Mummy ki pehli Chaiti Chaath Puja

🪔 Personal Blog · Chaiti Chaath 2025

Mummy Ki Pehli
Chaiti Chaath

Jugaad laga ke ghar aaye. Aur phir samjha ki "ghar aana" ka matlab kya hota hai.

☀️

📍 Jamshedpur, Jharkhand 📖 ~10 min read 🌅 March · Chaiti Chaath

Mummy pehli baar Chaiti Chaath karne ka mann bana rahi thi. Jo pehle se bimar rehti hain. Jinhe ghar ke log, relatives, sab bol rahe the — "aaraam karo, abhi mat karo." Mummy — obviously — kahan sunne wali thi.

Aur hum — jo abhi naye naye corporate mein aaye hain, jahan 4 din ki chhuti milne ki koi umeed nahi — pehle toh mana kar diya tha. Phir, jaise hamesha hota hai, kuch jugaad laga, bina leave ke, bina WFH ke, flight pakad ke ghar nikal gaye.

Flight mein khidki ke bahar dekhte hue soch rahe the — "Agar office mein kuch gadbad hua toh?" Phir ek aur khayal aaya — yaar, who am I without these crazy, risky, last-minute decisions?

Flight land hui. Jharkhand ki rajdhani Ranchi ki mitti pe pair rakha. Aur phir nikal gaye apne pyaare Jamshedpur ki taraf — woh sheher jise TATA ne basaya, Subarnarekha aur Kharkai nadiya jisko gherte hain, aur jahan har gali ek purani yaad chhod jaati hai.

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🌅

Pehle Yeh SamjhoChaath Puja — Sirf Ek Tyohaar Nahi Hai

Agar aap pehli baar Chaath ke baare mein sun rahe hain — ya sunaa hai par kabhi ruka nahi socha — toh ek minute ruko.

🙏 Chaath Puja — The Mahaparv

Chaath ko Mahaparv isliye kehte hain kyunki yeh Hindu calendar ke sabse kathin vrat mein se ek hai. Vrati — yaani jo fast rakh rahe hain — 36 ghante ka nirjala vrat rakhte hain. Na khaana. Na paani. 36 ghante. Yeh 4 din ka parv hai, jisme har din ka apna ek naam, apna ek ritual hai.

Kab se shuru hua yeh parv? Kehte hain ki Mata Sita ne — Lanka se Ram ke saath wapas aane ke baad — Chhath Ghati ke kinare surydev ko argh diya tha. Prasad mein anaj, phal, aur thekua. Wahi pehli Chaath thi. Isliye is parv mein jo astha hai, woh sirf dharm nahi — woh ek rishta hai, sun aur us insaan ke beech jo 36 ghante sirf ek cheez ke liye kuch nahi khaata.

Aur Chaiti Chaath — jo March-April mein aati hai — woh comparatively rare hai. Zyaada log October-November ki Kartik Chaath karte hain. Chaiti karne ka matlab hai double devotion.

Mummy ne pehli baar Chaiti Chaath karne ka faisla kiya tha. Bimaar shareer ke saath. March ki garmi mein. Aur poora parivar toh excited tha hi — hum bhi flight pakad ke aa gaye the.

☀️ 🌸 ☀️

🌆

Ghar AanaJamshedpur Ki Woh Pehli Shaam

Ghar pahunche. Sab se mile. Aur woh feeling — jo sirf ghar pahunchne par aati hai — woh alag hi hoti hai, koi description nahi ho sakta uska.

Sham hote hi nikal gaye Jamshedpur ki sair mein. Aur kya mausam tha yaar — sunset bhi tha, long drive bhi, aur woh feeling ki kuch dino ke liye sab kuch theek hai.

📸 Jamshedpur, ek baat karein — Yeh sheher aaj bhi India ke cleanest cities mein count hota hai. TATA Steel ne isko itna plan kiya tha ki yahan aaj bhi parks, wide roads, aur ek shukaoon ka ehsaas hai jo bade metro cities mein nahi milta. Subarnarekha ke kinare sunset dekhna — yeh ek alag hi experience hai.

2 din ghoomte phirte, baat karte, ghar ka khaana khaate nikal gaye. Aur koi complaint nahi thi.

🍃 🪷 🍃

🌿

Din 1 · ChaathNahay Khaye — Ek Clean Start

🌿 Pehla Din · Nahay Khaye

Phir aaya Chaath ka pehla din. Nahay Khaye — naam hi keh deta hai sab kuch. Naha lo, kha lo. Ek clean start. Vrati is din se apna khana satvik kar lete hain — sirf ek baar, bina lahsun-pyaaz ke. Body ko tayyar kiya jaata hai jo aage aane wala hai.

Subah se tayyari hui. Dopahar tak ghar mein relatives aane lage — aur ghar ka woh atmosphere banana ki koi dusri jagah nahi hoti. Jab poora parivar ek chhat ke neeche aata hai, ek purpose ke saath, toh ek alag hi ujaala hota hai ghar mein.

Khaana khilana hua, prasad baanta gaya, baatein hui, aur sab Chaath ke liye excited the. Lekin asli cheez agla din leke aane waala tha.

🪔 🌾 🪔

🔥

Din 2 · ChaathKharna — Aur Woh Kheer

🔥 Doosra Din · Kharna

Kharna. Yaar, yeh din alag hota hai.

Subah se hi Mummy tayyari mein lag gayi. Mitti ke chulhe mein lakdi se aag lagayi. Aag pakdi. Phir prasad banana shuru kiya — slow, dhyaan se, bilkul shuddh niyat ke saath.

🍚 Mitti Ka Chulha — Sirf Tradition Nahi, Science Bhi Hai

Mitti ka chulha sirf parampara nahi hai — iska ek practical reason bhi hai. Lakdi ki aag mein ek alag tarah ki even heat milti hai jo gas flame mein nahi milti. Gurh aur chawal ki kheer jo Kharna mein banti hai, uski texture aur taste wahi chulhe mein aati hai. Generations se yahi hota aaya hai, aur is reason se nahi badla ki kuch cheezein perfect hoti hain — todne ki zaroorat hi nahi.

Kharna ke din sabko bulaate hain — sab jaanne wale aate hain. Mummy ne sabko ashirwad diya, aur har kisi ko gurh se bani kheer aur roti prasad ke roop mein mili.

