It was 00.30 hrs on 10th October 2011 when we started our journey. We board a roadways bus to Rishikesh from where the next bus was scheduled at 4 o’ clock in the morning. When roads are empty and Sky is dark Roadways journey is a different experience altogether. We reached Rishikesh by 3 and at once we decided to use 1 hour and without any second thought we board an auto to Ram Jhula. It was almost a full moon night and standing in mid of Ram Jhula it appeared for once that moon has come down and holy Ganga has embraced moon in her. It was only some time later when I realized that it was the reflection of moon in flowing Ganga.
We quickly returned from Ram Jhula and started our journey to Devariya Taal. It was the time when MBA come advantageous, as we all were still very fresh at 6 in the morning and was able to enjoy the scenic beauty outside. However after some time we all were dozing and then I realized that it was 9 in the morning, which was the usual time for our lectures. Our destination was just 250 kms apart and we were expected to reach there by 3 in afternoon but then Nature had some other plans for us. It was 11 in the morning when we encountered first landslide, an hour passed and our bus was at same position. Somehow we managed to pass out but it was only 1 when we encountered second landslide. This time it was a huge one and for many of us it was the first live experience. It occurred just 20 kms before DevPrayag. The place where we were standing provided us a complete panoramic and picturesque view of valley, river surrounded by mountains on both sides, to say the least I was in love with Shivaliks then and there only.
After lunch we started our journey again and finally managed to reach Okhi Math, it was already 8 in the night and for once trekking appeared infeasible still we gamble on nature and decided if rain permits we will trek early morning next day. We were tiring but excited, exhausted by journey but rejuvenated by nature, hungry by stomach but greedy by heart, we all had the cup of tea in our front and at the same time we all knew it is worthless if are not able to drink that. That time we only had one thing with us HOPE, and believe me Hope can keep you alive, can act as catalyst and this was exactly what happened, our hope provided us the necessary zeal and enthusiasm and by God grace it didn’t rain next morning.
to be continued
