Badrinath

An icy Alaknanda,
Flows amongst giant rocks;
Winding its way,
Through the verdant valley.
Cascading gently at times,
Roaring furiously at times;
Yet flowing steadily
Alaknanda exhibits her changing moods here,
Several glaciers melt in May;
Giving birth to countless mountain streams,
That merges into this snowy river.
The icy winds blow against your face,
Several pilgrims trek up the hills;
Chanting religiously in one united tone,
In reverence of the Holy One.
Snowy peaks overlook the sacred shrine.
Chopta
Thick evergreen forests line both sides of your path,
Pines, Conifers, oaks and elms;
Vie with each other for space,
And its green as far as eye can see.
Hundreds of pines reach up for the skies,
Some like identical twins;
Standing shoulder to shoulder.
The winding drive through these forests,
Over a gentle slope;
Is a soothing experience.
Dew drops trickle down your eyes,
As fog and mist envelop the horizon;
The clouds gently caress the treetops,
Providing picture postcard views.
Rhodenderon flowers in full bloom,
Resemble a bedecked bride;
On her wedding night.
The crescent moon shines at night,
Lighting up the darkness;
The electric stars blink around the moon.

Ukhimath
Quaint wooden cottages dot the hillside,
Offering panoramic views;
Snow capped peaks in the distance,
Verdant hills down below.
The constant hum of the mountain streams,
Sound like bees buzzing near a hive;
The pine scented mountain air,
Makes every breath a pleasure.
It is so serene and peaceful here,
Chirping birds sing musical tunes;
Making the morn come alive.
Cold gusts of wind,
Play across your eyelids;
And it is so difficult to believe,
We are in the middle of May!
Peace, serenity and tranquilness,
Co-exist in harmony at Ukhimath;
The winter seat of the three-eyed one,
Near the sacred shrine of Kedarnath.
Fruit trees decorate my simple cottage,
And the fragrance of wild flowers;
Pervade the air at dawn.
A stay at Ukhimath means,
Rejuvenation;
For body, mind and soul.
Gopeshwar
A long drive along the Holy Ganges,
Climbing several hills and peaks;
One reaches the temple town of Gopeshwar.
It is hidden away from prying eyes;
Tucked away into a quiet corner of Garhwal.
Cool climes. Fresh air and spring water;
Attract many to this secluded town.
Healthy food, restful sleep and holy pilgrimages,
Enlighten ones body, mind and soul.
Serenity intersects tranquility here,
While bisecting peace and calmness.
Flowing streams cut across grassy knolls;
Stones, rock and pebbles massage your feet,
As you experience nature walks.
Birds sing in flowery tunes.
Guiding you at every step.
Orange orchards welcome you with open arms;
Inviting you to savour their sweetness.

Auli
Snowy peaks surround the horizon,
Peeking out between brown, rocky hills;
Nanda Devi makes her appearance,
On clear, cloudless mornings.
A ropeway chugs along the slopes,
Offering birds eye views;
And icy winds cut across your skin,
As you watch the sunrise!
Thick forests of oaks, rhodenderons and pines,
Stretch from here to there;
Clouds attempt to kiss the mountain tops,
Enhancing the enchanting beauty of Auli.
Auli is truly a picturesque place,
Where one enjoys snowfall in May.
Guptkashi
Silvery peaks surround verdant hills,
Covered in layers of pure white snow.
A stark contrast to the greenery.
The golden rays of the sun;
Add to the bewitching beauty
By bathing the snowy peaks in liquid crimson.
Reflected in the waters of the icy river
That flows through Guptkashi.
The twinkling lanterns of the faraway villagers
Illuminate the nightly view.
The clear heavens, the sparkling stars and the full moon,
Offers one celestial spectacles
Without telescopes.
Where else can one clearly see?
Venus, Mars and Uranus
And the moons of Saturn too!
In the nightly sky!

Kalimath
A quick drive alongside a river rapid,
Leads you to the village of Kalimath;
In three adjacent shrines,
Overlooking the waters of the Mandakini.
The cascading river, the verdant hills,
The thick forest cover and the evergreen glades;
Add to the beauty of this serene place.
The gurgling water is soothing to ones ears,
As the river resembles molten snow;
And giant boulders cross its winding path.
August Muni
Hundreds of unusually tall pine trees,
Peek out of the hill tops;
Surrounded by rhodenderones and elms,
Enveloped by forests, hills and streams.
As I meditate in this secluded cave,
Nature exists in every breath;
And the elements touch every pore,
The rock shelters at August muni.
Is my cosy abode;
Dried leaves are my mattress,
And rounded rocks my pillow.
One exits in self imposed seclusion,
In aware of the enchanting beauty;
Crystal clear water drips into my dark cave,
Reflecting the hazy yellow of the sun.
Clouds rest on the hilltops,
Resembling white turbans;
Sparrows chirp away happily,
Announcing the arrival of summer.
Snow melts on the ice-capped peaks,
Feeding the mountain streams with molten snow;
The river cascades down the hills,
Like a child running to play
After the bell at school.