Kharna ki woh kheer — isse jyada swadisht koi sweet dish nahi ho sakti. Main seedha bol raha hoon. Ek baar khao, sab kuch usi se compare karne lagoge.

— koi exaggeration nahi, poora sach

Aur phir — ghar wala woh magic hua jo sirf festivals mein hota hai. Sab baat kar rahe the, baache daud rahe the, bujurg muskaraa rahe the. Ek cheez ke liye poora ghar ek hua tha.

🌙 ⭐ 🌙

🌙

Kharna Ki RaatAdhi Raat Ka Thekua — Aur Ek Purani Baat

Aur phir aai Kharna ki raat. Woh wala hissa jo main aapko bata raha hoon, toh aap ek baar ruk ke socho.

Raat ko — Mummy, maasi, mausa, aur kuch behen — baithte hain. Adhi raat se. Thekua banane ke liye.

🍪 Thekua kya hota hai?

Gehun ka atta, gurh, ghee. Ek wooden mold mein dabaake design banaya jaata hai. Phir slow fry. Yeh Chaath ka sabse khaas prasad hai — jo soupp (bamboo ki tokri) mein sabse oopar rakha jaata hai. Aur hum jaante hain ki isko banane mein waqt lagta hai — kyunki hamare ghar se kai jagah prasad jaata hai, toh banate banate subah ke 7-8 baj jaate hain.

Socho — Mummy 36 ghante mein na khaayengi, na piyengi. Aur is raat ko bhi nahi soyi. Prasad banaane mein.

36

Ghante bina khaane ke. Bina paani ke. Aur us raat bhi jaag ke prasad banaya — sirf isliye ki jo bhi ghar se jaaye, pavitra ho, mehnat se bana ho.

Kuch cheezein aastha se nahi hoti. Woh sirf — love se hoti hain.

🌅 🌊 🌅

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Din 3 · ChaathSandhya Argh — Aur Woh Unexpected Ghat

🌇 Teesra Din · Sandhya Argh

Sandhya Argh ka din aa gaya. Aur ek cheez bata doon — Chaiti Chaath thodi alag hoti hai October wali se. Kartik Chaath mein lakhs log hote hain ghat par. Traffic. Jingles. Pura scene. Chaiti mein kam log karte hain — toh comparatively peaceful hoti hai.

Ek aur khaas baat — humne ghat cover hi nahi kiya tha. Matlab woh jagah reserve hi nahi ki thi. Aur beech mein ek kaam aa gaya toh hum SP Office bhi chale gaye. Jo ki chalta rehta hai. 😅

Ghar wapas aaye, ready hue, daura uthaya. Bamboo ki woh tokri jisme saara prasad rakha hota hai — thekua, phal, nariyal, ikhh. Aur ise ghar ke sabse chhote bacche se uthwaate hain pehle — shagun ke roop mein. Babu ne uthaya. Ghar ka sabse chhota. Ekdum excited tha.

Gaadi mein sab ko settle karake — ek gaadi hum bhi chalate hue nikle ghat ki taraf. Pehli baar Chaath mein itna aaram se ja rahe the — bina traffic ke.

Aur ghat par pahunche toh — expected se zyada bheed thi. Ghar wale poochh rahe the — "humara ghat kaunsa hai?" Woh ghat jo humne cover hi nahi kiya tha.

💛 Aur tab ek dost mil gaya.

Wahan ghat par. Uske papa — mere papa ko bhi jaante the. Utne mein unhone khud offer kiya — "aap bhi yahan aa jaiye, saath mein hi."

Kabhi kabhi cheezein nahi hoti toh kuch aur ho jaata hai. Jo zyada achha hota hai.

Phir soupp nikala gaya daure mein se. Ghat saja. Sab ready. Aur jaise sham hone lagi — bhai-behen, parivar wale, pehchan wale — sab aaye. Argh diya gaya. Surydev ko naman hua.

Hum raat mein hi nikal gaye drive par. Raat mein office mein ruke. Subah 3 baje uthke ghar aaye. Kyunki subah ka argh bhi tha.

☀️ 🙏 ☀️

🌄

Din 4 · ChaathSubah Ka Argh — Woh Moment

🌄 Chautha Din · Usha Argh

Subah. Ghar mein sab already ready baithe the.

Mummy ne 36 ghante mein kuch nahi khaya, kuch nahi piya. Poori raat thekua banaya. Sham ko argh diya. Aur subah fir ready khadi thi. Main yeh sochta tha ki main thaka hoon.

Chhod do.

Daura uthaya. Nikal pade. Subah subah ghat pahunche.

Aur kya nazara tha.

Har koi apne ghat ko saja ke rakha tha. Decorated soupp. Phal, thekua, ikhh — sab kuch arranged. Baache khel rahe the. Bujurg log bhi — apni aastha ko maante hue — wahan khade the, paani mein.

Yeh scene dekh ke kuch hota hai andar. Koi language nahi hai uske liye.

Suryoday ka waqt aaya. Mummy paani mein utri. Papa unke bagal mein khade ho gaye — sirf is liye ki agar koi dikkat ho toh support kar sakein. Kuch nahi bola. Bas wahan the.

Aur Mummy ne — soupp uthaya. 5 baar. Ghoom ghoom ke Surydev ko dikhaya.

36 ghante bina paani ke. Poori raat bina neend ke. Bimaar shareer ke saath. Aur woh soupp — 5 baar — ekdum dheere, ekdum poori shuddh niyat ke saath — Surydev ko dikhaya.

Vrat pura hua.

— teen shabd. Aur poora matlab.

Bahar aayi Mummy. Kapde badle. Phir — behno ke chehron par haldi lagayi. Ashirwad ke roop mein.

Kuch log isko sirf ritual bol dete hain. Par main wahan khada tha. Aur main bol sakta hoon — woh sirf ritual nahi tha.

Phir wahan kaafi log aaye — ashirwad lene, prasad lene. Chaath ka ek khaas baat yeh hai — aap kisi bhi stranger se prasad maang sakte hain, koi mana nahi karta. Sochna — ek aisa tyohaar jahan koi bhi kisi ke paas jaake maang le, aur milega. Zaroor milega.

