The
Gurdwara at Joshimath , the transit stop that is around an hour's drive
from Gobind Ghat , is also located in the midst of a market and is
situated next to the Punjab National Bank. The nishan sahib, standing tall, is
the first thing one notices since the small gurudwara, itself is located at a
level lower than the road . After paying their obeisance, many people make their
inter state telephone calls from the nearby market because this is the last
place to be able to do so.
The traverse from here to Gobind Ghat is of the kind that gives one an
insight on hillside life, Women folk carrying huge bundles of hay on their
heads, red cheeked children on the way from school . Quaint houses are farmed by
brightly colored flowers. Terraced fields with the harvest swaying in the
mountain breeze and the immaculate cantonment. It is interesting to pass through
roads lined by smartly turned out army men waiting for their due inspection by
an officer.
These sights change into those of raw mountains and one comes
to a bridge specially designed to carry heavy loads like army vehicles. Since it
is a precarious junction , only one vehicle is allowed to pass at a time.
Work to carry out construction of roads on the other side of the mountain can
also be seen. One crosses numerous fallen boulders and hears the tale of temple
that still exists in spite of being subjected to a major landslide. All this
reinforces one's belief in the holy powers of the Almighty.
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