to market, which was polluting with all kind of noise, fume, dust etc... In one shop, where household paraphernalia were selling, I saw plastic made Nimbu Mircha (it made by natural Nimbu mircha and says, it stops bad thing to enter inside house) to hang on the door. I asked to the shopkeeper – are people buy them ? He said – these are highly saleable coz in today's busy life no one have such a time to change real Nimbu Mircha every day. I was stunned to see that in this modern age all these mambo- jumbo has also commercialized and people are becoming more and more superstitious.  Well I did not need this but I could not stop myself to take picture.

Now almost old architect Dharmshala (Inn) has been converted into modern style hotels but few old architect Dharamshala can be seen somewhere, which looks like ghost house more than guest house. From here, we went to Birla Ghat. Ghat was not messy like Her-ki-Pouri. People were sitting in the bank of Ghat and staring Ganga. Here also many small and big temples are located. After sitting for some time, we went to other end of Ghat. It is my very strong faith about Haridwar that no one could die with hunger here coz people has searched many work to survive like cleaning the ears, selling garlands, flower, cotton, plastic sheets to sit, shaving people in open and collecting sand, stone and coins from Ganga etc etc... I saw some kids were collecting coconut from river, which floated in Ganga by the devotees. I think, In India, financial problems couldn't effect easily because people have many self-employment options.

We were moving towards Her-Ki-Pauri through different Ghat. One of them was Gau Ghat (Cow) and below the name of this Ghat, one elephant statue was there which was quite funny. Well we reached Her-Ki-Pouri where devotees were collecting for Arti.  Today again, we searched a good place for Arti. Scenario of Ganga has utterly changed and floating diyas were increasing this hundred times. After Arti we went to market had dinner in same restaurant and back to hotel.

Next morning we decided to go to Kankhal. We called the same taxi driver who came with us to Rishikesh. Myth about Kankhal is that Raja Daksh organized yagya and called every god and goddess but he did not call his sun-in-low Shiva. Sati, daughter of raja Daksha and wife of Shiva, couldn't tolerate disrespect of her husband and jumped on this Yagya vedi (altar) to committed suicide. After this, Shiva holds her body and start Tandav Nartya (dance with deep anger). It says, the places where her body parts fall down become Shaktipeeth, most sacred places for Hindu.  Temples of Kankhal was very huge. Outside the temple, one graveyard situated, but I couldn’t get any knowledge about this. From here, we went to Anand Mai temple, which is in short distance from temple, here one can get real peace. When we were turning to Haridwar, we saw one more temple called Pardeshwar Mahadev's temple. We entered the temple. Temple was good but the special thing I saw here was Rudraksh tree, which I was watching first time. In the surrounding of this tree, I saw many big and small size Shivlings.

When we came out from here, my friend saw Nankhatai wala (sort of biscuits) and shouted like a child – Naaaankhatai walaaaaa. Nowadays it has almost vanished. In my childhood, I used to eat them very often. After that, we bought some Nankhatai. I tasted first time and it was simply delicious. 

Now again it was mid-day and heat was on top. Though, first we thought to go to Manasa Devi Temple but because of heat strokes we canceled this idea. At evening, we went Her-Ki-Pouri to attended Arti for the final time.  We wander in Ghat, floated diya and then back to Hotel…Next morning we have to start our back journey to Nainital.

Next day we went Her-Ki-Pauri at morning. Ghat cramped badly because of Amawasya. Sun was rising just opposite from Her-Ki-Pouri, and the whole river was bathing with golden rays. Devotees were taking holy dip in Ganga and trying to wash off their sin. We paid our final reverence to the great river and back to bust stand to catch the bus for Nainital…

End

When I was in Haridwar – Part 3

Today again, we woke-up by the same mantras and devotional music. Today we decided to go for Rishikesh. The Yoga Capital of the world. We went to taxi stand. All Taxi guys were charging heavy amount so we thought to go by other transport but meanwhile we searched an old taxi guy with nominal price. We hired him and kicked-off for Rishikesh. Rishikesh is 2-3 hours journey from Haridwar. Road was pretty good and driver himself was a nice fellow who seems bit unhappy with the politicians. He said – Sir !!! If our politicians would become good, our state will be automatically good state. All these mismanagement you are looking is just because of politicians. Nobody is here who have time to listen our problems. Actually, He was right so we were moving our head into yes.

