tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46878805762748949922024-02-19T08:30:25.643+05:30Gypsy PrincessShraddha Mehtahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054560609736871111noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-12385997388116678612023-03-06T12:35:00.000+05:302023-03-06T12:35:54.812+05:30पुणे ते दिल्ली ते मनाली ते लेह - भाग २<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</a>
</div><p>तर गंमत अशी
झाली होती की आम्ही मोमो
वगैरे खाताना काढलेले
फोटो बघून मॅडमना
देखील त्यांचे फोटो
काढून हवे होते.
मग रेशमाला बोलावून
स्वतःचे आवरून घेतले
आणि मी गेले तेव्हा तिथे हॉटेलच्या गच्चीवर फोटो
सेशन चालू होते.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">मी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">फार</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">वेळ</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">थांबलेच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">नाही</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">खाली येऊन </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">हॉटेल</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">काकांशी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">गप्पा</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मारल्या</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">थोडी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">थातूरमातूर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">खरेदी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">केली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तोवर ७ वाजले होते </span>किचन चालू झाले <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">म्हणुन</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ग्रुपवर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मेसेज</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">करून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">सगळ्यांना</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">खाली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">जेवणाच्या</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">खोलीत</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">यायला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">सांगितले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span>जेवण वगैरे लवकर आटोपून लवकर झोपावे, २ दिवसांचा शिणवटा घालवावा अशी इच्छा होती. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">मला</span> वाटले होते <span style="font-family: inherit;">थोडा</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आराम</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">झालाय</span> , मनासारखे फोटो सेशन झालेय म्हणजे <span style="font-family: inherit;">मॅडम</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">ना</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">बरे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">वाटले</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">असेल तर त्यांचा </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">रंग</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">उडालेला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">होता</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">त्यांना</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">बघून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आत्ता</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">की</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">थोड्या</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">वेळाने</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
(</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">डॉक्टर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ची</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">गरज</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">) </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">हा</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">एकच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">विचार</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मनात</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आम्ही</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">जेवायला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ऑर्डर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">दिली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">चाउमेन</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">नूडल्स</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">,
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">व्हेज</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">फ्राईड</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">राइस</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">वगैरे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पण</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span>चव आवडली नाही तरी <span style="font-family: inherit;">वाया</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">जाऊ</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">नये</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">असा</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">विचार</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">करून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">कमी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ऑर्डर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">दिली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">होती</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">लागलेच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">परत</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ऑर्डर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">देता</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">येईल</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">नाही</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आवडले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">हे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">संपवून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">दुसरे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मागवता</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">येईल, अन्न आणि पैसे दोन्ही वाया जाऊ नये </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">इतकाच विचार या मागे होता. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>सुर्यास्त</span> <span>झाल्यावर</span> <span>हवेतला</span> <span>गारठा</span>
<span>वाढला</span> <span>होता</span>, <span>त्यामुळे</span>
<span>ताटे</span>, <span>चमचे</span> <span>पाण्याची</span>
<span>भांडी</span> <span>सगळे</span> <span>थंड</span>
<span>पडले</span> <span>होते</span>. <span>मॅडमना</span>
<span>पाणी</span> <span>हवे</span> <span>होते</span>
<span>ते</span> <span>देखील</span> <span>दुसर्या</span>
<span>कोणीतरी</span> <span>भांड्यात</span> <span>काढून</span>
<span>द्यावे</span> <span>अशी</span> <span>अपेक्षा</span>
<span>होती</span>. <span>मी</span> <span>शक्य</span> <span>तेवढे</span> <span>डोके</span>
<span>शांत</span> <span>ठेवायचा</span> <span>प्रयत्न</span>
<span>करत</span> <span>होते</span>. <span>खाणे</span>
<span>आले</span> <span>तसे</span> <span>मॅडमनी</span>
<span>अर्ध्या</span> <span>पेक्षा</span> <span>जास्त</span>
<span>नूडल्स</span> <span>स्वतःच्या</span> <span>ताटात</span>
<span>वाढून</span> <span>घेतल्या</span>. <span>भात</span>
<span>चवीपुरता</span> <span>हवा</span> <span>म्हणुन</span>
<span>तो</span> <span>ही</span> <span>वाढून</span>
<span>घेतला</span>. (<span>आठवा</span> <span>सत्ते</span>
<span>पे</span> <span>सत्ता</span>) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">उरलेसुरलं</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आम्ही</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">गरिबांनी</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">वाटून</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">घेतले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">त्यांनी</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">नूडल्स</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">चे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">दोन</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">घास</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">खाल्ले, भात चिवडला, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ताट</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">सरकवले</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">मान</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">टेबलवर</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">ठेवली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मी</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">सोयीस्कर</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">दुर्लक्ष</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">करायचे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">ठरवले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">रेशमाला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">शांतपणे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">खायला</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">सांगितले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मैत्रीच्या गोंडस नावाखाली </span>तिची <span style="font-family: inherit;">होणारी </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">फरफट</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">पाहवत</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">नव्हती</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><i>खरेतर उष्टे अन्न वगैरे शिष्टाचार बाजुला ठेऊन या मुलीच्या ताटात वाढलेले आम्ही घेऊ शकलो असतो पण ते तसे सांगितले जायला हवे होते. तसे झालेच नाही. </i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>जेवण झाल्यावर रेश्माला </span><span>म्हटले</span> <span>आता</span> <span>विचार</span>
<span>मॅडमना</span> <span>काय</span> <span>होतय</span>
<span>ते</span>. <span>तो</span> <span>पर्यंत</span>
<span>हॉटेल</span> <span>काकांनी</span> <span>मला</span>
<span>खाणाखुणा</span> <span>करून</span> <span>काय</span>
<span>होतय</span>, <span>डॉक्टर</span> <span>कडे</span>
<span>ने</span> <span>वगैरे</span> <span>सांगून</span>
<span>झाले</span> <span>होतेच</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span>रेश्माचा</span> <span>दयाळू</span> <span>आवाज</span>
<span>ऐकून</span> <span>मॅडम</span> <span>म्हणाल्या</span>
<span>ते</span> <span>अन्न</span> <span>वाया</span>
<span>जातेय</span> <span>याचे</span> <span>मला</span>
<span>खूऽऽऽप</span> <span>वाईट</span> <span>वाटते</span>
<span>आहे </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ओक्साबोक्शी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">रडू</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">लागल्या</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
</span><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">रेश्माला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">म्हणाले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ताबडतोब</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">उठ</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तिला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">घेऊन</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">दवाखाना</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">गाठ</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span>राकेश ने टांग मारल्यामुळे </span><span>आमच्याकडे</span><span> </span><span>गाडी</span><span> </span><span>नव्हती</span><span>. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">कोणी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">बाइक</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">वाला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">वगैरे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मदत</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">करू</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">शकेल</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">का</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ते</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पाहिले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">का</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पाहिले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पण</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">त्याचा</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">काही</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">उपयोग</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">नव्हता</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">काकांनी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">दवाखाना</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">जवळच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आहे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">चालतच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">जा</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">असे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">सुचवले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">त्यामुळे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">रेश्मा</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मॅडम</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">चालतच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">दवाखान्यात</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पोचल्या</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA89X0MtPU1QvQGgkhydy8ls9tldB4IFJzW-kIWs-ciOJ5aGovMsPl_PfdRdQjpVIKfYIp27bqP6y3u8NZNeM7vjpLjGZnuyZxD5pHEf5ELPqyno3TWOadbQqywyHcIjFMqeG0YuwkC0gZyx0PT3gj99noQ8E1dKNLYwCbMoUfFbm-TqgOMQJlHDX0/s913/2022_11$largeimg_2036276045.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="913" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA89X0MtPU1QvQGgkhydy8ls9tldB4IFJzW-kIWs-ciOJ5aGovMsPl_PfdRdQjpVIKfYIp27bqP6y3u8NZNeM7vjpLjGZnuyZxD5pHEf5ELPqyno3TWOadbQqywyHcIjFMqeG0YuwkC0gZyx0PT3gj99noQ8E1dKNLYwCbMoUfFbm-TqgOMQJlHDX0/s320/2022_11$largeimg_2036276045.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">फोटो साभार आंतरजाल </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>केलॉंग</span> <span>चा</span> <span>दवाखाना</span>
<span>हे</span> <span>एक</span> <span>अजब</span> <span>प्रकरण</span> <span>आहे</span>.
