A Test of Faith- Vedant and his Family’s Chardham Yatra with Thrillophilia
Going on the Char Dham tour was an excellent decision for Vedant and his family. They not only visited the major places in Uttarakhand but also enjoyed a long and relaxing vacation together.
Why the small Chardham tour? They believed it was a blessing to visit the renowned temples of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, four of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites.
One night, Vedant’s mother dreamt of performing puja in Kedarnath, standing right in front of Lord Shiva. When she shared her dream the next day, the family mutually decided to pay a visit.
The roads for the Yatra were to open the following month, making it the perfect time to book the trip. Initially, they thought of arranging stays and transfers themselves. But since they would be travelling a lot, especially with Vedant’s mother, it seemed wiser to leave the planning to professionals.
They contacted Thrillophilia to arrange everything, allowing them to travel without worries and enjoy the trip fully. The team duly noted their requirements and created a simple yet comprehensive itinerary that professionally outlined their journey.
The Yatra
From Rishikesh to Barkot to Janki Chatti to Yamunotri, the distance was long, but their spirits remained high. They were awestruck by the magnificent mountain peaks, beautiful valleys, and flowing rivers.
The snow-capped peaks and ancient temples filled them with a powerful sensation of calling. The family was deeply spiritual and wanted to submit entirely to the will of the Almighty during this journey.
The first destination was Yamunotri.
They faced no issues on the road. Hundreds of pilgrims were already travelling to pay their respects to Goddess Yamuna, just like them. The common thread among the pilgrims was their love for God.
The concept of Dharma in the Indian scriptures has always played a crucial role in understanding social behaviour. It is about staying true to oneself, abiding by the laws of nature and humanity, and serving others.
The road to Uttarkashi was eventful. They met many sadhus who shared surreal stories of their lives, about how they became monks and meditated for years at a stretch to reach their current state. Vedant was convinced that these sadhus possessed powers beyond science or technology, similar to those described in myths and folklore. Even their driver and guide listened with keen interest, needing occasional reminders of the time.
They visited the Vishwanath temple, one of the oldest temples dedicated to Shiva in the region, and were fortunate to have the Darshan upfront.
However, something unusual happened with Vedant’s mother on the way to Gangotri.
Fiction or Story?
The morning they were to leave for Gangotri, Vedant’s mother shared that she had met a monk the previous night while going to the bathroom. He had warned her about the weather in Gangotri.
Vedant was sceptical, saying, “Perhaps you were sleepy. There are no monks living in these quarters, and if the weather was that awful, then why are so many people going?”
She was unconvinced. They started the journey, but heavy traffic delayed them. Soon, news arrived of a giant landslide on the way to Gangotri temple, making the road accessible only the next day.
The family was shocked.
Vedant looked at his mother. She had tears in her eyes. With a quick pranam, she said, “We will come back tomorrow.”
They visited Gangotri Temple the next day and continued to Guptkashi and Ardhanarishwar Temple smoothly. With each visit, their souls felt lighter and happier.
The day they went to Gaurikund and Kedarnath, Vedant fell sick. He believed Lord Shiva was testing him, but he did not give up. Burning with fever, he continued walking until he reached the temple. His faith remained unwavering, and he knew nothing could harm him if he stayed true to his beliefs.
He felt like giving up many times but persevered. Upon reaching the temple, he broke down in tears. It was a deeply special journey, a test that could either break him or strengthen him.
After the Darshan, Vedant emerged a much stronger person. His fever disappeared, and he knew he had passed the test. The evening aarti was an experience he still holds close to his heart.
Learnings
From Pipalkoti to Mana Village and then to Badrinath, the family felt hearty and content. They bonded with their driver, and each day brought new experiences to cherish. They met numerous people along the way, each sharing a story that altered their perspective on life.
The 11 days of touring Chardham were unparalleled, and without Thrillophilia, it would have remained a dream.
They expressed gratitude for turning the trip into reality in such a superb way. Not only did they have no complaints, but they also carried loads of appreciation and good wishes for the team.
May the gods bless them, and may they continue their excellent work.
Read More: Thrillophilia Uttarakhand Reviews