u/backpackingbrothers

Hey folks,

I’ve been thinking about something that genuinely confused me while learning about the Ganga.

We often hear that Gomukh is the origin of the Ganga, where the Bhagirathi comes out from the Gangotri Glacier.

But then we also learn that the Ganga is formed at Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet.

So here’s my question:

If the Ganga already originates at Gomukh, why is Devprayag considered the point where the Ganga begins?

Does it depend on how we define a river its source, its name, or the point where two major rivers merge?

And is there a difference between the geographical definition and the traditional/religious belief?

I’m genuinely curious to understand this. If anyone knows the actual logic behind it, please explain it in simple terms.

Where do you personally consider the Ganga to begin Gomukh or Devprayag, and why?

Have you ever tried Rabri from a local shop? 😋

I tried this Rabri in my hometown, and honestly, it was so good that I can’t even describe the taste in words. 🤤

It was thick, creamy, slightly sweet, and had that authentic homemade/local-shop taste. Sometimes the simplest desserts hit differently!

Price: ₹30 for 100 grams

Have you tried Rabri from your hometown? What’s your favourite place for Rabri?

I recently visited Badrinath with my brother, and honestly, the experience was amazing. ❤️

We started our darshan early. First, we took a bath at Tapt Kund, had prasad, and then stood in the darshan line. Around 8 AM, we finally got the chance to enter the temple.

Standing in front of Lord Vishnu and getting his darshan was a very special feeling for me. 🙏

But during this trip, I started thinking about something interesting.

We usually hear that there are three main gods:

Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva).

Then I had a question what about Krishna and Rama?

We also call them Bhagwan, right?

According to Hindu tradition, Rama, Krishna and Parashurama are avatars (forms/incarnations) of Lord Vishnu. Vishnu is also believed to have 10 major avatars, known as the Dashavatara.

But here comes the interesting part. 👇

If you read the Vishnu Purana, it describes Vishnu as the first and explains Brahma's creation from Vishnu.

But if you read the Shiva Purana, Shiva is described as the supreme God. And in the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Adi Shakti is described as the supreme power.

So my question is:

Why do different Puranas tell us that different Gods are supreme? 🤔

Is it a contradiction?

Or is there a deeper meaning behind all of this?

I found this really interesting and want to understand the real story behind it.

If you want me to share what I found, comment "YES" below. 🙏

Bir Billing is known for its paragliding, but sometimes you don’t need to be up in the air to enjoy the beauty here.

Visited Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh, with a friend, and ended the day watching this beautiful sunset over the mountains. The peaceful atmosphere, cool mountain air, and changing colors of the sky made the evening unforgettable.

Sometimes, the best travel memories are the simple ones.

📍 Bir Billing, Himachal Pradesh

🪂 Famous for: Paragliding

🌄 This time: Just watching the sunset

For a long time, I kept thinking about one thing my parents are getting older, and I’m not spending enough quality time with them.

There’s always been a generation gap between us. Our lifestyles, priorities, and even the way we think are different. But recently, I realized something:

Maybe I don’t need to “fix” the generation gap. Maybe I just need to spend more time with them.

So I decided to take a small but meaningful step I started taking my parents to the gym. 🏋️‍♂️❤️

And honestly, it feels like one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Now I have a dedicated 1.5–2 hours every day where I’m with them. We exercise together, talk, laugh, and spend time without being distracted by work or our phones.

And the biggest benefit isn't even the gym.

It's seeing them become more conscious about their health, exercise, food and daily routine.

I was always worried about their health as they got older. Now, instead of just worrying about them, I feel like I’m actually doing something for them.

I know a gym isn't the solution to everything, and everyone’s fitness journey will look different. But for me, this is much bigger than fitness.

I’m investing in the years I have with my parents.

To everyone from my generation:

We spend so much time chasing careers, money, relationships, friends and social media. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

But sometimes, go home. Sit with your parents. Take them outside. Go for a walk. Have dinner together. Or, if they’re comfortable with it, take them to the gym.

Because one day, we may have everything we worked for but we’ll wish we had spent a little more time with the people who were there before we had any of it.

Take care of your family. Spend time with them.

Keep them happy and healthy. ❤️

Visited Mana Village near Badrinath, Uttarakhand India's last village before the Tibet border. This spot overlooks the Saraswati river, which comes roaring out of a narrow rock gorge with insane force before joining the Alaknanda.

Standing at the railing, you can feel the spray and hear the water crashing through the canyon walls it's honestly humbling. Locals consider it a sacred site (the mist rising off the water added to the whole otherworldly vibe).

Rained the whole time we were there but honestly made it even more dramatic. Has anyone else visited Mana?

Would love to hear other recommendations for that area!

📍 Mana Village, Uttarakhand, India

Visited Narsingh Temple in Joshimath in morning and honestly wasn't expecting much but the sun sitting right above the temple like that just stopped me in my tracks.

Most people just pass through Joshimath on their way to Auli or Badrinath, but honestly the town + this temple deserves more than a pit stop.

Standing in that courtyard with the hills stacked up behind it was such a peaceful moment.

Has anyone else been here? Curious if it's this quiet during peak season too.

While trekking to Rudranath, I learned a fascinating local story about Anasuya Mata.

According to local belief, Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh came to test Anasuya Mata's devotion. They made an impossible request, so she asked her husband, Sage Atri, for guidance. He gave her holy water from his kamandal and asked her to sprinkle it on the three gods.

As soon as she did, they turned into little babies. She then lovingly cared for and fed them like a mother. It is believed that she looked after them for six months, and during that time, the work of the three worlds came to a stop.