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🏠

Wapas GharBabu Wali Gaadi — Aur Mummy Ke Pair

Phir nikle. Daura pack kiya. Gaadi mein baithe.

Beech raaste mein Babu ne — ghar ke sabse chhote ne — gaadi bhi chalayi. Thodi der baad — gaadi mein hi so gaya. Ekdum content. Ekdum thaka hua. Ekdum khush.

Main gaadi chalate hue ghar aaya.

Ghar pahunche. Aur main —

Mummy ke pair dhoye.

Ghar mein sab ne khana khaya.

Aur bas.

🙏 ☀️ 🙏

Kuch Cheezein Body Ki Limitations Se Badi Hoti Hain

Yeh Mummy ki pehli Chaiti Chaath thi. Jo log keh rahe the — "aaraam karo, mat karo" — woh galat nahi the. Par Mummy bhi galat nahi thi.

Aastha ka ek woh pehlu hota hai jo outsider ko kabhi poora nahi dikhta — woh force jo ek thake, bimaar shareer ko 36 ghante khada rakh sakti hai, jaga sakti hai, naach sakti hai sun ke saath. Use tum medical terms mein explain nahi kar sakte. Use sirf dekh sakte ho.

Aur hum — jo corporate mein naye naye aaye hain, jo jugaad lagaake flight leke aaye the, jo soch rahe the ki "agar gadbad hua toh" —

— hum sahi jagah the.

Kuch memories aise hote hain jo save nahi karne padte. Woh apne aap andar store ho jaate hain. Yeh wahan tha.

Agli baar Chaath mein ghat zaroor cover karna. 🙏
Jai Chhathi Maiyaa

#ChaitiChaath #Jamshedpur #Jharkhand #ChathPuja #Mahaparv #MummyKiChaath #SuryaDev #FamilyBlog #HindiHinglishBlog

Baraf, Nadi aur Mahadev

02

Uttarakhand Diaries  ·  Day 02  ·  Tapovan → Niti Valley

Barf, Nadi,
Aur Mahadev

Kuch din aate hain jo tumhe permanently change kar dete hain.
Yeh woh din tha.

🏔️ 12,000 ft Trek ❄️ Glacier River Dip 🛕 Timarsain Mahadev 🌄 Niti Valley

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"The mountains don't give you comfort. They give you something better —
they give you a reason to be uncomfortable. And in that discomfort,
you find out exactly who you are."

— Somewhere between Tapovan and the sky

01

📍 Tapovan · Morning

Neend Tooti.
Glacier Ne Bulaaya.

📍 Tapovan, Uttarakhand — 1,312m

Raat bhar pahad ki hawa thi. Subah 9 baje neend tooti — aur woh wali neend jo sirf pahad mein aati hai, jab koi urgent nahi hota, koi alarm nahi hota. Bas andar se uthte ho jab shareer ready hota hai.

Resort ke saamne hi ek raasta tha — neeche ki taraf jaata hua. Kisi ne bataya tha ek raat pehle ki wahan, nadi ke paas, ek kund hai. Tapovan ke paas aise natural kund milte hain jahan glacier ka thanda paani kisi jagah rok jaata hai ya hot spring mix hota hai — ek ajeeb sa combination jo nature ke alawa koi engineer nahi kar sakta.

Tapovan, Joshimath ke paas, Himalayan hot springs ke liye jaana jaata hai. Yeh area geothermally active hai — yaani zameen ke neeche se garam paani aata hai. In hot springs ka temperature 35°C se 45°C tak hota hai, aur inhe kaafi healing properties bhi maani jaati hain local tradition mein. Sath hi sath, nearby glacier ka thanda paani bhi behta hai — making it one of the most surreal natural combinations on earth.

Toh hum chale. Car mein baithe, resort se neeche ki taraf nikle.

· · · · ·

02

🐴 Raaste Mein

Ghode Ya Khachar?
Aur Phir — Woh Nadi.

Raaste mein kuch ghode aur khachar mile. Ruke. Aur shuru ho gayi woh conversation jo sirf travel mein hoti hai — bilkul kisi kaam ki nahi, par somehow bahut zaroori lagti hai.

"Yaar, yeh ghoda hai ya khachar?"

Aur phir kaafi research hua. Thodi debate. Thodi hassi. Theek woh wali vibe jab group mein koi ek "expert" ban jaata hai aur baaki log enthusiastically agree karte hain bina kuch jaane.

Ghoda (horse) aur khachar (mule) mein fark? Khachar ek horse aur donkey ka hybrid hota hai. Khachar aksar ghode se zyada hardy hote hain, pahadi raston ke liye better suited — isliye Uttarakhand ke trek routes mein khachar hi zyada milte hain, ghode nahi. Khachar ke kaan bade hote hain, body thodi chhoti, aur woh generally quieter hote hain. Toh agar pahad pe "ghode" dekho — chances hain 8 out of 10 woh khachar hain. Ab aap bhi expert hain. 😄

Aur phir hum aage badhe. Neeche. Aur neeche. Aur tab — pehli baar dikhi woh nadi.

"Glacier water flowing through a mountain valley doesn't look like water. It looks like the mountain itself is bleeding — but instead of blood, it's running liquid light. Transparent. Fierce. Alive in a way that makes you feel suddenly very small and very grateful."

— First Sight of the River, Tapovan

Woh nazar. Woh sight. Glacier ka paani — transparent, tez, bilkul sheesha jaisa — mountain ki dararon se aake is nadi mein girta tha. Aisa lagta tha jaise mountain khud apna dil bahar nikaala ho aur hume dikha raha ho.

Hum chup the. Kaafi der tak. Woh wali chup jo words ki zaroorat nahi hoti.

· · · · ·

03

❄️ The Moment

Paani Mein Pair Daale.
Aur Dimag Band Ho Gaya.

~4°C Glacier Water Temp

30 Seconds to Numb

∞ Dopamine Released

Hum dheere dheere nadi ki taraf bade. Paani ke paas aaye. Kisi ne pehle pair lagaaya.

"Yaar — YAAR. YEH THANDA HAI."

