The road trip spanning 13 days and over 1000 kms across three spectacular districts of Himachal Pradesh India, took place staring 2nd Jun 2012 with lot with a lot of uncertainties. This is a travelogue reflecting those spectacular few days in perhaps the most beautiful places on Earth.
My Bike!
The Route:
Details:
Frozen landscape, snow fall and chilly wind blowing at tremendous speed does not represent fun. This was the situation at the higher reaches of Kumzum pass. The glaciers have made sure the pass remained closed. Yet, amidst all the confusion, there was a tiny ray of hope. The human factor it is said…..
Music was in the air. The village of Dhankar had gathered around a lake to celebrate the opening of new Monastery. Unable to contain my excitement, I started walking towards the lake where the ceremony was to take place.
The morning started on a positive note. All three of us were ready on time. I insisted that we take a detour at Sumdo to check out the Gue Mummy. The others not aware of existence of such a mummy, agreed instantly.
Route: Nako -> Sumdo -> Gue -> Sumdo -> Tabo -> Dhankar
Sleep eluded me. The thought of not having enough fuel for the trip made me uneasy. I was certain that if I don’t fuel in Peo, I might have to stay back. In any tightly scheduled trips, such delays meant disaster.
Route: Kalpa -> Recong Peo -> Poo -> Nako
Tiredness was not an excuse. I was back on the street repacking my bags to continue the journey that had stopped previous day. Breathing the fresh morning air revitalized me giving that kick-start to the vertex of my spine.
Route: Sarhan -> Karcham -> Sangla -> Chitkul -> Sangla -> Karcham -> Recong Peo -> Kalpa
It all started over a cup of coffee. Its was time for biking again. Having taken no breaks for over six months prompted me to urge my friends to join me on a trip to explore three most exotic regions of Trans Himalayas. Getting the basic plan to work was not easy. Uncertainties are part of any adventurous trip, but weather irregularities could damper the whole trip.
While planning a trip is difficult, executing it is altogether a different ball game. Initial enthusiasm shown by my friends died down quickly as the the dates neared. In the end it was just two of us. Over the past few years, I have understood and coped with realities of travel. Only the most adherent travelers manage to take time out of their lives to travel, for the rest it is just a passing fad.
Route: Manali -> Kullu -> Aut -> Banjar -> Jalori Pass -> Luhri ->Rampur -> Sarhan
Oh! That sinking feeling, ephemeral sorrow of that living creature caught in the lure of temptation, tormented by the thought of warm vapors gently brushing against the body on a cold rainy day met its oily doom. Seeking an unholy union with oil rich pot of unpleasant odor, the poor creature going against its own judgment sealed its fate. Perhaps it had the same honor to protect as the Japanese WWII pilots. The Kamikaze fly flew right into my oily paneer butter masala yelling faintly “Why are you eating this crap?”
Bhimbetka Caves
Mahendra, son of Ashoka is said to have visited his mother in Vidisa who took him up to the beautiful monastery of Vedisagiri built by herself. The above lines found in the Chronicles of Srilanka remain the only testament to the connection between the Maurya’s and Sanchi.
The foundation of the great religious establishment at Sanchi can be attributed to Ashoka (273 – 236 BC). Selection of the hill top to build the stupa might be to give a concrete shape to the newly aroused zeal for Buddhism in the emperor, who is said to have opened up seven out of eight original stupas erected over the body-relics of Buddha and to have distributed the relics among innumerable stupas built by himself all over his empire.
Preservation efforts for this World Heritage Site started in the 19th century. Most of the monuments had to rebuilt with scattered remains. I found the site to be clean and well maintained.
Stupa 1
Posted in History & Philosophy, Travel
Tagged Buddhist Architecture, History, Road Trips, Temple Architecture
Khajuraho. I was there at last. As an acute sense of elation filled me, I momentarily forgot the horrendous journey that I had to take from Jabalpur to get here. The heavy rains only added to pitiful road conditions resulting in a tiresome six-hour drive. My situation worsened on deciding to stay in the first guest house I could find. The room rents were slightly on the higher side considering it’s an off season. With no energy to hunt around for accommodation, I settled on what I have. Rain continued to lash out its fury on the sacred village as I tucked myself in for a quick nap.
Khajuraho - Western Group Of Temples
Hobbies Of The Earth Bound Misfit 