We reached Raishikesh with his non-stop chating.  He dropped us bit far from Laxman Jhoola and said – I cannot go ahead. You can roam around then back to Ram Jhoola where I will pick you up, and then he moved. After a short walk Laxman Jhoola, iron suspension bridge constructed in 1939, was in front of my eyes. Yet again, many childhood memories knocked my mind. Laxman Jhoola was the place where I did lots fun in my childhood but now the bridge was not busy like those days because one more bridge called Ram Jhoola has constructed. Only few foreigners and sadhus (Hermits) were strolling there. Though the Ganga was cover up with the layer of fog but still the scenario of Ganga was very spectacular from here. Huge Daksheshwar Temple was also shining below the bridge. We stood there and enjoyed cold breeze, which calmed us from sweltering heat. When I used to come here in my childhood, bridge swung little fast but now it was not swinging like those days. After strolling on bridge, we decided to go to Geeta Ashram, which is near to Ram Jhoola.

When we were moving to Geeta Ashram, we saw Dhaba so thought to have breakfast. There we met with some local guys. We ordered for smaosa and chai.  One guy ask - where from you are ?  I said – We too belong to Uttarakhand. Don’t know what happened to him, he directly said with angriness – uuuhh Uttarakhand. We were happy in Uttar Pradesh. In Uttarakhand, we don’t have employment but Politicians’ Red Light Cars are increasing which runs all the time with irritating siren. God knows what they do but our problems are still there and can you imagine in interior areas, tradition of liquor is escalating day by day. Meanwhile Dhaba wala brought us tea and samosa. We had our breakfast with those local guys and moved to Geeta Ashram. Though taxi services were also available in seat sharing basis but as it was only 2 km. so we preferred walk.

Here I found many foreigners behaving like Indian sadhus. They came here in search of peace and inner pleasure, which at least I could not found anywhere. It was morning and people were busy in doing their daily work like yoga in the bank of Ganga, Some were taking holy dip in Ganga. Baggers and painted sadhus were asking for money. Some national-international devotees were out of this world. They don’t need anything; some of them were smoking as we came to know is Ganja. On this road many Ashrams can be seen, where devotees, many of them are foreigners, goes to seek out peace and learn yoga, Meditation.  After half an hour, we were at Swargashram, just before Geeta Ashram. Bengali, tourists were strolling inside and were busy taking pictures.

From Swargashram we moved to Geeta Ashram. Here again Sadhus, most of them were foreigners, were busy with smoking as far as I concern was Ganja. Well we went inside for a while and then back. Ram Jhoola was just in front of Geeta Ashram, which was engaged with lots activities. Well we spend some time here and then took a narrow path, where many huge and small temples had situated. One more thing, which again seeks my attention, was dirt. Between those small and big temples lots restaurants and other shops were also available. I saw Chotiwal restaurant, Haridwar's famous restaurant, once they used serve food in dry leaves plate (Pattal) but now it has changed so I had no craze for this restaurant like that time I had but the statue of Chotiwala, who were carrying BHOJANTHAAL (Plate of food), was very interesting.  When we were striding along with Ganga Ghat, one White stone Shiva statue attracted me a lot.

In Rishikesh, Ganga seems in a different mood. Here Ganga was more calm and more wider then Haridwar. It was good experience to see Ganga in this mood. Some water games were also going on there. We wandered in Ghat for a while and then back to other end of Ram Jhoola, where our taxi driver was waiting for us. By that time temperature became hot and heat strokes were very fast. On the way to Haridwar, our driver told us about Jain temple. Though, temple was new but the architect of temple was quite attractive and elegant. When we entered in the temple, a lady, who wore a Jain dress, told us in a very loving way – don’t take pictures inside but you can take pictures outside. We strolled and after taking some pictures, we came back.

After half an hour later, we were at Haridwar taxi stand. We asked driver for good restaurant. He told us one restaurant, which was neat and clean with some wood benches and tables. We ordered for lunch and within 20 mints, we were delighting by simple and tasty food.  Same time we decided that we will come here for dinner again.

After lunch, we moved to hotel through the market. This market was sweet market and shops stuffed with many fresh and mouth-watering sweets. One shop attracted me a lot because of the bell he hung in front of his shop. He was pulling it and saying – Aaiye Prabhu ! Seva Ka Avasr Dijiye. (God ! Please come, give me a chance for service). We thought, if somebody is calling then we must go and give him chance to serve us…so we entered the shop and ordered one plate Gulab Jamun.  He brought Gulab Jmun in dona (dry leaves bowl). Gulab Jamun was damn yummy but I was impressed by the way he served Gulab Jamun. At least something is still alive somewhere. On this note, we ordered one more plate of Gulab Jamun. In roasting heat we had only one option to back to hotel. So we turned to our room through this long delicious market…

