Harshit, A journey: A heavenly trek to Chandrashila Summit through World's highest Shiva temple

After doing a Winter trek in Kedarkantha, i wanted to experience the Spring in the Himalayas. But this took so much time because of restrictions in Covid. But finally, on 10th January 2023 , I decided and booked my next Himalayan trek. And this time it was Chandrashila!

I welcome you all to my new blog and I will take you through one of the best Summit views of the Indian Himalayas.

View of the Greater Himalaya range from Chandrashila Peak

After registering for the trek i was all set for preparation. I started running / jogging and started using stairs instead lifts. As I was going after a big gap, so didn't want to take any chances even though this is not the toughest of the trek.

The Starting Point

We had a small group of 8 members (so no fight for a window seat in our traveler 😃) and our starting point was at Rishikesh. Our base village was Sari and it took around 7 hours to reach there from Rishikesh. The drive from Rishikesh to Sari is very picturesque. On the way, we sighted the place called Devprayag which is the confluence of the Alakhnanda and Bhagirathi rivers and they make Ganga (Ganges) from there on .

Dev Prayag

The journey continues the hilly ways, the fresh air, mountains, and rivers all through the road. I was already lost and was in almost disbelief that i have made it to the trek finally.

love the hilly roads

After around 5 hours of travel in the Kedarnath Highway, we left the highway and made our way toward Sari .

As soon as the traveler started towards Sari , whole village's greenery was in a flash in front of our eyes. Sitting in the window seat and looking those meadows was absolutely breathtaking.

First view of Sari village

We reached around 2 PM at our first base and had lunch.

after some rest, we gathered for high tea and introduced ourselves to the group. Then we explored the village

Thats the Chandrashila Peak

Beautiful Sari Village

Start of the trek

This was our first day of trekking. Target was to reach Deoriatal (lake). It was an easy to ascend of around 4 hours . on the way we sighted the first Red rhododendron 🌺.

First glimpse of Rhododendrons flower on the way to Deoriya Lake

A perfect weather for trekking

All set !

There was a very old Shiva temple.

Very old Shiva temple on the way

After 4 hours we reached to our base camp. Now it was time to explore the sacred lake. After having lunch (which looks so delicious after hiking) . After following the terrain for 30 minutes we reached at the bank of the lake .

View of the lake from the top

Serene!

After having fun around the lake we went to our campsite and this was the first time we witnessed the great Himalayan range of Chaukhambha and Kedarnath Dom.

First glimpse of Chaukhambha under the clouds

It was a time of sunset and everything was so magical. Serene and peaceful!

The Sunset from our first campsite

Day 2 - 16 Km long trek in the forest

This was going to be a long day. 16 km. Deoriatal to Baniyakund . Even before starting our trek, in the early morning whole range of Chaukhambha and Kedarnath dom was clearly visible. The weather was clear and it was enough for us to motivate us for a long trek.

We started early around 6:30 Am and there was a steep ascend in the starting till a point called Jhandi Top

Finally, we had a clear view of all the snowy peaks

After that, it was all forest. It was dense. The best part was that no one was there except this group so it was quiet. Birds chirping were all around. The great Himalayas range was always visible towards our left throughout the forest.

The dense forest

Views all around!

In between, all of a sudden we found a beautiful plateau and trees loaded with Rhododendron.

As we were moving ahead these flowers were changing colors to pink and then whitish.

Trees loaded with red flowers all around

This was enough to motivate us for a long trek

One of the best months is March or April to witness these views

Some more views

The hike was mixed of ascending and descending and it was so much fun.

We took a break for lunch around a small river and started again.

The way toward the river

Finally, we managed to reach Baniyakund campsite. The weather was pleasent and this campsite was beautiful.

Baniyakund campsite

Stretching is important after a long hike

After some rest, we explored the site. Around 6 pm it started raining followed by a hailstorm. We all were worried if we will be able to go to the summit the next morning or not. Plan was to start in the night around 3 AM but we thought of pushing it because of the very heavy rain.

After a delicious dinner we went to sleep. Rain was still continuing.

Around 2 AM, someone knocked on the door and shouted "Weather is clear". I got out of my bed and directly open the door and then I witnessed the pure magic which is hard to describe in words.

The rain actually helped to clear the weather and all the snowy peaks were shining in front in the darkness. I looked up in the sky and it was full of stars.

We all were happy and excited now. We started our journey toward the Chandrashila summit

Shining Chandrashlie Peak in night

Rain helped to clear the weather

Marching with head torches ON

Day 3 - The Summi Day

Trekking in night is a different experience. I have done a few treks in the Sahyadris range. We started ascending, our heads were down, torches were on and our speed was constant. Whenever I got tired i was looking at my left where the Himalayas range was visible and shining in the moonlight. It was a challenging ascend and since our plan was to witness the sunrise from the leak so have to maintain the speed also.

After 2 hours of ascending, we could see the Tungnath temple which is Worlds highest Shiva temple.

Tungnath temple (image captured while returning )

Even temple was closed but we stayed there gathered some energy and pushed for final summit which is a 1.5 km steep ascend from there. Now our target was visible.

Happiness and excitement of going to the summit!

Like all other peaks, this was also looking very near but I knew it was going to take some effort to reach there.

By this time we were already walking on fresh snow.

I took a pause, turned to my left, and then saw down and got completely hypnotized by the beauty of nature.

Finally, just about sunrise, i stepped to the top of Chandrashila.

Slowly the peaks become orange

The Sunrise from 12500 feet height

This was undoubtedly the most beautiful 360-degree view I could have ever imagined.

Looking at the rising sun, on my left, i could see Chaukhambha, Kedarnath dom, and Haathi parvat . This is the best greater Himalayas range one could witness.

All tiredness was gone looking at those magical peaks.

To the east, i could see India's highest peak Nanda Devi, Trishool Parvat.

Just lost in the view

We took group pictures and then I went to the edge of the cliff and sat there for about 40 minutes.

Still, there was no one at the top except our group.

I have been to Kedar Kantha peak but this will certainly be close to my heart. I will never forget those 30 minutes. I feel so blessed and grateful for everything.

Shadow of the peak

All the Greater Himalayas peaks

We started descending, and continue to the temple.

Stairways to heaven

After some rest there we started again and then we realized how much we climb during night. At a point, it looked like a never-ending descend.

We finally reached back to base around 12. The initial plan was to stay at the site for the whole day and move to Rishikesh the next day.

But since we had time and chances of rain were high in Baniyakund so we decided to leave for Rishikesh the same day.

It was raining all over. I was very happy that i decided to go for this trek and made it successfully. The feeling of seeing the beautiful temple and the time spent at the top will always remain close to my heart.

We were a small group but had great bonding and made some good friends in the trek.