Pant made his way into the state for a no-nonsense, personal pilgrimage to the two sites, eschewing any kind of fanfare. He was so unobtrusive that it was only a flat tyre near Gunji that put him in the open, where he was put in touch with some ITBP men he would later have a meal with and thank.
A quiet pilgrimage with big ripples
The wicketkeeper-batsman put in some time at Adi Kailash and Om Parvat, taking the less travelled path through the Vyas Valley. Word on the street is that the plan was a closely held secret; even the local administration didn’t have a clue.
With all the right reverence, he went about his rituals before letting the calm of the area around the peaks wash over him. It was a simple, private affair as he made his way to a few of the valley’s more important spots.
Why the visit matters for the border region
If you ask the tourism types here, a cricketer of his profile being in the mix can only be good for business. They see this as a chance to put Adi Kailash, Panchachuli and the Darma Valley in the national eye, which should do wonders for the local economy in these border districts when it comes to both faith and adventure seekers.
Moments with border personnel
Then there was the matter of the puncture. As his car was having trouble in the Gunji area, some ITBP on hand were quick to step in, as has been reported.
He put in some time with the jawans, had breakfast and let them know he was in their debt. A few photos with the men before he moved on from the frontier made for a nice break in an otherwise hushed-up trip.
Where Pant stayed and what he visited
He put down for the night at a homestay in Nabi village, Vyas Valley, courtesy of Surendra Singh Nabiyal. Anyone who was in the know will tell you he was very much left to his own devices while he was there.
In Pithoragarh, he was also a guest at a homestay in Nabhi village. He first got to the Darma Valley on 10th June to see the Panchachuli range and the like.
Two days later, on the 12th, he was at Jyolingkong to make his offerings at the Shiva-Parvati temple in Adi Kailash and get some blessings. Some quiet time at Om Parvat followed, to take in the mood of the place.
Some of the highlights of the tour:
– An itinerary that was not for public consumption
– Time in at the temples of Adi Kailash and Om Parvat
– A little help from the ITBP after a tyre gave out by Gunji
– A room in a homestay in Nabi village
– 10th June: arrival in the Darma Valley
– 12th June: paying respects at Adi Kailash
Local roots and reception
For the people in Gangolihat, Pithoragarh, seeing him around has a ring of familiarity to it given his family history. The locals were pleased to have him, and he in turn was warm to the culture and the land.
He made a point of talking to the ITBP and some of the fans in the area, and before he was done, he was signing autographs for a number of well-wishers. It was a trip of good will and some restraint.
Now that the story is out, it’s hard to miss the buzz. For the faithful, it’s a reminder of why they come to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat. For the hills, it’s a sign of things to come – a boost in visitors looking for a spiritual fix and a place to stay.
