Dharali Devbhoomi, Heavenly abode of Devdar forest धराली देवभूमि, देवदार वृक्षों का स्वर्गीय निवास

[AR Ardent Rambler]

I hope you all had an awesome Diwali after the fireworks in Melbourne.

Day 4, September 24: Bridges, Bron Broen Gartang Gali, Bhairav Mandir

We woke up with light rains and overcast sky. Weather gods refused to smile. I did go for my customary morning walk along the forest trail. After a refreshing bath and delicious breakfast we started our downhill walk to Gangotri highway. Halfway down one of the apple orchard were harvesting their crop.

First set of captures; morning walk

The first capture of the day with snowy peaks

Cloud covering Harsil valley below

Harsil amidst clouds

Walk along the forest trail

Love the smell of air on an early monsoon morning

Trail was damp and slippery from the ongoing rain

Panoramic mountain views along the trail

This is a good spot to get lovely captures of mountains around the cottage

Panoramic monsoon mountain with Rajma plantation in the foreground

Love this dreamy droopy monsoon vibes

Enjoying the monsoon vibes

You cannot enough of these dreamy monsoon mountain captures

Rajma crop in the forest clearing

Walking back to our alpine cottage

Mukhba gaon on the opposite hill under the monsoon spell

Mysterious Mukhba amidst the clouds

Cool weather with temperature around 13 degree Celsius

 

[AR Ardent Rambler]

Day 4, September 24: Bridges, Bron Broen Gartang Gali, Bhairav Mandir

Second set of captures on walking downhill:

Another capture of monsoon vibes

Along the trail of young Devdar trees

Sunil D enjoying the downhill walk at his own pace

Bhagrathi river meandering down below

Arun P greeting one of the apple harvesting friend and worker

Apple harvesting in one the orchards halfway along our downhill walk

Their harvest is mostly the Royal black species

 

[AR Ardent Rambler]

Day 4, September 24: Bridges, Bron Broen Gartang Gali, Bhairav Mandir

Arun Jee drove us to our next adventure, Gartang Gali. It is 12 kilometers drive from Dharali. The drive is picturesque. We passed over Zangla bridge and planned to make a stopover on return leg. We finally reached reached Gartang Gali after crossing iconic Lanka Bridge. The entrance for Gartanggali trek is on the left side of road towards Gangotri Mandir.
The entrance ticket is Rs. 150 and Rs. 600 for Indians and foreigners respectively. We did not encounter more the ten folks on this Indo-Tibetian trade trail. The track is carved out from rock with overhanging edges; it is picturesque, well laid and maintained by forest department. The highlight is the last 400 meters which is a man made overhanging bridge made entirely of Devdar wood. Throughout the trail you get mesmersing views of the overhanging cliffs of Nelong Valley on the opposite side and Jad Ganga River flowing alongside down under. We did meet horticulture scientists on our way back. Also Arun J introduced us to green fragrant leaves called Kedar Patti. We clicked a few pictures over Lanka Bridge, the highest in Asia.

Sunil D @ the entrance for Gartang Gali, Gangotri National park

Start of this ancient 150 year old trail with Arun P and Sunil D heading the pack

This trail is architectural masterpiece by cutting the granite of vertical rock face.

This route was traditionally used by merchants trading between India and Tibet

This route was traditionally used by merchants trading between India and Tibet

It was damaged over the years and closed after Indo China war.

It was recently opened after 59 years.

Start of the wooden staircase. It is perched at 3352 meters with Jagh Ganga river gushing down under

It is hanging from rocky ledge overlooking Nelong valley on the opposite side

The highlight is 146 meters long and 1.8 meters wide wood lined stairways

It is built at the height of over 11000 thousand feet.

It was built at a cost of 65 lake rupees.

It passes through dense deodar and mail forest and cut through rocky cliffs

Our guide leading the way through overhanging rocky ledges

Sunil D at his own pace

Blue Jagh Ganga stream along our rocky trail

Arun P waiting for old men like Us

The total trail with return leg is around 4.5 to 5.0 kilometers.

