29-Dec-2011. Had breakfast and ready @ 9.00am. Cab came @ 9.15am with different driver as Mr. Vishwas was booked as guide. We started @ 9.30am, and reached Omkareshwar @ exactly 12.00pm with just one halt for tea after Maheshwar for 10min. The road is very good once you reach the Mumbai highway. Till that, road is worse than Indore-Dhar-Mandu. But it’s only one patch, which has no road, to be fair. While travelling to Omkareshwar, saw Narmada Parikramavasi going to Mandu to have a holy dip in Reva Kund.

We check-in at Narmada Resort in room no 307. We settled our luggage and started for darshan, as we were not that hungry and Gargi also had a good sleep in the cab. We reached @ Omkareshwar temple @ 12.20-30pm. Throughout the road the pujaris (pandya) chase us for puja. We started with general queue. The gate was closed due to arti time till 1 pm .Interestingly the queue has 7-8 entrances. We were on the last left entrance. Once we moved ahead, we came to know that all these gates do not merge in the main entrance queue. It was very frustrating. In between that, pandya were approaching people to get a VIP darshan. There were lot of people in the queue. After some time when main gate was open and people in queues except the main queue not able to move ahead, they all started to jump over the barricades to enter in the main centre queue. It was not possible for us considering Gargi in my hands and sacks on our back. We thought we will not do the darshan (as in Marathi religious reading it is said that if you able to see a temple’s dome, then your darshan is complete…something happens in Pandharpur, were Varkari takes darshan of the temple dome, as darshan of Lord Pandurang might take few days. They consider Vari is complete). We moved away from the queue and then saw a ticket counter for special darshan. We took tickets for Rs 100/- each and entered in the special queue. Here as well, the queue has hoop holes, where pandya can enter their “customers” in the queue. It was frustrating, people in the group/queue started fighting with pandya’s customer by pouring water. Gargi was restless now and had a bad time to manage her. At last we had darshan @ 2.15pm.

We tried to see some good restaurants but in vain. So we picked up Brahman Bhojanalay on the main road, as thought Gargi will eat at least dal-rice rather than any oily items. She liked Rabdi. Thali was not good, not to say more on this. Rabdi was really good. We then headed towards Mamleshwar. One can go by crossing bridge (there are 2) by walk or by crossing Narmada by boat. We prefer to go by boat for Rs 10/- each.

As I thought, there was no queue at Mamleshwar temple. We had a good darshan and return to room @ 4pm. While returning, we lost the path and reach at bus stand. So took auto to room for Rs 40/-. Though we thought to have some rest, Gargi kept us busy all the time. We fresh up @ 6pm and thought to check Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan’s guest house.

The Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan is near to Mamleshwar temple. The complex is pretty big., almost has 200 rooms with very economical rates. Next time I will definitely stay here rather than really expensive Narmada Resort. Returned to room at 8.00pm, and went to restaurant, thought Gargi will sleep early, as she never had a sleep in whole day. The food was expensive compared to Ujjain and Mandu, also quality was not good as Mandu. Had dinner @ 9.30pm. Tomorrow planning for Omkareshwar Parikrama. Lets see how much time it will take, considering to carry Gargi throughout Parikrama. Also planning to have a holy dip in Narmada after Parikrama.

Omkareshwar Parikrama
30-Dec: we were ready @ 8.30am. Gargi also had a good sleep, as we do not need to wake her. Had good breakfast. After 4-5 days we had idli chatni-sambar and poha and upma. We started Parikrama @ 9.10am. Start is just below the bridge going to Omkareshwar temple. We saw various temples in between the route. Gargi was with me all the time, have to carry her throughout. We finished Parikrama @ 12.00pm, so it was around 2.30hrs for us. The Parikrama path is very well laid down with proper steps, so no need to worry about missing the route. Also the route has water stations in between. So not to worry about water, but carrying one water bottle will be handy.
We then went down to Ghat. I did a holy dip in Narmada. Gargi and Pallavi just washed their feet and hands. We went to other side of Narmada through ferry boat. I also filled bottles with Narmada water in the boat ride. We went to Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan’s Bhojanalay. The food was excellent consisting of unlimited rajma masala, potato gravy and kali dal and rice. This was only for Rs 30/-. After lunch went to room and had some rest. In evening again, had dinner at Gajanan Maharaj’ Sansthan Bhojnalay.
Water in Narmada is very good and not dirty. Here as well (same as Ujjain, Mandu) pretty dark @ 7pm and in the morning though clear sky is only at 6.45-7am.

My take on Omkareshwar
- Never found any good restaurants. So it will be difficult to get good food.
- Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan complex food is excellent, cheap and with quality.
- The rates for rooms in the complex is very minimum
- Lots of pandya all over the place. They irritate you. You should have lot of patience to deal.
- You will need to climb some 50 steps to reach from Narmada Ghat to Mamleshwar temple.

My take on Narmada Resort
- Rooms are excellent, spacious than Mandu
- Food is not good compared to Mandu but interestingly cost is more here.
- Drinking water and intercom facilities not available. You need to call reception to get drinking water.

31-Dec. Had complimentary breakfast in restaurant and check-out and 9.15am. Went to bus stand by a tempo. We got 9.30 bus (again private 30 sit mini bus) to Indore. We reached Indore at 12.00pm. Catch Avantika express at 3.50pm and reached Borivali at 5.30am in New Year 2012!

This year started practising for Half Marathon from Oct, Nov. On weekdays going to GYM (as and when possible), and one day in weekends going to Kanheri Caves. I did run 8-10 weekends to and fro to Kanheri caves. In Dec stopped practising (Gym, running to Kanheri Caves) completely due to family constraints. Meanwhile, while searching for SCMM event, there is a concept of “2.30 timing Bus”. So there will be one person, who will guide and make sure he will run half-marathon in 2.30 hrs for sure. Those want to make this timing will run with this guy. One of the guys was Mr. Kaushik Panchal, who runs at Borivali National Park (BNP). I had communication with him through emails, but never had a chance to do practise with his group because of my schedule. On the last practise run, on 8^th Jan, meet him and people in this “Bus”.  Run to Kanheri Caves. I run these 12 kms, after more than a month. I was very nervous and tense to finish marathon in 3 hrs time, as I did not practise in Dec. Also never run full 20-21 kms practice run, though I did manage to run-walk 16-18kms for few times on weekends.

On race day, I eat 2 Vasai-bananas (as I did while running to Kanheri caves) before leaving home and took one with me. Also took some Khajurs. Meet with Kaushik and team at Borivali station and reached at the holding area. There were two office mates running for half marathon. One was running his first marathon same as me, and another was making a hat-trick (3^rd time).  Both first timers were in block D. Devendra was in block B.

I run till 12 kms at a stretch, and then my pace started slowing down. Meanwhile I was able to see Mr. Kaushik after the sea link. So thought I was running at the right pace on that instance. I walked whole Pedder road flyover rather than run. After 16-17kms, I eat one banana, as I want to continue to build my stamina to stay in the marathon. After 18-19 kms, I started consuming Khajur and started walking and running rather than run and walk. I was tried physically but not mentally. When I reached Churchgate, it was a relief, as only 1kms was pending…in this 1kms also, I did walk for few meters.

At the end, saw the time at finish line as 2.29.29 and Mr. Kaushik was waving people for his bus to finish in time. Lucky !!…was able to finish in 2.30 Bus.

Thanks for Mr.Kaushik and his team. Hopefully next time, will try to practice with them. I did manage in 2.25 hrs, Nikhil in 2.28 hrs and Devendra in 2.24 hrs.

A dream cherished for 1 year became true.

My Photos on marathon official site.