Later, the wives of the three gods came looking for their husbands but couldn't recognize them because all the babies looked the same. They asked Anasuya Mata for help. She sprinkled the holy water again, and Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh returned to their original forms.

Pleased with her devotion and purity, they blessed her with three sons: Dattatreya, Durvasa, and Chandra (the Moon God).

Even today, many pilgrims believe they should seek Anasuya Mata's blessings before going to Rudranath and visit again after returning. Stories like this make the journey through the Himalayas even more meaningful.

Every time I go back to my hometown, there's one food that's non-negotiable this simple ₹20 tikki.

Nothing fancy. Just a crispy aloo tikki topped with spicy green chutney, sweet red chutney, and a few onions. But somehow, it tastes better than so many expensive snacks I've had.

The outside is perfectly crispy, the inside is soft, and every bite has that satisfying crunch. The real magic happens when you ask for extra green chutney it completely changes the flavor. That spicy kick hits differently and makes every bite even more addictive.

It's amazing how simple street food can bring back so many memories. Sometimes it's not about the price or presentation, it's about the feeling.

Location - Sasni, Hathras Uttar Pradesh

What's the one food you always eat whenever you visit your hometown?

This photo was taken in my village, Sasni (Uttar Pradesh, India).

I woke up early and went to a small local shop. Nothing fancy just simple village food. But honestly, this turned out to be the best breakfast I've ever had.

For just ₹30, I got:

1 Khasta Kachori (stuffed) – ₹10

1 Plain Kachori – ₹10

Thick, chilled curd – ₹10

Unlimited spicy potato curry on the side

The khasta kachori was perfectly crispy, the plain kachori was soft and flaky, the curry was spicy and full of flavor and the cold curd balanced everything so well.

No cafe, no expensive restaurant, no aesthetic plating just fresh food, newspaper as a plate, and an unforgettable taste.

Sometimes the best meals aren't the most expensive ones. They're the ones that remind you why simple food made with care always wins.

On 11 July 2025, I started my very first trek Yulla Kanda. I began this journey completely solo, and honestly, I had no idea that it would become one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.

After starting from Yulla Khas, I met three fellow trekkers on the way. We decided to continue together, which made the journey even more memorable. We stopped to try Himachal's famous Ragi Momos and Siddu for the first time. Siddu, with its dry fruit stuffing and chutney, was absolutely delicious.

Around 6–7 km into the trek, we found a campsite and booked a tent for ₹2,000. Since there were four of us, it only cost ₹500 per person, which worked out perfectly for me as a solo traveler.

One of us decided not to continue, but the remaining three of us pushed ahead. Before entering the dense forest, we were warned that there wouldn't be any water ahead, so we carefully rationed what we had. After crossing the forest, seeing the "Welcome to Yulla Kanda" board filled me with excitement, and finally finding water there felt like a huge relief.

As the weather cleared and the sun came out, I felt something I can't really explain. With every step, I got goosebumps. Maybe it was because this was my first trek, or maybe the mountains have a different kind of magic.

The waterfalls, the peaceful trails, and finally reaching the temple near the lake just before sunset made every bit of effort worth it. I sat there quietly, meditated for a while, and simply enjoyed the moment. It felt like I had achieved something much bigger than just reaching a destination.

On our way back, it got completely dark inside the forest. Using only our phone flashlights, we crossed the trail and finally reached our campsite. That night, we lay under a sky full of stars, doing nothing but stargazing and talking.

Yulla Kanda wasn't just my first trek it gave me confidence, unforgettable memories, and a reason to fall in love with the mountains. Even today, whenever I watch the videos from that trip, I get the same goosebumps I felt with every step.

Have you ever been to Yulla Kanda? I'd love to hear your experience.

While visiting Khatu Shyam, Rajasthan, I finally got the chance to try an authentic Rajasthani thali, and it absolutely lived up to the hype.

Every item on the plate had a different flavor from the dal and sabzi to the chutneys and traditional sweets. Everything tasted fresh, rich, and incredibly satisfying. As a vegetarian, this was one of the most enjoyable meals I've had while traveling.

If you're visiting Khatu Shyam, I'd definitely recommend trying a local Rajasthani thali at least once.

What's your favorite item in a Rajasthani thali?

Most people have heard of Khatu Shyam Ji, but very few know about Babru Bhan (बबरू भान), who is believed in local tradition to be the son of Arjuna.

I recently visited this peaceful temple dedicated to Babru Bhan near Bigopur village. It is located around 14 km before Virat Nagar (Rajasthan side) and is close to the Haryana–Rajasthan border.

According to local beliefs, Khatu Shyam Ji (Barbarika) is considered the nephew (भतीजा) of Babru Bhan. Babru Bhan was the son of Arjuna, while Barbarika was the son of Ghatotkacha, making him Arjuna's grandson.

Temple: Babru Bhan (बबरू भान) Temple

Location: Bigopur, Haryana (near Virat Nagar, Rajasthan)

Google Maps: W3Q5+H4R, Bigopur, Haryana 123023

26th January 2025. First time at Kartavya Path.

Grew up watching this on TV every year. Finally stood there in person and honestly nothing prepares you for it.

When the jets screamed overhead and those trails cut across the sky right above the Tricolour, I just froze. Forgot I was even holding a camera.

This shot happened in that moment.

Being in that crowd, everyone feels the same thing at the same time you stop watching and start feeling it.

Still attend every year. But that first time? Nothing will touch it.

If you haven't been yet just go. Once is all it takes.

Note: Shot taken by my phone - Nothing Phone 2A

Jai Hind 🇮🇳