Bilkul woh reaction jo hota hai jab aap jaante ho ki thanda hoga, prepare karte ho ki thanda hoga, aur phir bhi — woh shock deta hai. Glacier water ka thanda alag hota hai. Yeh sirf "cold" nahi hota. Yeh alive hota hai. Jaise paani bhi feel karaa raha ho ki — haan, main yahan hoon. Notice karo mujhe.

Pair numb hone lage. Phir bhi log ruke nahi. Kuch patthar phenkne lage nadi mein. Kuch pictures le rahe the. Kuch bas baithe the — paani mein pair daale, dhoop mein — ek aisi stillness mein jo describe nahi hoti. Pahad mein yeh moment bohot common hai — jab sab kuch ek second ke liye freeze ho jaata hai aur tum sirf wahan hote ho.

"Maine socha — log kehte hain na ki cold therapy, ice bath, cold shower — dopamine badhata hai. Science hai isme. Wim Hof ka poora philosophy isi pe tika hai. Par main soch raha tha ki yeh thoda over-hyped hoga. Phir us nadi ka paani lagaa — aur main samjha. Yeh over-hyped nahi tha. Yeh bilkul sach tha."

Aur phir kisi ne idea diya. Woh idea.

"Yaar, head dip karein?"

Silence.

Phir laughing. Phir "nahi yaar." Phir "kar le." Phir kaafi convincing. Phir kaafi seconds ki soch. Phir — haan.

Jab aap suddenly ice-cold water mein body ya sar dabaate ho, toh brain ek "cold shock response" trigger karta hai — norepinephrine (noradrenaline) surge hota hai, jo dopamine ka precursor hai. Studies show karte hain ki cold water immersion se norepinephrine 200-300% tak increase ho sakti hai. Wim Hof Method, cold plunge therapy, ice baths — yeh sab isi principle pe kaam karte hain. Jo feeling aati hai baad mein — woh dizziness followed by clarity followed by pure euphoria — yeh aapka brain khud apni natural high pe hai. Koi supplement nahi chahiye. Sirf ek glacier river.

Sar paani mein daala. Ek second. Do second.

Baahir nikala — aur pehle — sab kuch blurry. Ek second ki dizziness. Jaise duniya slow-motion mein ho.

Phir — woh feeling.

"Zindagi mein kuch cheezein hoti hain jo tum tab tak nahi samjhte jab tak tum karo nahi. Woh glacier head dip unhi mein se ek tha. Jo darr ke karte ho — woh hi sab se zyada satisfy karta hai."

Happiness nahi — achievement. Jo cheez darr raha tha usse karne ka woh sense of accomplishment. Jaise kisi ne andar se kuch unlock kar diya. Aur woh dopamine rush — woh bilkul real tha. Koi exaggeration nahi. Poora body ek warm glow mein tha theek baad mein.

Log baithe rahe. Phir uthhe. Phir resort ki taraf chale. Car mein baithe. Aur phir — ek aur adventure shuru hua. Car ek aisa raasta chadhi jo mountain ke bilkul edge pe tha. Neeche — khaai. Upar — sky. Beech mein — hum. Aur ek car jo theek road pe thi — bas road hi bahut narrow tha.

Pahad ki yahi baat hai na — woh tumhe kabhi bored nahi karne deta. Har mod pe kuch naya.

· · · · ·

04

🏔️ Niti Valley

Ladakh Nahi Gaye?
Koi Baat Nahi — Niti Tha.

📍 Niti Valley — Chamoli District, Uttarakhand

Resort aakar breakfast kiya — aur woh waali baat jo pahad mein hoti hai, breakfast zyada hoti hai kyunki mountains ke paas ka khana somehow better lagta hai. Phir rooms mein gaye, "thoda aaraam" ke liye. Jo "thodi der" 4 ghante ban gayi.

Mountains mein time alag chalta hai. Yeh sach hai. Utha ke dekha toh dopahar ho gayi thi.

Par plan tha. Niti Valley.

Niti Valley, Chamoli district mein hai aur China border ke bilkul paas — ek restricted zone. Yahan jaane ke liye ITBP checkpost cross karna padta hai aur Indian citizens ko permit nahi chahiye par foreigners ko. Yeh valley kaafi khaas reasons se jaani jaati hai:

🌸 Valley of Perfume — kaafi rare Himalayan flowers yahaan milte hain, jinki fragrance itni strong hoti hai ki valley mein hi smell aa jaati hai.
🏜️ Grand Canyon of India — mountain terrain ka woh texture, woh layers, woh depth — ekdum Grand Canyon ki yaad dilata hai.
🏔️ Ladakh of Uttarakhand — barren, raw, dramatic landscape — jo log Ladakh nahi ja paye, unke liye yeh next best nahi — yeh alag hi best hai.

Niti village ek time mein Tibet ke saath trade route ka hissa tha. Ab yeh mostly uninhabited hai — sirf army presence hai.

Nikle resort se. Aur jab Niti Valley ki taraf road shuru hui —

"20-30 kilometer tak road dikhti hai — seedhi, clean, mountains ke beech se jaati hui. Aisa lagta hai jaise koi painter ne brushstroke mara ho — ek white line, do green walls, aur neele sky ka ek tukda. Tumhare saare worries — us view ke saamne — suddenly bade funny lagte hain. Kitne chhote hain hum. Kitna chhota hai woh sab jo pareshan karta tha."

— On the Road to Niti Valley

Teen gaon cross kiye raaste mein. Chhote. Khamosh. Sundar.

Pahad ke gaon ek alag duniya hote hain. Na rush, na noise. Bas pathar ke ghar, thoda dhuan, ek kutta sun raha tha ek patthar pe. Aur woh silence jo urban log bhool jaate hain — woh yahaan tha. Thick and real.

"Long roads aur mighty mountains — ek combination hai jo aapke andar kuch karta hai. Aap thoda philosophical ho jaate ho. Thoda honest. Jaise mountains ke saamne jhooth bolna mushkil ho. Aur apne aap se bhi. Woh raasta — woh mere liye ek mirror tha."

Aur phir — pahad ki chotiyan.

Snow-capped peaks. Unke upar sunrays reflect ho rahi thi — woh wala gold jo sirf mountain pe milta hai. Jaise pahad ne sona odh rakha ho. Jaise upar koi aur hi duniya hai — ek aisi duniya jo hum kabhi nahi pahunchenge, par dekh sakte hain.