(L-R) Nikhil , Self, and Devendra

Reached Gangwal bus stand by auto for Rs 50/-. Just while we were entering the stand, one of the conductor asked, if we want to go to Dhar. The private mini bus (30 seater) started immediately at 11am. The road is really pathetic throughout. We reached Dhar @ 1pm. From here we got another private mini bus (30 seater) @ 1.20pm to Mandu. We reached Mandu  @ 2.10pm. In the route, I asked one guy to use his cell phone as my phone was not having any signal. The guy readily agreed and after trying 3-4 times (No signal of Airtel, only Tata Docomo was present intermittently), informed at the reception at Malwa Retreat that we will be reaching late.

Had check-in the room and fresh up. We headed to eat something at the hotel restaurant. The restaurant is very good here. The food is really good. They have live counter where you can see preparation of food. We had 2 hrs rest in the room then we went to Mandu chowk, the central place of Mandu. Malwa Retreat is at the beginning of Mandu town, 0.5km away from Mandu chowk. Mandu has just 20-25 houses overall… that’s all. With help from Manager at Malwa Retreat, we booked a cab for site seeing for Tomorrow morning.  The charges was Rs 850/- (500/- for cab + 300/- guide charges + 50/- for pickup-drop to hotel). We has dinner @ restaurant itself…as very good food quality.

On 28-Dec, we were ready @ 8.30am. We all had good sleep. The room here is very good ( I got room no. 106). We had complimentary breakfast (which I was not knowing, when I did booking ). The breakfast menu was poha, puri-bhaji, paratha-dahi and papayas. We started @ 9.30am with our guide cum cab driver Mr. Vishwas. We headed first to Rani Rupmati Palace, which is about 6-7kms from Mandu (chowk). Then saw Baz Bahadur Palace. This Palace is adjacent to Rani Rupmati’s Palace. At the start of Baz Bahadur Palace, there is Reva Kund (which as per guide is the only kund and no other branches any more). I have read references of Reva Kund in Narmada Parikrama books. While returning, we saw Echo Point, which is really on the street itself. This has 2 points, one with one echo and other with 2 echo’s. There are 2 (Dai ka Mahal and Choti Dai ka Mahal) structures towards which if you shout loudly the words will get echoed. We experienced this and were pretty happy.  I tried at echo point at Mahabaleshwar, but never had a good experience.

We then headed towards Jahaz Mahal and Shahi Mahal. It’s divided into 3 parts. It has a big Kapur  talaw, 2 pools, Hindola palace, Shahi Mahal and nice garden. I bought Mandu guide book written by Archaeological survey of India for Rs 20/-. The shop is at the entrance of Jahaz Mahal.

Lastly, in Mandu  chowk, we saw Ram Mandir,  Asharafi Mahal and Jama Mashid. The tour lasted for more than 3 hrs, till 1 pm. Rather than going to hotel, we had lunch of “Dal Bafale” Thali @ hotel Relax Point in Mandu chowk. Though I thought, the Thali was bit expensive Rs 120/-…consists of unlimited Dal Bafale, one Rava ladoo, potato subji, some salad and rice. After lunch, walked to hotel.  Tried to have some rest, as Gargi kept both of us busy. We were ready @ 5pm. Again went to chowk by walk. Had tea and returned back. Gargi slept on my shoulders while returning, as she was tired.

My take on Mandu

-          I think, come here with your own vehicle otherwise you do not have any choice for vehicle except the guides who has cabs and they said the charges are fixed rs 500/-. Nothing much to bargain as not much resources here. Also you can do site seeing at your own pace.

-          Not commercialized, no autos, no bikes for hire except bicycles.

-          From expectation, there is nothing other than monuments here…though they are really good. A nice silent place.

-          Come here with your family, extended family members as like get together, as it’s a nice place to have people with you.

-          If you have vehicle, first visit Jahaz Mahal and it has lot to see compared to other places.

-          Have at least 2 days here.  A nice place to rejuvenate.

Tomorrow we will be going to Omkareshwar. We hired the same cab wala for Rs 1700/- (no choice here ). Thought, rather than changing 2-3 mini buses with Gargi, luggage and looking at the road conditions here, I hope it will be better decision. Let’s see.

We missed Neelkanth mandir and Neelkanth Palace. Let’s see, next time with my own vehicle. Also I will read the Mandu book, so no need for any guide

More photos of Mandu @ https://picasaweb.google.com/pvghotikar/Mandu?authuser=0&feat=directlink

We started @ 7.45pm on 25th Dec from Avantika Express. I thought, I will buy water bottle in the train even it does not have pantry but in vain, so people travelling from Avantika, make sure you have everything handy before boarding. We reached Ujjain @ 7.30am. Ujjain was very cold. Went directly to Avantika Yatri Niwas, got a room @ 8am even check-in/out is 12 noon, as people leave early while checkout as a usual practice to reach another destination. Ready @ 9am. We ordered Poha and tea @ the restaurant in Yatri Niwas. Poha was really tasty with MP taste. Started to Mahakal by auto for Rs: 60/-. The autowala stopped at a shop nearby by temple. I smelled something fishy, so never stopped there.

Caution:  Do not keep any belonging in the shop, as shop owner insists that you get a locker only when you have a lock.

Just in front of the entrance gate, there is a room which stores foot ware and another which stores your belongings. The lock is also provided by them. The next room is for booking of Bhasam Arti counter. The booking is done in advance for next day. The Arti is at 4 am. We kept our foot ware and belongings in the room. You have to deposit your bags, camera etc at the locker, as such things are not allowed in the temple.

There was a big queue, though we were able to get the darshan @ 11am. Luckily we also got arti @ 11am. The temple complex is really huge and lots of barricades for queue. After darshan we started to find out the reservation counter for Ujjain darshan bus by MPTDC but not able to find it . (Though we found out after we booked private bus). We headed to consult a doctor, as my throat infection became worse in the night, so consulted a doctor nearby temple. Had lunch at some “Swagat Bhojnalay”. Thali for Rs: 40/- each.

We booked a private bus nearby temple for Rs: 40/- each, as autowala were asking anything around 300-350/- (or I am not able to bargain much ).  So thought, let’s see Ujjain by private bus as we do not have plan for the whole day. There are only 2 schedules for Ujjain darshan by “all” operators,   first at 7.30-8am and next at 2-2.30pm.

We started @ 2.30pm and ended at 7pm. We did see places like Bada Ganapati, Harsiddhi Temple, RamGhat, Mangalnath, Siddhavat, CharDham Temple, Bhartrihari Caves, Kal Bhairav, Sandipani Ashram, Gadkalika, Chintamani  Ganesh. Then headed straight to Yatri Niwas, as it was pitch dark and there was cold. We order food at restaurant and slept early, as wanted to catch 8.15am Ujjain –Indore passenger. From Indore, we will be going to Mandu.

MPTDC Hotel Avantika Yatri Niwas : I never found money worth they charged me Rs: 690/- for an air-cooled room. There was hardly any space in the room to move (at least in Room no : 105). Also this Yatri Niwas is somewhat outside of the city, on the highway, so not really has any neighborhood, market area nearby. Bathroom flush was not working properly, also TV was not working. Though, I can say that we do not have energy to see TV, as we were really tired by full day outing (almost 12 hrs).

Ujjain:  First impression is a lot of dust all over the places not as clean as I thought (at least the area which I traveled). Also Shipra River is in very bad shape, never saw clean water, except at Ram Ghat. After Ujjain darshan, I realized that, it is very old historical place.  All places are “Prachin (ancient)” or “Ati Prachin”

Om Namah Shivay

This year was able to do ManiMahesh Yatra. I goggled to find good info about the yatra, and there are lots of sites with good info. Really appreciate help from Anil Singh and Rahul Koundal, who helped me to plan my trip, through their blog and emails.

http://traveltolight.com/ by Anil Singh. A website dedicated only to ManiMahesh.

http://www.rahulkoundal.blogspot.com/ by Rahul Koundol

19 August 2011

WOW! Finally, @ 8.30am boarded in Swaraj Express. Sharad Uncle came to pick me to station, as he hired Innova to come from Thane. We planned this yatra in Feb-March this year. Let’s see how it unfolds.

