Dreadlocks, Bikers & Shiva
- kapiljourno
- Apr 2, 2018
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 16, 2018
Jaageshwar is a place where Shiva consciousness can be felt everywhere..... life has a slow pace here... winds run deep down into your lungs making you fresh again.... jata ganga makes you feel at home
story by: kapil kumar
It never easy to reach Shiva or his places. It takes something out of you to meet his frequencies. And each place in hills can only be experienced with awe, courage and like an adventurer. Despite, all hardships that comes in reaching Shiva yet he remains the most sought after yogi. Be it Rudranath, Madmaheshwar, Tungnath, Muktinath - it takes breath out out of our lungs to be there. Jaageshwar is not that hard to reach but still it also takes toll.
During one bonfire in Rishikesh - it happened that I started describing Jaageshwar as one of the best places in Uttrakhand. A group of 40 people were listening to the stories I had of this place. It's quite far from Delhi - nearly 500 kms from one side and 10 to 12 hours to reach depending upon the traffic and road conditions, though roads in Almora are much better than the road of the plains. As I told that the winds are different in Jaageswhar and the Pine forest mesmerises you a group of Bikers from Delhi already decided to take the plunge to Jaageshwar Dhaam.
It was 4 am and Tony was ready with his super bike Kawasaki Z 900. He wanted to skip the day time rush hour traffic so he left early. So the Highway Riders Group decided to meet at Ghazipur Delhi border. At 430 am nearly all 10 super bikers breaking the silence of the night by their thunderous sound met at the meeting point and moved towards Garh Ganga ghats..... zooming at 90 to 100 kms per hour it was matter of 40 minutes that they were all standing on the famous bridge of the Ganga Ghat....
The first light of the sunrise were nor visible and the a mist over the Ganga was making it breath taking.... Despite, being on the best of the Bikes and having best riding gears and modern digital gadgets the boys showed that they still have the Indian values in them as they did pranaam to the Maa Ganga and Surya dev or sun.
When on the highway the Dhabas are also in big demand. Some are famous for their morning tea and paranthas and some for their lunches. But as Gajrola is just 35 kms from Ganga Ghat so it was decided that morning tea will be taken at famous Bhajan Dhaba ( which is now a mix of Punjabi and modern architecture) - After nearly 40 minutes the armoured boys were ordering tea and paranthas. Bhajan Dhaba is nearly 35 yrs old on this route from Delhi to Moradabad - and huge traffic goes to Nainital from this route only so to STOP at newly sprung up Haldiram, Macdonald's, KFC, Udipi, Haveli is a must for everyone.
With bellies full and bikes getting the much desired rest - time was right to hit the road again. The Highway Bikers are known for their discipline on the roads. They move in a way that is safe for them and the other people who are on the road at that time. They try not to overspeed and overtake while taking risks. So the next meeting point was Moradabad By Pass - from there taking the Bazpur road they reached Choti Haldwani. Choti Haldwani or kaladungi is a small village once owned by the famous hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett Sahib. His books on man eating tigers are part of the syllabus in many schools and his famous guns are still with people in the village who love him and call him Carpet Sahib.
Now, from Kaladungi the bikers had to make a decision - either to reach Bhawani via Nainital or via Bheemtal - As they were brainstorming an idea struck Why not to have a Muffin and Expresso Coffee at I heart Cafe near Bheemtal - The bikers picked up some throttle and crossed Haldwani, Kathgodaam and reached Bheemtal -
It is believe that Bheemtaal was created by warrior Bheema of Mahabharata during their exile in the Himalayas. Bheemtaal is also a breath taking place where sun goes down early and the presence of such a Big and beautiful lake add glamour to the Ghost stories which the locals often tel you here. Don't believe them fully and don't underestimate them too. Believing or not believing is Ghosts is out choice. So we all left for I heart Cafe around half a km uphill to Bhawali that has been created keeping in mind the British nostalgia.
From, there the bikers left for Kainchi Dhaam world famous for Guru Neem Karoli baba. After paying a short visit the 10 adventurers moved their bikes towards Almora. After riding non stop for more than an hour the team reached Almora - from their they took the Pithoragarh road towards Jaageshwar. The road is now narrow but well maintained though you cannot keep the pace up but still you move at a speed of 30 to 40 kms per hour which is ok for the hills. The bikers should a little signs of tiredness and kept moving from one village to another - to reach the Jaageshwar Valley.
As the super biker group moved a little downhills inside the Jaageshwar Valley the world changed for them. The Huge Pine trees standing tall welcomed them - and Jata Ganga's sounds created the music for the ears. The speed of the monsters reduced to 10 kms per hour and nearly stopped at Dandeshwar Mahadev - and everyone looked at each other - and in one Voice they said "BEYOND IMAGINATION BRO'.
Jaageshar is a valley in Uttrakhand where there are 126 temples of shiva built nearly 2500 years ago. It is believed that first Shankracharya Aadishanker came to this place and worshipped shiva as the LIFE SAVIOUR or the Mahamritunjaya - so anyone who is not feeling well can come here - for getting blessed. The breath taking views of this place can be compared that with Kashmir. Here, you can find a lot of Westerners singing Hanuman Challisa or Doing OM NAMAH SHIVAYA japs. They come from round the globe to feel the silence. And if Indians like us create more than required noise they tel us shiva is in silence - respect him.
So the IRON HORSEMEN or the super bikers met a rare yogini from England -Habiba Willows who has dedicated her life to Shiva himself. She lives in Jaageshwar for 9 months - sings hanuman challisa and other hymns and lives in a state of bliss all the time. Very relaxed - calm and composed - no rat race - just being the that shiva consciousness is all she wants. It was a great meeting between a yogini and super bikers. One was too calm and the others were too full of energy. But the Bikers realised one thing that the aura of that place - the nature - the trees - the birds changed their outlook towards life - Live Slow whenever you can.....
The bikers did some meditation - just by enjoying the quietness of the place - everyone was nearly taking the whole atmosphere into their souls as if there is no tomorrow - it happens when you meet an adi yogi like Shiva himself who needs nothing - and who needs no one....
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