A tale of chaotic Travel part 1

The past couple of days have been completely chaotic for me. They yet again prove that events in a chaotic world are very malleable. In my particular case I am now traversing nearly all of the Ganges river’s path.
Let’s start with my visit to Haridwar. Haridwar is a very populous city on the banks of Ganga. It tempts the Hindus for a bath in the “holy” Ganga.
Me and my father visited the city with an Activa Ride from Roorkee. During the journey in the time of the pilgrimage of a community named “Kavaria”, you will be irritated with trucks loaded with high volume DJ playing DJ Chalisa. And the rest of the truck filled to the brim with the Kavaria people. Some trucks even employ fancy lights. And one of them had nearly every light known to mankind.
Ahead of these trucks there runs a Kavaria youth with some “thing” holy. I don’t know much about their traditions, so I cannot comment on what it signifies. Behind or ahead of him are a dozen motorcycle riders with flags of India and their engine roaring like they are about to burst.

The path to the Ganga’s riverbanks is filled up with shops in every nook and corner. The shops are as varied as the colors. From food to cloth, and even the holy water. Hotels are the common high rising buildings. The city is more of a market than a tourist destination.
The Ganges Ghat, known as Har ki Pawdi, is created in a way to facilitate quick baths in the “Holy” river. The steps on the riverside have a chain for protection of the bathers. The water of the river is polluted. And it is far from clean and shimmering. The water is muddy with plant remains rotting. The current flow is fast, quite fast.

The main “Aarti" , the prayer to the Ganga river is done by selective saints on one of the main river banks. It isn’t as spectacular as of the Aarti in Varanasi. I would recommend adoring the sunset more than watching the prayer.
As for the notion of taking the holy Ganges water to your home, you would be better off with the water purifiers.
There are many vendors selling stuff on foot. The most popular article that I saw was the infamous #selfie stick. I so damn hate selfies.
After somehow escaping the dredges of shops we came back to Roorkee. Totally ignorant that it would be our last night there.
PS: all the photographs are mine. 😊
