Travel Route:
Delhi – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Nandprayag – Chamoli – Pipalkoti – Joshimath – Auli
Delhi – Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Karnaprayag – Nandprayag – Chamoli – Pipalkoti – Joshimath – Auli
One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.
- Henry Miller
Just the photograph below is shot by Ravi and reproduced with his permission. Thanks Ravi.
View from Auli on a clear dayAlighting at the tenth tower from the cable car from Joshimath as written in my previous post here, I almost reached Gorson, above Auli. Gorson Bugyal, at over 10000 feet above sea level, could be seen right overhead 3-4 kms away. It would have been a lovely trek up there, had it not been for the dull ache in my tummy and the fact that it was almost sunset.
Why is the atmosphere saturated with mystery?
Looking at the beauty of this place, I made up my mind to return to Auli during the skiing months of January to March to try my hand at some winter sports that would also test how strong my heart is. So far my ‘adventure and fun’ in snow has been limited to tobaggoning in Ohio, but as Auli conducts skiing courses every winter and with the facilities available, adventure lovers can quickly learn to ski down rapidly, and with the cable car of 800 m ski-lift system zip up in moments!For that moment, I had to be content with the beautiful sights the Himalayan mountains offered me. I do not have the literally skills to express the feeling of those breath-taking times during the dawn break, but I made an attempt with my poetry here. I wished to catch the the cloud-covered mountains with my camera but that was also not possible as my Cybershot was not able to capture the unfolding beauty before my eyes. I shot a few photographs and then quickly gave up so as to simply absorb in the beauty without any interruption.
Why does the path look so resplendent today? Clouds rising and falling around the mountains was wonderful to watch. The looming mountain tops looked like islands in the sea of clouds. It was captivating to watch the giant mountain peaks of Nanda Devi, Kamet, Dunagiri, Mana Parbat appearing and disappearing on the waves of clouds. The continuous changing position of the mist, the clouds and the low intensity of light gave an ethereal look to the place.
Why does it seem like the breeze is whispering to me?
One had to be there to enjoy the moments to admire and celebrate the splendor around. To me, it looked like the place had been set like a stage and ready for the artist to go ahead and paint!
What story does the whispering breeze narrate?
It was magical and, at 10000 feet above main sea level, that morning tryst with nature made me feel literally on top of the world!
Why do the flowers seem inordinately beautiful?
Recent Travel Posts:
60 comments:
hello. thanks for visting my blog. i knew you lived in kuwait,as i have visited you before. hugs.
Soulbrush,
Thank you for dropping by. As you have been interested in Kuwait photographs, thought I'd share some with you. Here they are:
http://indicainq8.wordpress.com
Cheers!
Celine is a thorough professional. Look at the effort she puts in her presentation. Her blog is a true traveller's guide. Good job Celine. There's a lot to learn from u.
Hi Celine! These pictures are stunning; I'm not so keen on walking mountains, but this trek of yours is truly exciting!
In a different mood, Blogtrotter is now at the Bardo Museum; some of the best Roman mosaics in the world! Enjoy and have a great week!
Ravi,
Haha..you made my day with those words! We all learn from each other. Thank you very much anyway. Your visits and words encourage me to do better each time.:)
GMG:
Gil, thanks for your kind words. The mountains are my favorite places to spend holidays. I shall be over for a virtual exploration of Bardo right away.;)
very beautiful photos!and place!!
have a nice week!!
Auringonkukkaperhe:
Thank you, and you too have a nice week.:)
Hi,
So nice & beautiful scenery.Perfect photos I love all of its.Thanks for commenting on my world and have a nice day.
Hello,
I must say these pictures are captivating! You definitely have a way with words and I truly enjoyed going on your "morning tryst" with you. Stunning vistas and I look forward to seeing more upon my return visit. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving your kind words.
and thanks for your congrats on being David's post of the day...but I have to show my lack of blogger knowledge here, would you share David's blog address with me! thank u.
Beautiful scenery. Wonderful photos who shows me a very different corner of the world. Very differnt from Norway, but it's very very beautiful. I just love these photos:)
Thank you for your visit on my blog and the very nice comment:)
Oh what beautiful photos.
It does indeed look like nature set the stage for an artist to paint its portrait. Your travelogue reads really well...makes me want to see the place for myself. sigh.
What a splendid trail that was!Such an out-of-the-world experience it must have been :)
Celina, How do you usually take off on this routes? are they guided? package?
Beautiful and so captivating...I just agree with all above sentiments....! Your images and the caption are so APT...!!
Some of those clouds hanging low were really dreamy !!!
Tk care ~~
Awang,
Thank you for such kind words. Have a lovely day.:)
Tina,
Hello and welcome to my blog, and I am glad you enjoyed going through this. My words in this post were simply my feelings of the place pouring forth.
I hope with the link provided, by now you have reached David's post who has applauded your talent. Do drop by and you are welcome always.:)
Pernille,
Thank you very much. To share is my pleasure.:)
Yolanda,
Thank you very much.:)
Vagabond,
Thanks a lot. I hope you get an opportunity to reach Auli.:)
Sameera,
Indeed it was. Good to have you back and congratulations again.;)
Ajeya,
I do not like package tours. Unless it's a trek lasting days, I do not need guides either. My travel is more like the backpacking style. I make a tentative itinerary and get going.:)
If you read my post prior to this, you will note I had not even made arrangements for the night stay at Auli-Gorson until just before taking the cable car to reach there!
BTR,
Thank you. You are here after a long time! I hope all's well.
