The Mahabharata
speaks of the formation of the Himalaya. In the very beginning of time and
creation, the Hindu god Vishnu used to live by the shores of a great vast sea
(later identified as the Tethys Sea). A pair of seagulls also nested on the
same shore. Every year the female seagull would lay her eggs by the shore of
the sea. But the sea would sweep in and wash her eggs away. The female seagull
laid her eggs farther ashore every year but the sea would continue to sweep in
and wash them away every single time. The seagulls were heartbroken by their
loss. In despair, they appealed to Vishnu, the great Preserver, to come to
their aid. Vishnu felt pity and compassion for their hapless situation. He
opened his mouth and swallowed t he sea in a huge gulp. Where the sea was, now
lay the newly created Mother Earth. Vishnu was very exhausted by the feat of
swallowing up such a vast sea. He lay down to rest and soon fell into a deep
sleep. The demon Hiranyanksha was lurking nearby. When he saw Vishnu asleep, he
seized the opportunity and brutally assaulted the defenseless Mother Earth. His
brutality was of such great magnitude that her limbs were broken and levered
up. These broken limbs, towering towards the sky, formed the mighty Himalayas.
Set in the foothills of magnificent Himalaya is a village called Singtali in Gahrwal region of Uttarakhand.
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| Balcony projecting over river Ganges |
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| Entrance |
Taj Rishikesh Resorts & Spa Uttarakhand situated in
Singtali, a village about 35 Km from Rishikesh on the way to Kedarnath. a
spiritual gateway of Himalayas is a complete blend of simplicity, spirituality
and nature. Designed by Singapore based Ecoid is well crafted with local
materials and existing sloppy landscape. "Pahadi" wooden logs and
Stones are dressed well for the
application which sets the place chest modern.
Morning 6.30 AM is absolute silence except for the sounds of
holy river Ganges flowing just below the projecting balcony projecting outside
the rocky hillock, flowing waters and
chirping of birds.
White sand and flowing waters of River Ganges having tint of
green creates absolute magic during the sun rise
Local food always responds to the climate well, but the
culinary skills along with its presentation makes it more rejoicing.
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| Buckwheat puffed bread with cocoyam |
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| Budhha Bowl |
Morning starts with
Bael Sherbet, a delightful and soothing beverage for hot summers. followed by
Mandua Puri with Pahari urbi ki sabji
(buckwheat puffed bread with cocoyam). Cocoyam is grown locally and used
as a staple diet in many household in Gahrwal.
Afternoons are relatively hot. The temperature varies
between 35 to 38 degree Celsius. Open air lounges attached to the dining areas
cant work during the day but the large shaded areas attached to the lobby are
kept open for dining. Barren mountains reminds one with local ground spices of
Gahrwal.
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| Mandua roti, Pahadi saag gosht and Red rice |
Buddha bowls are the signature salads served Sous vide
cooked chicken and pineapple, Parma ham, turkey pastrami, with garlic thyme
crostini is an Italian preparation with flavour of local spices.
Its Mandua roti (
Ragi) and Pahadi saag gosht and famous red rice ( whole rice red)for main
course.
There is a enough
room in a balcony to accommodate the sketching travel kit. Inspiring view of
mountains from the balconies takes away the siesta time. the dry mountains
appeared brown with almost dried landscape. But the scale of mountains with
river Ganges keeps one engrossing.
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| Mountains with river Ganges flowing down: Watercolour on Paper |
Devprayag is a place about 40 Km from Singtali. Its about 90 Min drive up the mountains.
The celestial town of Devprayag is positioned at an
elevation of 830 metres above sea level. Devprayag is the last Prayag or the
holy confluence of the Alaknanda River, from here that the confluence of
Alaknanda and Bhagirathi River is known as Ganga. Meeting of two holy rivers
really mesmerises you.The town is the seat of the pundits of Badrinath Dham.
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| Confluence of holy rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi .. which is named as river Ganges after this confuence : Water clolour on paper. |
The Himalayan ranges have always been a source of
inspiration to many. Myths and legends are usually traditional stories that are
often handed down through generations but lack factual evidence. Often myths
have a religious or spiritual significance. Somehow myths and legends of all faiths are inspiring.
