From Oct 1, travel in Vivekanand’s footsteps in the Kumaon hills

PITHORGARH: In a move intended to showcase the deep connection that Swami Vivekananda had with the Kumaon hills, the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) is starting for the first time a package tour titled ‘Memories of Swami Vivekanand’ from October 1 covering the prominent places associated with the saint like Mayawati ashram, Kakrighat, Kasar Devi temple etc in and around Almora, Nainital and Champawat.
Officials said that the package, priced at Rs 7200 per person, was specially intended for tourists from West Bengal, many of whom visit the Kumaon region before and after the Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations.
Elaborating on the package which will retrace the footsteps of Swami Vivekananda who toured the region extensively in the late 19th century, TS Martoliya, general manager, KMVN, told TOI, “The almost 500-km long journey for the tourists will start from Kathgodam. The first stop will be at Kanchi temple, Kakrighat where Vivekananda meditated under a peepal tree. The itinerary continues to Almora district and includes visits to Ramkrishna Ashram, Vivekananda Memorial, house of Badrinath Shah where the Swami stayed, Kasar Devi temple, Chitai Golu devta temple and Jageshwar temples in Almora. We will then take the tourists to Champawat district -- to the Mayavti Ashram which was established by Vivekanand in 1899 as well as numerous temple which the saint visited like Hingla Devi temple, Baleshwar temple and Purnagiri temple before returning to Kathgodam.”
He added that the same package was being extended to include Chaukori and Munsiyari for tourists who would like to prolong their stay and explore high-mountain areas. “This would make it an eight to nine nights package which we will soon open up for bookings.”
A trekking package which is designed for trekkers who can follow the trails taken by Swami Vivekananda (who traversed most of the Himalayas on foot) is also being planned, Martoliya said. “We are conducting a survey currently and will be finalising the route shortly.”
Terming the commencement of the tour package which charts Swami Vivekanand’s journey in the Kumaon hills as an “excellent initiative”, Swami Narsimhanand of Mayavati Ashram said that “following the Swami’s footsteps and visiting the places he went to, would prove inspirational to many.” Much of Vivekanand’s time when he came to Kumaon in 1890 and later in 1901 a year before his death was spent in meditation. “He spent many days in Shyama Temple near Almora and in Dewaldhar in Bageshwar district where he stayed for 44 days and meditated,” said Swami Narsimhanand.