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

[AR Ardent Rambler]

Day 7, September 27 जंगल और गाँव में मंगल

We were back in time for lunch. The highlight was savory कड़ी पकौड़े। After lunch we packed our bags. We thanked and exchanged good byes with our host. Our host's father would drive us to homestay in लता village in Uttarkashi. Within an hour the sky became overcast and rains came along. We were racing against rain so that we could drive past the notorious landslide zone in Gagnani which was the point of road closure earlier. We managed to cross this point by blessings of गंगा माँ। There was another twist to our story. While driving we were informed that homestay in लता village was closed. Arun J's father was kind enough and arranged overnight stay in his own residence. His place is located in Bhelatipri गाँव 26 kilograms before Uttarkashi. On reaching his गाँव the rain became heavy. After the rain stopped we walked around the small village of 20-30 houses. On return we were leached by blood sucking creatures. Dinner was served around eight thirty; बैंगन की सब्जी was super tasty. It was getting cool and pleasant at night. My partner, Sunil D was inking his thoughts prior to retiring to bed. Our plan was to leave early morning 7:00 hours for Jolly G airport.

Memorabilia; picture with our host Arun P, his wife, best home cook and his cute son, Shivay

Walking downhill to Gangotri highway

Another capture along our drive to Bhelatipri gaon

Beautiful capture of valley from Sukhi top

View of meandering Bhagrathi river from Sukhi top

Sun setting in Bhelatipri gaon from where Arun P belongs

Colorful opposite to Arun P father’s house

Small temple in Bhelatipri gaon

This colorful was opposite to Arun P father

Walk-in’ the small lanes of this clean and peaceful village

Another Uttarakashi gaon on the opposite hill just above above Gangotri highway

 

[AR Ardent Rambler]

Day 8, September 28: होम रन, Drive along Chamba reservoir to Jolly Grant Airport:

As usual I went for my customary early walk across the village. We thanked Arun J's father and left his place 7:30 hours. We stopped at Bhatwari bus stand Uttarkashi for breakfast. Our drive continued along the scenic Tehri reservoir. It was warm with clear azure sky. We stopped for lunch after passing Chamba. We reached Jolly Grant airport around 14:30 hours.

Captures of Belapatri gaon on my customary morning walk

Good morning! Lata village

Mountain top basking in sullight

View of Gangotri highway on the opposite hill

Light hitting the top of hill above Lata village

Gangotri highway from the balcony of Arun’s house

Lata village seems like another peaceful Uttarkashi village

Lata village above with Bhagrathi river flowing graciously

Gangotri highway with a small patch of landslide

Over the Bridge

The village was clean, green and colorful

Colorful house in the village

Colorful Bhatwari village going green in post monsoon season

Road on the right going to our village

The road to our village is on the right

Girls walking to their school

Beautiful colorful house in the end of village

Colorful clothes for Uttarkashi folks

Arun P Papa’s place where we put up overnight

Arun P Papa’s house in this colorful and peaceful Garwali village

Bhatwari gaon on the other side of bridge just above the Gangotri highway

The Temple and the bridge

Bhagrathi river meandering through Uttarkashi valley

You can hear gushing sound of Bhagrathi river

Let’s catch the light. Peak glowing in early morning light

The Bridge, Broen Bron

Colorful Bhatwari village surrounded by monsoon green

River gushing through Uttarkashi ravine

Love this capture somehow; Good morning Bhela

 

[AR Ardent Rambler]

Day 8, September 28: होम रन, Drive along Chamba reservoir to Jolly Grant Airport:

Captures from drive to Jolly Grant Airport

Garwali ladies with their colorful attire walking along NH

An ashram located in the coniferous forest along NH

Devbhoomi goin’ green along with Bhagrathi river

This is one of the main suspensions bridges across Bhagrathi river connecting the villages with NH

Small colorful Garwali village on the other side of river with stepped farming

Love this small house along the river bank; reminds me of small picturesque houses shown in movies

Small colorful temple along Bhagrathi river bank. Every Garwali village has a small temple.