Architectural marvel from cutting Rocky Mountain

It is an easy trek with picturesque views of Nelong valley and milky Jadh Ganga

End of the Gartang Gali trail

Staircase to Heaven

Start of Gartang Gali trail

Dhanayad for all your “Likes”

View of Lanka bridge from Gartang Gali trail with horticulture scientist

Lanka Brige

Iconic Lanka Bridge over Milky Jadh Ganga streaming connecting nelong valley

Lanka bridge, Asia’s highest bridge over meandering blue Jadh Ganga stream

Lanka bridge, Asia’s highest bridge

Direct view of deep ravine of Jad Ganga river from a gap in the Lanka river

View of Nelong valley with milky Jad Ganga river from Lanka brigde

View of Nelong valley with milky Jad Ganga river from Lanka brigde

View of Nelong valley with milky Jad Ganga river from Lanka brigde

View of Nelong valley with milky Jad Ganga river from Lanka brigde

View of Nelong valley with milky Jad Ganga river from Lanka brigde

View of older and smaller bridge across Jad Ganga bridge from Lanka bridge

View of older and smaller bridge across Jad Ganga bridge from Lanka bridge

View of Nelong valley with Jad Ganga river from Lanka brigde

View of older and smaller bridge across Jad Ganga bridge from Lanka bridge

 

[AR Ardent Rambler]

Day 4, September 24: Bridges, Bron Broen Gartang Gali, Bhairav Mandir

Our next stop was भैरव घाटी मंदिर। There were quite a few devotees visiting the temple as a couple of tourister van making their way. It was lunchtime and we walked to one of the local restaurants. They served ढाबा स्टाइल थाली which consisted of tasty डाल, राजमा mixed with मसूर की दाल and कद्दू की सब्जी topped with तंदूरी रोटी। The food actually good. We left for Zangla Bridge. Here you get beautiful views of भागीरथी river. Then we stopped at a view point on the highway for best views of Harsil valley with green colored भागीरथी water. We stopped for a cup of delicious tea at Mandakini camp tea. It was around 16:00 hours and time to return to our abode on Dharali hill. It took us an hour of uphill walk to our homestay. Tonight was colder than yesterday. Sadly we were not going to have Bonfire tonight as Arun J had pending domestic chores. Tomorrow was our big day for holy trail to गौमुख and Tapovan for 3 days and 2 nights. Our dinner tonight was yummy पीली डाल and सोयाबीन आलू सब्ज़ी served with rice and रोटी. We topped it up with homemade गुड़।

Main shrine of Bhairav Nath Temple

There were more people today here signalling the opening of Gangotri highway yesterday

Love the colorful attire of our devotees

In Devbhoomi our devotees are colorful in choosing attire but very soft soft spoken in real life

A group of devotees paying their homage to Bholenathjee

Entrance to Prachin Bhairav Mandir

Bhairav is considered a form of Shiva, who guards a Shakti Peeth against the attacks of enemies and that is why one can find Bhairav temples constructed nearby all Shakthi Peeths

 

[AR Ardent Rambler]

Day 4, September 24: Bridges, Bron Broen Gartang Gali, Bhairav Mandir (continued)

A few captures of Harsil valley from Jangla bridge, viewpoint wnddrive on return leg to Dharali

Milky Bhagrathi river meandering through Harsil valley

Our homestay in the the second last hill on the left of the background

Ek Toh B & W Banta Hai

The view of Harsil valley from Gangotri side

View of the Nelong valley on the opposite side of Gangotri highway

It is a close up view of Nelong valley

Love the meandering delta formed by Bhagrathi river open its journey through the Harsil valley

Harsil valley with milky Bhagrathi river loos gorgeous from this viewpoint

Deep ravine of Nelong valley

 

[Gaurav Chopra]

Someday -oneday, i am gonna go this route-pray it comes soon.
Fantastic sharing @AR Ardent Rambler

 

[AR Ardent Rambler]

Someday -oneday, i am gonna go this route-pray it comes soon.
Fantastic sharing @AR Ardent Rambler

Gangotri highway is smooth and good for most of its course. There are a few patches of rough which need work. There is a landslide prone zone near Gagnani. You will enjoy riding your bike. I would recommend you to take the Tehri reservoir bypass road from Rishikesh; it is shorter, very scenic and picturesque along with reservoir.

