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12 Jyotirlinga Yatra on a Cycle, Delhi (2026)

26/03/2025

18-21 Mar 2018 Char Dhaam of Uttarakhand, solo yatra on a bicycle
Incredible India Tourism Ministry of Culture, Government of India Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Day 27: Rode 105 kms from Joshimath to Ratuda village towards Rudraprayag, of which 90kms were almost downhills. Got to see the sangam point where 2 rivers merge - river Pinder which originates from glacier Pinder and river Alakhnanda which originates from Badrinath.
Day 28: Rode 90kms. Uphills of 8 kms seemed very challenging. Got to view the sangam point where river Bhagirathi-Ganga and river Alakhnanda merges at Devprayag.
Day 29: Rode 105 kms. Stayed at Maharishi Valmiki Ashram by Patanjali at Roorkee.
Day 30: last day of the expedition, I rode 205 kms in 12 hours. The eagerness to return home and have dinner with family was strong. Total distance traveled in the entire expedition was 1735 kms of which 75 kms was hiking, 15 kms of climb was assisted by a cab and the rest 1645 kms were biking.

25/03/2025

17 Mar 2018 Char Dhaam of Uttarakhand, solo yatra on a bicycle
India Tourism of Culture, Government of India Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Day 26: Rode 45kms from Badrinath to Joshimath. 35kms of flying downhill followed by 10kms of joyful uphill. I was so happy and content on visiting the fourth dhaam. Visited Yogabadri and Vasudeva Mandir at Pandukeshwar. I stayed at Nagar Palika Yatri Nivas, Joshimath.

Yogadhyan Badri Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that King Pandu installed the symbol of Lord Vishnu’s bronze at this place. There are five “Sapta Badri” temples, and this one is the fifth. There is a shrine of Lord Vishnu who is worshiped in a meditative posture. Pandavas came to Yog Dhyan badri for penance (a way to wash away all sins they committed). From this place the pandavas further went for their eternal peace to the swarg (heaven). They started their swargyatra (journey to heaven) from this place.
Lord Vasudev Temple was built by Pandavas during their stay in Pandukeshwar. Lord Vishnu, Madri, and Goddess Laxmi are honoured in this temple.
Pease read more about the above Pandukeshwar temples here: https://www.uttarakhandi.com/yogdhyan-badri/

I had visited Shri Narsingh Mandir in Jan 2018, with the help of a friend, Rajendra Singh Rawat from Urgam Valley, who came to visit me enroute. Shri Narsingh Mandir is famous as a part of Sapt Badri and is also a winter abode of Badrinath deity. It is believed that the construction of this temple was done by Sri Shankaracharya. The idol of God Narasimha established in the temple, is made of Shaligram stone. Please read more about Narsingh Devta Mandir here: https://sannidhi.net/sannidhi/shri-narsingh-temple-badrinath-winter-abode-joshimath-uttarakhand/

24/03/2025

16 Mar 2018 Char Dhaam of Uttarakhand, solo yatra on a bicycle
Incredible India Tourism of Culture, Government of India Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Day 25: Jai Badri Vishal!
Rode 45kms from Joshimath to Shri Badrinath Dham. First 10kms were downhills followed by a very challenging 35kms of uphill. Uphill were getting difficult and tiring day after day. The last police checkpoint is Hanuman Chatti, 5kms before the dhaam. Had to rush to reach Shri Badrinath Dham during daylight, was fortunate to reach by 6:15pm and it got pitch dark by 7pm with rare street lights. Darkness is the time for the wildlife (Tiger, Leopard, Bear). I stayed at the dhaam. I was very satisfied with the whole experience as I had reached the fourth dhaam. Took a dip in the holy hot spring, known as Tapt Kund or Agni Kund and then offered my prayers to Shri Badri Vishal. The whole region was covered with snow. Remember, Army and Police stay there everyday and on the border to protect the country in extreme conditions. Salute to them!
Badrinath is one of the holy shrines for Vaishnavites among the 108 divya desams incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Badrinath town is also the part of Panch Badri temples including Yog Dhyan Badri, Bhavishya Badri, Adi Badri and Vriddha Badri, along with Badrinath temple. According to Skand Puran, the idol of Lord Badrinath was recovered by Adiguru Shankaracharya from Narad Kund and was re-enshrined in the 8th century A.D. in this temple.Please read more about Shri Badrinath Dham here: https://badrinath-kedarnath.gov.in/AboutUs/shri-badrinath.aspx

23/03/2025

14-15 Mar 2018 Char Dhaam of Uttarakhand, solo yatra on a bicycle
Incredible India Tourism of Culture, Government of India Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Day 23: Rode 65kms from Chopta to Pipalkoti of which around 40kms were blazing downhills in the forest reserve area. Visited a Herbal Research and Development Institute Uttrakhand at Mandal, 25kms downhill from Chopta. https://www.hrdiuk.org/
Staying arrangements at Pipalkoti were made by a friend Sandeep Sati.

