Aarti at Gangotri temple

We picked up speed on the way down. By 1800 hrs., we were still 3.5 kms away from Gangotri. Darkness slowed us down. Our headlamps and D’s torch showed us the stones to avoid and at 1900 hrs., we reached Gangotri temple, just in time for the evening aarti. We took part in the aarti and reached the car park where my anxious father had sent R upwards to search for us/bring info about us. It was pitch-dark and R and the porters soon came back, since someone along the way had told him about us taking the temple steps path.

R and the porters were paid enough to bring smiles on their faces and welcome us back to Gangotri. And a grateful father thanked Ganga mata for bringing his children back to him.

My mother, alone at the Bhaironghatti GMVN TRH, since 1300 hrs., had been pacing the corridor in her night clothes, unable to sleep, be inside her room or do anything else constructive. At 2100 hrs., she welcomed us with a broad smile and said, ‘You all look very tired! Come and eat and then rest!’, as any mother would have done.