After boarding in the train and having our breakfast to my surprise I saw one colleague from Nomura. He and his friend had planned a trip to Kashmir. Incidentally he asked me to come to the trip few months back, which I refused. Now waiting to reach Pathankot tomorrow at about 12.30-1 pm. Ganesh Dattaji will join us @ Pathankot. Tomorrow our plan is to reach Chamba by taking a bus from Pathankot.

20 August 2011

            @ 8am at Ambala Cant station Mr. Manish joined us. He is from uncle’s home town i.e. Bilaspur. Reached @ Chakki Bank station @ 1pm. Mr. Ganesh Dattaji was waiting for us in the waiting room. We then hired a “Tum Tum” auto for Rs: 80 with bargain, as one was saying Rs: 100-120 to reach ST bus stand. The bus to Chamba @ 1.10pm was full and next was at 3pm. So had a quick lunch @ Kundan hotel and boarded the bus. It was all full but by luck we all got seats. I managed to get one seat on the last row in the bus. Let’s see how the bumpy ride will be, as it will be 4-5 hrs to reach Chamba. In the bus I meet one lady who was wife of a Judge, was travelling to Chamba, as there was 2 days vacation and her husband was posted in Chamba. She asked me about Bollywood and said Mumbai is a “Maya Nagari” J. She also asked me that you people watch shooting and film actors in Mumbai.  I thought still people are so much fascinated about Bollywood, film stars and definitely for Mumbai. Also meet one person from forest dept. He gave me advice, not to go alone to “Kamal Kund” and take precautions while walking on glaciers.

            We reached @ Chamba @ 8.45pm. I and Manish started to find some place to halt in Chamba. But Uncle called us saying there was a special bus going to Bharmour, so we can directly go to Bharmour and stay @ night. The bus was on the stand and we boarded the bus. But the conductor said he will have to take full seats as it was special bus. The bus started @ 11.45pm. It was really a troublesome wait. We reached Bharmour @ 3am in the morning.

21 August 2011 - Bharmour

There were lots of parked cars, bikes on the road. I guess huge crowd was in the town. We tried to find any accommodation but failed to get any, as it was really a odd time to enter in any town and also because of yatra, all accommodations were full. Finally after searching a lot, a tea stall owner said, some of his rooms will be vacant, as people will leave to Hadsar early morning. We got 2 rooms for Rs: 650 each and were allowed to use it 24 hrs, as we are planning to checkout in the morning to go to Hadsar next day. We slept @ about 4.30-5 am. Wake up @ 8.30am. I had hot water bath because the owner agreed to give us hot water and ready @ 9.30am. Today we are going to visit Bharmani Mata Mandir. We had breakfast of Aloo Parathas with dahi.

Few Observations in Bharmour

• @ 3am, all shops were closed as expected but interestingly Wine shops were open.
• There were lots and lots of bikes from Punjab, at least looking from number plates, 90% starts with PB, hardly seen any bikes with HP.
• This is a good place to find proper accommodation. There are hotels and almost all houses have converted their extra rooms/floors as make shift hotels to be hired by yatris.
• We haven’t really looked for any accommodation in Hadsar, but it is not a big town compared to Bharmour.

Bharmani Mata Mandir

            We started @ 11.15am for the temple. At the start of the trek, there is “Chaurasia (84) temple”. We will visit while coming back. Yesterday there was land slide on the road, so there were no cabs going to the temple. Everybody has to go by walk. The day was hot and lots of people visiting Bharmani Mata Mandir, as it’s a tradition to first visit Bharmani Mata Mandir and then visit ManiMahesh. We reached @ 1.45 pm in the temple

All had a snan @ Mata Mandir in cold water except me. Reserved the snan @ ManiMahesh, let’s see is it possible to do it, as while returning we came to know that helicopter service is not operative today due to bad weather @ ManiMahesh base. So it will be colder @ ManiMahesh. The helipad is placed at, just starting the trek @ Bharmani Mata Mandir.

We started @ 3pm from Mandir and slowly reached @ 5.30 pm @ 84 temple. We roamed in the temple complex, which has lots of Mandir, you name the God and it has a dedicated Mandir in the complex.

We had a good dinner @ about 8 pm in one of the Dhabas and tried to sleep early as wanted to wake up early for tomorrow trek. We went to sleep @ 10 pm, but uncle and I never had a sound sleep. Do not know why. We were wake up till 12.20am. At 4am, we wake up.

Bharmani Mata Temple

Chaurasia Temple Complex

22 August 2011 – Monday Janamashtami day

We were ready @ 5am. Rain started with full force and we have to wait. This time I was bit nervous and had some tension about the trek in rain and reaching Kailash. We waited till 7am and as rain was not stopping, we thought to reach at Hadsar and wait there rather than in Bharmour. So took a special cab (Bolero) to reach Hadsar for Rs: 300. We reached @ about 8-8.30am to Hadsar. While reaching at Hadsar, there was no sign of rain anywhere, so were happy that we can start our trek immediately. After starting the trek for about 1km, there was Langar. We kept our extra luggage @ the Langar site. This time I never took any porter and kept my essentials belongings with me. Because of that almost 5kgs was added to my weight.

ManiMahesh Kailash

We started @ 9.30 am. In Hadsar there were no rains, so thanked Lord Shiva for taking care of us. There were lots of people on the way because of yatra period also today was Janamashtami. We reach at Dhanchoo @ 11.30-12lish. Has Langar food. There were many Langars on the way.

            From Dhanchoo, there are two paths to reach ManiMahesh. One is “Bandar Ghati” and other; I forgot the name, some “fullwari” road. I started from other road. The road is really steep from here and you can see the zigzag road on the mountain clearly. I reached @ Gauri Kund @ 4.30pm and reached @ Shiv Kund @ 5pm. It was a tiring trek. It took me almost 8 hrs to reach Kailash. In between to reach Gauri Kund there is a short cut road called “Bhairav Ghati”. I never tried that, as I was all ready tired to reach till that road and was not interested to take any short cuts. There was one glacier to cross to reach Gauri Kund.

            As Uncle reached @ 4.30pm, he booked a section in a tent for Rs: 150 each for all of us. We had good darshan in the evening. I never did a snan at Shiv Kund, as water was too cold. We had food @ Langar and tried to sleep early. The night was pretty cold, even wearing a sweater and having 2 blankets. At night people waited to see the “Mani” at Kailash for few times, I also wakeup 2-3 times @ night to see the same, but never got lucky. We only got a slight darshan of Kailash in the lighting. Though there was lighting for few seconds, but no sound of lighting.

23 August 2011

            Next day, we wakeup @ 5.30-6am. Had a very good view of Kailash for about 10-16 minutes. I did click few photos, after that again there was fog all over the place. We started @ 6.30am. Uncle also started waking, as he said let me see how much I can walk and then I will get a pony. So I was with him till Gauri Kund. At Gauri Kund Uncle started talking to pony owners, so started my downward journey with my pace (though it’s not that great)

            I thought to take Bandar Ghati to see how it is and getting down would be somewhat easy than to climb it. In the middle of the road, one road goes with normal road (the “fullwari” road) and other with Bandar Ghati. So I took the Bandar Ghati road. Had a very good view of the road which I climbed to reach Kailash. As usual with all treks, I took time to enjoy the scenery, nature and took photos. The Bandar Ghati is really a road with steep ascent and small stones all over the road.