 

[AR Ardent Rambler]

Someday -oneday, i am gonna go this route-pray it comes soon.
Fantastic sharing @AR Ardent Rambler

Thank you very much.

 

[AR Ardent Rambler]

Day 5, September 25, 2022: Holy trail from Gangotri: Gangotri Gaumauk Tapovan trek
Pandava trail

We had waiting for big Day “Gaumauk Tapovan trek. I did not sleep well last night. Rain was pouring all night and continued in the morning. We were an hour late from our scheduled start. We drove from Dharali to Gangotri. The highway was empty due to road closure in Gagnani. The drive was smooth and picturesque with exception of patches littered with rocks and stones in landslide zone. We reached Gangotri in 20 minutes. It was still drizzling.The numbers of devotees were scant due to road closure. Arun J broke the bad news to us that गंगोत्री national park was on red alert and closed since yesterday and it will remain so for the next two days. So NO गौमुख and Tapovan trek . I could not hide my disappointment and Arun J noted it. We walked down to घाट before paying our respect to गंगा माँ at गंगोत्री मंदिर। There was no queue for दर्शन। We took our time to click a few pictures. Then we proceeded to सूरज कुंड। I would describe it as devine green waters roaring down from heaven along the orange cliffs making a huge cloud down under.

First set of captures: Walk downhill to Gangotri highway and drive to Gangotri:

Our Nashta with Kalle Chole

He was watching our back and leading us during the entire stay on this rain morning

Our homestay kitchen with Arun J wife, Master chef, his father and his uncle

Something delicious is been cooked in our kitchen

Sunil D walking downhill will light rain pouring. My rain poncho was my last buy and most used during our trip

Harsil valley amidst clouds with majestic Bhagrathi river down below

Monsoon vibes continue in Harsil valley

Wet and slippery trail downhill

The place from where we started our drive to Gangotri

Drive along Jangla bridge

Harsil valley from Jangla bridge

It was still raining during our d I’ve to Gangotri. Loved this capture with this person walking in the rain.

:

 

[AR Ardent Rambler]

Day 5, September 25, 2022: Holy trail from Gangotri: Gangotri Gaumauk Tapovan trek
Pandava trail

Second set of pictures: Walk towards the Gangotri Mandir and Ghat
Shops along the narrow road to Mandir selling containers for Gangajal

Gangotri temple is located amidst mighty mountains

Shops selling Puja Samagiri

Note they were very few locals as devotees could not reach Gangotri due to road closure at Gagnani

Shop keepers talking amongst themselves; no devotees to buy their merchandise

Arun J leading the way to Ma Ganga Mandir

Sunil D walking towards the temple. I was told that this place is usually very crowded

Few Purohits are seen close to the main temple

A few local devotees overlooking the ghat

Devotee offering prayer to Ganga Ma. “Shubh Mangal Hoga”

Purohit meditating @ Ganga Ghat

Purohit performing prayer the devotee. “Sab Acha ahi Hoga”

Sunil D walking towards the Ghat

Ashrams and guest houses on the other side of Bhagrathi river

View of the Ganga Ghat from another perspective

Small eye catching temple on theother side of Bhagrathi river

Family performing puja ritual

Ashrams located on the other side of Bhagrathi river with the background of Himalayan mountains

Pujari performing puja ritual

Purohit performing the prayer ritual. ”Sab Shubh Mangal Hoga”

Ganga ghat location in picturesque among Himalayan mountains

Today we could park very close to Mandir premises as very few devotees could make it here