Trekking doesn’t necessarily mean a long, back- breaking strenuous journey on foot. Instead, it is possibly the best way to explore the commanding mountain ranges owing to its vast array of varied landscapes and the amazing terrain locations.
Trekking in India has gained a lot of momentum because the tourists are blessed with the visual treats of striking landscapes, aesthetically beautiful trails, flora and fauna while trekking these mountain ranges.
Trekking in Uttarakhand, in the foothills of the Garhwal Himalayas has always been enchanting for me. While flipping through the pages of a travel magazine, my eyes fell upon a photograph of a temple. The beatific appeal of the temple and the trekking images related to it captivated my mind. Instantaneously, I started exploring on this holy shrine and scheduled a trip to the Kartik swami temple and its adjacent trekking places.
Trekking Himalayas essentially requires an ethical planning of the route and the season. We, a group of four Himalayan Lovers, planned to visit the Kartik swami Temple during the boisterous religious festival of the Bengalis Durga Puja. We headed for the NSCB International Airport, Kolkata on 22nd of October, 2019. Fortunately, the flight was scheduled on time and after two hours; we arrived at the IGI Airport, New Delhi.
From the Airport, we hired a cab for the Old Delhi railway station. After a brief stopover, we boarded the Mussoorie Express which departed at 10:15 at night and left for Haridwar. The first day was spent in a whirl of feverish activities and we fell asleep as the day closed upon us.
Day – 2
On the next morning at about 7 Am, we got down at one of the ancient cities of India, Haridwar. It is inundated in an aura of divinity accentuated by the chanting of mantras. We decided to slow down to take a tea break and revitalise ourselves while appreciating the surroundings. After a bit of bargaining, we settled in a Maruti Eco for rupees 2500 which took us to our next landing place, Rudraprayag.
The clock struck ten when we left for Rudraprayag after having our breakfast. It wasn’t my first trekking trip to Uttarakhand but this time, it was the “Char Dham Road Project” which arrested my attention. The road was too busy for leisurely contemplation of the scenery owing to the erratic hill cutting and mismanaged muck dumping.
With the passage of time, we reached at Devprayag. It is regarded as the most pious point because at this locus, river Bhagirathi which rises at Gaumukh and Alakananda, meet to form Bhagirathi. We halted at Devprayag for about ten minutes as we took a little time for tea and photographs. The union of the two streams in the delicate framework of hills and valleys eased my soul.
Eventually, we reached Rudraprayag at 2:30 in the afternoon. Rudraprayag is the second holy confluence of this route where river Mandakini which flows from Kedarnath and the milky white Alakananda which flows from Badrinath make a sangam.
From Rudraprayag, we shifted to another car and left for a small yet scenic village, Kanakchauri which served as the starting point for our trek to the Karthik swami Temple. Kanakchauri is 39 kms away from Rudraprayag and we were travelling along the Rudraprayag Pokhri main road. The route to Kanakchauri was manifested with aesthetic beauty of the Himalayas. There were several twists and turns on the uphill road.
We eventually reached Kanakchauri at 5’o clock in the evening and started looking for a staying inn. Between the two accommodations, namely, “ Mayadeep Resort ” and “ Sree Karthikey Palace ” we chose to stay in “Sree Karthikey Palace” against rupees 1000 per double bed room with attached bathroom and geyser. The management staffs actually deserve an appreciation for their warm and cordial service. Sipping a cup of tea with hills and greenery all over made the scene perfect so much so that it revitalised our souls as we strode around the village.
As the night fell upon us, we returned to our hotel and were delighted to know about the availability of non vegetarian cuisines in there as we ordered Chapattis and Chicken Curry for the supper. We requested the Manager to permit us to the kitchen premises as we wanted to prepare the Mountain Chicken curry in Bengali style.
While we were getting the dinner ready, we started conversing about our plan for the next day over a cup of tea and eventually decided to start our trek at 3o’clock in the morning for Karthik swami Temple . We were served by the dinner after a while. Since we were famished, we gulped the food within no time. A lingering spell of coldness settled in as we fell fast asleep.
Day – 3
One of the hotel management staff knocked at around 2:30am to wake us up. We hurriedly got up from our beds and started equipping ourselves with our flannels and woollens and left the place after blessing our own selves with a cup of early morning tea.
Under a moonless night, with nothing but wilderness for company, we trod through the jungle. We were accompanied by a local guide, Sunil (who was sent by our hotel manager) as it was a 3 kilometres trek through the jungle patch at night. It was 3:15am when we started off with our trekking and with a bit of huff and puff we gradually elevated forward.
