 There was a better feeling of clarity after the night spent at Rudraprayag. After a 3-hour 85 KM drive from Rudraprayag, we reached Gaurikund, the base for the trek to Kedarnath. Kedarnath is at an elevation of 3,581 meters above sea level (11,750 feet) and this shrine is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva.
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Today is a long travel day, we are travelling from Utterkashi to Rudraprayag, a distance of 200 KM. We were able to get Internet connectivity, and Amalananda quickly updated a few pictures and blogs to the Ekatvam website before we all started on the long bus journey. By this time all of us had become accustomed to the travel through the mountainous roads. However, each section of the drive through the Himalayas is unique in its own way. There was one particular section of the drive where, when negotiating with a vehicle in the opposite direction on the narrow road, our vehicle was were a mere 4 inches from the edge of the ravine. One of us joked that we still had a good 4 inches to negotiate! Truely, we had become used to the mountain roads.
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 It was icy cold when we got up. A pail of water left outside the camp the previous night was frozen. As we huddled around, drinking the piping hot coffee given to us by the accompanying cooking and porter staff, we mapped out the plan for the day. Gaumukh, where the glacier for the mighty Ganga river is located, is 5 KM from the Bhojbasa camp where we stayed overnight. The plan was to trek to Gaumukh, offer prayers and pujas, and to then head back to the campsite at Cheervasa where we had stopped for lunch yesterday. That would make for a total trekking distance of 15 KM. The high altitude was causing difficulties for Swamiji, all of us felt it was best for him to not gain further altitude, but instead to head back to Cheervasa. Amma and Carla decided to be with Swamiji, while the rest of us decided to go to Gaumukh and then go to Cheervasa.
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All of us woke up early and headed to the dining hall camp. There was a welcome breakfast of Sambar and Idly, traditional South Indian dishes. Raghudasa recovered well through the night, there was a lot of healing on him at several different levels, it was quite a big relief to all of us. During breakfast, Swamiji and Amma reminded us the power of faith, and how it would make us accomplish the seemingly impossible.
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Again, we rose early, not wanting to leave the warmth of our beds. However, the reminder of our next destination motivated all of us to move. We would be heading to a camp at Dharali, near Gangotri, the next step of the Char Dham Yatra. After a short morning drive we stopped at what was just seemingly a roadside rocky staircase. Amma and Swamiji stepped out of the car first noticing some childish laughter ahead up the hillside. We all followed after and climbed up the steep rocky steps. To our surprise we found three young boys tugging on Amma and Swamiji's clothing, laughing and pulling them up the hill. These "three monkeys" definitely lightened our moods and put smiles on our faces as they escorted us to our destination.
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Amalananda was the first to rise. With visible breath, he stirred the rest of our party from our slumbers. The bitter air and blue morning chill sat heavily before sunrise. We all looked forward to the day, it would mark the beginning of all of us setting out on the most holy of pilgrimages for Hindus, and also, it happened to be Swamiji's birthday as well. Raghudasa and Amalananda greeted Swamiji first thing in the morning with their well wishes and the group later sang happy birthday at breakfast. Swamiji gave his thanks and blessings and Amma said that this was going to be a very beautiful trip for all. 
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 Today is a complete travel day, from Rishikesh to Barkot, which is 230 KM away (about 150 miles). The journey is expected to take about 12 hours, including a couple of stops in between, which averages to about 15 mph! The mountain air is so fresh and healing, the weather was perfect. We all felt an air of expectancy in the beautiful nature around us, something was telling us that there is a beautiful day ahead.
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Yatra
