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Swami Darshanananda Saraswati

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Om Namo Narayanaya Swami Darshanananda Saraswati is a gem of a Sadhu living on the banks of Ganga Mayya in the Himalayas. He exemplifies the spirit of Sannyasa - complete effacement of ego and whole-hearted surrender to God. His soul-elevating presence fills the heart with pure joy and devotion.  Swami Darshanananda Saraswati is 89 years old as of 2018. Presently h e is the Pujari of the Sri Atmajnaneshwar Lord Shiva temple. He has been performing the Puja duties without break for the past 20 years. He is affectionately known as Pujari Swamiji. Swamiji wakes up by 3:00 a.m. everyday without fail, how much ever cold it may be. After his early morning bath, he starts the rituals all by himself without any help. The rituals go on for almost an hour which include chanting of various Mantras, and cleansing and floral decoration of the Shivalinga and other Gods. By the time the Gods are ready, the  other Sadhus arrive at the temple. Swamiji  then starts the Arati which go
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Nachiketa Tal

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Nestled deep inside the Himalayan forests of Garhwal is an extremely holy, placid and scenic lake known as Nachiketa Tal. The lake is named after the young lad Nachiketa, the famous hero of Kathopanishad. As the story goes, the barely 9 year old Nachiketa goes to the home of Yamaraj - the Lord of Death in search of the Supreme Knowledge. Yamaraj tests the boy thoroughly by offering him all the highest sense pleasures and the capacity  to enjoy them for as long a time as Nachiketa wishes. The glorious boy-sage coolly rejects all these offers and firmly tells Yamaraj that he won't have anything less than the Highest Wisdom - the mystery behind Life and Death, and the Knowledge of Atman. The greatly pleased Yamaraj having met a fit disciple, then instructs Nachiketa in Brahma Vidya. Nachiketa Tal is the place from where Nachiketa made his way to Yamaloka (the home of Yamaraj). One gets transported to another realm thinking about Kathopanishad in this out-of-the-world lake.
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Ganga Mayya leaving Gangotri

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Jai Ganga Mayya Among the holiest of all places is the temple dedicated to Ganga Mayya at Gangotri in the Himalayas. This temple is open for devotees for 6 months in a year from May to October. The temple is closed for 6 months from November to April as the place becomes inaccessible due to heavy snowfall during winter.  During this period Gangaji is worshipped in Mukhimath temple located in Harshil valley which is about 20 Kms downstream from Gangotri. The idol of Ganga Mayya is carried in a beautiful procession from Gangotri to Mukhimath via Bhairon ghati on the day following Deepavali.  In the Deepavali of 2018, Gangotri had already received almost 2 feet of snow. The snow around the temple was cleared with much difficulty. Most of the nearby Ashrams and hotels wear a deserted look as they are covered in snow.  The already freezing waters of Gangaji becomes ice-cold. Die-hard devotees who dare to take bath in Gangaji are drenched in ice cubicles.
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