            I reached @ Dhanchoo @ 9.45am. From Dhanchoo, started towards the start of the trek, the road was full with stones. Never looked that much while climbing, as at times, I thought I am descending from a different road altogether, but the route was all same. The waterfall (which is in the photo) is side by side on the route till the trek ends in Hadsar. I reached starting point of trek @ 11.30am. We collected our luggage from the Langar site and waited for shared uncle. He came at 2pm. He had a walk from Dhanchoo to the Langar point, as ponies where asking lot of money from Dhanchoo to start point.

            We took a jeep to Bharmour. At Bharmour bus stand, which is on the way to Bharmour town, we immediately got a bus to Chamba. We reached Chamba @ 8.00pm, got room @ hotel Natraj’s new building. Hotel Natraj is just in front of Chamba bus stand. The building is newly constructed and there was hot water facility. We gave Rs: 400 for the room. Manish got a bus for Pathankot. We will go to Kangra tomorrow morning to have darshan of Jwalaji Mata temple. We did a reservation for tomorrow morning for Kangra to have confirmed seats.

The other way, view from Bandar Ghati

Bandar Ghati

 

ManiMahesh Kailash

24 August 2011 – Kangra

We started @ 6.30 am from the hotel and reached in 5 minutes to Chamba bus stand. Had road side tea, the bus was @ 7 am. There was some confusion with other passenger about the seats. We sorted out that and begin @ 7.15am. The bus was going to Shimla. The people were saying Kangra was 4-5 hrs journey, as the bus was “superfast” bus. At 11 am we had a tea break. On the road, there were 2 landslides at one place we removed big stones came on the road, at another instance the JCB was WIP. We waited for 10-15 min and road was cleared. We had lunch @ 11.45 am on the road side dhaba. Had a very good lunch. We reached Kangra @ 12.30-45 am. Kangra airport is just about entering Kangra town. So it’s outside of Kangra town.

            We started asking for a package deal to visit 2-3 temples. One was asking Rs: 2200, other took us with Rs: 1800. We finalize for Rs: 1800. We started @ 1.30pm and had a good darshan of Chintpurni Mata which is about 65 kms from Kangra. We started @ 3.30pm to Jwalaji Mata temple, which is on the same root of Chintpurni. Had a good darshan of Jwalaji Mata, and then started to Kangra. We reached @ Brajeshwari Mata temple which is in the Kangra city @ 7.30pm. Had a good darshan.

            Asked the driver, about some hotel to stay with hot water facility. We stayed @ hotel Gaurav, which is very close to Kangra bus stand. We booked a room for Rs: 400. Here in HP, almost all hotels have 12 hrs check-in-check-outs. The hotel owner was really rude, when asked about geyser was not working. He was upset because he wanted to have Rs: 500, but the attendant who showed us the room said it is for 500 but for you it’s 400.

            We thought to have dinner in the room itself, but after seeing the menu card, the rates were almost same as Mumbai, so we drop the plan and went to a nearby hotel cum dhaba and had good dinner. When you visit Kangra, there are lots of other hotels in the bus stand area.         

25 August 2011

            We were ready @ 8am. Had a good hot water bath (asked the attendant and the geyser was working in the morning, I guess, they have a electric point externally, only for  geyser, as once he turned it on, he said now it should work) We phoned the same cab driver to go to Chamunda Mata Mandir. We booked the cab for Rs: 500. We started @ 8.15am to Chamunda Mata mandir, which is about 25kms, one way. Had a very good darshan and got morning arti as well. We had good breakfast of Aloo Parathas in the dbaba near the temple. We reached @ about 11.30am @ bus stand.

            From there, we see-off Ganesh Dattaji to pathankot, as he wanted to see “Khada Mahadev” temple near pathankot. I and uncle waited for delhi bus, which starts from 3 pm onwards (HP bus). At 4pm, we saw a Haryana bus going to delhi. We boarded the bus.

Mata Jwalaji Temple

Mata Brajeshwari Temple

26 August 2011

            We reached Delhi @3.30am in the morning. Took a prepaid auto to reach New Delhi station. Our train was Mumbai Rajdhani @ 4.30pm. In the waiting room, uncle and I slept with help of my sleeping mattress, which I used it for first time. (What a start to use itJ. Anyways I was happy that, at least I have used it, as I have carried it till Langar site)

            @4.00pm, we were about to board the train. But our names were not present on the seating numbers. Anyways we boarded the train. In the train we come to know that there are quite a lot up gradation happened. So I took a look again on the charts, below there was another chart, for names where there were up gradation of berths. Both seats were upgraded to 2AC. So got down and boarded 2AC compartment. Next day, reached Mumbai central @ 8.30am, took a local train to reach Borivali. In Mumbai, we were welcomed by rains.

Last 2 days were like :
 6 hrs wait @ Kangra bus stand
 12 hrs journey from Kangra to Delhi
 12 hrs wait @ Delhi
 16 hrs journey from Delhi to Mumbai 

Interestingly after reaching Borivali station, from station to getting auto, in 15 minutes or so, we were so wet that, we never in the whole journey.

My complete photos are @ https://picasaweb.google.com/pvghotikar/ManiMaheshYatra2011MyPhotos?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Sharad Uncle’s complete photos are @ https://picasaweb.google.com/pvghotikar/ManiMaheshYatra2011SharadUnclePhotos?authuser=0&feat=directlink

17 Dec 2010

Boarded @ Borivali in Saurashtra mail on 16 Dec. Reached @ Junagadh @ 1.45 pm on 17 Dec. Meanwhile after Rajkot, Bhutani uncle enquired about me. He said he will receive me on station. My plan was to stay in hotel and one evening visit uncle’s place. But uncle himself came to receive me and took me to his residence. I was welcomed by Aunty, his only son Vijay and Rima bhabhi. Vijay and bhahi have 2 and ½ years old son “Yug”. I had some great gujarathi delicious food in the afternoon. After lunch, Vijay asked me to have rest or he can show me some places in Junagadh. I readily agreed, as I travelled very much with good sleep and also don’t want to miss this opportunity as someone who stays in Junagadh can show me more places than wandering lonely.

He hired a Jeep and we went to Bor Devi temple. This is the place which finishes the Girnar Parikrama. This is somewhat around 8-9 kms from Majiwade Gate. The road was really terrible and good for a Jeep J. This was due to heavy rains in this Diwali. While coming back I was lucky to see a lion cub few feet from self. And again on our way back one big lion was sitting just few feet away. Also saw few peacocks and not surprising…few black monkeys J It was really a good trip, as without any intentions I was able to see 2 lions.

Again had a very good dinner @ 8.30pm. I slept early, as want to wake up early for Girnar.

18 Dec 2010

Wake up @4.15am. Had hot water bath. Even in the early morning Uncle gave me a lift to kalwa chowk where I got a shared auto to go to Girnar Taleti. On route there is Damodar kund and Ashoka Scripts. I reached @ 5.30 am. Rented a wooden walking stick for Rs 20. Rs 10 will be refund back once a return it back.

I started @ 5.30 am. @ One step, marking was 1430, which I then saw the clock. It was 6 am. @ 6.40 I reached Jain Derasar. I never stopped @ Jain Derasar, thought to stop on return. @ 7.08 am I reached Ambaji Mata temple, which opens @ 7.30am only. So I started from Ambaji Mata temple and after GorakshaNath Samadhi, started descending the steps. Before descending, I captured very good pre sunrise photos. I can see a red line along the whole sky ( I guess it’s called Prabha in Marathi). I reached @ Shri Dattatraya Temple @ 7.45 am. This time, there was no crowd like last year. I took good darshan of Shri Dattatraya Padukas, which I missed last year. I climbed almost non-stop to Girnar in 2.15 hrs.

While retuning, went to visit the Akhand Dhuni of Shri Dattatraya. Had good darshan there as well, I had Prasad as well this time (any way I was hungry and having a Prasad was good for my stomachJ). Started climbing the steps towards Ambaji Mata and again descended towards Jain Derasar. On the way visited Gomukh Ganga as well. My knees started pain while descending the steps, particularly the right knee.

