Joshimath III

Diary for 4th October.

It snowed last night in the mountains around. Can see the fresh white layer. Believe this year’s snowfall has been really heavy.


Friendly fact - Joshimath is at 1875 meters. 

Left around 0830 for Niti, with the local couple. Made a couple of stops for them to buys supplies for their place in the village.Can now give advertisement for Thar. Carried 4 dozen eggs. Not one broke.

The first few kilometres is thru Joshimath, on the same road as the Badrinath traffic goes. Were stuck in a jam for a while. Once we branched off towards Niti, the drive was clean. Great road, wide, good surface. 

We had the local Army commandant making an inspection along with the BRO guys. So,  BRO also made sure there were no rocks on the road. Caught them parked mid road a few kilometres out of Tapovan where the hot springs are. The army guys quickly had the BRO guys move their jeeps off the road to allow us thru.

Lovely pictures as we went along. My camera seat was occupied by the husband. So he kept the camera bag on his lap.

Passed the mountain part of which Hanuman picked up to get the Sanjeevini. Folklore says that locals do not like him very much here !!

Stopped at a small Kali temple by the road. Believe the main temple is down by the river. This temple is held very sacred by the locals. It is kept closed. People who stop, shut it again after they offer their prayers. Guy in the Thar lit agarbathi and broke coconut.




Were stopped by an ITBP trooper at Malari, located at 3100 meters. Made the necessary entries.

Went on to the village - Meher Gaun. Had to make a sharp turn off onto a single vehicle road. Steep climb, on the gravelled track, for about 2 kilometres. The village was deserted. Most people have left the village . Believe they start leaving early October, before the snow comes in. Get back in April/May. Looks like I was just in time. The apples are still on the trees, both red and green varieties.

Had a glass of tea at their place before getting back on the road towards Niti.

Were stopped again at Gamshali by the ITBP. Fortunately the local with me could make the necessary entry and we drove on. Niti was another 7 kilometres on, at 3600 meters. 

Absolutely worth the drive.



It started drizzling when we were there.





Got back to Meher Gaun for lunch. Rajma, palak steamed,  chopped fried egg, cabbage with tons of red chilli powder, and rice. Got fed local style. Thanked them profusely and left. Panchayat elections tomorrow. The polling guys had arrived and needed looking after. With the rain coming, wanted to get back before the sun set.


The drive back was hard and fast. Raining, empty road. Except for army jeep escorting a truck. Overtook them multiple times, as I still stopped for pictures - rain or no rain.


Got back to a hot cup of tea. Still raining. Getting colder. 

Had hot bath and kudi, dinner. 

Tomorrow Badrinath.


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