She pointed towards a peak right in front of me and I looked up in utter disbelief that I will be able to make it. Last 15 days in gym balanced with birthday parties (sub’s, calzones) has not given me results which I could count on.
My heart missed a beat, because I knew it would be tough and painful, but I had to do it. The helicopter ride which I had partially counted on was strategically negated by my group as they had planned the climb at night. 13 km, 4 hrs seemed like a major target set for my yearly appraisal, when my boss had decided to fire me soon.
When I looked around, there were member’s who were regular visitors and were planning to take it bare foot, some were planning to run up while I was thinking will I be able to sustain. It was a tug of war between slim and fat, young and old and belief and disbelief.
7.30 PM Feb 5th 2011, is when we started off for the climb in the midst of loud enchants of Jai Mata Di on a road covered with shops hanging souvenirs, head bands and sticks for support. Following the spirit I picked up a headband giving me the look and strength of a pakka bhagat.
My dissatisfying first stop was at first 50 steps on the climb, when I was gasping for breath and my heart was pounding so hard as if it will come out right now. I looked at members of my group who were enviously treading fast on the slope, and I started calculating the hours it will take if I go with this pace. “Jai Mata Di”, said my friend with smile and gave me a sip of water. He told me, this is how it is but it is not impossible.
With further slower steps and strange realization that I have to make it through we started walking forward. After a few quarter to half kilometers(couldnt count kilometers), we joined back with my group who were dancing on the beats of Dhol. Amazed by their enthusiasm and encouraged by the beats I joined in Bhangra steps.
Enchanting Jai Mata Di with a strong belief in almighty together with infectious vivaciousness of my group, their encouragement at various steps when I was tired and my friend’s constant support eventually helped me climb the rest of the 9 kms(in 5 hours, not a bad target achievement in IT). As we climbed further heights, the winds and the view brought with it a freshness of an early morning stroll. Refreshing cold water bath took away all the tiredness and we were soon standing in the queue for the eternal Darshan of Mata Vaisho Devi.
People have a strong belief, that her view is possible only if she sends you an invitation and yes I was standing there in front for her, with hands folded in bow. It was she who had called me here, it was she who wished I should meet her which made me reach here.
It was 4.30 AM in the morning and the next major step was Bhairon Baba temple, which was another 1.5 kms with a steep climb. I had given up hope as I was aware that I had to walk back 13 kms, but the spiritualist girl among us forced me to complete this important and mandatory Darshan. I couldn’t possibly walk back if I climbed it, so planned to board a horse(pittu).
It was the most horrendous experience(where I felt the importance of a seat belt), with a Langoor making an anti climax entry, making the pittu take a U turn to my horror. Adding to the romance of the trip was a continuous down pour of rain along with strong wind sweeping us of our feet. The improved weather did help us walk down quickly but baby steps to avoid slipping and leading to severe calf pains.
Last 2 kms felt like a never ending lap in the race to home, which was made worse by a gentle man’s suggestion to take the stairs in the last lap. 163 plus, 60 plus and misguided 531 steps later my walk was reduced from a human to a penguin stroll.
Just then my friend pointed towards the same peak which I had doubted yesterday and I couldn’t stop myself from a smile in jubilation, “WE MADE IT POSSIBLE”.
My sincere thanks to my great friends and Route 2M family members who planned, encouraged and supported me in making this mission possible. Jai Mata Di!!
