RAMNEE. 



349 



the sacred precincts of the Badrinath shrine lying latent in 

 one of the deep dark gorges below them. 



I 



Temple of Badrinath, 



Not a sound disturbed Nature's calm repose save the 

 wild call of the moonal pheasant echoing among the 

 neighbouring crags, as I sat there enraptured with the 

 glorious scene before me, watching the cold grey shade 

 creeping slowly on, and gradually darkening each suc- 

 cessive sunlit mountain tier, until it stole over the highest 

 peaks of eternal snow, leaving them weird -looking and 

 unearthly in their stern frozen dignity, their pallid linea- 

 ments each moment growing more dim in the deepening 

 gloom. 



In two days from here I reached Eamnee — a charming 

 locality as regards scenery and climate, and a capital centre 



