sayonee
Active Member
I am back to this forum probably after 2 years! I definitely kept reading the posts but in terms of contributing, i have been a defaulter 
So, let me try and make up for that with stories from my latest trek to this amazing world.
Shrikhand Mahadev...a journey of whatnot! of rain and cloud soaked ghostly trees, of vibrant flowers, of friendly dogs, of helpful fellow yatris, of glacier and boulders, of unending climbs, of brooks and pristine waterfalls, of faith and determination. The last ones are of crucial importance. Without faith and determination, i believe, the thousands of pilgrims who embark on this trail with nil to minimum resources and preparations wouldn't have been able to complete it. We (i and my trek-mates) were perhaps the odd ones out, who took it as any other trek, but for most of the other trekkers, it is a journey to the land of Shiva, to get a darshan and his blessings. And i was, to say the least, moved by the power of devotion and faith when i saw many of the yatris do this trek barefoot, with a mere carry bag as their only resource. But more on that later
Let us quickly have few glimpses of the trail:
Village house
The tents of Bhimdwar/Bhimdwari from Parvati Bag
One of the many falls from Parvati Bag
Rolling meadows...
The ray of hope
The climb...
Flora...
Shrikhand as seen from Kalighati/ Kali top
The idea of doing Shrikhand Mahadev first emerged almost 2 years back when we shifted to Himachal Pradesh and when Sarahan became our common weekend gate-away. Seating on the terrace of Shrikhand HPTDC hotel, and looking at the Srikhand peak from there we used to wishfully think that someday! Someday we would go there. But, at least i was not serious about it. Then last year my friend Priyanka, went on to do the yatra with Bhimakali mata's (in Sarahan) chadi and came back even more enthusiastic (now, i wonder how!) to convince me to go for the yatra this year. Listening to her experiences and stories from the trail, i feel even more doubtful to do this trek and i told myself, not in this life, no way am going to go on this difficult trail. The fact that it rains for most of the part and limited chances of having a clear window to enjoy the vista further added to my determination of not embarking on this journey.
Then i do not know for sure what happened. What made me change my mind. One of our friends from Chadar trek showed his interest to do Shrikhand this year, and Priyanka was of course ready to join him, and kept looking forward to me for accompanying them. She encouraged me in all possible ways and probably the words that i can return back from wherever i feel it's becoming too difficult for me, finally convinced me to join them for the trek. And since the beginning, i was very sure that i am going to return or stop/ stay wherever i would feel like. That finally happened when i was merely 200-300 mtrs from the Shrikhand peak and no, Priyanka did not keep her words, she stood there with me like a rock saying if i do not move, nor will she. And i cannot thank her enough for that. Else it would have been a life-long regret that i was so near and yet out of frustration i just forgo such a golden opportunity.
The route...from Parvati Bag
The above picture shows the various popular stops for the trek from Parvati Bag, which is the last place to stay for the final push to Shrikhand. Shrikhand Mahadev is one of the five Kailash and is said to be the toughest pilgrimage among the likes. It starts from a tiny hamlet, Jaon (6,500ft approximately) and climbs all the way to Shrikhand peak, crossing Singhgad, Barati Nala, Thachru, Kali ghati, Bhim Talai, Kunsa, Bhimdwar, Parvati Bag, Naiser, with the Shrikhand Mahadev rock/ling being the final destination. Though the official height is mentioned as 18,560ft, other sources state it to be at 16000ft. The way meanders through dense forest and rocky trails to reach the first hurdle of Kali ghati/ Kali top with a constant steep climb over Danda dhar indicating the climb over a danda like inclination. Many people return from here, as the forward trail again climbs down from the danda to reach Bhimdwar, a magnificent valley with multiple waterfalls. The view of Shrikhand peak from Kali ghati can evoke both amazement and fear, for the peak seems to be distant, remote and other-worldly. From Bhimdwar, one has to climb up to Parvati bag, which boasts meadows covered with uncountable colourful flowers. Brahmakamal can also be seen among these beauties. From Parvati bag, the trail is a constant climb to first reach Nainser (also called Nain sarovar), a glacial lake over moraines and boulders. From Nainser, it's a vertical climb through a gully to reach the top of the ridge, which then traverse through seven smaller peaks over boulders and rocks strewn all over the place and glaciers with eternal fall. And finally, when all your patience, grit and strength start giving up, the Shrikhand, shrouded in mist and cloud greets you. Countless pilgrims make this journey barefoot and without much ado, making one wonder about the power of faith.