रस्त्यावरून दिसणारी </span>मोठ्ठी<span style="font-family: inherit;"> प्लस ची खुण हि दुरून डोंगर साजरे हि म्हण साजरी करणारी ठरली . </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">जुन्या</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">रामसे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">चित्रपटात</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">असायचे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तशी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">काहीशी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">इमारत</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आहे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तळमजल्यावर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">राडारोडा</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मोडलेले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">फर्निचर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">वगैरे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">त्यातूनच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पुढे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">एक</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">जिना</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पहिल्या</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मजल्यावर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">बर्यापैकी अ-अद्ययावत </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">वैद्यकीय</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">सुविधा</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तिथून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">रेश्माने</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">फोन</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">करून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">कळवले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">की</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मॅडमचा</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ऑक्सिजन</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">५५</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
- </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">६०</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पर्यंत</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">खाली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आलाय</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">डॉक्टर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ने</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">त्यांना</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आता</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ऑक्सिजन</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">लावला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आहे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">रात्री हॉटेलचे स्वयंपाक घर ११ ला बंद होते, मेरे बच्चे १२ के बाद हि सो पाते हैं, जल्दी सुबह नाश्ता नही दे पाऊंगा असे हॉटेल काकांनी स्पष्ट सांगितले. मग त्यानुसार हॉटेलचा राहायचा आणि खाण्यापिण्याचा हिशोब करून टाकला, तेवढाच सकाळचा एक कार्यक्रम कमी. <span>उद्याच्या</span><span> </span><span>प्रवासात</span><span> </span><span>सोबत</span><span> </span><span>असावे</span><span> </span><span>म्हणुन </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आम्ही</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">केळी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ब्रेड</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">बटर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">जॅम</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">वगैरे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">घेऊन</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ठेवले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span>तसे तर जागोजागी खायला मिळेल याची खात्री होती पण सोबत थोडे असावं! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">८४५<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span>ला</span>
<span>रेश्माचा</span> <span>फोन</span>
<span>आला</span> <span>की</span> <span>मॅडम</span> <span>ना</span> <span>बरे</span>
<span>वाटतेय, </span><span>पण</span> <span>आधीच्या</span>
<span>अनुभवाने</span> <span>मी</span> <span>तिला</span>
<span>म्हणाले</span> <span>की</span> <span>तिला</span> <span>रात्री</span> <span>तिथेच</span>
under medical observation <span>राहू</span> <span>दे</span>. <span>तसेही</span>
<span>रात्री</span> <span>जर</span> emergency <span>ची</span>
<span>वेळ</span> <span>आली</span> <span>तर</span> <span>परत</span> <span>हॉस्पिटल</span>
<span>गाठणे</span> <span>जिकरीचे</span> <span>होईल</span>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span>केलोंग हे थोडे मोठे खेडे आहे म्हटले तर वावगे नाही. पुर्ण गावात रस्त्यावर दिवे फक्त महामार्गावर आहेत. रात्री ८ नंतर पुर्ण सामसुम, रस्ता विचारायला चिटपाखरू देखील नव्हते. संध्याकाळी गुंजन ज्या दुकानात खरेदी करत होती तिथे उजेड दिसला, त्या ताईने वाट कुठून जाते ते सांगितले. आम्ही काळोखात ट्रेक केल्यासारखे चाचपडत उतरत होतो. एके ठिकाणी एक नवरा बायको दिसले, त्यांना विचारले तर तो म्हणाला मी येतो दाखवायला, आणि खरंच आला तो दवाखान्याच्या अगदी जवळ पर्यंत. </span><span>जवळपास</span> २ <span>कि</span>.<span>मी</span> <span>चालत</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">गुंजन</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पल्लवी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">हॉस्पिटल</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पोचलो</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">डॉक्टरशी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">चर्चा</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">करून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तिला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">राहू</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">द्यायची</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">विनंती</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">केली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तिच्या</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ऍडमिशन</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">कार्ड</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">वर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पालक</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">म्हणुन</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">सही</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">केली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>तोपर्यंत</span> <span>मॅडमच्या</span> <span>अंगात</span> <span>जोर</span>
<span>आला</span> <span>होता</span>, <span>त्या</span>
<span>हॉटेल</span> <span>पर्यंत</span> <span>चालत</span>
<span>येते</span> <span>म्हणत</span> <span>होत्या</span>.
Resident <span>डॉक्टरने</span> <span>चर्चेत</span> <span>मला</span>
<span>स्पष्ट</span> <span>सांगितले</span> <span>होते अभी और exertion नही करे तो बेहतर है और </span><span>आगे</span> <span>का</span> <span>रास्ता</span>
difficult <span>है</span>, <span>इनको</span> <span>आप</span>
<span>नीचे</span> <span>मनाली</span> <span>भेज</span>
<span>दिजीए</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>आता</span> <span>तिला</span> <span>परत</span>
<span>मनालीला</span> <span>कसे</span> <span>पाठवायचे</span>
<span>हा</span> <span>नवा</span> <span>विषय</span>
<span>आमच्या</span> <span>परीक्षेत</span> <span>अचानक</span>
<span>उद्भवला</span>. <span>पण</span> <span>देवाने</span>
<span>याचे</span> <span>उत्तर</span> <span>समोरच</span>
<span>ठेवले</span> <span>होते</span>. <span>त्याच</span>
<span>वेळी</span> <span>तिथे</span> <span>दाखल</span>
<span>असलेले</span> <span>एक</span> <span>कपल</span> <span>त्यांची</span> <span>ट्रीप</span> <span>अर्धवट</span>
<span>सोडून</span> <span>परत</span> <span>जाणार</span>
<span>होते</span> <span>ते</span> <span>सकाळी</span>
<span>तिला</span> <span>घेऊन</span> <span>जाऊ</span>
<span>शकतो</span> <span>असे</span> <span>म्हणाले</span>.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>रेश्माचा</span> <span>निरोप</span> <span>घेऊन</span>
<span>आमची</span> <span>वरात</span> <span>हॉटेल</span> <span>कडे</span> <span>निघाली</span>.
<span>केलॉंग</span> <span>जरी</span> <span>राष्ट्रीय</span>
<span>महामार्गावर</span> <span>वसलेले</span> <span>असले</span>
<span>तरी</span> <span>उंच</span> <span>सखल</span> <span>भागात</span> <span>आहे</span>
<span>त्यामुळे</span> <span>परत</span> <span>महामार्गावर</span>
<span>येऊन</span> <span>आम्ही</span> <span>हॉटेल</span>
<span>मध्ये</span> <span>पोचेपर्यंत</span> <span>रात्रीचे</span>
<span>१०३०</span> <span>झाले</span> <span>होते</span>.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span>हाय अल्टीट्युड ला आमचा देखील पहिलाच दिवस होता, या सगळ्या प्रकारामुळे आम्ही तिघी आणि रेश्मा अनावश्यक थकत होतो! थकलो </span></span>होतो<span>! रेश्मा ला हॉस्पिटल मध्ये एक बेड त्यांनी उपलब्ध तर करून दिला होता पण तो कितपत comfortable होता कुणास ठाऊक. <span style="font-family: inherit;">आम्ही</span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">झोपायचा</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">प्रयत्न</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">केला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मला</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">शांत</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">अशी</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">झोप</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">लागली</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">नाही, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">रात्रीत</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">रेशमाचा</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">फोन</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">नाही</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">म्हणजे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">सगळे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आलबेल</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">असावे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #741b47;">आपण जनरली बोलताना म्हणतो तीन तिगडा काम बिग</span></i><i><span style="color: #741b47;">डा </span></i><i><span style="color: #741b47;">... इथे तशीच परिस्थिती झालीये असे वाटत होते. कोणी तरी एकीने हॉटेल वर थांबायचे तर ती एकटी , तिच्यासोबत कोणाला थांबवावे तर हॉस्पिटल ला जाणारी एकटी! त्यामुळे तिघींची वरात हॉटेल वरून हॉस्पिटलला आणि रिटर्न!</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><span>१३</span> <span>जुन</span> <span>२०२२</span></span></u></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">सकाळी</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">५४५ ला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">राकेश</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">चा</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">पहिला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">फोन</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">आला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">त्याला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">म्हणाले</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">बाबा</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">रे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">थोडा</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">उशिराने</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">ये</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">त्याचे</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">म्हणणे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">होते</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">की</span> <i><span style="font-family: inherit;">जलदी</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">निकलेंगे </span></i> <i><span>तो</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">जलदी</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">पहुंचेंगे</span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>...