I reached @ Girnar Taleti @ 11.30 am. So this time I took 6 hrs to complete my Girnar visit. Kind to god to make this happened again this year.

My plan was to visit Somnath the next day and on 20^th Dec catch the train to Mumbai, but my reservation was still on wait list 2 which was wait list 4 when I did the booking. So thought to go by bus, train tomorrow as I need to do the same on 20^th.

19 Dec 2010

Vijay and I went to see for a booking in travels bus, but all buses were full due to a program in Mumbai (specifically in Penvel) of “Swadhaya Parivar”. So never got any booking. Uncle suggested to go to Vadodara and then catch Vadodara express from there. So I took a see off of whole Bhutani family and uncle came with me for railway station. I took a 2^nd class (unreserved  compartment) ticket and boarded in second class compartment @ 11.30 am. Got a sit on the upper deck.  After Rajkot almost the compartment was empty, as it was Sunday and I got a Window Sit. I reached @ Vadodara @ 8.30 pm. Then enquired about any current reservations for Mumbai, but all were full. There was a huge line for Vadodara Express, 2^nd class compartment. Luckily got a space to stand in the compartment. The compartment was heailly full. Almost 90% people was coming to Mumbai to attend the get-together @ Panvel.

The train started @ 10.30pm and reached Borivali @ 3.30am. It was nightmare to stand 5 hrs in a over crowded 2nd class compartment. At last reached home.

Click to view slideshow.

Om Namah Shivay

In March, I got a call from Arvind for Kinnaur Kailash yatra which was scheduled in August. The organizer was Mr. Dr. Shukla from Ahmadabad. I talked with Sharad Uncle then for the same. He said if you are going then I will go with you. So we 3, Mr.Shukla and 3 couples from Mumbai were in our batch. Lastly Mr. Ganesh Dattji added in the yatra. Bur Mr. Shukla already has 10 members for Gujarat itself; Dr Laxman was our new organizer for the yatra.

Kinnaur Kailashi @ Mall Road in Shimla

(L to R) Sharad Uncle, me, Arvindji, Ganesh Dattaji, Chadrika ben, Jagdish bhai, Shamji bhai, Seema ben, Jayanti bhai, Nirmala ben and Dr Laxman bhai.

This is the day to day schedule of our Yatra. (Though the original schedule was little ambiguous)

Day 1 – Reach Chandigarh and start to Recong Peo

Day 2 – Reach Recong Peo

Day 3 – Trek to Kalpa from Recong Peo

Day 4 – Actual Trek – Recong Peo to MilingGhat

Day 5 – Actual Trek – MilingGhat to Gupha

Day 6 – Actual Trek – Gupha to Shivling and return to Gupha

Day 7 – Actual Trek – Gupha to Recong Peo

Day 8 – Recong Peo to Shimla

Day 9 – Shimla rest day

Day 10 – Shimla to Delhi

Day 11 – Delhi rest day

Day 12 – Start return journey

11 Aug 2010 (Wednesday) – Day 1 – Reach Chandigarh and start to Recong Peo

Got up @ 5am, was ready @ 6.15am. Had a call to Meru Cabs for my cab booking. Started with Meru before time @ 6.25am rather than 6.30am. My flight was @ 9.10am with GoAir to Chandigarh. I started early because of rain might cause a problem. Flight was in fact started before time as well, @ about 9.05am or 9 am, as all passengers were seated. We reached @ Chandigarh right time but plane was not able to land due to heavy rains, so our plane was in air for about an hour or so. After that the pilot decided to go to Delhi, as there was no sign of clear air @ the airport, so we started to Delhi by 12.30pm and reached Delhi @ 1pm. This was my first experience of such incident. My bus from Chandigarh was in the evening/night (though exact timings were not known to me), so I was not that tense. We waited @ Delhi for about 3 hrs (!).They gave us new boarding passes and @ about 4 pm, we started to Chandigarh. We reached @ 4.30pm, but there was no place to land as all runways were occupied by other planes. So we parked our plane in a temporary place and after 2 jet airways plane took off to Delhi, we and other planes got proper runway for parking. @ airport there was a just one conveyer belt operating and 4 planes landed @ around same time, so there was heavy rush to collect the luggage. Also exit point was very crowded, just one exit door. The scene was like after movie ends, people are rushing only to a single exit door in movie theatre. I got an auto to reach Sector-43 bus stop (or more local “Bus Adda”), where my other colleagues were waiting for me.

I was supposed to reach @ Chandigarh @ 11.10am but reached @ 5pm. I reached @ 6pm @ Sector-43 bus stop. But as I was too late and the driver was also not willing to stop more, the other colleagues started to “Recong Peo” except Arvind. He stayed back, to go with me though.

I meet Arvind, after almost a year (last year on 16^th August 2009, I went to catch Mumbai plane and he went for Ahmadabad plane). It was really nice to meet Arvind. We recollect our last year memories of Kailash Mansarovar yatra.

Sharad uncle, who was supposed to catch Paschim Express with rest of the people in Delhi, was not able to reach on time. He was just 10 min late, so he got another train and was coming to Chandigarh from Delhi by next train and will reach by 7.30pm. Arvind came in Delhi yesterday and did catch the train, in which our other colleagues from Mumbai came to Chandigarh via Delhi.

Sharad uncle reached the bus stop by 8pm. We were very happy to meet again (3 idiots united again? J) Sharad uncle came down to my home in Borivali in July, as his son stays @ Ghodbandar Road in Thane. We have met 3-4 times after the last year Kailash Mansarovar yatra. He also came to my daughter’s birth ceremony on 26^th January 2010.

Direct bus to Recong Peo was @ 1pm in the night, so we decided to do a break journey and go to Rampur and from there catch another bus for Recong Peo. We started @ 9pm from Chandigarh to Rampur. It was normal ordinary Himachal Pradesh bus, very crowded. The other colleagues who went ahead had reservation for a 2*2 coach bus, which was deluxe bus and it was like superfast with few stops and was supposed to reach by 6am in morning, so total 12 hrs journey. As we started with ordinary bus it took stops for tea, dinner. @ one point there was traffic jam @ place called “Kurfi”. The seats in the bus were so small that we couldn’t sleep well. At last we reached Rampur @ 9am.

12 August 2010 (Thursday) – Day 2 – Reach Recong Peo

Then from Rampur, we took another local bus to Recong Peo @ 9.30am. We reached Recong Peo bus stand @ about 2.30pm. So almost, 17.30 hrs of journey. We stayed @ Apple Resorts, just near the bus stand. The resort was ok type. We had a “dal-chawal” lunch. We meet Dr. Laxman Bhai who was our leader for the trek.

Had 2 hrs sleep. This time also I shared room with Arvind and Sharad uncle shared with his “old” friend Mr. Ganesh Dattji.

Had tea in the evening. We went for a walk in the evening. We had dinner @ 8.15pm consists of dal, chawal potato sabji and rotis. After dinner Dr. Laxman briefed us for tomorrow’s trek. We were going to “Kalpa”, which is some 14 km by road and by trek we need to trek about 7km. It was called practice trek before the actual trek. Had sleep @ 10pm.

13 August 28, 2010 (Friday) – Day 3 – Trek to Kalpa from Recong Peo

Wakeup @5.20am, had bath with hot water and ready by 6.30am. We all started to a small shop nearby for tea and breakfast. Then started around 7-7.15am to climb to Kalpa which Dr. Laxman said is about 7km.

We all reached @ Kalpa @ about 9am. Got good view of Kinnaur mountain ranges. Visited one Buddhist temple. There was a group of foreign tourists around 10 people. Some were from Spain. Some come by Bikes from Shimla.

