All World
Gayatri Pariwar

I felt blessed on having had the sacred sight of the origin of goddess Ganga. In appearance, Gomukh is a gap in a huge rock through which a small fountain having the purity of milk is gushing out. Due to the tremendous force of flow the water strikes against the stones lying on its way so hard that the drops of water rise high. The sunrays falling on this spray of water create a rainbow whose beauty is simply to be seen and to be enjoyed.

The soul gets purified by merely remembering the message of redemption and the great culture which mother Ganga, starting from this sacred source, has been spreading throughout the ages. I wish I were able to captivate forever this sight in my eyes.

My destination was still ahead. The area surrounded by Ganga, Vamak, Nandanvan, Bhagirathi peak and Shivlinga Mountain is the heart of the Himalayas. Innumerable unknown souls of very exalted spiritual stature are dwelling here and are engaged in acquiring the necessary power required for the purpose of redeeming this world. It is neither fair nor necessary to discuss it here. It would be rather premature too. Hence I desist from throwing light on this matter.

Here onwards my guide has been directing me along the path. After negotiating miles of hazardous ascents I got the glimpse of Tapovan, an interior region situated beyond Gomukh. The snow-clad mountain peaks were spreading their supernatural beauty all around. There was the sight of Shivlinga Mountain in front looking exactly as if huge serpents are poised with their raised hoods. Those who are endowed with the vision of imagination could see with their naked eyes the sight of Lord Shiva with matted hair. On the right side there is the purple snow mountain of Sumeru. The other radiant bluish mountain peaks are called Brahmapuri. A little behind on the left side is Bhagirath Mountain. It is said that this is the place where Bhagirath performed tap (penance) whereon Ganga was pleased to grant his request to come down to earth.

There is a rock called Bhagirath Shila near Gaurikund in Gangotri which is also said to be associated with the tap of Bhagirath. Anyway this snow-clad mountain is the real Bhagirath Mountain. Geologists also consider this mountain to be the origin of Ganga. Behind Bhagirath Mountain there is Nilgiri Mountain wherefrom Neel River with bluish water flows. All these colorful mountains of heavenly beauty can be viewed from a high spot. When snow starts melting, the wide expanse of Bhagirath plateau becomes inaccessible. When ice breaks, huge gaps are formed. If anyone ventures to get there, the chances of his coming back are remote. When the melting is over by August-September, it really appears like Nandanvan, the garden of heaven. This is not simply a lovely name of the place, but here the atmosphere is truly heavenly. During that period there sprouts soft grass all over and the whole area is filled with the fragrance of flowers and rare plants. The earth here is decorated with flowers. There is no wonder if gods dwell on such a ravishingly beautiful part of the earth. If Pandavas had come here on their way to heaven there appears to be no exaggeration.

The beauty of Tapovan, which is the heart of the Himalayas, is inexplicable. Reaching here is equally difficult. Hardly anyone may venture to stay here and enjoy the beautiful sight at temperatures much below zero degree Celsius. Badrinath and Kedarnath come within the range of this holy Tapovan. Going along the existing route, the distance from Gomukh to Badrinath is about 250 miles. But if one goes along the route crossing Mana pass the distance from Tapovan to Badrinath is only about 20 miles (32 Km). Likewise Kedarnath is only 12 miles (20 Km) from here. But it is not possible for everyone to tread the snow-clad track. Tapovan is called a paradise. On reaching here I felt that I was really standing on heavenly grounds. All this is due to the showering of grace of that Supreme Power at whose behest this body is merely dancing like a puppet in the hands of the master Puppeteer.