Experiencing Mount Bhadraj - Uttarakhand

Mount Bhadraj -  Dehradun – 29^th Sep 2017

It was Sep last week 2017. I was at our Dehradun learning center for facilitating a program. Pegasus Dehradun Centre is located near village Dibli at a driving distance of 45 min. from Dehradun & at the foothills of Mount Bhadraj. This was going to be my very first interaction with Bhadraj.

A beautiful temple is located right atop Mount Bhadraj dedicated to Lord Bal Bhadra, brother of Lord Krishna. This temple offers a splendid view of the Doon Valley, Chakrata ranges and the Jaunsar Bawar area of Himalayas. Trekking distance from Pegasus camp to the temple is approximately 11 kms. Bhadraj is a local Dainty for the villages located on these ranges which spread right till Mussoorie.

While I was in camp, this peak which was peeping from behind the mountains next door had attracted my attention. I was lucky to get one zero day on 29^th Sep in between two programs. I asked our Camp manager ‘Capt. Karnel singh’…’sir ji, kal Bhadraj chadhna chahti hun. Aap ka kya sujhav hai?’ and I found him extremely happy. He said ‘kyu nai madam ji aap bilkul jaoge. Ek banda aap ke sath deta hun wo aap ko le jaega’. Now it was my turn of getting into dilemma. My co-faculty Samrat had threatened me (on a lighter side) that ‘if you fall sick & not able to facilitate next program, I will kill you.’  :(

But then it is all about YOLO. " Kal kisne dekha hai! "

So I decided to dedicate one day to this expedition. On 29^th Sep I was ready with my sleeves rolled up and socks pulled up. One of the Jr. faculties Rajesh (Hrrrrjeshh is how Karnel singh ji calls him) who is a resident of Dibli was all equipped with a sack full of juices, water bottle & Sooji ka halwa as prashad for Bhadraj. He was my guide for the day. We both started at about 7.30am. 

 We came to Rajesh’s village on the way. Small beautiful houses next to the paddy fields. In each house, the Corns garlands were hanging from the roofs. Rajesh told me that they will be used for making corn flour which is used as local staple food. We ascended towards the mountain ranges where from steep ascend started. 

It was not a normal trekking route but it was a cowboy’s route from where the cattle are taken for grazing. At many places it did not even have a walking track & we had to walk through the knee tall grass. The beauty of this route was that I could see a virgin flora & fauna of Himalayas. Tall trees of Deodar accompanied us for some time. At a particular height the tree line ended and all I could see was the carpet of flowers spread across the ridges. There were variety of flowers with beautiful colors. To make a full justice to the scenery, there were different species of Butterflies which flaunted beautiful shapes & colours. I also got to see so many types of flower bees which would buzz away as soon as I would walk across their territory. The air had a toxic fragrance good enough to make one forget the materialistic pleasures.

The climb was quite tough. Continuous steep gradient, extremely narrow tracks and rough terrain was creating a challenging climbing experience for me. While climbing the temple was completely shadowed by the progressively taller hills. And when I was least expecting, the temple suddenly appeared on the canvas of clear blue skies. Painted in white it appeared in front of me still far away in 2’O clock direction. 


Rajesh was a very smart person & the moment he would feel that I am tired, he would start telling me interesting tales of the temple & places around. I discovered its mythological relevance with the life of lord Bal Bhadra. On our way, we saw ‘Gujjar huts’ which are used as temporary shades by the shepherds to spend the nights while they are away from their villages in the mountains grazing the cattle. Rajesh showed me his family hut & invited me to spend 2-3 days there with his family when they all gather there around Rakshabandhan times for ‘Mela’.

I was also aware of the role of Bhadraj Hills in the early training days of Gentleman Cadets of Indian Military Academy (IMA). Since ages this mountain is being used for training the GCs through various night drills. Needless to say, my heart was filled with pride & joy.

The climate was changing in no time. Sometimes it would shine bright & within few minutes the clouds would eclipse the Sun to get cool breeze flowing in. Slowly I had moved above clouds. With the blow of wind, the clouds would climb from one side of the ridge & float to the other side like a sweep of white woollen shawl.

With all my baby steps & Rajesh’s motivational talks, I scaled Bhadraj (Altitude 7100ft / 2151mtrs) in 4 hours. 

The temple was under renovation & thus the idols were put up in a small temple just next to the main temple. Pujari ji was Rajesh’s cousin. He was a smart young man in blue kurta. He and Rajesh offered Naivedyam to the Gods. I am not an idol worshiper but still became a part of the Puja which was portraying deep faith of local people in Bal Bhadra. 

From the top we could see Mussoorie. At far distance we could see the glaciers of Kedarnath & other famous Himalayan peaks. They were reflecting bright sunlight glowing like gold. 

After consuming prashad sitting in the shade of trees, we started descending. The route downhill was so tricky that if Rajesh would not have been there, I would have surely lost my way. There were many ridges & each ridge would lead you to some or the other village. 

We reached downhill in 1 ½ hour. On the way, Rajesh took me to his home & introduced me to his big family. Very simple yet very loving people. They forced me to have food but after my humble denial his lovely wife brought a big glass of hot milk for me which was very refreshing. His old parents were very happy that I had visited their dainty. And I was still floating on the clouds & enjoying the flashes of flora & fauna of Bhadraj.

Today, all I need to do is close my eyes & transport myself to those times & everything comes alive.