We had tea in a nearby shop. All ladies, Dr. Laxman Bhai and Ganesh Dattji started by a bus back to Recong Peo. We 6 started to decend by walk rather than by bus. We started @ 10.30am and reached back to hotel by 11.30am.

Had lunch @ around 1pm. I was not able to click more photos in Kalpa due to discharge of batteries. Don’t know but batteries are giving me big pain as they are not charged properly. Need to find out or get a new batteries set, as my camera do not have a facility which shows battery indicator. If anybody knows how to check, please let me know, I have Cannon S-5 camera.

We got to know that the first batch, which started @ 7August, out of 11 people, 2 were in our hotel retuned yesterday itself, midway from yatra. One lady was having diariya and one gent having problem of breathing. Also at lunch we came to know that out of 9 remaining yatris @ Gupha, one was returning. So out of 8 again, only 4 were (including the leader) able to take darshan of Shivling. Rest 4 persons, it seems were tired and didn’t attempt to go to Shivling and rested @ Gupha only.

Had some sleep for 2 hrs. We went to market @4pm to get Wooden stick for yatra. We enquire about the sticks but couldn’t get it. This is something I should update in my checklist without fail. Get a wooden stick for any trek without fail. Also to get the ear closing bar which I forgot to get it here this time. Also get a Uriya bag by default, to cover the bag from rain. God knows when it requires, as all such treks are in rainy session.

Today I got some gas problem, so took a introqunal for dicentery. I was somewhat nervous, as my stomach should be ok tomorrow. We will have to leave tomorrow @ 5am. We will go to Tagling by bus, and then a trek of 9km for MilingGhat. In MilingGhat, it seems they have tents to stay.

Reconstruction of Temple in Kalpa

14 August 28, 2010 (Saturday) – Day 4 – Actual Trek – Recong Peo to MilingGhat

We were ready today @ 5am but waited for porter to join us. 2 Sumo’s were there to carry us to Tagling, a small place from where we will start trekking. Looking at the luggage that we individually need to carry, Arvind had a idea of having one porter for 2 persons. He fixed the porters at the last moment. We started @ 6.30am from Peo to reach Tagling. We reached Tagling @ 7am. We all started trekking @ 7.15am. There was a “Zarna” where everybody will get together. I was with Sharad uncle all the time. We reached @ “Zarna” @ 9.10am, where we had breakfast. We again started @ about 9.30am. and reached @ lunch place @ 2pm. The route was very exhaustive, very tiring. We were 3 of us who moved as a group, self, Sharad uncle and Seema ben. Jagdish bhai and his wife were late as they do not have any practice to walk. In the route we joined to Nirmala ben, who was alone and ahead of us. Jayanti bhai waited for Nirmala ben @ lunch place. Arvind and Ganesh Dattji started from the lunch place and reach the camp site @ about 2.30pm.

We at one place, we went ahead rather than left turn and wasted about 40 mins.  We reached @ 5.30pm. It was tiring experience of walking around 10.30 hrs. Let’s see how tomorrow unfolds.

Zarna in the route

Trek to MilingGhat

View of Recong Peo

Place where we had lunch

Towards MilingGhat

Towards MilingGhat

Finally @ MilingGhat

Tents @ MilingGhat

15 August 28, 2010 (Sunday) – Day 5 – Actual Trek – MilingGhat to Gupha

Last night we slept in a tent. It was good experience, sleeping in a tent with sleeping bags. This was truly a trek experience. We slept @ 8.30pm. Had dinner. Dinner was good, the cook was Mr. Rana. He cooked mutter panner, bringal, rajma, chaval and dal. This was feast for me, as getting such menu in a remote place. We had 2 tents for our self and one more for the porters.

We all wakeup @ 5.30am. There was very good light here, just like our Mumbai 6.30/7 am. Had tea prepared by Rana. In the night, I was asleep after going into the sleeping bag. Nice experience. Today we will reach “Gupha”. As the place suggests, there are natural Gupha’s and we will stay in one of the Gupha’s today. Tomorrow we will go to Kinnaur Shivling. Also it will be Monday and its “Shravan” month’s Monday. Yesterday I thought I will need a combiflame, as the trek was almost 9-10 hrs. But after reaching here I was pretty normal, no major alignment. I applied “move” on my feet. Thought to apply Vicks as well. But this time I forgot to get this. Also never asked anyone here, definitely I would get the same from colleagues.

I guess (in fact all of them) agreed that this is more rigorous and much more difficult than “Kailash Mansarovar”. As Kailash Mansarovar is scheduled for 30 days, but yes, there are few bad patches there as well, like trek to Chiyalekh, Lipulekh pass. But somehow, they are more easy compared to this trek. (At least for the first day i.e. from Tagling to MilingGhat). They said 2 remaining days are more difficult. Let’s see.

We started @ 8.00am after having breakfast as “Sivaya Khir” as Independence Day special. Then we all have our country’s anthem to celebrate our independence day. @ about 9.15am, we reached one place where one Baba is living. We started @ 9.30am from there. We reached one place from where was a steep road ahead, really dangerous. We crossed one big water fall were Arvind, Nirmala ben, Ganesh Dattji, Jayanti bhai were waiting for us. We then had lunch, which Rana prepared after we started for the trak today and carried by porters. Then we started @ about 1.30pm and reached “Gupha” at about 2.00pm. We meet 2 people @ Gupha, who returned today from Shivling, one of the guys was bare foot.

Extreme Right, is Kinnaur Kailash shivling

Shivling

Having Lunch near Gupha

@Gupha

Peo view from Gupha

16 August 28, 2010 (Monday) – Day 6 – Actual Trek – Gupha to Shivling and return to Gupha

Wakeup @ 5.30am.. Last night, there was a group of people who came at about 8.00pm. They were not having any space to sleep. There was lot of noise because of that, as they were talking a lot.

We started @ 6.30am today. After few minutes Sharad uncle realized that he forgot to take his BP tablets, so I again went to Gupha and get the tablets. We reached “Parvati Kund” @ 10am. I had a holy Dip in the kund. Jayanti bhai waited for Nirmala ben this time as well for about 2 hrs. We started to move @ about 10.30am. Before starting the move, our porter suggested to keep the extra clothes under the stone, as the bag became heavy and the trek ahead was more tiring. So we kept unnecessary things, under the stone. We will carry the same while coming back.

We reached at a place @ about 11.30am, where Sharad uncle backed out. I was very emotional that time, as throughout the tour, I never kept uncle alone. I was always with him. It was a tough decision. I started for Shivling. The last leg was very dangerous. I have to crawl 4-5 times on the rocks to reach Shivling. @ 1pm reached Shivling and got a very good darshan. What a view it was.

I started the backward journey @ 2.00pm and reached the place where I left Sharad Uncle @ 3.00pm. I reached “Parvati Kund” @ about 3.30pm. Then in the route @ 4.30pm, I meet Sharad Uncle. I was very happy to meet uncle. Then we started together and reached Gupha @ 6.30pm. It was exactly 12 hrs trek for us today.

Kinnaur Kailash Shivling

2 birds @ Shivling

Water of this goes to Parvati Kund

17 August 28, 2010 (Tuesday) – Day 7 – Actual Trek – Gupha to Recong Peo

We started @ 7am from “Gupha” to reach Peo. @ 8am we crossed the “Zarna”. We took ½ hrs less time to reach the zarna. We then climbed one mountain and again descend and again climbed one mountain. This climbing was the toughest journey today I guess, as we need to descend for the full day to reach Tagling. We then reached the place where the “Baba” stays @ about 10.30am. We started @ 10.45a and reached MilingGhat @ 11.30am, where Mr. Laxman Bhai and Nandita ben waited for us. Now only 3 of us were in the last, self, Sharad uncle and Jagdishji and our 2 porters. Rest people left before we reached MilingGhat. We never descend to the place, where we stayed before but the porters went down after Baba’s hut and they were supposed to get our lunch packed with them. We started from MilingGhat. After some time Mr. Laxman was bored, I guess looking at the speed @ which we were descending (Self, Sharad uncle, Jagdish bhai and Nandita ben.) So he headed towards the place where we have done our lunch while climbing 2 days before.