Part-2
https://www.bcmtouring.com/forums/threads/in-the-land-of-parvati-and-shiva-shrikhand-mahadev-trek-july-2017.71544/#post-1289634
So, let me try and make up for that with stories from my latest trek to this amazing world.
Shrikhand Mahadev...a journey of whatnot! of rain and cloud soaked ghostly trees, of vibrant flowers, of friendly dogs, of helpful fellow yatris, of glacier and boulders, of unending climbs, of brooks and pristine waterfalls, of faith and determination. The last ones are of crucial importance. Without faith and determination, i believe, the thousands of pilgrims who embark on this trail with nil to minimum resources and preparations wouldn't have been able to complete it. We (i and my trek-mates) were perhaps the odd ones out, who took it as any other trek, but for most of the other trekkers, it is a journey to the land of Shiva, to get a darshan and his blessings. And i was, to say the least, moved by the power of devotion and faith when i saw many of the yatris do this trek barefoot, with a mere carry bag as their only resource. But more on that later
Let us quickly have few glimpses of the trail:
Village house
The tents of Bhimdwar/Bhimdwari from Parvati Bag
One of the many falls from Parvati Bag
Rolling meadows...
The ray of hope
The climb...
Flora...
Shrikhand as seen from Kalighati/ Kali top
The idea of doing Shrikhand Mahadev first emerged almost 2 years back when we shifted to Himachal Pradesh and when Sarahan became our common weekend gate-away. Seating on the terrace of Shrikhand HPTDC hotel, and looking at the Srikhand peak from there we used to wishfully think that someday! Someday we would go there. But, at least i was not serious about it. Then last year my friend Priyanka, went on to do the yatra with Bhimakali mata's (in Sarahan) chadi and came back even more enthusiastic (now, i wonder how!) to convince me to go for the yatra this year. Listening to her experiences and stories from the trail, i feel even more doubtful to do this trek and i told myself, not in this life, no way am going to go on this difficult trail. The fact that it rains for most of the part and limited chances of having a clear window to enjoy the vista further added to my determination of not embarking on this journey.
Then i do not know for sure what happened. What made me change my mind. One of our friends from Chadar trek showed his interest to do Shrikhand this year, and Priyanka was of course ready to join him, and kept looking forward to me for accompanying them. She encouraged me in all possible ways and probably the words that i can return back from wherever i feel it's becoming too difficult for me, finally convinced me to join them for the trek. And since the beginning, i was very sure that i am going to return or stop/ stay wherever i would feel like. That finally happened when i was merely 200-300 mtrs from the Shrikhand peak and no, Priyanka did not keep her words, she stood there with me like a rock saying if i do not move, nor will she. And i cannot thank her enough for that. Else it would have been a life-long regret that i was so near and yet out of frustration i just forgo such a golden opportunity.
The route...from Parvati Bag
The above picture shows the various popular stops for the trek from Parvati Bag, which is the last place to stay for the final push to Shrikhand. Shrikhand Mahadev is one of the five Kailash and is said to be the toughest pilgrimage among the likes. It starts from a tiny hamlet, Jaon (6,500ft approximately) and climbs all the way to Shrikhand peak, crossing Singhgad, Barati Nala, Thachru, Kali ghati, Bhim Talai, Kunsa, Bhimdwar, Parvati Bag, Naiser, with the Shrikhand Mahadev rock/ling being the final destination. Though the official height is mentioned as 18,560ft, other sources state it to be at 16000ft. The way meanders through dense forest and rocky trails to reach the first hurdle of Kali ghati/ Kali top with a constant steep climb over Danda dhar indicating the climb over a danda like inclination. Many people return from here, as the forward trail again climbs down from the danda to reach Bhimdwar, a magnificent valley with multiple waterfalls. The view of Shrikhand peak from Kali ghati can evoke both amazement and fear, for the peak seems to be distant, remote and other-worldly. From Bhimdwar, one has to climb up to Parvati bag, which boasts meadows covered with uncountable colourful flowers. Brahmakamal can also be seen among these beauties. From Parvati bag, the trail is a constant climb to first reach Nainser (also called Nain sarovar), a glacial lake over moraines and boulders. From Nainser, it's a vertical climb through a gully to reach the top of the ridge, which then traverse through seven smaller peaks over boulders and rocks strewn all over the place and glaciers with eternal fall. And finally, when all your patience, grit and strength start giving up, the Shrikhand, shrouded in mist and cloud greets you. Countless pilgrims make this journey barefoot and without much ado, making one wonder about the power of faith.
Part-2
https://www.bcmtouring.com/forums/threads/in-the-land-of-parvati-and-shiva-shrikhand-mahadev-trek-july-2017.71544/#post-1289634
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