SRSG Presents: “Insight Seeing” March 16-21, 2009
Enjoy the rich beauty of the Himalayas in late winter/ early spring as you wind your way up to the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
On our first day we will head to the town of Ukhimath, home of the Omkareshar Shiva temple and winter seat of the famed Kedarnath shrine.
During winter when Kedarnath is buried in snow rising 2 meters high, the head priest and other priests come down in procession to Ukhimath to do their worship. Kedarnath is one of the four main pilgrimage spots of the region and a must do for all devoted Hindus.
At a 17 km distance from Ukhimath sits Sari Village. There we will start a 2.5 km trek up to the lovely Deoriya Tal Lake. Views of the majestic Himalayas can be enjoyed while resting by the calm lake waters.
Participants will also have the opportunity to visit some of the numerous temples in the region around Ukhimath. The charged Kalimath temple, sitting alongside the Kali-Ganga River, resonates with the palpable energy of the Goddess Kali. The famous Vishwanath Temple at Guptakashi sits behind a kund (pool) that is fed by two underground tributaries of the holy waters of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna. Also at the Vishwanath temple complex, pilgrims pay homage to the balance of opposing forces at the shrine of Ardhanarishwar, the deity depicted as half Shiva, half Shakti.
The male and female principles of the universe are further celebrated at a visit to the marriage spot of Lord Shiva and Parvati. A temple devoted to Lord Vishnu lies on an ancient bridle path at the village of Triyuginarayan. At this holy spot legend says that Shiva wedded Parvati. All the sages attended the wedding of which Vishnu himself was said to be the master of ceremonies.
As we head home, awe inspiring views of the Himalayas can be further taken in at the Kartik Swamy temple, a 3 km trek from the trail head at Kanakchowry. Legend says that Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati, came here in a huff when his mother granted the Raj Tilak to Ganesha (his brother). Kartikeya is worshipped here.
Participants should be in good health and able to trek.
Please register on or by Feb 25th.
For registration and cost information, please write to sadhakagrama@gmail.com
Pictures by Dr. Stoma Parker