Cherry on top? Bilkul accurate expression tha woh. Perfect.

Aur phir aaya — ITBP checkpost.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) ki presence Niti Valley mein hai kyunki yeh China border ke paas hai. Checkpost pe ID verify hoti hai — Indian citizens ke liye bas Aadhaar ya voter ID sufficient hai. Yahan tak ke area mein tourism minimal hai — jo is jagah ko aur bhi magical banata hai. Jab koi nahi aata, nature apne original form mein rehta hai. Koi footprint nahi. Koi chai stall nahi. Sirf mountains, roads, aur silence.

Woh ITBP jawan ne hume check kiya. Through jaane diya. Aur hum pahunche — Niti Village.

Ghar the. Kaafi ghar. Achhe se bane. Par —

Sab band. Sab khali. Koi nahi.

Ek abandoned village. Ek baar kisi ka ghar rahi hogi yeh jagah. Kisi ke bachpan ki yaadein hain in deewaaron mein. Koi uthha hoga subah, chai banayi hogi, baahir nikla hoga aur in wahi mountains ko dekha hoga jo hum dekh rahe hain. Aur phir — woh sab chale gaye. Kyun? Kab?

"Ek abandoned village mein ek alag hi qism ka grief hota hai. Na koi death. Na koi disaster dikha. Bas — emptiness. Aur woh emptiness zyada loudly bolti hai kisi bhi shor se."

Niti Village, jo kabhi India-Tibet trade route ka ek active junction tha, 1962 Indo-China war ke baad practically abandon ho gaya. War ke baad border seal ho gayi, trade ruk gayi, aur log apni rozirothi ke liye plains ki taraf migrate ho gaye. Sirf winters mein kuch log aate hain — nomadic patterns mein. Abhi wahan mostly ITBP personnel hain. Yeh ek living time capsule hai — ek village jo freeze ho gayi ek political event ke baad. Aur yahi story is jagah ko hauntingly beautiful banati hai.

Hum thode aur aage gaye. Ek army personnel mile. Unhone bataya — aage nahi ja sakte. Restricted.

Hum ruke. Aur phir poochha — "Timarsain Mahadev ka raasta?"

Unhone bataya. Hum mud gaye.

Trek shuru hone wali thi.

· · · · ·

05

⛰️ 12,000 Feet — Timarsain Mahadev Trek

Har Har Mahadev.
Aur Woh Pehla Qadam.

12K Altitude (Feet)

≈3.6K Metres Above Sea

21% Less Oxygen vs Sea Level

Trek shuruat point pe pahunche. Upar dekha. Raasta dikha.

Pehli nazar mein — yeh nahi hoga.

Seedha nahi tha. Narrow tha. Steep tha. Aur hum already ek lambi drive ke baad the. Aur altitude — 12,000 feet. Matlab body ko har ek kadam ke liye zyada mehnat karni padti hai, kyunki oxygen zyada nahi hai.

Sea level se 12,000 feet upar, oxygen ka partial pressure kaafi kam ho jaata hai — roughly 40% less oxygen available hoti hai lungs ko. Iska matlab — same effort pe jaldi thakaan, headache, aur breathlessness. Body gradually acclimatize karti hai, par pehle ghante mein woh adjustment period hota hai jab sab se zyada mushkil lagta hai. Rule of thumb: slow down karo by 30%, breathe more consciously, aur har 20-30 minute mein break lo. Aur sabse important — Mahadev ka naam lo. Wo bhi kaam karta hai. 🙏

Kisi ne bola — "Mahadev ke naam se shuru karte hain."

Aur hum chale.

"Pahad pe ek cheez samjhi maine — pehla qadam sabse mushkil hota hai. Hamesha. Woh ek second jab aap decide karte ho ki kar sakte ho — woh decision hi half the journey hai. Jo ruk jaate hain woh wahan rukke rahe — par jo chal dete hain, woh dekhte hain kya-kya milta hai aage."

Dheere dheere chale. Ek ek kadam. Rest lete. Saans lete. Phir aage.

Ek dost jo typically trek nahi karte — woh bhi chal rahi thi. Thaki thi. Par chal rahi thi. Mahadev ke naam pe. Aur woh wali determination — jo kisi training se nahi aati, sirf woh moment se aati hai — woh dekhne layak thi.

Raasta sundar tha. Wild fruits dikhe. Glaciers dikhe — mountain ki deewar pe chipke hue, shining. Aage aur aage chale toh raasta narrow hone laga. Ek taraf mountain. Doosri taraf — edge. Neeche — khaai.

"Ek galat kadam — aur God se personally milna hota. Hum firmly chale. Ek ek kadam soch ke. Kyunki pahad mein concentrated attention rehti hai — jo normal life mein nahi hoti. Aur usi concentration mein ek alag sa peace hai."

— The Narrow Ridge, Before the Temple

Aur phir — Timarsain Mahadev ke darwaaze.

Ek taraf — bhaari glacier. Solid, white, ancient. Ek aisi jagah pe jo poore mountain pe sirf wahi thi — jaise Mahadev ne khud decide kiya ho ki mera niwas yahaan hoga aur yahan glacier rahega kyunki yeh mera door hai.

Mandir chhota tha. Par presence badi thi.

· · · · ·

06

🌨️ The Moment That Stopped Everything

Mahadev Thoda Aage The.
Glacier Beech Mein Aaya.

Hum Nandi ji ke paas pahunche. Pray kiya. Mahadev ki murti thodi door thi — do raaste the jaane ke liye. Ek — ice ke upar se. Doosra — ek aur path se.

Ice wala raasta covered tha — nahi ja sakte the.

Doosra raasta dekhne laga ek dost. Main casual tha — camera uthaya, record karna shuru kiya. Woh chalne laga.

Aur tab —

Main ne dekha.

"Camera mein dekh raha tha main. Aur screen pe — ek massive chunk of glacier — oopar se toota. Woh fell. Ek second. Do second. Seedha uske saamne. Main chilla pada — 'Ruk! Barf gir rahi hai!' — aur camera bhi kaapta raha haath mein."

— Timarsain Mahadev, Niti Valley

Woh ruk gaya. Glacier neeche aa gaya — exactly wahan jahan woh jaane wala tha.

Kuch seconds ke liye — complete silence. Phir sab ne ek dusre ko dekha.