</i> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मी</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">म्हणाले</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">निकल</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">पाये</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">तो</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">पहुंचेंगे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">! </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">त्याला</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">काही</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">सांगायच्या</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">परिस्थितीमध्ये</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">नव्हतेच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">फोन</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">बंद</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">केला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">परत</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">थोडा</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">वेळ</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">झोपले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पण</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">तो</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">बिचारा</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">डिझेल</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">भरून</span> हॉटेल <span style="font-family: inherit;">खाली</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">येऊन</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">थांबला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span>अखेरीस <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">६३०</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">ला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आम्ही</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">उठलोच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">गुंजनला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">हॉस्पिटलात</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">पाठवून</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">रेशमाला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">बोलावून</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">घेतले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span>हॉटेलला <span style="font-family: inherit;">परत</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आल्यावर</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">रेश्मा</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">ने</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> आवरले, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">बॅग</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">परत</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">नीट</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">पॅक</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">केली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मॅडमची</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">पण</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">बॅग</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">नीट</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">पॅक</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">केली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मी</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">देखील</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आवरले</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आम्ही</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">बॅग्स</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">घेऊन</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">हॉस्पिटलमध्ये</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">जायला</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">निघालो</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">गुंजनला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">परत</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">पाठवून</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आवरून</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">घ्यायला</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">सांगितले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal">डॉक्टर ने मॅडमचा discharge ११ नंतर होईल असे सांगितले. ११ नंतर निघून आम्ही लेह ला संध्याकाळ पर्यंत पोचू शकणार नव्हतो, व्यावसायिक दृष्ट्या मला ते परवडणारे नव्हते. तसेच भाग एक मध्ये म्हटल्या प्रमाणे आम्ही चौघीच असु, कोणाची काय स्ट्रेंग्थ आणि विकनेस आहेत याचा विचार करून प्रवासाचा प्लॅन ठरवला होता, त्यात एका व्यक्तीसाठी इतरांचे नुकसान करणे शक्य नव्हते आणि योग्य देखील नव्हते. जर या व्यक्तीची वागणुक योग्य असती तर कदाचित गोष्टी वेगळ्या हि झाल्या असत्या. माहित नाही! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>कोणाला वाटत असेल मी नैतिक दृष्ट्या चुकले तर ते वाटू दे. पण रेश्माला, मला आणि नंतर गुंजन आणि पल्लवीला जी अपमानास्पद वागणुक पावलोपावली दिली गेली याचे कार्मिक फळ त्या व्यक्तीला मिळाले असू शकेल. I have trained myself to let go of grudges but not lessons. There is no bitterness but then one should not expect me to be sweet either. सूड भावनेने मी काही करायला जात नाही, ज्याचे मन त्याला खात असते अशीच व्यक्ती माझ्या वागण्याचा सोयीनुसार अर्थ लावत आपली energy वाया घालवत असते. </i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">हॉस्पिटलमध्ये</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मॅडमनी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">परत</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> attitude </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">दाखवलाच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">रेश्मा</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">चार</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">गोष्टी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">सांगतेय</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">त्याकडे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पुर्ण</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">दुर्लक्ष</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">करून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">स्वतःचे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">घोडे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">दामटवत</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">राहिल्या</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
माझे डोके तापायला लागले तसे मी </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">बॅग</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तशीच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">सोडून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">खाली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">निघून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पाच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मिनिटांनी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">रेश्मा</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> तेव्हाच </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">राकेश</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">परत</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आम्हाला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">घ्यायला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">शेवटी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">एकदाचे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आम्ही</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तिथून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">निघालो</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पुढे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">हॉटेलमधून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पल्लवी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">गुंजनला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">गाडीत</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">घेतले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आम्ही</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">लेह</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">च्या</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">दिशेने</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">प्रस्थान</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">केले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span>वेळ सकाळी ८३०. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>जिस्पा</span> <span>येईपर्यंत</span> <span>पहिला</span> <span>नंबर</span>
<span>रेश्माने</span> <span>लावला</span> <span>आणि</span>
<span>खाल्लेले</span> <span>केळ</span> <span>तिला</span>
<span>उलटून</span> <span>पडले</span>. <span>मग</span>
<span>काही</span> <span>वेळाने</span> <span>आलटून</span>
<span>पालटून</span> <span>तिघी</span> <span>गाडी</span>
<span>थांबवत</span> <span>राहिल्या</span>. झिंगझिंग बार, बारालाचा ला, <span>दारचा</span>,
<span>सारचू</span>, गाटा लूप्स , नकी ला, लाचुंग ला, कधी फोटो विश्रांती तर कधी चायपानी </span>असे <span style="font-family: inherit;">थांबत</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">थांबत</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आम्ही</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">चाललो</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">होतो</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #741b47;"><i>दारचा जवळ पुल ओलांडल्यावर आम्ही एके ठिकाणी चहा नाश्त्यासाठी थांबलो तेव्हा गुंजन ला उपका आला आणि ती एका बाजुला गेली. मी पाण्याची बाटली घेऊन तिच्या जवळ गेले तर ती मला म्हणाली दूर जा, </i></span><span style="color: #741b47;"><i>तुला </i></span><i style="color: #741b47;">नको त्रास होयला </i><span style="color: #741b47;"><i>तेव्हा </i></span><i style="color: #741b47;"> मी बाटली देऊन परत आले. तेव्हा रेश्मा म्हणाली तिला त्रास होताना पण तुला त्रास होऊ नये याची काळजी होती ,तेच मी बस मध्ये रात्रभर पिशव्या देणे वारा घालणे टिश्यू देणे एवढेच काम ऑन ऑर्डर करत होते. </i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">बहुतेक बारालाचा ला नंतर कोणालाही कसलाच त्रास झाला नाही . पांग</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">येथे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ना</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">थांबता</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पुढे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">घाट</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">चढून</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">मुरे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">प्लेन्स</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">इथे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">थांबावे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">असे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">राकेशचे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">म्हणणे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">होते</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. आता सूर्य मावळतीकडे झुकायला लागला होता, त्याला लेह ला पोचायची घाई झालीये असे वाटत होते. पण चर्चा करायची ती वेळ नव्हती. पहाटे पासून जागा असल्यामुळें तो दमला देखील असावा. हाय अल्टीट्युड ला शक्यतोवर </span>मी <span style="font-family: inherit;">कोणालाही जास्त प्रश्न विचारणे टाळते, त्या व्यक्तीला तिची / त्याची स्पेस द्यायची, पण अखंड सावधान राहायचे! हे आज देखील पाळायचे हे मी स्वतःला बजावत होते. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLevpmqNPWVwZYpT4PpoSFs-8v6vZGs_DvyBDrsWByKxl2EJwL4G8SvSO2feU82FoRuvn5CDZIZXkdLzy0WlhafDGorF2Uwo7sP-2xHHC3FNtmzuuIVNjFpCgDIvnUYIUKRvAnzk-NAo/s1600/1677923546784217-1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ऑफ रोड ला फसलेली गाडी, मागचे चाक पहा! </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLevpmqNPWVwZYpT4PpoSFs-8v6vZGs_DvyBDrsWByKxl2EJwL4G8SvSO2feU82FoRuvn5CDZIZXkdLzy0WlhafDGorF2Uwo7sP-2xHHC3FNtmzuuIVNjFpCgDIvnUYIUKRvAnzk-NAo/s1600/1677923546784217-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</a>
</div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>पण</span> <span>तिथे</span> <span>एके</span>
<span>ठिकाणी</span> <span>शॉर्ट</span> <span>कट</span> म्हणू</span>न भाऊने गाडी
ऑफ रोड ला घातली आणि
फसली! त्याची थोडी
चिडचिड होतेय असे
वाटत होते मला
पण नाईलाज होता.
तिथे जवळपास एक
तास वाया गेला.
मी त्याला गाडी
कशी काढता येईल
हे सांगत होते
पण अनोळखी
ते हि एक मुलगी काही सल्ला देऊ शकते या गोष्टीवर त्याचा विश्वास नव्हता. शेवटी
गाडी मी सांगत होते त्या पद्धतीनेच निघाली. मग
आम्ही थोडे अंतर उलटे
परत पांग
ला गेलो आणि
थोडी पोटपूजा केली.
वेळ होती दुपारचे
४३०.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>तिथून</span> <span>निघालो</span> <span>आणि </span><span>चांगल्या</span> <span>रस्त्याने</span> <span>वर</span> <span>मूरे</span> <span>पठरावर</span> <span>आलो</span>.