We reached (4 of us now) @ lunch place @ about 1-1.15pm. I tried to eat at least 4 “Puris”, but uncle and nandita ben could not eat, so they had water and fruit drink. Our porter Kali bahadur was not helping Shaard uncle to descend and was going ahead all the time. So I decided to carry my own bag, so I took my bag from the porter and asked him to now stay with uncle, as he needs support to get down the mountain and also told that now he has less weight, as I will be carrying my bag.

We started @ 1.30pm and after 5 hrs of trek, we reached the Zarna @ 6.15pm. We had plenty of water. Took rest for about 15 mins and started again to descend. We took 2 hrs when we started from Tagling to MilingGhat, the day when we started the trek. Let’s see.

In the trek now we had apples that we got by using our lathis and eat apples. There was a very rough patch in the descend, we crossed that patch at about 6.45pm and now there was very less light, as night and days are early in the mountains. Now at this time, 4 porters meet us. They were sent by Mr. Laxman Bhai to search and help us to get down and reach safely to Tagling. I asked 2 porters to start descending with Jagdish bhai and Nandita ben. I waited for 10 mins as Sharad uncle was descending now with a new porter and Kali bahadur, our porter. It was getting darker and darker by every minute. I had a torch, so I started the torch. Sharad Uncle was accompanied by 2 porters on each side and I was just behind them and placing the foot after shard uncle. Trust, it was the journey I experienced for the first time. It was too dark now, the porter were discouraging uncle to walk and get on one of the porters back and descend. But uncle was pretty confident, so he always denied this. It was pitch dark now. 3 were headed with a torch light and I was behind them. We reached the place where we had crossed the river. This moment was very dangerous.

The ladder does not have any support on any sides. Uncle was sitting and trying to get down with one porter helping on his left side and another one with a touch in his mouth was helping on his right and Kali bahadur was on the top side, to help from the back. The scene was pretty horrifying, as it was full dark, there was very loud sound of water and we were pretty tired as well, as we started @ 7am today. At last we crossed the river. Jagdish bhai and nandita ben were waiting for us on the other side of the river, as they reached early. At last, 4 of us and porters reached Tagling @ exactly 9pm. This was very difficult trek today. We trek for almost 14 hrs.

We reached @ hotel @ 9.45pm. We were pretty tired but also happy to reach at last J. Had a hot water bath and had some rice. As food was very horrible and could not eat more. I had slept @ about 11.30pm.

So the trek was complete, thanks to Lord Shiva to make this trek successful to all of us. All reached safely only because of Lord Shiva’s blessings. Trust Me!!!.

Tomorrow we will be going to Shimla, were we will stay for a day.

18 August 28, 2010 (Wednesday) – Day 8 – Recong Peo to Shimla

We were ready @ 7am sharp. Had tea and some snacks. We started @ 8am by 2 Tata Sumos. Had breakfast @ 9.30am as Aaloo Parathas. Then we visited “BhimaKali” temple in “Sharhan”, which is almost made of wood. We had a good darshan in the temple. We had lunch @ 2pm @ “Karori”. Then we started to Shimla. We found 2-3 traffic jams, though small time about 1-1.30 hrs was wasted. We reached @ Shimla @ 9pm.

Had dinner in Hotel Rajdhoot @ about 11pm. We will meet our Kailash Mansarovar yatra’s LO Mr. Hemendra Guptaji tomorrow, who is based in Shimla. Sharad uncle called him as we reached Shimla. Let’s see.

BhimaKali Temple

BhimaKali Temple

19 August 28, 2010 (Thursday) – Day 9 – Shimla site seeing

Had good sleep yesterday @ hotel, which is just nearby old bus stand of Shimla. We had breakfast in hotel, then our last year’s LO Mr. Hemendra Kumar Guptaji came to meet us @ about 7.15am. We were very delighted to see and meet him after a year. But as he said it doesn’t seem that we are seeing after a year. He briefed us his experiences about the places of Himachal and his own experiences in the valley. He also gave guidance about the trek in Himachal, as he is from Himachal.

We started @ 9am from hotel to see Shimla. We walked about ½ km and reached the lift gate where there is a lift which gets you to the top of Mall Road. We went through 2 lifts to reach the entrance of mall road. As it was a business day and Shimla being a district place , I have seen more than 20 red light cars on the road in the span of 15-20 mins. We reached @ place where there is Indira Gandhi’s statue and a famous old church. We roamed for few minutes on the road. On mall road, there are no vehicles allowed.

Then we started for Jakoo Temple, which is on the top of one of the highest peak in Shimla. It was a steep climbing againJ. There were lots of monkeys on the road. They literally inspected me, by searching my bag and wallet as well. Fortunately the monkey spared me as I did not have any food items else they took all the food items from the people who are visiting Jakoo temple. This temple is Hanuman’s temple. (wiki link)

On the way back, we reached @ the junction again and then went to chat bhandar on the Mall Road and eat lots of variety of chats dahi bhalla, chole bhature, chana tikki and sweet lassi. It was almost like lunch was done. Then Laxmanji and Ganesh Dattaji departed us. Ganesh Dattaji was about to take a bus to Delhi and Laxmanji was going to Gujaraj by train. We remaining then roamed in the nearby Tibetan market. In the afternoon there was rain for about 1 hrs. We then went to a tunnel and reached the market place of the mall. There is a lower market, middle market and upper market all in the hierarchy of one another.

In the night again we went for dinner on mall road. But as in all hill station, all most all stores, hotels were closing at about 9pm. We went to a hotel called Deepak Vaishanav Hotel, which served really good food. In the evening while returning to hotel, we meet our Lo Mr. Guptaji, who gave us booked tickets from Shimla to Delhi for 20^th august. Self, Arvind and Sharad Uncle were going to Delhi and rest people will go to Mumbai via Chandigarh tomorrow.

We will roam around Shimla tomorrow and in the night we will start to Delhi from a/c Volvo bus.

Mr GuptaJi briefing us

20 August 28, 2010 (Friday) – Day 10 – Shimla to Delhi

In the morning Jayanti bhai, Jagdish bhai, Shamji bhai, Nirmala ben, Chandrika ben, Seema ben left to Chandigarh, where they had a booking to Mumbai by Kingfisher airlines by a taxi. We reached at the bus stand at 10am. Mr. Guptaji has arranged a car for us to visit the place called “Tattapani” which has natural hot water ponds. The hot water source is due to having sulfure in the water. We reached there at about 1pm. Had a bath, in a nearby open bathroom. We never went into the pond, as the place was full of mud. Had lunch in the nearby hotel. On the way there is a place called. “Naldhera”, in which every hotel has a Golf couse. This place is also famous for Gulf. Lots of corporate events happens in these hotels. After coming back to Shimla, we again roamed at the Mall Road. In the evening we collected our luggage from the cloak room from the hotel, as we have all ready check-out from the hotel in the morning itself. We boarded in the bus @ 9pm. We reached @ Delhi ISBT bus stop at around 5pm. We went to nearby Swami Narayan bhakt nivas, as Arvind normally stays there whenever he comes in Delhi for his business trip

@Naldhera

TattaPani

21 August 28, 2010 (Saturday) – Day 11 – Delhi rest day

We had a bath and ready at about 8am. We started to go to Akshardham Temple. By taking the metro, we reach at Akshardham station. From station you can see the temple. It is really huge. As we reached early, we visited another temple adjacent to Akshardham temple. The temple gates opens at 10am. We took almost 4-5 hours to see the entire temple including a movie show which is a series of 3 short movies for almost about 2 hrs. We had good lunch in the temple itself, it has a huge food court inside the temple. Also the temple has lots of security measures, I guess due to the attack in Akshardham temple in Gujarat some years back.

