If you're interested to geek out on history, myths and legends, travel in India. Cities, villages, lakes, mountains, you name it and yes, we have a story for it and mind you, these are the most convoluted of legends that teach us life lessons through the most fantastic tales.
By far the most talked about myth in the mainstream media is the legend of Swargarohini. Yes, that repeated story of Swarg ki Seedhi or stairway to heaven that appears on news channels almost every week. Honestly, I didn't understand the fascination with it unless I took a detour to Badrinath on my trek to Valley of flowers. I saw the places up-close and listened to the stories firsthand from the people living in Mana, a village from where the trek to Swargarohini and Satopanth Lake starts.
The Story of Stairway to Heaven
As written in the Mahaprasthanika Parva, the 17th out of the 18 books of Mahabharata, after the battle of Kurukshetra and a long, successful reign, the Pandava brothers and their shared wife Darupadi embraced Sanyas. They left their kingdom and embarked on their last journey of penance. This journey took them to the lap of the mighty Himalayas and one after the other everyone except Yudhistir fell to their death for several sins they committed during their lifetime. Draupadi fell because of the vice of her partial affection for Arjuna, Sehdeva died because he was too proud of his wisdom, Nakul's died next and his vice was his vanity throughout his life, Arjuna's sin was his pride too and lastly Bheema died because of the sin of gluttony.
Yudhistir or Dharmaraj who survived this treacherous journey was the last one standing. It is beloved that he ascended the stairs to heaven with a Dharma, disguised as a dog. The book also mentions that the Swargarohini Glacier is the only way to reach heaven with the human body.
The Journey To Satopanth and Swargarohini Glacier
It's fascinating just to watch the devout locals talk about this journey that Sadhus and other devotees take during the months of June to August. The locals call this journey to Satopanth , a journey along the path of Satya Path or the way of Truth. Another play of words that describe this journey is based on the name Swargarohini which means a path to heaven. It has been believed by devout Hindus that this is the only way to reach heaven with human body.