"Kuch cheezein hoti hain jo baad mein funny lagti hain. Pehle toh nahi. Pehle sirf woh cold silence hota hai jab reality thoda too real ho jaati hai. Phir dheere dheere — saans wapas aata hai. Phir — smiles. Phir — 'yaar woh record hua na?' 😂"

Glacier calving — jab glacier ka ek bada piece suddenly toot ke neeche aa jaata hai — ek natural par unpredictable phenomenon hai. Daytime mein sun ki heat se glacier ki surface thodi pighalni shuru hoti hai — yeh water ice ke structure ko weaken karta hai. Plus high-altitude mein wind aur temperature swings constantly work karte hain ice pe. Isiliye temple areas around glaciers mein caution zaroori hai — nature kabhi bhi khel badal sakta hai. Aur isiliye hamesha locals ya army personnel se raaste ki guidance leni chahiye. Is case mein — camera aur awareness ne save kiya.

Hum Nandi ji ke paas wapas aaye. Wahan se — bilkul middle of glacier ke through — Mahadev clearly dikh rahe the. Jaise Nandi ji hi woh angle tha. Jaise Nandi ne hi invitation diya tha — mere paas aao, wahan se dekho.

Hum baithe. Pray kiya. Kuch pal wahan sirf the — aur kuch nahi. Sirf woh mandir, woh glacier, woh blue sky, aur hum.

"Kuch jagah hoti hain jahan bhagwan ki presence feel hoti hai. Prove nahi kar sakte. Science nahi hai isme. Par woh silence — woh stillness — woh bilkul real thi. Timarsain Mahadev unhi jagahon mein se ek hai."

Par suraj dhalta ja raha tha. Aur descent karna tha — narrow ridge, steep path, fading light. Ruk nahi sakte the.

Hum chale — Mahadev ko ek baar aur dekha. Aur neeche utarne lage.

· · · · ·

07

🌅 Coming Down

Ice Se Khele.
Thorn Bhi Mili. Sunset Bhi.

Neeche aana upar jaane se alag hota hai. Alag muscles. Alag focus. Par alag mood bhi — thoda lighter. Task complete. Mahadev tak pohunche. Glacier dekha. Woh moment jeeyaa.

Toh phir — ice se khelne lage.

Kuch barf thi raaste mein. Haath mein uthaya. Phenka. Ek ne doosre pe throw kiya. Pure childlike energy — 20-something adults, 12,000 feet pe, barf se khelte hue. Woh moment sirf travel deta hai — woh inner child jo office mein, deadlines mein, responsibilities mein kahin chhup jaata hai — woh wahan tha. Fully present.

"Ek dost ke haath mein barf giraane ki koshish mein — ek paudhe ka kanta uske haath mein ghus gaya. Meri wajah se. Woh dard mein tha. Main — camera chhod ke sorry bol raha tha. Woh — dard mein bhi has raha tha. Yahi hota hai na dost ke saath travel mein — kuch galat hota hai, aur woh bhi ek memory ban jaata hai."

Slowly neeche aate gaye. Aur jab hum last leg pe the —

Sunset.

"Pahad ka sunset sirf sky nahi hoti. Woh poori valley hoti hai — mountain ki chotiyon pe woh last gold. Shadows slowly bharne lagti hain — pehle valleys mein, phir slopes pe, phir chotiyon pe — aur phir ek pal ke liye sab purple ho jaata hai. Jo dekhta hai woh jaanta hai. Jo nahi dekha — woh bus ek reason aur hai jaane ka."

— Niti Valley, Descending at Dusk

Car tak pahunche. Baithe. Ek collective exhale. Sab thake the. Sab khush the. Dono ek saath — woh combination jo sirf adventure ke baad milta hai.

Aur wapas resort ki taraf chale — mountains ke beech se, us sunset mein, ek aisi khamoshi ke saath jo comfortable thi. Woh khamoshi jo dost ke saath hoti hai jab sab kuch kehne ki zaroorat nahi hoti. Sab kuch already feel ho chuka hota hai.

· · · · ·

08

✍️ The Diary Entry

Din 2. Khatam.
Kuch Badal Gaya.

Raat ko wapas aaye. Khana khaya. Baatein hua — woh glacier wala moment baar baar replay hua. Hansa gaye. Thoda scary tha. Par yahi toh hai na — woh cheezein jisme thoda risk tha, woh hi sabse zyada zinda feel karaati hain.

Neend aane se pehle socha — aaj kya kiya?

Glacier river mein sar daala. Niti Valley dekhi jise kaafi log jaante bhi nahi. Ek abandoned village ki khamoshi suni. 12,000 feet trek kiya — woh bhi bina proper preparation ke. Ek falling glacier se ek dost ko bachaya — camera ki wajah se. Mahadev ke saamne baithe.

Aur sunset dekha — Niti Valley ke mountains pe.

"Travel humein woh nahi deta jo hum expect karte hain. Travel humein woh deta hai jo hume chahiye tha — bina jaane. Ek din mein — glacier ka thanda, mahadev ki shanti, sunset ka gold — aur beech mein woh ek dost ka hath jo haath mein thorn ke baad bhi has raha tha. Yahi toh life hai na — pain mein bhi hasi. Fear mein bhi faith. Dark mein bhi — woh gold."

— Day 2, Uttarakhand Diaries

Neend aayi. Deep, clean, earned.

Aur kal — aur kuch tha. Auli.

Par woh Day 3 ki kahani hai.

Din 2. Khatam. ✨

Barf thi. Nadi thi. Mahadev the.
Aur hum — thode alag ho gaye the.
Pahad kuch aisa karta hai. Hamesha.

HAR HAR MAHADEV 🏔️

Timarsain Mahadev · Niti Valley · Tapovan · Uttarakhand

Day 3 — Dhari devi ▶ Coming Soon

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Pahad Bula Raha Hai...

Uttarakhand Diaries  ·  Day 01  ·  An Unplanned Trip

Pahad Bulaa
Raha Tha

Kuch trips plan hote hain. Aur kuch trips — sirf ek WhatsApp message se shuru hote hain.

Delhi  →  Dehradun  →  Devprayag  →  Joshimath  →  Tapovan

↓   scroll

"The mountains don't care about your schedule. They only care if you show up."