<span>ही</span> <span>जगातली</span> माझी <span>सगळ्यात</span> <span>आवडती</span>
<span>जागा! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>समुद्र</span> <span>सपाटी</span> <span>पासून</span>
४८०० <span>मीटर उंचीवर</span> <span>वर</span> <span>सरळसोट</span>
३५ <span>किमी</span> <span>अंतराचा मक्खन</span> <span>रस्ता</span>,
<span>चहूकडे</span> <span>उंच</span> <span>उठलेला</span>
<span>लडाखचा</span> <span>तपकिरी</span> <span>हिमालय</span>,
<span>मधुन</span> <span>मधुन</span> <span>दिसणारी तिबेटी</span>
<span>गाढवे, पश्मिना बकऱ्या आणि</span> <span>ब्लू</span> <span>शिप</span>
<span>ऊर्फ</span> <span>भरल</span>, <span>आणि</span>
<span>समोर</span> <span>दिसणारा</span> <span>टॅगलाँग</span>
<span>ला</span> <span>चा</span> <span>डोंगर</span>...
<span>स्वप्नवत</span>... </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">पण बेजबाबदार लोक पावलोपावली आढळतात आणि काशी करतात! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>वाटेत लडाख पोलीस हायवे पॅट्रोल च्या गस्त घालणाऱ्या एका गाडीने एका पर्यटकांच्या गाडीला थांबवले </span>होते, त्यांच्यापैकी एक जण बॉनेट वर आणि एक जण सनरूफ मधून बाहेर अशी त्यांची वरात चालली होती. तिथून पुढे २ / ३ किमी वर एक "किया" बंद पडली होती, तो बाबाजी राकेशला गाडी का फिल्टर खराब हो गया है कहाँ मिलेगा वगैरे विचारत होता. मी डोक्याला हात लावला. त्यांना मागून येणाऱ्या पोलिसांची मदत घ्यायला सांगितली (मनाली साधारण २५० किमी लेह २०० किमी!)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVmuOHw49nMtcBug-RE2M1tP-w3N4xdAMpxg7TDMQ69Hpe98FRy7VX5B1FYZdEGAjXfFRDbqcORaT08JrCJffhyBI_ENcYitixD9GTaoUfdNIW7OIGdn2RrKG_9ItspWS2u4mCVgr_vU/s1600/1677923542403127-2.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">डेब्रिंग</span> इथे रेश्मा </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVmuOHw49nMtcBug-RE2M1tP-w3N4xdAMpxg7TDMQ69Hpe98FRy7VX5B1FYZdEGAjXfFRDbqcORaT08JrCJffhyBI_ENcYitixD9GTaoUfdNIW7OIGdn2RrKG_9ItspWS2u4mCVgr_vU/s1600/1677923542403127-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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</div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>इथे</span> <span>डेब्रिंग</span> <span>म्हणुन</span> <span>एक</span>
<span>वस्ती</span> <span>लागते</span> <span>तिथे</span>
<span>आम्ही</span> <span>परत</span> <span>एकदा</span>
<span>टॉयलेट</span> <span>आणि</span> <span>चहा</span> <span>साठी</span> <span>थांबलो</span>.
<span>राकेश</span> <span>गाडीतच</span> <span>बसल्या</span>
<span>बसल्या</span> <span>झोपला</span>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span>त्याचे</span> <span>हे</span>
<span>वागणे</span> <span>पाहून</span> <span>मला</span>
<span>थोडे</span> <span>टेंशन</span> <span>आले</span>.
<span>त्यामुळे</span> <span>निघताना</span>
<span>इथून</span> <span>पुढे</span> <span>गाडी</span>
<span>मी</span> <span>चालवते</span> <span>असे ठामपणे </span>
<span>सांगितले</span>. <span>त्याप्रमाणे</span> <span>मी</span> <span>गाडी</span> <span>चालवायला</span> <span>घेतली</span>. <span>तो</span>
<span>निमुटपणे</span> <span>बाजूला</span> <span>जाऊन</span>
<span>बसला</span>. <span>वेळ</span> <span>संध्याकाळचे</span>
<span>६३०</span>. ( <span>या</span> <span>ट्रिप</span><span>मध्ये</span> </span>इथे <span style="font-family: inherit;">गाडी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">चालवेन</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">असे</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">स्वप्नात</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">देखील</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">वाटले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">नव्हते.)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YpYLNIjj35dWnJX620fP-oRRIju5wu3vgCmeDKr8PVp3qWs0LipAJW8C1VuYUi2rM9gWCrPtl5ARTUBj-t6jRJwq44LgUQ_KUOrVLm19a2NTyXwMYpLTBZ5etq7PAUeC9oWaV4Z2FXw/s1600/1677928298884390-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1YpYLNIjj35dWnJX620fP-oRRIju5wu3vgCmeDKr8PVp3qWs0LipAJW8C1VuYUi2rM9gWCrPtl5ARTUBj-t6jRJwq44LgUQ_KUOrVLm19a2NTyXwMYpLTBZ5etq7PAUeC9oWaV4Z2FXw/s1600/1677928298884390-0.png" width="400" />
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</span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>जिथून</span> <span>सुरुवात</span> <span>केली</span> <span>तिथून</span>
<span>लेह</span> <span>शहर</span> <span>१६०</span> <span>किमी</span> <span>असा</span>
<span>काहीतरी</span> <span>माईल</span> <span>स्टोन</span>
<span>होता</span>. <span>आता</span> <span>सुर्यास्त</span>
<span>होईल</span> <span>मग</span> <span>पुढे</span> <span>गाडी</span> <span>अंधारात</span>
<span>चालवायची</span> <span>आहे</span> <span>ते</span>
<span>देखील</span> <span>हिमालयात</span>! <span>नाना</span>
<span>विचार</span> <span>येत</span> <span>होते</span>
<span>मनात</span>. <span>निघाल्यावर</span> <span>अर्ध्या</span>
<span>तासात</span> <span>टॅगलांग</span> <span>ला</span>
<span>च्या</span> <span>डोंगरावर</span> <span>गाडी</span>
<span>चढू</span> <span>लागली</span>. <span>५३३०</span>
<span>मीटर</span> <span>उंची</span> <span>असलेली</span>
<span>ही</span> <span>खिंड</span> <span>देशातल्या</span>
<span>पहिल्या</span> <span>पाच</span> <span>पासेस</span>
<span>मध्ये</span> <span>आहे</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwtL4ih2uf55VKj_moKj294DaWRhMjYHmlCSCAAxyBuudVUkM_rxcFWMFlY2uiBqQg8Ap2L-CaeZJj-nrIQFYAcTQvgekSAcHeXxUT-rM8GTehClxJAWk6vW0hboEI1HU3C6nf9VOx9JYMt4srYZtI99hQxBChtucyOyjL2TJU9wKntCmiENUhZOu/s1280/photo_2023-03-05_18-13-01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwtL4ih2uf55VKj_moKj294DaWRhMjYHmlCSCAAxyBuudVUkM_rxcFWMFlY2uiBqQg8Ap2L-CaeZJj-nrIQFYAcTQvgekSAcHeXxUT-rM8GTehClxJAWk6vW0hboEI1HU3C6nf9VOx9JYMt4srYZtI99hQxBChtucyOyjL2TJU9wKntCmiENUhZOu/s320/photo_2023-03-05_18-13-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">टॅगलांग ला इथे पल्लवी, मी आणि रेश्मा. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span>संधिकाल</span> <span>होता</span>, <span>सुर्यास्त</span>
<span>झाल्यामुळे</span> <span>हवेतला</span> <span>गारठा</span>
<span>वाढायला</span> <span>सुरुवात</span> <span>झाली</span>
<span>होती</span> <span>त्यात</span> <span>बर्फाचा</span>
<span>पाऊस</span> <span>सुरू</span> <span>झाला</span>.
<span>आम्ही</span> <span>टॅगलाँग</span> <span>ला</span>
<span>ला</span> <span>पोचलो</span> <span>तेव्हा</span>
<span>एकच</span> <span>गाडी</span> <span>तिथे</span>
<span>थांबली</span> <span>होती</span>. <span>पण</span>
<span>त्या</span> <span>लोकांचे</span> <span>मूड</span>
<span>काही</span> <span>ठीक</span> <span>दिसत</span>
<span>नव्हते</span>, <span>काहीतरी</span> <span>चिंता</span>
<span>असावी</span>. <span>इतक्यात</span> <span>एकजण</span>
<span>खांद्यावर</span> <span>एकाला</span> <span>घेऊन
येताना</span> <span>दिसला</span>.</span><span style="text-align: left;">राकेश झोपला होता,
गुंजन गाडीतच बसुन
होती आणि रेश्मा
आणि पल्लवी फोटो काढत होत्या. त्या
इसमाला पाहिल्यावर मला
परिस्थितीचा अंदाज आला.
