Awesome Auli

Day 1
Reached Delhi and felt the cold air nip our tropical selves.A quick night trip to Chandini Chowk , Sis Ganj Sahib Gurudwara's langar dal roti was sinfully completed with the rich parathewali gali parathas.

Day 2
Early morning train to Haridwar was a delight for the foodies in us as we chomped through all that was to offer on wheels.A half a day sight seeing tour of Haridwar to Chandi Devi and Mansa Devi temples followed by the much famed Ganga Ghat Aarti is a glimplse into the religious fervour of our folks.

Ganga Ghat arti

Day 3
From Rishikesh the winding roads start and the every bend and turn along the mountains is a still for the nat geo mag.The green waters below and the mighty mountains by the sides interupted by a villages far and few in between kept us company till we reached Joshimath at nightfall. Roadside Dhabas provide simple vegetarian fare of paranthas and Dal Chawal. Potatoes in various forms is an essential ingredient in all meals.

Ram Jhula in Rishikesh

Day4

Snow ball pelting on the rope way

Early morning visit to the winter abode of Lord Badrinath in Joshimath had a little surprise for us. Tamil verses hailing praises of the lord and his abode had an immediate connect of the Tamilian in me with this far away snowy kingdom.

Skiing

A ropeway ride to Auli and the first sight of snow peaked mountains can excite young and old alike.
Playing in the snow and making a snow man is a must for everyone. Riding all the way to the top on a snow mobile felt like I was riding Santa's sleigh, only this ride was far more bumpier. Skiing on the slopes of Auli requires lots more time and skill to learn but we can pose for the snap. With the help of the friendly local instructors even ski small bits of the slope over an hour. Steaming noodles and pasta with a hot cuppa by the Nanda Devi snowy peaks tastes heavenly. So much so that even Gods residing on those peaks must have switched to these yummy treats from their boring fruits and amrut.

Nanda Devi peaks bathed in the golden s

 A travellers tip - Snow and the sub zero temperatures can be enjoyed only if we are adequately wooled and gloved. A bon fire at night and watching the moon creeping from behind the white peaks warms body and the soul alike.We bonded over the fire and songs with our other Cliff toppers. The mountain air has magic in it. Brings out the best in us. Maybe that's why Gods reside there.

Snow Mobile

Ethereal

Day5
Descent from Auli , kissing the snow goodbye was difficult but we were also keen to get away from the cold.
We drove along the holy river confluences Nand Prayag(Alaknanda & Nandakini), Karan Prayag(Alaknanda &Pindari), Rudra Prayag(Alaknanda & Mandakini) and Dev Prayag ( Alaknanda & Bhagirathi). White water rafting in a 16 Km stretch from Sivpuri to Rishikesh was the highpoint of this trip for us. We hit some of the most exciting rapids on the Ganga i.e. Return to Sender, Roller Coaster, Golf Course shouting slogans like Jai Ganga Mata and Dar Ke Aage Jeet Hai. One can try Body Surfing and Cliff Jumping also in this section.The adrenaline rush is unmatched and the experience unforgettable.The drive down the mountainous roads got out my philosophical side. I decided to leave all my troubles and niggling thoughts in those hills and come clean after a bath in the pristine waters of the Ganges. Trust me it had the desired effect when I reached back home.

Dev Prayag

River Rafting

cliff jumping

Day 6
Delhi again and this time we feasted on meat. Nihaari and paaya at Karims at old Delhi with tandoor rotis did justice to its fame. A quick day tour of the Red fort, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate and Qutub Minar is all it takes for us to believe how Delhi truly deserves to represent our vast diversified nation as our capital. And a proud one at that.

Karims @ Old Delhi