Theme Destinations Bedni Bugyal (India)
posted on Saturday, January 17, 2004|
in Everywhere
(submitted by
Jimmy
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I would love to go back!
And, if there's one place I would love to go back to it is Bedni Bugyal. It is totally ravishing, especially in the rains?when it's a carpet of flowers. I said to Indrani, you have to see it before you die? and it's so easy to get there. You don't need anything? I can take you now. You just have to jump on a bus which will take you to Gwaldham, then there are a couple of days of walking, eating at dhabas en route and you're there. Except in winter, of course, when there's too much snow and you can't get up. This year there hasn't been much snow and you probably could attempt reaching Bedni. All the villagers graze their sheep, goats and horses here? It's magical in the rains? there are hundreds of horses galloping around ? The place is sacred to Nanda Devi, so they have this small temple to Nanda Devi and her dhoot or messenger, Latu. They have a once-in-12 years rath yatra, which was held last year (the yearly rath yatra goes only as far as Bedni and every 12 years up to Rup Kund and beyond). Due to the altitude you can only do it in the rains and when the snow melts. I would love to go up to Bedni just for the sheer bliss of being in these Elysian Fields? Being there is like being in the hereafter, now. I must have been in my 50s when I went there. I used to live in Kausani in the early 60s and I had the Bugyal daily in my sights, but I couldn't go there because there was an inner line. When it was lifted in the 70s, I could have gone? but it still meant I had to get permission. But I hate doing things that the ordinary traveller can't do. When I did go it was totally mind-bogglingly, unbelievably beautiful? I've never seen anything so ecstatic? horses galloping by with their manes streaming behind wildly, carpets of flowers, exuberant scents, great rolling meadows, these huge snow peaks that you could almost reach out and touch?Total freak-out without drugs! Bedni Bugyal was the drug. Unbelievable? and enjoyed only by budhu shepherds who are not even looking up? For them it's hardship, but for anyone with a soul it's like having full darshan of the thousand faces of the divine -- at once? it's a huge explosion of bliss. And this is only one of a hundred bugyals. And still people just don't go! I say, just get up and go. I felt so much at home? my soul felt at home. I have a problem of breathing so I can't stay there. That's why it's so much more special. Also, too much darshan could be unendurable for the human soul! I'd get up and go tomorrow at the drop of a hat? if the Devi calls me. It's not difficult? the conditions en route are not the problem. It's totally achievable. But if you give in to your reservations you will never go. LOCATION Accessible from Rishikesh and Nainital en route to Roop Kund via Mandoli. CLIMATE Snow bound most of the year and experiences temperatures below zero. Summers are pleasant though evenings can trun chilly. <b>WHEN TO GO</b> The best time to visit Bedni Bugyal and its environs is either May to June or September to October. You need to carry woollies and a raincoat for sudden showers. - Jimmy , posted 01/17/04 |