Continue…

When I Was In Haridwar - Part 2

After little rest, we set-off for the Har-Ki Pauri for Arti Ceremony. Har Ki Pauri means Steps for Lord Shiva. Every evening Pandas (priests) of Haridwar performs Ganga Arti at the Ghat, bank of river Ganga, to welcome this holy river into the plain of India. Watching this spectacular ceremony can be a lifetime experience for anybody. Well Arti time was 7 P.M. so we were strolling on the Ghat. These Ghats were not new place for me… after 12 years back I was again here but now the things has been changed… Ghats had reconstructed and some more bridges have taken place on the river…

Ghat was bustling with lots activities. Devotees were gathering at the Ghat for Arti ceremony. Other sorts of activities were also taking place there. Hawkers were buzy to sell their stuff like flowers, Plastic sheets, Diya (wick Lamp), Sindur (Red Colour) and so many other things, which could use for Arti... Men who were in blue dress were roaming around to collect money, which used for the Arti ceremony. Baggers and sadhus (hermits) were also asking for money from the devotees…

We crossed Ghat through the bridge and went to the opposite site of Har-Ki-Pauri to see the complete view of Arti…Arti was about to start and everybody got buzy to search a good place. We also searched place for us. Eventually ceremony starts. Devotional song was blearing on speaker and pandas were swinging huge lamps around Ganga… Everybody was enjoying the ceremony and suddenly people stood by their place and we couldn’t see anything…now we were just listing but the atmosphere was utterly devotional that time.

After Arti we strolled in Ghat for a while and then set on the stairs of Ghat, our feet dipped in glacial water of Ganga. We almost spent one hour with great relaxation. Though it was peak of summer but the breeze coming through the Ganga was making it very pleasant. This time Ghat was still bursting with of lots of activity. Everyone was busy with their jobs.  Then we moved to market, which was near to Ghat. We found a restaurant and had dinner. We were badly exhausted so back to hotel and slept soon…

Next Morning we woke-up by the mantras and devotional music, which were blaring into Market in praise of Ganga. I think these songs go on 24x7. I still remember some of them – Ganga tera pani amrit….Mano to mai ganga ma hu, na mano to bahta pani…Ganga maiya mai jub tak ke pani rahe, mere sajana teri zindgani rahe etc etc…

 Today we start our day from Kusha Gaht, which was another Ghat near to Har ki Pauri. When we reached there so many pandas (priest) came to us for puja (worship). They were fighting with each other for us coz everybody wants us to go with them, though we were not interested in any sort of puja (worship) but we found one young and good panda so we performed a short puja. Kusha Ghat was engage with lots of Hindu activity like Mundan, Janeu Sanskar, Shradha, Pind Daan etc. etc… Many cows were roaming around and people were giving them food. Pandas were also roaming around to find Jajman (client). By the time we finished roaming around Kush Ghat, it was 2 O'clock. Temperature was very high and heat strokes were very fast. We decided to have lunch and back to hotel.

Evening time, we went to market. Market was jam packed with all sort of national-international devotees. Shops were decorated with many sort of colourful stuff like Rudraksha, Shankha, Vibhuti, Packet of Prasaad, many type of necklaces, wrist bands, audio-video cassatas, stones, coins and the pictures and statues of Gods. Almost every shopkeeper was selling the plastic cans to filled holy water of Ganga. Next year in 2010 Kumbha mela will be held in Haridwar. So the preparations were going on and roads were getting more and more dusty. Many sorts of vehicle like car, bike, scooter, cycle, rickshaw, bulk cart along with cows and buffalos were on the road and the ocean of people were making their way from all these, but no one seemed bothered about it. Otherwise, pedestrians have to be careful about the vehicles all the time.   

Well today, we decided to go inside the Har ki Pauri campus, main Ghat of Ganga, which made by King Vikrmaditya. This is the most sacred place of Ganga, where Amrit (Nectar) fall down. My plan was to float a diya (floating wick lamp) to pay my reverence to holy river Ganga so I went for a street hawker.

 I asked him prize.

He said – 30 bucks for middle size diya and 50 to 100 bucks for bigger size diya.

When I moved for another hawker, he shouted form behind - how much you will pay for this middle size diya ?

I said – 20 bucks only. He said – ok, take it.

Moral of the story is that you have full scope for haggling.  These Diya comes with 2 incense sticks, one small diya to lit and different flower petals. These things are intact into a dona (made by dry leaves).