However, after forty five minutes of continuous walk, we stopped at the sizzling sound coming from a bush. After inspecting the thickets with the flickering flame of our torches and headlights, we halted for a while as were cautioned by Sunil regarding the presence of bears in that region. After ten minutes, we forged ahead, nonchalantly and reached an ashram after crossing the jungle. The Karthik Swami temple was about 700 metres away from this place.
The clock ticked 5:30am when we reached at the flight of stairs which would take us to one of the highly revered shrine – The Karthik Swami temple. The colour of the sky seemed to change, from blue to pink to yellow with every passing minute. Eventually, we climbed up the stairs and stooped before the temple gate which was dotted with numerous bells. We tolled the bells and shrieks of “Jay Kartikeyo” reverberated around the place.
With the first light of the day, the white rock masses of the Himalayas, bathed in the most wonderful and aesthetic hues. By then, we were all set with our cameras fixed on the tripods to capture the enchanting beauty of the golden hour in our lenses. We stood in an amphitheatre of snow crowned peaks and the mighty ranges of the Garhwal and Kumaun Himalayas stood at 180 degrees, right in front us.
The first ray of the Sun lightened up the Chowkhamba peak at first and gradually enlightened the Kedarnath peak, Nilkantha peak, Mandani peak, Balakun Peak, Bandarpunch peak and the rest! We were marvelled at the changing of the shades of the colours from red to golden yellow and silver, with the passage of time. We were immersed in the ecstatic beauty of the Himalayas and took near about three hours to appreciate it.
Descending from the Karthik Swami temple wasn’t tiresome and it took us about an hour to reach Kanakchauri once again.
After taking a quick shower, we had a good breakfast and fuelled ourselves for our next destination, Sonprayag. We left for Sonprayag with an intention to visit the Trijugi Narayan and then head towards Kedarnath, next day.
Before we move towards our next point, it’s ought to be noted that when one makes a trip to the Kedarnath-Badrinath circuit, one must trek to the Karthik Swami Temple to witness and experience the aura and magnificence of the Himalayas.
-: BEST TIME TO VISIT KARTIK SWAMI TEMPLE :-
SUMMER :
Summer & winter are considered the best time to visit Kartik Swami temple. Although the temple remains open throughout the year but the monsoon rain disrupts the trek and damage the roads as well.
MONSOON :
The district of Rudraprayag along with the entire state, experience heavy rainfall during the months of July to September. Heavy rainfall makes trekking very difficult along with the chances of road blockage. In August and September there you will notice rich vegetation. Thus, it is advisable to check the weather conditions before heading out for Kartik Swami temple in monsoon.
WINTER :
The month of October is the commencement of winter season here which lasts till March. November to January offers the clear and majestic view of snow-clad Himalayan ranges. Moreover, the temperature during these months ranges from 0°C to 10°C. Make sure to wear warm woollen clothes when you visit the temple during winter.
-: HOW TO REACH :-
By Air :
The nearest airport from Kartik Swami is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun which is around 195 km away from Kanak chauri. One can board a taxi or cab from the airport to reach Rudraprayag. Thereafter, shared jeep or hired car from Rudraprayag to Kanak Chauri and finally 3 km trek to the Kartik Swami temple.
By Train :
The nearest railway station for Kartik Swami Temple either Haridwar or Rishikesh railway station which are the nearest railway stations to Rudraprayag and located at a distance of around 165 km and 140 km respectively. Haridwar Railway Station has better connectivity with major cities in India, and thus, it is advisable to book train tickets for Haridwar. Rishikesh also the alternative option. Share jeep easily available From Natraj Chowk, Rishikesh for Rudraprayag. Once you reach the Haridwar station, hire a cab/taxi to Rudraprayag or directly to Kanak Chauri. From Kanak Chauri, there is a 3 km trek to the temple.
By Road :
Kartik Swami Temple is very well-connected to roads. Thus, one can hire a cab or taxi to Kanak Chauri. Interstate buses from ISBT Anand Vihar, Delhi to Rudraprayag, Haridwar, Rishikesh and Srinagar are also available. Once you reach Kanak Chauri, you’ll have to undergo a 3 km trek in order to reach Kartik Swami Temple.
-: WHERE TO STAY :-
- Mayadeep Resort
- In my opinion Shree Kartikey Palace is the best option for Kanakchauri. For advance room booking & car (from Rudraprayag to Kanakchauri ) contact +91 8755561281
Lovely photography, and useful information .
Thanks for the information.
Good luck for your future
Thank you very much for your valuable feedback.