Kalshila
Tiny hills arranged in concentric rows,
Envelop horizon to horizon;
The buzz of the mountain stream.
Preponders the air,
Terraced fields cut through the mountainside;
Resemble squares from a chessboard.
From the summit at Kalshila,
One gets an eagle eyes view;
Red flowers of the rhodenderon,
Resembling lotuses adorning celestial nymphs.
Adorn the hills.
Dark clouds assemble at the peaks,
Thunder and lightning follow;
And it is torrential rain in May,
The hills, the fields and the villages.
Feel the power of natures downpour.
The air turns cold and icy,
As mist, snow and hail rule;
And it turns moist in mid-summer.
Summer snowfall
Wisps of white float across the sky,
Gently landing on the earth;
They resemble an unending cascade of white parachutes,
Floating down to earth.
The icy snow I like cotton,
Whiter than the whitest white.
They land on the sloping rooftops,
On ski caps and on ones hair;
They land just about everywhere.
They softly settle,
Waiting for their brothers to join them;
An hour or two of this blizzard,
Covers the earth and peaks,
In blankets of pure white snow;
And white dominates all around.
Snowflakes fall everywhere,
More rapidly by the minute;
A chilling breeze cuts across Badarinath.
As sacred chants sound in the air,
Heads bow in reverence for the Holy One;
Shivering devotees brave the snowflakes,
To prostate on the Lords feet.

Garhwal
Rain, Mist Fog and hail co-exist here,
Mist is fogs partner;
And snow is the of clouds twin
Trees are the ornament of the Himalayan foothills,
Snow carpets the higher peaks.
Blizzards and avalanches are very rare,
And so are landslides and quakes;
Hailstorms and rain are rare in May,
Pleasant weather always has its say;
As the icy breeze stays away.
Snow leopards and ice bears,
Seldom come near;
As they seek the shelter,
Of the highest peaks in May.
Musk deer do come down in herds,
Feeling secure when bonded in groups;
Water is abundant in Garhwal,
Streams, rivers lakes and waterfalls everywhere;
The fertile soil of this divine land.
Nurtures oaks, rhodenderons, firs and pines;
Growing rampantly along the slopes.
Cold, cool and pleasant
Are the three moods;
Of Uttaranchals weather Gods.
Rain wet and moist
Describes the weekly mood swing;
Of the weather Goddess.
Snow and ice
Make their appearance;
Just once a month in summer.
Serene Calm and Peaceful
Describes the look on the face;
Of Uttaranchals tourists in May.
Divine and Blissful
Describes the pilgrims;
Trudging down Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Ruch Mahadev
A gentle trek,
Alongside flowing waters;
Between green meadows and terraced fields,
Overlooking the junction of Twin Rivers;
The confluence of the Alaknanda and Kaliganaga.
One river is snowy white,
The other a darker shade of blue;
These divine rivers at Ruch Mahadev do meet.
An ancient temple exists here,
A singular trident;
Marks the divine spot.
Gushing waters,
Roar like lions
Hiss like serpents
Buzz like bees
Hum like hummingbirds
Sprays of ice cold water,
Wet your face;
As you gingerly step over the rounded stones;
To reach the holy spot.
Garhwal
Soothen your soul
Listen to gurgling sounds
Of flowing mountain streams
Relax your body
On grassy knolls
Under shady groves
In Himalayan foothills
Rejuvenate your mind
Under starlit skies
In secluded caves
Hidden inside thick forests.
Visit Garhwal
Our holy land

Gaurikund
A long winding drive,
Over gentle slopes;
Dotted with trees,
In all shades of green;
Takes you to Gaurikund,
Hot water springs abound;
In this temple town.
A roaring waterfall,
Welcomes your arrival;
Snowy peaks beckon nature walks,
Thick forests surround the hills,
Encircles by the icy Mandakini River;
Flowing down from melting glaciers.
A circuitous trek along the river,
Takes you to the Holy abode.
Devotees trudge up the hill,
Chants sounding the air;
Ponies, palanquins and people,
Jostle each other for space.
Thoughts lost in reverence for the Holy One;
Shouts, squeals and chants along the way.