Before we entered in the Har ki Pauri, we took off our shoes in shoes keeping room. They kept our shoes and gave us a token. When we reached inside campus, many devotees were taking holy bath in the holy river. When I was going to float my Diya in to Holy River, one panda came to me and said – first you have to complete this puja otherwise your wishes would never come true. Other panda said - first you perform a puja for diya only then u can float the diya into Ganga. We were disappointed by this but I ignored everything and lit my diya. I was about to float, one panda said from behind – direction of your diya is in wrong side.  I replied - Pandit ji !!! Man Cahnga To Kathoti Mai Ganga.(if your soul and your intention is pure then nothing can be wrong).  Ultimately, god sees your intension not direction of Diya and I floated Diya into Ganga, which was flowing nicely. When we turned, one Panda said – if everybody will talk like you then how will we survive and feed our family ? I liked his honesty so gave him Dakshina (donation) and made my way to temples. There again pandas were trying to make us fool for some bucks only, which was very heart breaking so we back from there as soon as possible.

After this, we again went to opposite site of har-ki-Pauri for Arti. This time we searched a good place in height to see a perfect view of Arti. Today, again people stood up from their seat when Arti starts. I saw a foreigner couple, who were struggling to see Arti but they were not able to see. I thought don’t know where from they came here for this occasion, so I served the tradition of Atithi Devo Bhav (Guest is God)and gave them my place to see Arti. After Arti we strolled in ghat for long time, which is one of my very favorite thing to do in Haridwar at evening.

After roaming around Ghat, we moved to market, searched a restaurant for dinner, and then back to hotel. Though we couldn’t do much today but it was a tiring day so soon we slept.

Continue…

When I was in Haridwar – Part one

I made this journey with one of my old young friend in 22^nd-25^th April 2009. Haridwar is a pilgrimage city in the Haridwar district of Uttarakhand, India. Haridwar is a religious holy place for Hindu. It says that single dip in the holy water of river Ganga can wash off all the sins but my intention to go there was not religious. I only wanted to see the place once more. In my childhood, I used to go there regularly, which had broken after some time. Now I planned for Haridwar again and discussed with my friend to come with me. When he gave his confirmation, I booked tickets from Nainital. We started our journey in morning 6 A.M… Though he had suggested to go by night bus because of boiling heat but as I don’t prefer night journey so despite all the problems I decided to go by morning bus. In morning, you can see many things, places, people that added extra entertainment in the journey.

Bus was on time and set off for Haldwani, big commercial and industrial city. Now the temperature was little hot but tolerable.  New passengers entered in the bus from here, which made the atmosphere full of activity. After some time everybody was settled in their seats and again it was peaceful.  When the bus was moving forward, I start thinking about my childhood. Lot of memories was crossing through my mind. Those days everything was mysterious for me and I used to ask everything to my Mom. I asked about the dense forest, about huge paddy fields, about the heron, a bird which could see in riverbanks, about the hawkers, who always came inside the bus to sell something etc etc. Now the things have changed… dense forests were not that much dense but crowd, pollution, dirt, vehicle, noise everything is increasing which was horrible… Well bus was moving forward and I lost in my thoughts…

 In one station bus stopped for a while and somebody knocked me from behind and said - Excuse me madam … I was still me in my thoughts so looked behind with wonder. One hawker was trying to sell me his ointment for headache. When I said no to him he explained me thousand qualities of his 10 rupees product as if it is something more than life savior. Well I appreciated his art but was not interested to buy so after some more explanations; he went off to other customer. I thought atleast he gave me reason to get happy, coz one thing is still there which was same but customers have definitely changed. They are more aware and smarter now… Bus start again and I again got buzy to gaze out. Scenarios were changing everytime.  Paddy fields and green forests were something, which was soothing eyes finely, but when we were crossing small towns, big cities, buzy markets dirt and pollution was disappointing …

Now the temperature heated up and bus became like sauna. Bus stopped at Dhaba (Small Restaurant) for lunch. We came out and went into dhaba but couldn’t get anything so decided to take only biscuits. Temperature was very high and I was sweating badly so turned into the bus. Water was boiling into sack but we had no other choice that time…after half an hour bus start and now we met with our first traffic jam… two trucks had stuck badly and blocked all the traffic… Almost after half an hour struggle, traffic could start again…

Around 2.30 P.M. We reached Haridwar. My friend told me to go to Shantikunj where we can get Dharamshala to stay. Though, I was not interested to go their but he had been hired a Rickshaw so we moved to Shantikunj… One the way I told him - Shantikunj is very far from here and we can find a good hotel near Haridwar Market. He realized his mistake and turned rickshaw to Haridwar… Well meanwhile, we saw some part of Haridwar…

1 hour later, we were at Har ki Pairi… From here, we took turn into market for Hotel and after some search-research we found a good budget hotel which was near to Har ki Pairi as well. By the time we entered in to the room, it was almost 4 P.M. After freshen up we ordered for lunch, which was not at all a good food… We were badly exhausted so decide to take some rest first and then will go to Har ki pairi for Arti…

To be continued…