A Short Trip To Spiritual Abode : Mayavati

A Short Trip To Spiritual Abode 

We trekked to Mayawati Ashram in the year 1982. 

One one Saturday night, while enjoying dinner together, we , four colleagues viz. Vijay Gupta, LM Pandey , Jeevan Tewari and of course me, decided to trek upto Mayawati Ashram next day. Total distance was around 70 km from Pithoragarh, so we divided our sojourn in two parts, hitchhike upto Lohaghat and thereafter trekking. 

First, I would like to share the significance of Mayawati , Swami Vivekanand visited this beautiful place around 1896 soon after returning from his historic Chicago trip. He traveled many parts of Kumayun including its  cultural capital Almora. He simply fell in love with Mayawati and established Advait Ashram. He expressed this desire to his two disciples - James Henry Sevier and Charlotte Sevier to have a retreat for the monks in the Himalayas at this place. It was a established as a kind of meditation retreat , his disciples started publishing Awakened India. Think about the connectivity of Pithoragarh to rest of the world around 1897-98 , no defined roads , it looks very surprising how the printing press was transported to Mayawati in the thick and dense forest in difficult hilly terrain during those days. But Swamiji was a real doer, he made printing press a reality in Mayawati , regular publication of his spiritual journal became functional. To be very frank , I first saw copy of Awakened Bharat in Municipal Library of Moradabad in 1968, it was full of well researched pieces and I started reading it on regular basis and developed a desire to visit the place. 

Okay fine, we were at Pithoragarh Bus Station in the Early hour of Sunday morning, one of our acquaintance a civil contractor was going upto Gurna to visit his site, he was alone in jeep so we to opportunity, jumped into and grabbed the seats. The distance upto Gurna is around 12 km, we paid respect to Gurna Mata there, enjoyed spicy tea at a small tea-stall and waited for the another vehicle , next one was  a Truck carrying material to Ghat Area, took lift in truck enjoying road descending to long bridge on Ramganga River . The bridge connects Pithoragarh with Loahaghat on one side and Almora on the other. The Ghat is surrounded by high peaks, we enjoyed stunning view of the river. We covered almost half of the journey , now the steep ascending road for almost 15 -16 km , so we took lift in another jeep to Lohaghat. We reached Lohaghat around 9.00 am , it is a resort amidst dense pine forest on the bank of Lohawati River , folk lores goes that during Mahabharat days war was fought here and this river become red due to blood ! Not far away is fort of Vanasur . It was time for pet puja, typical aalu parathas and kakdi Raita seasoned with hempseed. 

From Lohaghat we trekked the entire stretch upto Mayawati. The route is so much enchanting that when we covered the distance , we did not feel tired. His few disciples stayed back to take charge of printing and other chorus of ashram. Swamiji requested his disciples not keep any picture in ashram as he stay for mediation and yoga. from this place one can see the fantastic view of Himalayan snow peaks. A small but aesthetically maintained flower garden attract the first site. There is a small library and museum for the visitors. We could browse old issues of Awakened India over there. We asked resident monk incharge  whether we can stay there for few days, they explained that prior intimation is needed. 

The Ashram Compound survived almost 100 + years of existence in inclement weather. Nature has its own ways of taking care of things - which are closer to nature. The Rishi Kutir, where visitors are offered rooms, is also very tranquil place. There is a prayer hall in the first floor. Walking on the internal pathway is also pleasing, if the sky is not clouded you may see beautiful snow capped peaks. 

Ashram maintains a self sustained eco system - from dairy farm to organic vegetables cultivation to its own charitable hospital !! 

The Monks who take care of the Ashram are living examples of how Politeness, Hospitality, Knowledge Base and Punctuality can be defined. Few human traits they don't have - are perhaps Ego and Anger. 

Tonnes of fresh oxygen to breathe...

Endless views of fantastic mountains ...

All possible varieties of Satvik food x 3 times a day ...

Zero pollution..

Clear skies...

Intermittent rains...

Chilly weather during mornings and evenings...

Clean guest rooms...

During eighties, asharan was not connected with any regular transport service, so after spending few hours and enjoying pure organic food courtesy the resident monks, it was time to say good bye and start our journey back. Trekked back to Lohaghat and thereafter stayed overnight at state guest house as there was no transport available. We could reach Pithoragarh by early morning bus next day. 

Those who wish to explore Mayawati should travel from Delhi to Kathgodam by train. From Kathgodam Railway station one can get cab direct upto Ashram. The route is around 160 km smooth drive, it goes via Bhimtal , Pati, Devi Dhura .