मदत करायची इच्छा
झाली होती ती आवरली कारण
या तिघींना माझ्यासकट लेह ला सुखरूप
पोचवणे माझ्यासाठी जास्त
गरजेचे होते. व्यावसायिक
दृष्ट्या सकाळी पुढच्या
ट्रिप चे मेंबर्स
यायच्या आधी मी लेह मध्ये
पोचणे आवश्यक होते.
त्यामुळे मी त्या
दोघींना ताबडतोब गाडीत
बसायला सांगितले आणि
आम्ही तडक निघालो.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #741b47;"> घड्याळावर तापमान उणे ३ </span></i><span style="color: #741b47;"><i>सेल्शियस </i></span><i><span style="color: #741b47;"> दाखवत होते पण ते तेवढे होते कि कमी जास्त याची मला खात्री नाही. </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NFmnRrPu-z8" width="320" youtube-src-id="NFmnRrPu-z8"></iframe></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>आता</span> <span>घाट</span> <span>उतरायचा</span>
<span>होता</span>, <span>त्यात</span> <span>बर्फ</span>
<span>आणि</span> <span>अंधार</span>... <span>बहुदा</span>
<span>२०११</span> <span>च्या</span> <span>गणेशोत्सवात</span>
<span>मी</span> <span>गोव्याहून</span> <span>येताना</span>
<span>मोलेम</span> <span>अभयारण्यात</span> <span>भर</span>
<span>पावसात</span> पुर्ण <span>रात्र</span> <span>चिखलातून </span></span>गाडी <span style="font-family: inherit;">चालवत</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">बेळगावला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आणली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">होती</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">त्यानंतर</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">आत्ताच</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> practically challenging </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">अशी</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">परिस्थिती</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">निर्माण</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">झाली</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">होती</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">गुंजन</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">मी</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">रामरक्षा</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">म्हणत</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">राहिलो</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">अतिशय</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">हळू</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">गाडी</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">चालवत</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">होते</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पण</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">पाहिले</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">तर</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">सगळेच</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">त्याच</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">वेगाने</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">चालवत</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">आहेत</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">असे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">वाटले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">शेवटी</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">एकदाचा</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">घाट</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">संपला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">आम्ही रूमस्तेला</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">पोचलो</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span>नोटिफिकेशन्स वाजू लागली तसे जिओ जम्मु काश्मिर ने आमचे लडाख मध्ये स्वागत केले आहे असे लक्षात आले <span style="font-family: inherit;">,
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> तिथून</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">पहिला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">फोन</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">ग्रीष्माला</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">केला</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span>ग्रीष्मा सांगलीची आहे, आणि <a href="https://www.facebook.com/roversden" target="_blank">तिचे हॉस्टेल आहे लेह मध्ये संकर रोड ला</a>. <span style="font-family: inherit;">आम्ही</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">रात्री</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">तिथे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">राहू</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">असे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">ठरवून</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">तिला</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">आमच्यासाठी</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">रूम्स</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">ठेवायला</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">सांगितल्या</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">होत्या</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">पण</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">कीलाँग</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">च्या</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">पुढे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">नेटवर्क</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">नव्हते आणि सकाळच्या गोंधळात फोन करायचे
राहून गेले होते</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">त्यामुळे</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">पुढचे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">काहीच</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">बोलणे</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">झाले</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">नव्हते</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">तिच्याकडेच</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">जेवायची</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">व्यवस्था</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">करायला</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">सांगितले</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">रूमस्तेहून</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">पुढे</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">उपशी</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">आणि</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">सिंधु</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">नदीला</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">समांतर</span> रस्त्याने <span style="font-family: inherit;">लेह </span>असे <span style="font-family: inherit;">सुमारे</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">५०</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">किमी </span>अंतर<span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>उपशी</span> <span>आले</span>, <span>चेक</span>
<span>नाक्यावर</span> <span>राकेश</span> <span>ने</span>
<span>कागद</span> <span>पत्रे</span> आणि आमची परमिट्स <span>दाखवली</span>.
<span>इथे</span> <span>सिंधू</span> <span>नदीचे</span>
<span>पहिले</span> <span>दर्शन</span> <span>होते</span>,
<span>इथून निघाल्यावर आपण एकदा सिंधू ओलांडतो आणि तिथपासून </span></span>ती<span style="font-family: inherit;"> आपल्या डाव्या बाजूला लेह शहरापर्यंत सोबत करते. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>लेहला पोचल्यावर मुंबई
पुण्याहून निघणाऱ्या मंडळींची खबरबात घेतली, थोडा डाळ भात खाऊन रात्री</span> <span>साडेदहाच्या</span> <span>सुमारास</span> <span>आम्ही</span>
<span>अंथरुणावर </span><span>खोल्यांमध्ये</span> <span>पाठ</span>
<span>टेकली</span>. <span>आणि</span> <span>झोपेच्या</span>
<span>आधीन</span> <span>झालो</span>. </span><o:p></o:p>आज एक स्वप्न थोडे का होईना पुर्ण झाले होते! रात्रभर डोळ्यांपुढे बर्फ पडत राहिला, आणि आमची गाडी लडाखच्या दिशेने जात होती! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #741b47;"><b><u>Rant </u></b></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #741b47;">लडाखच्या आधी पुरेशी नोटीस देऊन २ वेळा मीटिंग घेतली, </span></i><span style="color: #741b47;"><i>त्या व्यक्तीने </i></span><i><span style="color: #741b47;">त्याला देखील यायचा उत्साह दाखवला नाही. एकदा मावशीचा वाढदिवस आहे हे कारण दिले. एक आठवडा आधी मीटिंग साठी कळवले होते तर मावशीचा अचानक जन्म झाल्यासारखा वाढदिवस आला. मीटिंग ची वेळ फक्त दीड तास होती, हि व्यक्ती जर स्वारगेट परिसरात रहात असेल तर मिटिंग बादशाहीला होती! </span></i><span style="color: #741b47;"><i>बर आपण येणार नाहीयोत हे कळवण्याची तसदी सुद्धा घेतली नाही! </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: #741b47;">दुसऱ्या मिटिंग च्या वेळी सगळ्यात सिनियर काकु </span></i><i><span style="color: #741b47;">ज्या </span></i><span style="color: #741b47;"><i>डायरेक्ट </i></span><i><span style="color: #741b47;">लेह ला येणार होत्या त्यांना म्हणाली बरं झाले तुम्ही आहात, वेळ पडली तर श्रद्धाला झापू शकाल. त्या काकुंना देखील याचे आश्चर्य वाटले होते. लडाखच्या पुर्ण टूर मध्ये सगळ्यांनी प्रचंड सहकार्य केले, त्यात या काकुंचे कौतुक करावे तेव्हढे कमीच पडेल. </span></i><span style="color: #741b47;"><i>सहलीच्या आधी आणि दरम्यान </i></span><i><span style="color: #741b47;">मी दिलेल्या सुचना तंतोतंत पाळल्या या काकुंनी, त्यांना त्रास होत असताना देखील इतरांना त्रास होऊ नये याची प्रचंड काळजी घेतली. असो. </span></i></p>Gypsy Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327973143430793000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-11937798610214743662023-03-04T15:52:00.004+05:302023-03-04T15:52:40.479+05:30पुणे ते दिल्ली ते मनाली ते लेह - भाग १<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">कोविड नंतर लडाखची ट्रिप खास असणार याची खात्री होती. ट्रिप जाहीर करताच रेश्मा ने बुकिंग केले, गुंजन म्हणाली मी पण येतेय आणि पल्लवी सुद्धा खूप काळाने मोठा दौरा करायचा म्हणुन उत्साहात होती. </p><div style="text-align: left;">खरेतर मनाली ते लेह या राष्ट्रीय महामार्ग ३ वर तसे तर २०१४ पासुन बऱ्याचदा जाणे झालेलं. मला अटल बोगदा बघायची अनुभवायची प्रचंड इच्छा होती. पण कोविड काळात ऑक्टोबर २०२० नंतर संधी मिळाली नव्हती आणि आता चालून आलेली संधी मला सोडायची नव्हती. या तिघी तयार आहेत म्हटल्यावर मी जरा जास्तच खुश झाले. <div><br /></div><div> <a href="http://www.zenithodysseys.com/" target="_blank">Zenith Odyssey</a> ची ट्रिप लेह ते लेह असणार होती. पण या तिघीनी माझ्यासोबत मनाली ते लेह रोड ट्रिप करायची इच्छा दर्शवली. गुंजन योगगुरु आहे, आमच्या <a href="https://www.thegypsyprincess.com/2021/08/orchha-jhansi.html">काही इतर ट्रिप्स</a> झाल्यात त्यामुळे तिच्यासोबत प्रवास करणे हा आनंददायक अनुभव असेल याची खात्री होती. रेश्मा सोबत पहिलीच ट्रिप असली तरी ती ट्रेकर आहे, तिने बेसिक माउंटेनियरिंग कोर्स केला आहे त्यामुळे तिला देखील हाय अल्टीट्युड चा अनुभव आहे हि माहिती होती. तसेच वेळेनुसार अड्जस्ट करायची तिची तयारी असते त्यामुळे she will not be a burden याची खात्री होती. पल्लवीला तशी मी technically बरीच वर्षे ओळखते, अतिशय शांत आणि सुस्वभावी अशी हि मुलगी इन्ट्रोव्हर्ट आहे पण खुलली कि ग्रुप ची जान. तिच्यासोबत adventure साठी मीच उत्सुक होते. </div><div><br /></div><div>प्लॅन ठरला पुणे ते दिल्ली विमान प्रवास ११ जुन , दिल्ली ते मनाली रात्रभर प्रवास करून १२ जुन ला सकाळी लगेच मनाली ते किलॉंग असा टॅक्सीचा प्रवास , तिसऱ्या दिवशी किलॉंग ते लेह म्हणजे १३ जुन ला. आणि १४ जुन ला बाकी मेंबर्स लेह ला पोचतील मग लडाख ची भटकंती.