Rain started in Delhi as well when we were about to leave the temple. We went to Karol bhag and did some shopping and also roamed a lot in the market. In the evening Arvind insisted to go to Chandani chowk to eat Aloo Parathas. So we went to Chandani chowk and had Aloo Parathas. We saw a snapshot of old Delhi by visiting Chandani chowk J

@Temple adjacent to Ashardham

22 August 28, 2010 (Sunday) – Day 12 – Return to Mumbai

We did see off Arvind who started from the nivas to airport for his flight to Ahmadabad. Then self and Sharad uncle got ready at about 9am. Did breakfast and left the nivas at about 10am. We went to Kashmiri Gate bus Adda, which is nearby the nivas, I catched Airport bus and Sharad uncle went for New Delhi Railway station. My plane again was late for 2 hrs, as it was not originating from Delhi but was coming from Jammu. Uncle got the train to go to Bilaspur and he will be reaching at home by tomorrow morning. Finally the plane arrived at 5pm and I landed at Mumbai at 7pm. Got a taxi and reached at 8pm at home.

28 Dec 2009

                Wakeup @ 4.30, was ready @ 5.30am, had tea and went straight to bus stand which was just opposite to my hotel. From 6.00am waited for Somnath bus, finally got a bus @ 8.00am to Somnath. Reached @ 10.00am. Temple is too good, situated @ sea shore. Had good Darshan. Even the crowd was more, the area is very spacious, so never thought or it never looked crowded even if it was. Had lunch @ prasadalay for Rs 25 /-. At walking distant reached the bus stand of Somnath @ 1.00pm. But the bus was @ 1.45pm, so took a auto (again a tumtum –  a 6 seater auto ) to Veraval. Thought there might be more frequency of buses to Junagadh. But got the same bus @ 2.30pm which came from Somnath. Never got a seat to sit in the bus. Reached @ Junagadh @ 4.10pm.

One observation / Suggestion

                Those who want to visit Somnath can directly go to “Veraval” and they can get a auto. Veraval – Somnath is just 7km and there is good traffic between the two towns.

Had Dinner today again in Geeta Lodge. Today my thighs and feet are paining.

29 Dec 2009

                Wake up at 6am and ready @ 7.30am. Had tea and breakfast @ nearby shop. Checkout the hotel @ 9.15am. Took a Rajkot Bus and reached Rajkot @ 11.00am. Took an auto to Railway station. As my train was Saurashtra Janata Mail @ 15.20, went to waiting room. For time pass I read few pages of the book “India Unbound”. My initial booking was Waitlist-8, when I booked on 24^th Dec, but today got confirmed. So was happy to have berth. Had a good sound sleep in the train and reached @ Borivali @ 5.00am.

Somnath Temple

Lord Shiva in nearby garden

Shiva's Temple built by Maharani Ahilyabai in 1783

25th Dec 2009        

When the bus came @ Borivali, near national park I realized that it is a sitting seat and not a sleeper, but the bus was really good. The side sleepers are same as railways side berths. I guess, it’s first time that I was travelling with a travel bus. Eagle coach, was the travel’s name.        

26^th Dec 2009        

After reaching to Rajkot, my friend’s brother’s friend (Mr. H.S. Tambe), a Maharashatrian guy picked me from the Rajkot highway. I asked him to drop me at the bus stand so that I can catch bus to Junagadh, but he insisted to come to his home and took me to his room. He also gave me hot water to bath. His wife prepared breakfast (poha) and tea. Frankly I was amazed by their worm welcome to a complete stranger, I was meeting to my friend’sà brother’sà friend. He dropped me @ Rajkot bus stand @ 11.00 am. I reached Junagadh @ 1.30pm. Rather than searching for a “good” hotels, I just went and took a room opposite bus stand  @“Shri Ram Guest House”. Room was Ok type…but for a single it was ok…rent was Rs. 250/- per day. Had lunch @ Patel lunch home just near the bus stand. Did some sleep. I went to roam Junagadh in evening, saw Railway station. I went for dinner to a nearby restaurant Hotel Vishala, the restaurant is @ roof top. Just had dal rice, as I had late lunch. From the trace, I can see mount Girnar’s path because of lights on the way to Girnar. I tried to sleep @ 9.000pm as I want to wake up early.        

27^th Dec 2009        

I never had a sound sleep. I wake up @ 1.00am, 3.00am, 3.30am, 4am. So after 4 am I was practically awake. I got up @ 4.35am, had hot water batch and ready @ 5.30am. I took an auto (Rs. 50/-) to reach the Girnar base. It is 5-7 km from the bus stand. I never negotiated the fare as, time was money for me on that day. To my surprise, there were people in huge numbers to climb Girnar. I was thinking there will not be much people but to my amazement hell lot of people were there. There are lots of Dharamsalas in the near vicinity of Girnar base. I bought a walking stick (Rs 15/-). If you return the stick back, you will get Rs. 10/- back. Started to climb Girnar @ 6.00am. People were in large numbers, families, colleges goers and old people as well. All were climbing just like when a train comes to say thane station and how everybody gets on a dadar and there are 3-4 lanes going upwards and only 1 lane for people coming downwards. Same as thus I was trying to climb the steps of Girnar. @ 8am I reached @ Shri Neminath Temple. As I was wearing a shorts so was not allowed to enter in the temple. (I was aware that in some temples .e.g Gajanan Maharaj Temple Shegoan, shorts are not allowed but somehow I missed that point and took a shorts rather than a slack)  I continued to climb, on the way I visited the place called “Gomukh Ganga”. ( I never tried to know its significance…as in my mind I wanted to reach at the top of Girnar and also in the temple the sadhus were asking me Rs 10/- for a donation, which I particular never liked…I mean I can give my own ,they should not ask people for the same). @ 8.30am I reached “Ambaji Mata” temple. The situation here was, as if there might be a Stampede. I entered the temple and left immediately, after taking a short darshan of Ambaji Mata. The Idol is very good particularly, the eyes of Ambaji Mata. Just after Ambaji mata temple, on the way I saw Shri GorakhNath Temple . On the way at top of the temple @ 9.15 I reached there was horrific blockage of people and no movement for at least 45 minutes. After that one of the guards from the temple came down and arrange the traffic in Single lane and able to reach the temple @ 10.00am. At last I reached @ Shri Dattatraya Temple. I had good darshan of shri Dattaraya Maharaj. While coming back I visited the Akhand Dhuni of Shri Dattatraya. Firstly I thought to take Prasad at the place, but after waiting for ½ hrs my number was in the 2^nd batch of people, so I dropped the plan and started descending the hill. After Ambaji mata temple at one place the situation was worse than morning , again same thing was happening 3 lanes for people descending and only one lane for people ascending. There was huge block and the deadlock was for about ½ hrs. Somehow people again started in proper disciplined manner. I reached the base @ 2.00pm. Took a shared auto (a Tumtum, a 6-8 seater Auto) and reached hotel. So it took almost 8 hrs to visit mouth Girnar.        

                At last my wish to visit Girnar one day was fulfilled by Shir GuruDev Datta Maharaj. I have a spare say tomorrow. Thinking of visiting Somnath, as I was not in that much pain except for both knees were in pain when using stairs to go to guest house. I was able to roam around the city for 20-25 minutes in the evening…lets see. Had Dinner @ Geeta Lodge, which Is near the railway station. Again Gujrathi thali…but unlimited buttermilk and papad and had Khichadi as well.        

Jain Temples

Ambaji Mata Temple

Way to Shri Dattatraya Maharaj Temple

Shri Dattatraya Maharaj Temple