The author and his wife went on a pilgrimage to Kedarnath and Badrinath temples in July 1976; nearly 50 years ago. Due to extreme weather conditions, the temples are open to the general public only between the months of April and November. The arduous journey to Kedarnath is undertaken primarily to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and attain devotion, self-purification, and salvation. The Badrinath temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Between Govindghat and Badrinath, the highway is very dangerous because of frequent and severe landslides. The author and his wife miraculously survived
a terrible accident.