I was sure you would identify with my sentiments, as you are fond of the mountains yourself.
Celine,
these are such beautiful images, I loved reading your prose, and your selection of Henry Millers words of wisdom, so true!
With great sadness have I read about the violence that has hit your country again. What a tragedy that some human beings think they can achieve a better lot in life through mayhem and murder. My thoughts are with all of you. Hugs, M.
Merisi,
It is indeed a tragedy. Even though it happened thousands of kilometres away, last night I was so saddened at the news that I could not sleep well. And to think that I have to travel to the same city in a few days!
Thank you for your kind words, concern and care. Hugs.
Your blog is a wonder to behold!
But the Himalaya mountains, well, even if I do have the literary skills, I still find them to be beyond the scope of mortal words. Perhaps if a new language were invented, one that was based around the beauty we find in the natural world, then maybe we could quantify their grandeur with accuracy.
The photographs are beautiful!
Thanks for the visit, drop by anytime.
celine,
yr post made me feel good as Ive just had a bad day so far...its good to know there is a beautiful world out there..far away from nature's fury and terrorists
You say that you didn't feel you could convey what you saw and felt, but I disagree. You did a wonderful job with your photos and commentary. Thank you for visiting my blog, I really appreciate it..
Dec 01, Monday evening do not miss conjunction of Venus- Jupiter and Moon . Observe sky in North-West Direction from 6.15-30 pm to 9.30 pm.
It's the one of the wonderful event.
Happy that you visited my blog and love your pictures. Your spirit for adventure is inspiring.
Thank you so much for your concern and good wishes.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Hi Hope you have no family or friends affected with the Mumbai events! Dangerous world...
Meanwhile Blogtrotter moved to the Blue Village, still in Tunisia! Hope you enjoy and have a great week!
Thats exactly what i like to do too...Its fun to have unexpected experiences rather than planned...So whats the pre-plan you do...I mean like if you need to go to some place, do you learn the road map...placess avaliable to stay etc? Just asking so that i can get some tips to improve my backpacking plans.:-)
Pretty unique pictures! The one of the mountain and the clouds is just magic. It looks so... mysterious. Like Lord Of The Ring Mysterious!
Are you in Mumbai these days ??? Just read one of your comment !! For work ???
I was in Mumbai a week before the tragedy struck...yikes...!! It was so upsetting and for so many days my mind was really in rage ...!!Even now I just cant fathom at this happening...!
I think looking at your soothing pics of mountains was such relief...!
Tk care ~~
Awesome pics, this one and the previous post too! The map is helpful, since I haven't really ventured further north from Hardwar/Hrishikesh. So many places to go...
Auli indeed is beautiful and before we trekked through Kuari Pass via Gurson I had trekked to Gurson before in pouring rain! Yet, I agree the place is magic.
Hi !
What you said about the camera - that was so right. Needlessly people indulge in picture taking mania while forgetting what they were at that place for! Nevertheless, your pics at 10k ft are beautiful as usual.
A lovely journey that sets the stage perfectly for a sweet event of flashback!
Best wishes, Celine !
What a feast for the eyes--those clouds, pristine flowers, dizzying heights! You capture them so well in photos and prose. Loved you poem about Auli.
Take good care -- thanks for sharing!
Eric,
Welcome, and thank you for your visit and kind words. Good to hear those wise words of another lover of nature.:)
Lakshmi,
I'm glad this post made you feel good.:)
Rambling Woods:
Thank you for the kind words. I appreciate your visit to my blog.:)
Mommy Jo:
I'm glad about your visit to my blog, and thanks for your compliments.:)
Magiceye,
I'm glad to hear from you. I hope you had a good holiday.:)
GMG:
We are all fine, thanks Gil. Your kind concern and care is truly appreciated.:)
Ajeya,
Yes, I do use road maps and carry them along too during my travels. Do feel free to email me if you have further questions and I shall be pleased to respond to you with the details.:)
Zhu,
LOTR-like mystery, yes. Magical feeling. Thanks for dropping by and enjoy your travels.:)
BTR,
Mumbai crisis is tragic. I was in Mumbai early December (less than a week after the tragedy struck) but by the 8th (the date of your comment here) I was already in a National Park in Karnataka and then proceeded to a Wildlife Sanctuary at the Kerala borders. I am glad my pictures helped you some way.
Thank you for your visit to my blog, and it's good to hear from you again.:)
Shantanu,
Thank you. Do seize an opportunity to go north of Haridwar and Rishikesh. It's so worth it.:)
Mridula,
Kuari Pass. Wow. That's one of the treks I'd like to go on someday too. Thank you for dropping by.:)
Final Transit:
Thank you Puku.:)
I did keep the camera aside also while gazing wondrously at the Taj Mahal in Agra. Guess I made a mention of it in my post on the great monument.;)
Gil,
All good news, thank you.:)
Saibal,
Thank you. It's a stage to jump to a higher level of the beauty of nature. The Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers writing to follow in due course. Best over to you too.:)
Nonizamboni,
So many compliments! Thank you very much friend. My pleasure to share.:)
Beautiful pictures.
Tabib,
Thank you very much.:)
Beautiful pictures indeed. I've been to Auli once during January - during my college days at Roorkee. It was my first experience of heavy snowfall - almost 4 feet high. The ropeway trip was amazing as well. Your post reminds of good old Roorkee days and the friends who accompanied me to Auli. Cheers!
Kalyan,
Thank you for your visit and your kind words.:)
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