Kuch trips plan hote hain. Calendars pe mark hote hain. Itinerary banti hai. Hotels book hote hain mahino pehle. Aur phir bhi woh kuch miss karte hain — woh raw feeling.

Aur kuch trips — ek WhatsApp message se shuru hote hain. Ek group jo mahino se graveyard ban chuka tha. Koi notification nahi. Tab achanak —
ding.

"Auli chalein?"

Honestly? Mujhe us ek message ka hi intezaar tha. Job constraints thi, sick leave lena pada — par agar pahad bula rahe hain, toh jaana padta hai. Yahi toh zindagi hai.

"There are two kinds of people in this world — those who wait for the perfect trip, and those who take the next bus."

— Uttarakhand Diaries

🌙

2 AM. ISBT Dehradun.
Aur Ek Observer Ki Neend

📍 ISBT Dehradun

Bus aayi thi. Dost nahi aaya tha. Toh main wahan baith gaya — ISBT Dehradun ke ek kone mein, raat ke do baje, akela.

Normal insaan so jaata. Ya phone scroll karta. Reels dekhta. Jo boring lag raha hai usse temporarily avoid karta.

Main — observe karne laga.

Woh dukaan. Uttarakhandi paintings ki woh hand-painted detail. Char Dham ki tasveerein wall pe tiki hui — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri. Bade kareene se lagayi gayi thi, jaise dukaan waale jaante the ki yahan se guzarne waale log pahad ki taraf ja rahe hain — unhe ek chhoti si dua milti rahe.

2 AM airports aur bus stands mein ek alag hi duniya hoti hai. Woh log jo raat ko safar karte hain — unke andar kuch hota hai. Koi urgency. Koi longing. Ya sirf woh courage jo din ke ujale mein nahi dikhti. Observe karo unhe — yeh woh characters hain jo koi novel nahi pakad sakta.

Us raat, dim light mein, sardi ki woh pehli salami ke saath — mujhe yaad aa gaye woh college ke din. Pehli baar Dehradun aaya tha, ek alag excitement thi. Carefree. Plans ke bina. Ek playful mind.

"Kya woh main aur yeh main alag hain?" — yeh socha. Phir chai ki ek sip li aur muskura diya. Shayad nahi hain.

· · · · ·

🙏

Hanuman Chalisa, Dost,
Aur Pahad Ki Pehli Saans

📍 Dehradun → Mountains

Dost aaya. Ek aur dost ka ghar. Bags uthaye. Car mein baithe. Sab thoda groggy, thoda excited.

Aur jaise hi ignition on hua — Hanuman Chalisa shuru ho gayi.

Kisi ne plan nahi kiya tha. Kisi ne force nahi kiya. Par yeh bhi nahi kaha ki mat chalao. Yahi toh hota hai na — kuch cheezein naturally sahi lagti hain. Jab pahad ki taraf jaate ho, toh ek chhoti si dua toh banti hai.

"Nostalgia aur excitement ka cocktail — yeh sirf pahad deta hai. Ek saans mein past aur future dono feel hote hain."

— Somewhere between Dehradun and Rishikesh

Mountains ki taraf jaate waqt, fresh air ki pehli waft aayi — aur woh feeling jo describe nahi hoti. Ek happiness jo simple thi. College ke woh din yaad aa rahe the. Yahi dost. Yahi laugh. Bas sab thoda bade ho gaye the — ya soch rahe the ki ho gaye hain.

· · · · ·

🌊

Devprayag — Jahan Do
Nadiyaan Milti Hain

📍 Devprayag Sangam, Uttarakhand

Devprayag pahunche toh car rok di. Kisi ne plan nahi kiya tha ruk ne ka. Par jab aap wahan hote hain — Alaknanda aur Bhagirathi ka sangam dekhte hain — toh aap rukoge hi. Yeh jagah aapko rokti hai.

Do alag rivers. Do alag personalities — ek clear, ek muddy. Aur phir woh moment jab woh milti hain — aur sirf ek hoti hai. Ganga.

Devprayag is one of the Panch Prayag of Uttarakhand — five sacred confluences along the Alaknanda River. It sits at an altitude of 830 metres and is one of India's most photographed river confluences. The contrast between the two rivers' colours is visible even to the naked eye. If you're doing the Char Dham Yatra or Auli trip, Devprayag is a must-stop.

Humne pictures li. Ek chhota sa vlog bhi banaya — camera utha ke, "Welcome guys, we're here at Devprayag Sangam" — raw, unfiltered, bilkul real. Koi script nahi. Koi retake nahi. Bas woh moment.

"Kuch jagah hoti hain jo aapko sikhati hain — milna zaroori hai. Chahe kitna bhi alag ho, milne ke baad sirf ek cheez hoti hai — aage ka safar."

· · · · ·

🛣️

Roadside Snacks, Dhari Devi,
Aur Woh Pink Wale Ped

📍 Somewhere on NH-58

Pahad trip ka ek unwritten rule hai — roadside pe rukna padta hai. Koi tay nahi karta. Koi plan nahi hota. Par hota hai. Hamesha.

Toh hum ruke. Kuch khaaya. Kuch hansa. Kuch toh zaroor photograph kiya — kyunki pahad ka khana aur lighting dono photogenic hote hain.

Raaste mein Dhari Devi Mandir aaya. Ruke. Haath jode. Kuch manga ya nahi bhi manga — par sar jhukaya. Pahad mein hote ho toh ek alag hi shraddha aati hai andar se. Explain nahi kar sakte. Bas hoti hai.

Dhari Devi Mandir, situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River near Srinagar Garhwal, is dedicated to Goddess Dhari Devi — considered the guardian deity of Uttarakhand. The idol is unique: it is said to change form from a girl to a woman to an old lady during the course of a day. The temple is a significant stop on the Char Dham route.

Aur phir — woh ped.

Karanprayag ke baad, mountain slopes pe kuch ped the — pink leaves, ya shayad flowers — Rhododendron — par woh rang itna unexpected tha ki sab ek second ke liye chup ho gaye. Teen second ke liye sirf woh dekha. Phir kisi ne kaha: "Yaar, yeh toh kisi ne bataya nahi tha."