तर मग आमचे ठरले त्या प्रमाणे रेश्मा ने तिचे, पल्लवीचे आणि माझे पुणे ते दिल्ली विमानाचे तिकीट बुक केले तारीख होती २४ एप्रिल २०२२. गुंजनने या सुमारासच तिचे मुंबई ते दिल्ली असे रेल्वे तिकीट काढले. मग दिल्ली मनाली अशी माझ्या आवडत्या HPTDC बसची तिकिटे काढून झाली. </div><div><br /></div><div>मग टॅक्सिची शोधाशोध सुरु केली. हो ना करता ३ - ४ जण तयार होते. त्यांनी सांगितलेल्या रक्कमेत एखाद दोन हजाराचा फरक होता त्यामुळे कोणाला हो सांगावे ते कळत नव्हते. मधल्या काळात केदारनाथ साठी जो ड्राइव्हर ठरवला होता त्याने बुकिंग साठी पैसे पाठवल्यावर रक्कम वाढवुन सांगितली होती, त्यामुळे माझा संभ्रम आणखी वाढला होता. </div><div><br /></div><div>याच गोंधळात वाढ आमच्या लडाखच्या बाकी मेंबर्स पैकी दोघींनी करायला सुरुवात केली. एकीने मला आता जमत नाहीये तर माझी बुकिंग अमाऊंट परत दे चा घोषा लावला तर दुसरीने मुंबई लेह असे बुक केलेले तिकीट नुकसान झेलून रद्द केले आणि आमच्या सोबतच लेह ला रस्त्याने येणार असे सांगितले. तिने त्या नुसार पुणे दिल्ली असे त्याच विमानाचे शेवटचे राहिलेले तिकीट आमच्यापेक्षा जवळपास दुप्पट किंमत देऊन आरक्षित केले. एखादी व्यक्ती इतकी हटवादी असू शकते हा माझा पहिलाच अनुभव नसला तरी थक्क करणारा निश्चित होता. पण हि तर फक्त सुरुवात होती. जिचे बुकिंग रद्द होत होते त्या जागी दुसरी मुलगी आली त्या दोघींच्याच रेफेरन्स ने, पण नियम तोडायचा हि नाही पण हि ब्याद तर जाऊदे म्हणुन तिला निम्मे पैसे दिले आणि पिच्छा सोडवला. </div><div><br /></div><div>मॅडमची एंट्री झाल्यावर त्या अजुन काय काय करू शकतात याची चुणूक त्यांनी आम्हाला दाखवायला सुरुवात केली. फेसबुकवरच्या एका कळपात दिल्ली, मनाली लेह असे प्रवासाचे ऑप्शन त्यांनी शोधले, त्याचे screenshot आम्हाला पाठवले. हिमाचल प्रदेशची एक ST बस दिल्ली ते मनाली ते लेह अशी जाते. ती आपल्या लाल परी सारखीच असते. तिकीट वाजवी दरात आणि परिस्थिती लाल परी इतकीच comfortable. या बसने प्रवास करायला माझी एरवी हरकत नसते पण पुढची ट्रीप ठरलेली होती. अंग तिंबलेले, दमछाक झालेली अश्या परिस्थितीत पुढची ट्रिप पार पाडणे अवघड झाले असते माझ्यासाठीच नव्हे तर तर इतर सर्वांसाठी देखील.
मला पदोपदी पुलंची आठवण येत होती. त्यांनी प्रत्येक प्रसंगात योग्य ठरेल असे वाक्य लिहून ठेवले आहेच. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>काहीही सांगितले तरी: "मला कोणीतरी सांगितले आहे कि तो रस्ता एकदा तरी एक्सपेरियन्स करावा असा आहे तर मला देखील तुमच्या सोबत यायचे आहे" एवढे एकच वाक्य कॉन्स्टन्ट आर्ग्युमेण्ट म्हणुन पुढे येत होते. वास्तविक पाहता, एक additional टीम मेंबर म्हणजे टॅक्सी च्या खर्चात मध्ये अजुन एक विभागणी म्हणजे आपला खर्च कमी हा स्वार्थी विचार करून आम्ही चल आमच्या सोबत असे म्हणू शकत होतो परंतु तो <a href="http://shraddhamehta.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-i-got-lehd-fact-file-and-trivia-bits.html">रस्ता इतक्या वेळा पाहिला आहे</a>, तसेच हाय अल्टीट्युड ला काय त्रास होऊ शकतो हे माहित असल्यामुळे व माझा मुख्य उद्देश लेह ते लेह ट्रिप नीट करणे हा असल्यामुळे या मुलीने आमच्या सोबत हा प्रवास न करणे जास्त योग्य होते. या प्रवासात त्रास झाला तर मी कुठल्याही प्रकारची जबाबदारी घेणार नाही, जवळच्या मेडिकल सेंटर ला पोचवून सोडून जाईन हे देखील स्पष्ट केले. अर्थात त्रास होऊ शकतो हे सांगुन देखील इतका हटवादीपणा केल्यावर या पुढे आपण काहीही सांगायचे नाही हे मी मनाशी ठरवले. एखाद्या व्यक्तीशी मैत्री करणे आणि ती टिकवणे हि दोन्ही व्यक्तींची जबाबदारी असते. प्रसंगी वाद होतात पण त्यातला गाभा, उद्देश समजुन पुढे जायचे कि नाही हे ठरते. इथे बेसिक मैत्रीच होऊ शकत नाही हे मधल्या काळात झालेल्या फोन वर लक्षात आले. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>लडाखच्या आधी झेनिथ ओडिसी ची केदारनाथ यात्रा होती, तिथे खरेतर मलाच AMS ची लक्षणे जाणवली होती, पण अनुभव असल्यामुळे वेळेवर योग्य ती दक्षता घेऊन मी सुरक्षित परत आले. त्यामुळे लडाख ला जाताना फारसा त्रास होणार नाही याची मनात आशा होती आणि झाले पण तसेच.
खरतर ग्रुप मध्ये वाढ झाली की बर्याच गोष्टी positively बदलतात, पण इथे येणारी नवीन व्यक्ति liability बनणार आहे हे दिसत होते. आता परतीचे दोर कापले गेल्या सारखे झाले होते. केदारबाबाला प्रार्थना करून मी लडाखची तयारी केली. </div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTK9UqgJ3zFTVn49nqA2GYcharjdsT-xIDnr5ftI1Yrvth8cFZe-SX9-e21zXr-EeKhFRLk5WHXlbbs4MMjvbJ5hj6oIzEYGeHGQoXs8agm_GQ5_Z_i4cRvizVYRfgoKYcsRZVbsmFpAwESnA3yrIOxekZ3urk9Y5JLBGBvDRbXrQ2pMzE4POh2ZA/s9248/20220611_131858.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6936" data-original-width="9248" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTK9UqgJ3zFTVn49nqA2GYcharjdsT-xIDnr5ftI1Yrvth8cFZe-SX9-e21zXr-EeKhFRLk5WHXlbbs4MMjvbJ5hj6oIzEYGeHGQoXs8agm_GQ5_Z_i4cRvizVYRfgoKYcsRZVbsmFpAwESnA3yrIOxekZ3urk9Y5JLBGBvDRbXrQ2pMzE4POh2ZA/s320/20220611_131858.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">दिल्ली विमानतळ </td></tr></tbody></table><br />होता होता ११ जुन २०२२ उजाडला आणि आम्ही पुणे विमानतळावर भेटलो. तिथे सुरक्षा तपासणी झाली आणि आमचे विस्टाराचे विमान दिल्ली कडे झेपावले. Vistara was a good experience. Ground staff and in flight attendants etc were really courteous and helpful. त्यादिवशीचे त्यांना १०० पैकी १०० मार्क.
