Trip to Gosainkunda

Gosainkunda for me was more of an adventure than a pilgrimage. And, it turned out to be really worthwhile. I met some people who have been there more than 10 times for religious reasons (I honestly and amazingly respect that feat) but for me it was exploring your own country and just enjoying the nature that I remember the most. Talking about how I reached there.

After staying in Dhunche for two days, we set off on Tuesday morning at exactly 6 in the morning. With a short descent to Ghattekulathan, it was seriously uphill all along the way with never ending hills that kept on showing up with every turn and ascent The trail was simply magnificent with its panoramic view and jaw dropping scenery and that sometimes helped to keep the mind off of the gradual pain creeping up the leg with every step. Gosainkunda is more than 2000 meters higher than Dhunche and the walking distance is much more than that. Slowly, we made our way past the various so called villages, Deuarali (2625M), Dhimsa (3007M), Chandanbari (3512M) and Laurivinayak (3900M) before finally reaching Gosainkunda (4300M). After climbing, limping, struggling and nearly to the point of crawling for 12 hours Gosainkunda stood in front of us. Luckily, I didn’t get altitude sickness but can’t say that for everyone who was there. After staying a night there we headed back to Dhunche the next morning, after admiring the scenic beauty, bathing and feeling VERY VERY cold. On my way down met up with a very interesting Frenchman Baptiste (pronounced Ba-Tist) who among other things helped me play a Gambian instrument called the Mugambo. And with him and another Nepali guy, Sambala, reached Dhunche in just 6 hours and didn’t (couldn’t) leave the bed the whole day.

It’s hard putting down in words about the trip. What I could write is about how I ended up crushing my knee with the speedy descent or how I nearly fell off of a cliff and that sort of things. Im just not coming to terms with what to write, there are so many things and im just that much lazy. So instead, enjoy some of the pictures that might put some things in perspective.

What you knew or don’t know about Gosainkunda:

• There are two other lakes on the way to Gosainkunda, one is just adjacent to Gosainkunda. (I forgot their names)
• Gosainkunda is religiously important to both Hindus and Buddhists.
• Gosainkunda can also be considered as the source of the river Trishuli.
• For many Hindus, a place just above the lake called the Trisulthan is more religiously important than the lake itself, as that place is supposed to have been the place where lord Shiva jammed his Trishul in ancient time.
• No one has died of falling while going to Gosainkunda but deaths occur mostly due to altitude sickness.
• The water of Gosainkunda is very very cold, almost all the time.
• If you’re planning on going, go during Baisakh month, the Laliguras (Rhododendrons) bloom all over the hills (there are 12 different colored/species found) and the climate is also very suitable.
• While ascending, go slow, you don’t want to get altitude sickness and while descending also go slow you don’t want to crush your knee bones or fall off of a hill either.