Kartik Swami Temple

Kartik Sawami is lord Kartikeye, brother of Lord Ganesha. He has my sympathy and support since I heard his story as a child. The story goes like this. To solve a disagreement between their two sons Ganesha and Kartikeye, Lord Shiva and Parvati asked them that whoever will circle the world three times and come back first, will be the winner. Kartikeye, who was also the Senapati (chief) of the army of Gods, started his journey immediately on the peacock, his vahan (vehicle). On the other hand Lord Ganesha walked around his parents thrice, saying that my parents are my world and won the race.
It took us three hours to reach Kanakchauri from Kedar Camp, Guptkashi. The little dhaba on the roadside offered tea and snacks and promised to serve us lunch when we come back. These dhabas make such lovely memories.We remember what we ate years back on a particular day and with whom.

The trail to the top was 3 km and we took 90 minutes to cover it. If I don’t have to rush and left to my own pace I can climb any mountain. My group leader Agustya gave me this liberty, the very first day. He gave me a good advice, never to compete with others.Walk at your own pace. No wonder I used to be the last one among my fellow trekkers , though I always had someone or other for the company. Whenever I’m climbing, I wait for a herd of sheep. They make the trek complete.

After a point the trail was almost flat and we could see the temple, a white dot, on the top of a mountain. How wonderful is it that we can see our goal clearly, with a well laid path ahead and amiable people beside.

Temple at the Top
Of all the seven treks of this trip, I would remember this one for the pretty little flowers along the pathway. They looked like they were looking at you and seeking your attention like a group of small children. And did I hear ‘Cheeese’ ?

As a rule I don’t google the place before the visit to retain the element of surprise. Specially when I am with the people I can rely on. I am happy I didn’t. The moment I climbed up the last step and saw the panoramic view I was spellbound. The statue of a lovely peacock at the temple made sure that the temple belonged to lord Kartikeye and then I knew that Kartik Swami is called Murugan Swami in south India.

Temples are at the peaks of the mountains and providing electricity here would be expensive. In most of the temples solar energy is being used. Like windmills, solar panels also look charming to me. A solar pillar stood behind the temple too.

‘Return journeys are shorter’, and this one was not an exception. A sumptuous meal awaited us at Kanakchauri. We were served regular daal-rice-chapati and hari bhujji i.e greens, which I, a pahari, tasted after a long time. We do cook it at home but the taste is never the same. At home we eat out of habit, not because we are hungry. At least this is the case with me. This is one of the pleasures mountains offer me. I miss all this when I say, ‘Mountains are calling and I must go.’