A Trip To Paradise

by Ankit Godela (India)

A leap into the unknown India

As my title suggest "A Trip To Paradise", this trip took me to the road of peace and finding my inner self. My trip started on 7th April, 2015. I took a bus from Delhi at night and reached HARIDWAR in morning. After getting fresh, i went for a bath in one of the largest River in India known as "GANGA RIVER" which is considered Holy River in India. Myths says that if a person take a dip in Ganga River, all his sins are forgiven and he goes to Heaven after death. After experiencing the peace in such a Holy place i went to Rishikesh for Rafting. As i have never done Rafting before so i am getting scared a lot. After the guide briefed me about procedure, i got relaxed. I sat in a rafting boat and the guide take us in the River where there are Rapids. And suddenly our boat started flowing fast jumping in Air over 4 feets. I thought that i wil get drown here ,but no i did it. That experience was best till now in my life. As i was completely tired therefore i took a room in nearby hotel and after having my dinner i slept. I got awake at 5 a.m. and got ready for my next destination. My next destination was Kedarnath, it's another Holy place in India. Among Snow covered hills and waterfalls there is a temple of Indian God "LORD MAHADEV". In 2013 a disaster happened here. Continuous rains, cloud burst and floods destroyed this place and killed thousands of people. And again there comes a story that on the night of floods, a massive rock came in front of the temple to protect it from devastation. After reading this story i wanted to go there very excitedly. And here now my dream is near to be fulfilled. I took a bus in early morning from Rishikesh to Gaurikund from where the 14 KM trek to Kedarnath starts. The bus took 12 hour to reach. After having refreshment i got ready for the trek. I bought a wooden stick that helps in trekking, and a Raincoat as there remains chances of Rainfall anytime. I started the trek and in the way comes beautiful and amazing views. The peace and the beauty there keeps attracting towards it. After travelling for more than 5 KM , the way ahead starts getting difficult and oxygen level also starts decreasing with height. After some time i came across some beautiful waterfalls and bridges which gives real life adventure feelings. I kept on trekking and suddenly Rain started and the weather become bit cold. I put on some sweaters and Raincoat and then had a " CHAI" its what people call to Tea in India . It gives a lot relief and bit comfort in cold weathers. After having some rest and refreshment i again started trekking and didn't stopped till i reached the Temple. As i entered the area i sat down there on the grounds and touched my head on Ground , it's a way of respecting your god in India. I can't forget the view i saw there, the temple in middle surrounded by "KEDARNATH PEAKS" covered in snow and the amazing sunset with the orange coloured sky. It's a feeling that i am on a Paradise, a place from which you can't move your eyes away, a place which gives you peace, and a place which says that " Yes there in a Paradise on Earth and it is right there in front of your eyes". As i reached at night, so i took a Rest house and spend the night there. In morning i woke up at 5 A.M and after getting ready i went to temple. I bought some flowers and "Parshad", that is sweets which we offer to God. When i entered the Temple, i don't know why but i felt very differently like some power attracting me towards temple and it's really a very amazing experience. I prayed in front of the Mahadev Idol in temple and spend some time there. After that i went for that piece of Rock which saved the temple from floods. I went behind the temple where it is present. It's all real what i heard in stories, a very large rock exactly behind the temple is situated there and it saved the temple's infrastructure from being destroyed. People there had started praying that rock also and named it as "Bhim Sila" This trip is completely filled with adventures and experiences and really a " A Trip To Paradise" Thank You Ankit