DAY 2: RISHIKESH TO GOVINDGHAT ROAD TRIP

 DAY 2:  RISHIKESH TO GOVINDGHAT ROAD TRAVEL

Aug 24,2024,Great journeys begin with some adventures and strong prayers, chanting Vanamali gadishanki shloka we started on our day long supposedly 8hrs ride from Rishikesh to Govind ghat along Ghat road in one of world most dangerous roads. We had a sumptuous full fledged breakfast spread at Sky high restaurant of Hotel Clarks Inn, Rishikesh. 

Clarks inn's Rishikesh- Panaromic mountain view

Sky high restaurant

                                    

The ghat road intertwines all along the meandering mighty Ganges until at the destined Prayags you find the meeting tributaries. With some delay at check post checking the car papers, the over 262 km ride uphill is rather enjoyable as well as exhausting, so we took needed halts and rest room breaks and witnessed a road rokho of locals to fresh land slide causing detour of additonals 2hrs path through pristine villages, and with no halt for lunch but biting into the theplas from tirupur (a staple for us for road trips from kalpana didi) and then all millet laddoos,muruku,dry fruits to halting for fresh fruits to grab, we went on to reach our destination Govindghat in middle of night like scenes at 9pm in pitch dark ,empty roads, daunting himalayas throwing ghastly shadows in night. 

ghat roads views to soak in

adventure rides through landslide zones,no stop zone

shivaliks

photographer in me,langoor who kept company at check post

 So the 8 hrs ride that many said would take 9 to 10hrs as in hills there always landslide and diversions prone its the normal, for us it took a 11 to 11.5 hr including the check post wait time half hr, road rokho aandholan, 2hrs detour due to fresh landslide , and we would have passed over 9 to 10 sites of previous landslides that were all partially broken into and partially cleared or might be fresh mini landslides of rocks. Nearing Joshimatt we saw the massive july landslide and we passed through that broken rock too and while travelling all through especially those paved roads which are made cutting mountains and the mountain seemingly dangling overhead it does gives you those nervous spirits and adds extra dose of prayers to your lips. 

dev prayag-confluence of Alaknanda,Bhagirathi

me and boys in front of Sanskrit university,Devprayag

Mandakini...you cant stop without humming Shivapanchaksharam

Karnaprayag

 While crossing initially shivpuri once can witness the bungee jumping and other adventure points in the lower ghats. The first majestic view of a prayag or confluence of tributaries Alaknanda and Bhagirati is at Devprayag and to express the divine view overlooking Sanskrit University there and gushing rivers making 2 different colours one turquoise green and other muddy brown adding up and giving the major hue to the ganges flowing down is truly an expression beyond words and worthwhile watching. All along with you flows the river Alaknanda now until at next stop Rudraprayag river Mandakini hurries to meet her friend river Alaknanda. We didnt stop furter at Karnaprayag where the river Pindar meets the lap of Alaknanda from amidst mountain and busy market road and we viewed it while crossing the bridge. And the next one was nandprayag which we must have missed or turned dark, where river Nandakini joins our Alaknanda all the way. 

the serpentine alaknanda

humbling majesty of Sunset views at the himalayan hills

          After that around 9pm we reached Joshimatt the place in news for Land subsidence environmental factor. And by 9 30pm reached our divine stay of Ganga homely stay which is walkable 100m away from the point where one leaves vehicles to proceed for phulna village next day.

 This Ganga resort was a much of a result of extensive search and raring reviews and as you step into the place and homestay and walk amidst the patches of flowers and fresh organic veggie garden you would look forward to their homely food which leaves your famished self from travel all nourished and at your best. The couple are most heartwarmingly welcoming and ghar ka khaana yaad aagaya types the food is and its in next day morning we were in for more scenic valley view.