Day 24: Rode 35kms from Pipalkoti to Joshimath. Visited Vridh Badri at Animath. Vridha Badri is a remote pilgrimage site located near Joshimath in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is part of the sacred “Sapt Badri” group of temples, which also includes Shri Badrinath temple. Sage Narad performed penance to please Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu appeared in front of him as an old man and granted all his wishes and prayers. Lord Vishwakarma created an idol of Lord Vishnu in the form of an old man at Animath. But unfortunately, it got flooded and disappeared. In the 8th century, they miraculously found it again and put it back in the temple.
Please read more about Vridh Badri here: https://wandersky.in/vridha-badri-travel-tips-complete-travel-guide/

22/03/2025

13 Mar 2018 Char Dhaam of Uttarakhand, solo yatra on a bicycle
Incredible India Uttarakhand Tourism of Culture, Government of India Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Day 22: Rode a challenging climb of 30kms straight from Ukhimath at 4000 feet elevation to Chopta at 9500 feet. Was fortunate to spot a Barking Deer for the first time. Langurs did make way for a bicyclist while monkeys didn't 😃 Took me 6:30hours and then had to rush for a round trip of 10kms hike to Tungnath Mandir which took another 3:30 hours. Chopta to Tungnath Temple 11500 feet was 3.5 kms followed by another 1.5 kms to Chandra Shila 12500 feet. This was my first 12k+ feet elevation hike. Also popular for Sunrise for which people start at 3:00 am. Felt blessed to spot the state bird Monal.

Tungnath temple is located in the Tungnath mountain range in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. At 3680 meters above sea level, this Shiva temple is the highest in the world. Tungnath Mandir is ranked as the Tritiya (third) Kedar among the Panch Kedars.

As per the holy scriptures and mythological stories, it is said that after the Mahabharata war, Pandavas started searching Lord Shiva for atonement of their sin, which they committed by killing their blood relatives and gurus in the war. They went to Kasi, but as Lord Shiva was angry with them due to the heavy blood shed by them, he escaped and came to village Kedar in the Himalaya. When Pandavas reached there, following him, he got transformed into the form of a bull, and when Bhima (the strongest among Pandavas) tried catching him, he disappeared from there and appeared at five different places. All these places are collectively known as Panch Kedar. The forelimbs of Lord Shiva are believed to have appeared here.
Please read more here:
https://www.manchalamushafir.com/tungnath-temple-twelve-fascinating-facts/

21/03/2025

12 Mar 2018 Char Dhaam of Uttarakhand, solo yatra on a bicycle
Incredible India Tourism of Culture, Government of India Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Day 21: The previous night, I stayed at Jacques Vigne National Inter College at Guptkashi. Visited Siddha Peeth Kalimath Mandir, Goddess Kali destroyed demon Rakhtbeej. There is an akhand jyoti there, a holy fire burning since the foretime. Poet Kalidasa worshipped Goddess Kali here. Got an opportunity to meet vidhayak Shri Manoj Rawat ji at the temple.
There was a campus with 3 colleges. Degree College at Vidhyapeeth, Guptkashi, met the principal and professors for their perspective on education and needs in remote villages. Bachelor of Computer Application is their key offering. Another was a Pharmacy College offering 1 and 2 year diploma courses. Couldn't meet people at Sanskrit Degree College as they were out for some event. The campus is next to river Mandakini, in the mountains and surrounded by trees.
Met people at an NGO driven enterprise model enabling hundreds of villagers by hand loom and weaving skills and employment opportunities. They deal in woolens, honey and spices.
Stayed at the Omkareshwar Temple at Ukhimath, second of the panch Kedar. The place where Kina Mandhata observed Penance is famous as Omkareshwar. This is the worship place of God Shri Kedarnath ji, the doli is kept here during the winter season. It is believed that is the place where Usha, daughter of demon King Banasur tied the knot with Aniruddha (Grandson of Shri Krishna), and after her name it was called Ushamath which later became Ukhimath.

20/03/2025

11 Mar 2018 Char Dhaam of Uttarakhand, solo yatra on a bicycle
Incredible India Uttarakhand Tourism Ministry of Culture, Government of India Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Day 20: Rode 55kms, started from Gaurikund and climbed 13kms to Triyuginarayan temple, where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married. Please read more about Triyugi Narayan Temple here: https://www.manchalamushafir.com/triyuginarayan-temple-a-sacred-place-of-worship/

Visited Nehru Institute of Mountaineering office on return. Their mission is to provide world-class mountaineering education, training, and exploration opportunities, cultivating a deep respect for nature and instilling leadership qualities in individuals.Wooden work for Baba Kedarnath Temple was going on in full swing in the institute premises. The elderly carpenter, Ram Singh, belongs to a village Thatyud, closer to Pantwari where I volunteered for 5 months. He is one of the few left with the authentic Garhwali carpentry skill set in Koti Banal method. https://www.nimindia.net/

Visited G B Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, established in 1988-89, to demonstrate their efficacy for conservation of natural resources, and to ensure environmentally sound development in the entire Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).https://gbpihed.gov.in/index.php

Visited the home of Late Sh Vishalmani Sharma Upadhyay who used to run one of the biggest publishing house in India in his time. His family shared with me the 3-4 decade old books from his publishing house, which need to be preserved. Books were priced from 25 paisa to 2 rupees, mostly in Hindi, some did have a Nepalese version. His family made my staying arrangements at Jacques Vigne National Inter College at Guptkashi, with the assistance of its founder Lakhpat Rana ji.

