Tips for an enjoyable trip to Badarinath - Made a trip to Badarinath last month. Drove down from Delhi with stops at Rishikesh and Pandukeshwar (GMVN hotels). Our trips have normally been in September but advanced it to June this year to celebrate our golden wedding anniversary there. But Badarinath was very crowded. We survived because of advance planning starting as early as February 23. Weather was very kind and we didn’t use heavy woollen. Badarinath is undergoing a massive make over which will be ready in 2024. Online booking facility by Temple was very useful and helpful. Hardwar was a disappointment with very dirty environment at Chandi Devi and Mangala Devi temples. Moral of the story is avoid May & June for these places.

My Kedarnath visit - Sitting in the birth place of Gangotri and Yamunotri was a memorable experience. Though the ride on the horse was bit difficult as the sand was lose I enjoyed it. Going to Kedarnath on a horse was exasperating as the ride went on and on . Started at 8 am and reached at 3 pm. Heavy trafic jam . The passage was bit wide but filled with horse riders, dholis, and also with people who carried pilgrims in a basket on their back. Though helicopter service is available , we came to know that tickets were sold for higher prices by brokers. Goverment's interference is a must in this case. Had to stand for five hours for dharshan but did not feel any tiredness. The ambience is spiritual with devotees of all status, all ages but the serenity was felt. We were at 11500 ft high above sea level, with mountains all around us, some peaks were glittering like gold, as it was full of ice. After seven we could feel the chillness but did not dare to come down the same night as we felt it was too risky. So we stayed there for the night.Camps are given for rent for pilgrims at cheaper rate. We can get horses from Gowri Khund at the rate ,2540. But only groups minimum four will be given tickets. We should get badge of four horse men , show it inthe counter and get tickets. All through the way there are small restraunts, which provide you good hot food. On the whole the experience was really delightful. As a piece of advice I would like to say that one should visit kedarnath when one is young and healthy.