A Family’s Journey to the Divine: Shambhavy’s Char-Dham Thrillophilia Review
A teardrop rolled down my Maa's cheeks, her hands outstretched as if receiving a blessing from Lord Shiva himself, and then she touched her face, whispering prayers I couldn’t quite hear.
I’ll never forget that moment.
We stood there, all four of us, teary-eyed, gazing at the majestic Kedarnath Temple.
The towering mountain behind it seemed carved into the likeness of Lord Shiva, watching over us in quiet grandeur. After years of waiting and prayers, this was her moment with her beloved Mahadev. Kedarnath had always been Maa’s dream, her ultimate pilgrimage. She’s been a devotee of Lord Shiva all her life.
But for some or the other reason, every time she and Baba planned a trip to Kedarnath, something came up. A family emergency, floods in Uttarakhand or even a lockdown.
And then one day in early 2023, she called me to inform me about one of her friends who was going to Kedarnath with a hint of longing in her tone.
Something stirred within me, and before I knew it, I was on the phone with one of my friends at Thrillophilia, booking a Char Dham Yatra for the whole family.
The First Steps on the Holy Ground
Char Dham is a set of four pilgrimage sites in India —Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—each with its own spirit, and its own stories.
But, it was more than a pilgrimage for us; it was the culmination of years of devotion, a tribute to Maa’s unwavering faith in Lord Shiva.
It was like my maa says-
It’s time to meet Shiva.
Our trip began in Haridwar, where we dipped our feet into the icy cold Ganga at the ghats. There’s something about the river—ferocious and yet, calming—that takes away the weight of your worries.
We stood at Har Ki Pauri, the famous ghat, where Maa dipped her feet into the icy waters of Ganga— flowing gracefully, carrying centuries of prayers, hopes, and dreams.
And the Ganga Aarti in the evening was like something out of a dream— the rhythmic chanting of mantras, the flickering diyas floating on the river, and the sound of shankhas filled the air with an otherworldly vibe.
I got goosebumps and tears somehow.
The One Where It All Begins
Yamunotri, where the River Yamuna flows from the icy glaciers, was fast and clear, its waters both sacred and serene. It’s said that bathing in the Yamuna absolves one of all sins, and though we didn’t bathe, we felt the purity of the place settle deep within.
The river that we call Ganga begins here, but at Gangotri, she is known as Bhagirathi. The river is known for its ferocious nature but at that moment, she seemed calmer, almost maternal.
Mishaps and Miracles
Of course, not everything went as smoothly as we hoped. While we were excited about our journey, an unexpected mishap almost threatened to derail the trip.
We were taking in the blessings of the beautiful confluence of Devprayag, where the serene Alaknanda meets the forceful Bhagirathi at the Sangam.
And, amid this serenity, I suddenly received a call that made my heart race. There had been a slight issue with some bookings at the hotel, and I panicked.
My heart sank. Kedarnath was the highlight of our pilgrimage, and this news hit hard.
In a panic, I called Thrillophilia. I remember explaining the situation, worried. But to my surprise, their team was already on it. They found us a solution even better and when I broke the news to Maa, she simply smiled and said, “Shiva always has a plan.”
The Magic of Lord Shiva
Nothing could prepare us for Kedarnath. I mean NOTHING
The moment you start the journey, however treacherous the paths are, however tired you are, there is this thing that pulls you towards the temple.
I call it Shiva's magic.
The path to the temple was long and difficult, winding through narrow roads and steep climbs. I told Maa to take a pony ride or a palki but she declined this like a zillion times. I was afraid for her health but her love and devotion for Shiva was unwavering and nothing could come between that.
All of us then took the harder option—trekking to the top.
But trust me when I say, it was all worth it.
And when we finally reached Kedarnath, after a long and exhausting journey through winding roads and steep climbs, it was nothing short of a miracle.
The temple stood tall, backlit by the sky, as if it had waited centuries for us.
The air was cold and crisp, and every breath felt like a prayer. Maa’s eyes sparkled with tears. We stood there, with the towering peak of the Kedarnath mountain behind the temple, its shadow casting an image of Lord Shiva in the clouds.
It was surreal.
The evening Aarti here was another powerful experience. The chants echoed through the valley, reverberating in our hearts. We all stood there—each lost in our prayers, yet bound by the same faith.
When the pujari lifted the aarti plate towards the sky, it was as if the flames themselves were trying to touch the heavens.
The First Village of India
The last leg of our journey took us to Badrinath, the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, set between the Nar and Narayan mountains, with the river Alaknanda flowing nearby.
Before reaching Badrinath, we spent a night at Pipalkoti with a spectacular view from our room. The food was comforting, and we enjoyed delicious Paneer Chilli and Aloo Chaat, laughing and sharing stories of the day’s adventures.
And, then we reached the Badrinath temple, standing tall with its bright colours and beautiful architecture. Silently, we offered our prayers, thanking the almighty for a safe and wonderful Char Dham Yatra.
We also spent hours wandering through Mana village, the last village before the Indo-China border.
The End and yet a Beginning
As we made our way back to Haridwar, I found myself lost in thought. Why hadn’t Maa and Baba been able to make this journey sooner?
Then, as if the dots began to connect, the answer came to me. All these years, they had been trying to make this sacred trip alone, but perhaps that was never the plan. Lord Shiva wanted us to be there too—to share in this experience, to witness the journey as a family.
Maa was right all along. Shiva truly does have a plan for everyone, one that unfolds in its own time.
Read more: Thrillophilia Uttarakhand Reviews