पुण्याच्या शेकोटीतून आम्ही दिल्लीच्या भट्टीत पोचलो होतो. एअरपोर्ट मेट्रो ने द्वारका ला पोचलो तिथे लाईन बदलुन ब्लू लाईनने मंडी हाऊस असा प्रवास करून आम्ही वेळेत हिमाचल भवन ला दाखल झालो. हिमाचल भवनचे कॅन्टीन देखील छान आहे. भरपुर कॉफी, खुप सारी सँडविच, ऑम्लेट आणि काही खाऊन आम्ही बस ची वाट पाहत होतो. गुंजन आली नव्हती त्यामुळे माझी घालमेल सुरु होती. त्यात मॅडम हटवादी इतके सामान घेऊन आलेल्या कि त्यांचे सामान त्यांना स्वतःला झेपत नव्हते. मैत्रीखातर रेश्माची कुतरओढ होत होती आणि आम्ही हतबल होऊन पहात होतो. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrICdcBSbjY9lrlC_Gej8h1ezSs1lRdFthCB_z-HpUEfYncPy-0TTHuSSiIjubQQJ0Wv082Dc3xsexNFWB769xK29612OT4R4gBtdsA2kHp7KJD56z9eSsQHBgotu-2nv5grIo43icGoI/s1600/1677922617947156-0.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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</a><br /></div><br /><div>बस लागली आणि आम्ही सामान एकत्र टाकायचे म्हणुन गुंजनची वाट पाहत होतो. मागच्या वेळच्या अनुभवाने मला खरेतर आमचे सामान सगळ्यात आत जावे असे वाटत होते पण गुंजन येईपर्यंत बाकी प्रवाश्यांचे सामान टाकून डिक्की बहुतेक भरत आली होती. पण तेवढ्यात वेळेत गुंजन आली आणि सामान आत गेले आणि आम्ही बसल्यावर बस सुटली.
HPTDC च्या वोल्वो च्या बसेस अतिशय आरामदायक आहेत. दिल्लीतून निघाल्यावर चंदिगढच्या पुढे मागे या बसेस जेवणासाठी थांबतात. मला राजमा चावलची भुक बरेच दिवस लागली होतीच. इथे पोचेपर्यंतच मॅडम हटवादिंचे दोन वेळा ओकून झाले होते. मला पुढे काय होणार आहे याची जाणीव होऊ लागली होती. सगळ्यांसोबत मी आपले पोटभर खाऊन घेतले, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मॅडमना</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">डॉमस्टेल</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दिली</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कंडक्टर</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कडून</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">अजून</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">४</span> -
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">५</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पिशव्या</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दिल्या</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आणि</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">परत</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बस</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मध्ये</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बसण्यापुर्वी</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">देवाला</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रार्थना</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">केली</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">कि</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">निदान</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मनाली</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पर्यंत</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्रवास</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">नीट</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होऊ</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दे</span>.</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div><br /></div><div>तिथून निघाल्यावर अर्ध्या तासातच मॅडमनी पुन्हा कार्यक्रम सुरु केला. बर असे हि नव्हते की त्या आणि रेश्मा खूप मागे किंवा चाकावर वगैरे बसल्यात, ड्राइवरच्या मागे पहिल्या सीट वर मी आणि पल्लवी आणि मागच्या सीट वर त्या दोघी आणि गुंजन एकटीच खूप मागे कुठेतरी. पुर्ण गाडीत केवळ २ व्यक्तींना त्रास होत होता, त्यात पहिला नंबर या मॅडमचा आणि दुसरा नंबर एक ७१ वर्षीय काकू होत्या त्यांचा होता. या काकूंना देखील कमी त्रास झाला. </div><div><br /></div><div>मला नियमित प्रवास करून आता कुठेही शांत झोप लागते, त्यानुसार पहाटे ३ साडेतीन ला स्वारघाट येई पर्यंत छान झोप लागली होती. तिथे खरंतर HPTDC ने एखादी टॉयलेटची सोय करावी. स्वारघाट येथे ड्राइव्हर बदलतात आणि नव्या जोमाचा गडी कामाला लागतो. इथे उतरलो तेव्हाच रेश्मा एक मिनिट देखील झोपली नाहीये हे लक्षात आले. पण तिची काय आणि कशी मदत करावी हेच मला कळले नाही. </div><div><br /></div><div>स्वारघाट ते पंडोह पुन्हा जवळपास ४ तास प्रवास करून थांबलो तेव्हा उजाडू लागले होते, आम्ही चहा घेतला. मॅडम आता पाणी देखील नको म्हणत होत्या. जागरण त्यात उलटीमुळे झालेलं dehydration आता त्यांना मनाली मधेच रुग्णालयात दाखल करावे लागते कि काय असे मनात येऊन गेले.
सकाळी ९३० ला मनालीला पोचलो. राकेश राणा ची गाडी ठरवली होती, त्याचे फोन येऊन गेले होते पण माझा फोन मस्ती करत होता आणि आमचा कॉल कनेक्ट होत नव्हता. मग गुंजनला त्याचा नंबर देऊन बोलायला सांगितले. ११ पर्यंत निघून जिस्पा पर्यंत पोचू आणि आज तिथे राहू असा विचार होता. </div><div><br /></div><div>मनाली मध्ये नव्या नियमानुसार या बस आता मॉल रोड ला जात नाहीत. त्यानुसार गावाबाहेर उतरून दुसरी टॅक्सी घेऊन मॉल रोड ला पोचलो. थोडा वेळासाठी पाच जणींमध्येच अशी एकच खोली घेतली आणि आवरून घेतले. मॅडम ना आता काहीच करायचे नव्हते त्यांचे सामान पण रेश्मा आणि हॉटेल स्टाफ ने खोलीत पोचवले. इलेकट्रॉल आणि नाईलाज म्हणुन एक diamox अशी सरबराई करून आम्ही आपापले आवरले. मॅडम ना आवरायचे होते म्हणुन रेश्मानेच सगळी तयारी करून दिली अगदी टूथ ब्रश पासुन सगळी.
मग राकेश चा निरोप आला कि तो टॅक्सी स्टॅन्ड वर आलाय. आम्ही निघालो सकाळी परत नाश्ता म्हणुन केवळ ब्रेड बटर खाल्ले होते. मग त्याला म्हणाले रस्त्यात थांबव खाऊ कुठेतरी, तो हो म्हणाला. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I was already highly excited to see Atal Tunnel. तसे पाहता मला बंद जागांची भीती वाटते, claustrophobia. But it was time to challenge myself and prove it to myself that I can be better than what I was. आणि बाकी तो बोगदा बनवण्यामागे असलेली स्वर्गीय अटल जींची दृष्टी आणि मा पंतप्रधान मोदीजींची मेहनत हि कारणे मला प्रोत्साहन द्यायला होतीच.
