A Family Delight: Grandparents, parents and children all bonded on our trek to Kedarnath

My parents were apprehensive about our plans to go to Badrinath and Kedarnath; they thought they would not be able to take the arduous journey. We, living down in the south of India carry an impression that the Himalayas are very, very far (far they are, but not unreachable) and difficult to scale. You realize later how mistaken you were. Once you've been there, there's no stopping! After our two trips to the mountains I realized one thing, no matter who says what, plan your destination according to your dreams. Do take advice and suggestions that come your way, but don't let anything dampen your spirits. Some of the most beautiful things in life would be missed if we were to decide based on other people's perceptions and experiences. We human beings have a great tendency to take the negative aspects seriously. People who have been to the Himalayas will tell you how they were obstructed by landslides, the narrow escapes they had, the chilling cold or the lack of oxygen that could make one feel that he's dying, or how their mule decided to throw them off...! At Gangotri, 10,300 feet above sea level, where the divine Bhagirathi flows, you go into the space and time of Sage Bhagiratha. Soon your thoughts come back to harsh reality, how we lesser mortals have polluted the Ganga. You feel personally guilty for it. The water here is crystal clear. The pristine surroundings vibrate with your superconsciousness and elevate your soul--the thought that you're standing on the very earth on which Bhagiratha did penance to bring Bhagirathi. Surrounded by the virgin mountains, the view of snow-clad Sudarshan peak, the sound of the gentle and yet powerful Bhagirathi River rustling down, you wish time could freeze.