"Raasta khud surprise karta hai — agar aap dhyan se chalein. Aur yahi toh travel ka asli point hai — woh cheez jo itinerary mein nahi thi."

— Between Karanprayag and Tapovan

· · · · ·

🎵

Volume Full.
Destination — Secondary.

Kuch der baad — gaane shuru ho gaye. Volume badh gaya. Koi ek dum se gaane laga. Doosra jhoome laga. Teesra video bana raha tha kyunki "yeh moment save karna chahiye."

Driver ne ek baar humari taraf dekha. Muskuraya. Kuch nahi bola. Woh jaanta tha.

The best moments of a road trip are never at the destination. They're in the car, somewhere between two towns, with the windows cracked and a song playing that everyone somehow knows. Yeh memories camera nahi pakad sakta — sirf dil pakadta hai.

Destination bhool gaye the hum ek ghante ke liye. Woh moment hi destination tha.

· · · · ·

🏨

Tapovan Check-In —
Joshimath Ke Baad Ka Sukoon

📍 Tapovan, Uttarakhand

Tapovan pahunche. Hotel. Bags phenke. Bistar dekha.

"5 minute lete hain."

Woh 5 minute kitne bade the — yeh toh aap samjhoge. Kyunki Tapovan ke mountains ka woh view jab aap thake hue baithe ho... woh alag hi cheez hai. Aankh khulti hai toh lag ta hai ki koi painting dekh rahe ho.

Lunch kiya. Thoda aaram kiya. Aur phir — plan bana. Badrinath ki taraf.

· · · · ·

⛩️

Plan B — Aur Kyun
Plan B Hamesha Behtar Hota Hai

📍 Narsingh Mandir, Jyotirmath

Badrinath jaana tha. Temple 23 April ko open hona tha — hum jaante the. Par socha, bahar se hi sahi, dekhte hain. Woh alag hi feeling hoti hai na — closed doors ke saamne bhi kuch hota hai.

Par raaste mein pata chala — car 10 km pehle rok di jaayegi.

Ek pal sab chup. Phir kisi ne kaha — "Narsingh Mandir chalein? Jyotirmath mein hi hai."

"The best destinations are often the ones that weren't in your plan. Tumhari planning ne door rakha, aur kismet ne wahan pahunchaya — jahan tumhe actually hona chahiye tha."

— A Lesson from the Mountains

Narsingh Mandir. Jyotirmath. Ek jagah jo radar pe nahi thi — par wahan pahunche toh ek alag hi energy thi. Powerful. Shant. Dono ek saath. Yeh combination sirf temples mein milta hai — aur sirf pahad ke temples mein feel hota hai.

Hum andar gaye. Pray kiya. Bahar aake baith gaye — bas aise hi. Koi rush nahi. Koi next stop nahi.

Aur tab dikhe woh bachche.

Temple ke campus mein kuch bachche cricket khel rahe the. Ek baccha bowl karta. Doosra maar ke bhaagta. Teesra argue karta umpire se — bilkul woh intensity jaise World Cup final ho. Hum baith ke dekhte rahe. Kaafi der tak.

Kuch cheezein universal hoti hain. Pahad mein, mandir ke campus mein, in bachcho ko dekhke ek cheez samjha — khushi ko context nahi chahiye. Nahi chahiye view, nahi chahiye itinerary. Bas ek bat, ek pitch, aur doston ki company.

Ek cute gaay ka bachcha bhi tha — wahan hi ghoom raha tha apni mast life mein. Hum mountains ke beech baithe rahe. Khilkhilaate bachche dekhe. Cricket dekha. Kuch nahi kiya — aur woh kuch nahi karna hi sab kuch tha.

· · · · ·

💧

Vishnu Ghat — Sirf
Paani Chhoone Ke Liye

📍 Vishnu Ghat, Near Jyotirmath

Ek urge uthii andar se — paani chhoona tha. Pahad ka paani. Behta hua, thanda, real.

Koi logical reason nahi tha. Kaafi km chalke pahunche Vishnu Ghat. Wahan ek mandir tha. Saadhu baba the — apni duniya mein, complete, self-sufficient. Kutte the — jinhe baba khilaa rahe the, ek pyaar se jo explain nahi hota. Ek chhoti si dukaan. Ek chhoti si duniya — jahan sab kuch slow tha.

"Kuch jagah hoti hain jahan time ruk jaata hai. Ghadi nahi, waqt nahi — sirf woh moment. Vishnu Ghat aise jagahon mein se ek tha."

Aur woh paani.

Haath daala. Thanda. Bahut thanda. Pahad ka paani — jab touch karo toh ek second ke liye sab kuch reset ho jaata hai. Sab thoughts, sab worries, sab to-do lists — ek pal ke liye gone.

Phir ek deep breath. Aankh utha ke mountains dekhe. Aur andar se ek voice aayi —

"Yaar, aana sahi kiya."

— Kisi ne kuch nahi kaha. Par sab muskuraye.

· · · · ·

✍🏼

Din Khatam Hua.
Yaadein Nahi.

Raat ko tasty khana khaya. Baatein ki — woh baatein jo sirf pahad mein hoti hain. Koi phone scroll nahi. Koi reels nahi. Bas log aur lafz. Woh conversations jo 3 ghante mein khatam hi nahi hoti.

Aur phir neend. Woh neend jo sirf thakaan nahi, contentment laati hai — ek alag hi feeling.

Day 1 ka total score: Ek dead group chat revival. Ek 2 AM chai. Ek sangam. Ek mandir jo plan mein nahi tha. Ek nadi ka sparsham. Aur kaafi hansi — jiska hisaab nahi.

Log kehte hain travel life change karta hai. Woh sach hai. Par woh ek bade event ki tarah nahi hota. Woh chhoti chhoti cheezein hoti hain — ek 2 AM chai, ek unexpected temple, ek bachche ki cricket match jo aap 20 minute tak dekhte rahe. Yeh cheezein — yeh hi travel hai. Baaki sab toh bas backdrop hai.

Din 1. Khatam. ✨

Thakaan thi. Hansi thi. Kuch zyada hi yaadein thi.
Aur kal — Auli tha. 🏔️

Uttarakhand Diaries · Day 01 of the Mountains

Day 02 Coming Soon — Auli Slopes & Snow ▶

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