From Devprayag I had an eight hour journey on motorcycle to Dwarahat, so decided to split that into two days, and what a wise decision considering the condition of some of the roads as I neared Dwarahat. About two hours out of Devprayag I stopped to visit the awe-inspiring Dhari Dev Temple, which is located in the middle of the Alaknanda River. Stories of miracles and divine protection surround the idol that is seated at the center.

The Goddess Dhari is regarded as an avatar of Goddess Kali and is worshipped in her wrathful form. She is believed to protect the Char Dham — Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri — and the devotees who undertake these sacred pilgrimages. Joyous worshipers streamed across the walkway to the temple or enjoyed the views from the nearby suspension bridge. A friendly couple chatted with me and welcomed me to India. What positive energy here!

I stopped in Karnaprayag for the night, crossing over a bridge, winding through a jam-packed street full of chaotic movement, and up a steep, winding hill to my hotel, where a man came out as I approached and waved for me to park my bike. Nobody seemed in a rush to give me my room, so I went outside to enjoy the incredible view from the balcony and enjoyed a late lunch of Kadai Paneer and chapati.

The next day I battled a treacherous road to Dwarahat. It took me over three hours to travel about 60 miles, but what incredible views of the mountains as I passed through remote villages stuck in an ageless time of wonder. And what a welcome I received at the YSS Dwarahat Ashram. After a delicious dinner, one of the devotees there approached me and asked, “You’re going to Babaji’s Cave tomorrow with the others, right?”

I wasn’t sure who had made this arrangement, but I readily agreed. How fortunate that turned out to be. Four of us set out in the morning for Babaji’s Cave, about a 45-minute drive from the ashram and then a 3-kilometer hike halfway up a mountain.

How quickly the four of us became wonderful companions: Isabel from Spain, Karola from the deep forest of Germany, and Nanjun from India, about three hours from the sacred Arunchala Mountain (where I plan to visit in February). No doubt Master brought us together; I always like to say in such situations that he is arranging his flowers. Before even beginning the hike, we agreed to come back the next day and trek to the top of the mountain to the very sacred and historical Pandukholi.

We had a deep meditation at the point where Mahavatar Babaji materialized before Lahiri Mahasaya and ordained him to bring Kriya Yoga back to the world, then made the final push to the cave. What a blessing to be here! We went into the cave to meditate with a few others already present. I had imagined this moment for so long that it was hard to believe I was here, yet in a certain way I felt at home in these surroundings. The meditation was a gift to us all.