19/03/2025

10 Mar 2018 Char Dhaam of Uttarakhand, solo yatra on a bicycle
Incredible India Tourism of Culture, Government of India
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Day 19: The previous night, I stayed at a PWD Guest house at Phata which was built in 1914. The rooms were spacious with a lot of wood work, surrounded by 360 degree views of mountains. Rode 23kms from village Phata to Gaurikund at 6400 feet elevation. Locked my cycle there. The 16kms hike to Shri Kedarnath starts from here. The route was under repair and renovation with lots of workers around. The mountain people tend to be strongest genetically and were doing the heavy lifting. I crossed Junglechatti, Bheembali, Rambara, Choti Lincholi, Lincholi, Chani Camp, Rudra Point, Base Camp before reaching Shri Kedarnath.
It took me around 5.5 hours to hike 16kms to Shri Kedarnath Temple at 11,500 feet and around 4 hours to return to Gaurikund. The contentment of witnessing Shri Kedarnath ji for the verys first time in my life couldn't be expressed in words.

Below content is copied from this article: https://www.deccanherald.com/specials/kedarnath-history-legend-and-sacred-journeys-738758.html

The legend behind Kedarnath
It is said that the Pandavas sought Lord Shiva to relieve themselves from the guilt of killing their blood relatives. However, Shiva didn't want to release them from their sins, so he disguised himself as a bull to roam the Garhwal Himalayas. On being found by the Pandavas, Shiva dove underground. Bhim could only manage to get hold of his hump. Other body parts of Shiva in the form of a bull showed up at different places.
The hump of the bull was found in Kedarnath, the navel emerged in Madhya-Maheshwar, two forelegs appeared in Tunganath, the face in Rudranath, and the hair in Kalpeshwar. These are collectively called the Panch Kedar - the five sacred places.
Legend has it that the original Pandavas built the temple of Kedarnath and the present temple was established by Adi Shankaracharya, who restored the glory of the shrine in the 8th century A.D.

Glory of the shrine
The temple is said to be more than 1,200 years old and one among the 12 jyotirlingas in India. The majestic Kedarnath peak (6,940 metres) stands behind the temple along with other peaks and adds to the scenery of the area.

18/03/2025

8-9 Mar 2018 Char Dhaam of Uttarakhand, solo yatra on a bicycle
Incredible India Uttarakhand Tourism of Culture, Government of India Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Day 17: Rode 70kms. Started from Ghansali at 2700ft, climbed 30kms to reach the top of the mountains at 7000ft to a place called Chirbatiya followed by 40kms of downhill to Tilwada. Midway, locals have built an entry gate to the Khatwad Gram Holta in the memory of Rifleman Amar Shaheed Dalveer Singh Rana who was martyred in the Kargil Operation Vijay in 1999. The owner of Lata Baba Guest House offered me a complimentary room to stay overnight with food.

Day 18: Rode 55kms from Tilwada to Phata. Gaurikund, from where the hiking to Shri Kedarnath starts, was only 20kms away from Phata. Got an opportunity to meet the principal and teachers of Degree College at Agastyamuni. Stayed at a PWD Guest house which was built in 1914.
The Sage Agastya Muni was one of the Saptarishi sages (Seven Great Sages). He is known for his discipline, knowledge, and devotion. He played an important role in Southern India in spreading Vedic culture and knowledge. It is believed that Sage Agastya meditated at this place for years. The Five Pandavas brothers visited this temple as per the great Indian epic Mahabharata during their journey to the Himalayas.

Please read more about Rishi Agastyamuni here: https://isha.sadhguru.org/en/wisdom/article/agastya-muni-father-southern-india-mysticism

17/03/2025

6-7 Mar 2018 Char Dhaam of Uttarakhand, solo yatra on a bicycle
Incredible India Tourism Ministry of Culture, Government of India Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Day 15: The previous night, I stayed at my friend, Pradeep Uniyal's home in Uttarkashi, whose parents treated me like their own son. Rode 40kms from Uttarkashi to Dhontri village. Started with straight climb of 25kms upto Chaurangi Khaal gaining an elevation of 3300 ft, followed by flying 15kms downhill. Stayed at the head (pradhan) of the Village Bhitiara's place.

Day 16: Rode 65kms from Village Dhauntri to city Ghansali tehri garhwal. The route included a straight climb of 16kms to Kimunda Khaal followed by 35kms of downhill.

12 Jyotirlinga Yatra on a Cycle

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