We were lucky to be a part of Maha Abhishek at Badrinath. It was from 5.15 for over 2 hours. Unlike the south Indian temples (where Alankaram is done after closing the curtain), devotees can witness the Abhishek as well as the Alankaram by Rawal (a Namboodri Pundit from the original lineage appointed by Adi Sankara. It was a divine experience. But we were able to leave Badrinath only after 10 AM. As it is a 12-hour drive in the hilly roads, we could reach Rishikesh only by 10.30. We had bath in the Ganga and left Rishikesh to reach Delhi airport in time and reached home at Bangalore by 11.45 PM. A tiring but a fulfilling trip to Dev Prayag, Joshimath and Badrinath. With this my wife, sister-in-law and I have had Darshan of all the 106 Divya Desams (places about which any of the 12 Azhwars has composed a Pasuram in Divya Prabhandham.)..