Yeh Wadiya Yeh Pahad Yeh Nadiya Yeh Choote Gaon

Maneri Dam Outlet creating waterfalls

Maneri Dam with water outlet creating waterfall with white mist

Another colorful Pahadi gaon along Bhagrathi river

This is one of the bigger villages along the Bhagrathi river

Thick coniferous forests of Garwali mountains

This picture has all the features of Garwali village; colorful, 40 shades of green stepped farming Devdar forest with mountains in the background

One of the many colorful bridges across Bhagrathi river

Devbhoomi moun along NH

Another bridge along the NH across Bhagrathi river

This picture is perfect depiction of our Indian NH; rustic ambience with villagers going through daily chores

Lal Bridge across this Chamba Tehri reservoir

Idilic capture along NH; a typical representation of NH in Bharat

Lal Pul across the Chamba Terri reservoir

The not so little brige across the Chamba Tehri reservoir with Garwali mountain

The Red Bron Broen

Red Bron Broen across the Chamba Tehri reservoir with Garwal mountain in the background

Chamba Tehri reservoir with Garwali mountain background

There wer very few vehicles along this Chamba bypass road

Dense Coniferous Garwal mountains and 50 shades of stepped crops reflecting on Chamba reservoir. Above that Azzure sky? What else do you want?

It was a good drive on a sunny morning along Chamba Tehri reservoir

 

[AR Ardent Rambler]

Day 8, September 28: होम रन, Drive along Chamba reservoir to Jolly Grant Airport:

Captures from drive to Jolly Grant Airport (continued):

Tehri reservoir with Garwali mountains in background

Dense coniferous forests along Gangotri highway

One of the many scenic colorful villages along the highway

Colorful houses dotted in green Garwali hills

These colorful villages add the charm to the drive along Gangotri highway

Colorful Garwali village and stepped farming with dense Devdar forests in the back

Another bridge along the Gangotri highway

Not very far from Jolly Grant airport

Yeh Meera Ghar Yeh Tera Ghar

Another biker enjoying his ride along Gangotri highway

Just sit back and enjoy the scenic views of Tehri reservoir

Calm reservoir on a beautiful September morning

The Red Bridge across the reservoir with Garwali mountains in the background

 

[AR Ardent Rambler]

This will probably be the last upload for this travelogue.

“जय गंगा माँ”

Overall we had a good time.

1. Transport and road: The roads were smooth and buttery. Yes there are rough and off roads patches especially at Landslide zone. Our Vehicle could be better. Also we could have stopped at better places for food and rest.
2. Accommodation and Food: Our accommodation could not have better. It is an alpine cottage in the midst of Devdar forest. The rooms are clean and hygienic. Bathrooms are detached as per UK tradition; however clean but could have be tilled; hot water available; earlier on struggled with squatting for natural calls. Our food was clean, organic, tasty and hygenic. We did not get “Delhi Belly”. The place around his homestay is Devdar forests with 180 views of Harsil valley.
3. Guide, homestay owner, driver and friend: He was four in one. We could not have had a better host, driver, guide, driver and friend.
4. Places we visited: Harsil is getting touristy. Bagori still has old school charm and vibes. Gartang Gali is worth a visit. Mandakini falls is also a good stop; do walk to the top; could be served better with sign and milestone posts. Gangotri has more than the temple; devotees miss out on Suraj Kund and Pandav Gufa. It could be more developed. Sattal trek is great; better care of Taals with perineal supply of water from feeding streams and glacier. The only regret we had was that we could not trek to Gaumauk glacier due to unpredictable weather condition. “Shayad abhi ganga ma ka bulawa nahi aaya hai” “शायद अभी गंगा मां का बुलावा नहीं आया है”

Thank you very much Arun Panwar jee, owner of Shivay Homestay, Dharali for making our trip worthwhile.

And big “Thank you 2U All” for your support.

Hasta la vista

 

[jeetcp]

Lots of photos. Nice clicks. Very good caputre.