Back in Katra

By the time we reached Himkoti, it was over three hours since our last meal. We enjoyed rice one more time followed by a cup of tea. It was cold even in the afternoon Sun. Our booking for Amritsar was there next day early morning. It was must for us to reach Jammu by night and catch forty winks, to get refreshed. It was 4/30 pm now. We still had to cover a distance of nearly 6 kms to Katra. We saw a group of palanquin men. I requested Neha to climb down by palanquin. I wanted to descent fast. Reluctantly she agreed to go alone. I gave her my backpack and reduced my load. I resumed my descent on foot. I was using road and stairs combination while climbing down. By6.00 pm I reached Banganga, from where we started our climb. It was a nonstop walk which I enjoyed with my natural speed. I controlled my natural speed for so long for Neha. At this place as described earlier there are lot of restaurants. I enjoyed Puribhaji and tea there and sat waiting for Neha. I informed Chandan to meet us at his brother's shop by 6.30 pm when we started from Himkoti. I reminded him again. Shortly Neha's palanquin arrived. She narrated her experience. She said initially she had to get used to palanquin. He sat tightly holding side bar. After getting used she enjoyed her journey. She had a cup of tea on the way to fight cold. Rate cards for all facilities are approved by Shrine board and displayed everywhere. Cost of palanquin ride was about Rs.1500/-. 

We deposited our stamped receipt "yatra parchi" at the security post while going out of Darshan Devdi. That is a door where one starts trek. Administration understands whether every devotee who has started climb, has reached back with this security arrangement. While crossing this security post we remembered yesterday's incidence. When we were climbing towards Hathimattha, we reached one security post. It was well lit and had room heater inside. We decided to sit there for some time and enjoy warm surrounding in biting cold. Some devotees using this road crossed this security post when we were sitting inside. They thought we are manning that post and opened there bags for a check. Such small funny incidences increase beauty of life, isn't it? Coming out of Darshan Devdi, we looked back. Adhkuwari was visible from here today as the weather was clear and visibility was excellent. 

Walking a small distance we reached shop owned by Chandan's brother. We returned our raincoats. We purchased some sweets instead of taking back deposit. We collected our baggage left there. He offered us a cup of hot tea. Chandan reached there by the time we finished our tea. I don't recollect name of this shop neither found it in my notes. Somehow I missed noting it down. Chandan took us to a dry fruit shop as assured by him. Good quality dry fruits are available here in Katra at a reasonable price. We wanted to buy walnuts as they are very costly in Mumbai. We bought a kg of We found dried berries there, they looked like black raisins. This dried berries are offer at Bhaironath temple, we were told. We bought a small quantity of them too. Due to time constraint, we decided to stop our shopping here. Now our next objective was to reach Jammu at the earliest.

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