मनाली मागे पडले आणि रोहतांगच्या वाटेवर आहोत असे वाटेपर्यंतच राकेश ने गाडी कुठेतरी वळवली, आणि अचानक Atal Tunnel १४ किमी अशी मैलाची कमान दिसली. माझी excitement शिगेला पोचली. हळूहळू ट्रॅफिक धीमा झाला आणि आम्ही south पोर्टल च्या बाहेर पोचलो. राकेश म्हणाला फोटो वगैरे काढायचे असतील तर जाऊन या. नेकी और पूछ पूछ... गेलो आम्ही सगळ्या लगेचच. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>बोगद्यात थांबायची परवानगी नाही पण न थांबता फोटो व्हिडिओ काढू शकता. पुर्ण ९ किलोमीटर बोगदा आहे, थोडा जास्तच. architectural marvel!!! </div><div><br /></div><div><i><span style="color: #351c75;">(विषयांतर: क्लिफ्टन सस्पेन्शन ब्रिज २००७, जम्मू श्रीनगर महामार्गावरचा जवाहर टनेल २००९, करबुडे बोगदा २००६ रामेश्वरम मदुराई मधला पम्बन सेतू २००२, २०११, कोलकाता मधील हावडा सेतू आणि विद्यासागर सेतू २०१२, २०१४, २०१६, मुंबईचा सी लिंक २०११ आणि आता अटल टनेल २०२२... checked! (आता प्रतीक्षा चेनाब सेतूची) (सुदूर पुर्वेकडे ब्रह्मपुत्र नदावर देखील एक नवा सेतु बांधला आहे, तो हि आहे लिस्ट मध्ये. असो! )</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDa7nR3SEneIuE4UTAdeFNdO5P9w5Snk4-kscfXvG3O2E8UNPhFIQl8B_Kglh-oeRDf5lCS2RLD1P6_LKevpBPsJk1sudXUJFyTcz-yPjaQDnFX2k2mHqKUAtIDJ9s8lQ33h34TaDA6o/s1600/1677924497605668-4.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">दुपारी १२४५ च्या आसपास </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br /></div><div>रोहतांगमार्गे जाताना मनालीहून निघाल्यावर जवळपास ५ तासांनी सिस्सू या गावी पोचायचो ते २ तासात पोचलो होतो. मुली म्हणाल्या आत्ता लगेच नको थांबायला थोडे पुढे जाऊ. मग इंडियन ऑइल चा फेमस पेट्रोल पंप लागला तिथे एक चाय पानी ब्रेक घेऊन परत पुढे निघालो केलॉंग ला पोचलो तेव्हा दुपारचे २३० वाजले होते. इथे मला उजव्या बाजूला थोडे खाली एक मोठे हॉस्पिटल दिसले. आम्ही जेवायला थांबलो तेव्हा मॅडम हटवादींची परिस्थिती बघून मी केलॉंग लाच राहायचा निर्णय घेतला. राकेश नाराज झाला कारण त्याने त्याच्या जीस्पा मधल्या मित्राला आमच्यासाठी जागा ठेवायला सांगून ठेवले होते. पण जीस्पामध्ये वैद्यकीय मदत कितपत मिळेल याबाबत मी साशंक होते त्यामुळे Keylong seemed better option. </div><div><br /></div><div>ज्या हॉटेलमध्ये जेवलो त्यांनीच जागा उपलब्ध करून दिली, पाच हि जणी २ वेगळ्या पण कनेक्टेड खोल्या मध्ये राहणार होतो. इथे देखील मॅडम तडक खोलीत जाऊन बसल्या व त्यांचे सामान आम्ही पोचवावे अशी त्यांची अपेक्षा होती. पण मी अजिबात कॉपरेशन च्या मूड मध्ये नव्हते. मी त्या बॅग्स कडे ढुंकूनही बघितले नाही. इथे देखिल रेश्मा त्यांचे सामान घेऊन खोलीत घेऊन आली. </div><div><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आम्ही</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जिस्पापर्यंत जाऊ</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मग</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">राकेश</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पण</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">त्याच्या</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मित्राला</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">भेटेल</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">असे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">त्याला</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">वाटत</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होते</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पण</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">तो</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">प्लॅन</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हाणून</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पाडला</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मग</span> बहुदा मनात <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">तो</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">म्हणाला</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मला</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जायचेय</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">तर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">जातो</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">तुम्ही</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बसा</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">इकडेच</span>, <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सकाळी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">येतो</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">घ्यायला</span>. <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पण</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">माझ्याशी</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">न</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">बोलता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">या</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मुलींना</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सकाळी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">येतो इतकंच</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सांगुन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">तो</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">निघुन</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">गेला</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होता</span>. <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">त्याला</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">पैसे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दिले</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">नव्हते</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">त्यामुळे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आता</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">तो</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आणखी</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">काय</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">चमत्कार</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">दाखवतोय</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">हा</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">एक</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">विचार</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मनात</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">चमकला</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">होताच</span>. And I wasn't expecting this! <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मग</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">त्याला</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">फोन</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">केला</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">तर</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">म्हणाला</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मला</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">तिकडची</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">रूम</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">काही</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आवडली</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">नाही</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">आणि</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मला</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">मित्राला</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">भेटायचंय</span>! कपाळावर हात मारला आणि प्रचंड patience ठेऊन <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सकाळी</span>
630 <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ला</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">ये</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">असे</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">सांगून</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">त्याचा</span>
<span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">निरोप</span> <span style="font-family: Mangal, serif;">घेतला</span>.</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9RBUtNCe4MO4hVr76fGk7qP9nkqwS30l0h4SwODp9bmyFR-6dnnbs4VoNlhfUd14ZCpC8SaJdU4lJdot6tHxB7-MI2mqMcf1MJwXbWW9p6NHIhmv2tq-endHxnghqu5sq7e3LBRbOTc/s1600/1677924490937526-5.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">गुंजन खरेदी करताना </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br /></div><div>समुद्र सपाटीपासून केलॉंग ३००० मीटर च्या वर आहे, म्हणजे officially high altitude. इथे पोचल्यावर acclimitate होण्यासाठी काही नियम पाळावेच लागतात. त्यानुसार मुलींना मी थोडा आराम करू दिला पण झोपू दिले नाही. मॅडम सगळे आपल्याच तंत्राने करायला पहात होत्या, खोलीत गेल्यावर झोपल्या त्या गाढच. साडे चार नंतर आम्ही केलॉंगचे पिटुकले गाव बघायला बाहेर पडलो. बाजूच्या एका कॅफे मध्ये कॉफी, लेमन टी, मोमोज असा टाईमपास करून आम्ही उगाच विंडो शॉपिंग करत फिरत होतो. लडाख मध्ये फक्त BSNL आणि जिओ चे पोस्टपेड नंबर चालतात पण इथे आज सगळयांचे फोन चालू होते. त्यामुळे फोनवर देखील गप्पा चालू होत्या. अचानक रेश्माला कोणाचा तरी फोन आला आणि पोरगी अदृश्य झाली, मला वाटले संदीप ने कॉल केला असेल तर रेश्मा मॅडमच्या खिदमतीला गेली होती. पुढे होणाऱ्या नाटकाची नांदी झाली होती!</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTaPgwTOKVfF7bU9QFB95DKdC2SEhvQMwhblAPOPzMgsibKST0kyEZywRwK7iytwPR0pmXXzCFMzXivAzYzTuT8SCo5V2UxZOr4MH8KW4ZTB-ZV9w8-EW8FoOsqp78e_AIyKXDopwd6M/s1600/1677924483611898-6.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">संध्याकाळी कॉफी </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br /></div></div>Gypsy Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327973143430793000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-13495877799799486492023-01-14T11:48:00.002+05:302023-01-14T16:28:57.407+05:30Srinagar on Two Wheels<p>We reached Srinagar at about 930 in the morning on 23 June
2022. We were sore from the overnight journey in the innova. With no
comfortable sleep and continuous travelling for more than 10 days, I was tired.
We took a quick shikara ride and checked into Asif's Houseboat at Nigeen Lake.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gFjJ3di39I54axP2p8okfaONFcfs0j9BuGkb8w74S-cGsmIhSJ8lhjZWVCRZDTW5IoQ6s6aBfYFrKbI3NhhBDr8Rtwmh2CQnNJDJfYmqPBFeI8KMXqk67UcxpFPR6kfxbKH4OwJcecSUaq55u29qIndOAQ6IfBZJUCh8IlXU46whtyHQUS4OP5iM/s1280/photo_2023-01-14_10-12-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gFjJ3di39I54axP2p8okfaONFcfs0j9BuGkb8w74S-cGsmIhSJ8lhjZWVCRZDTW5IoQ6s6aBfYFrKbI3NhhBDr8Rtwmh2CQnNJDJfYmqPBFeI8KMXqk67UcxpFPR6kfxbKH4OwJcecSUaq55u29qIndOAQ6IfBZJUCh8IlXU46whtyHQUS4OP5iM/s320/photo_2023-01-14_10-12-36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Nigeen lake is another big lake in Srinagar city and yet is
less explored destination thus is pretty much slow and peaceful. Asif's
Houseboat had three bedrooms, one dining room and one drawing room with veranda
or balcony. They served us breakfast, confirmed about lunch and I went to sleep
immediately. Then with a brief break for lunch, I slept throughout the daytime.
In the evening we spent some time in veranda, I clicked some pictures of birds
like pied kingfisher and then the dinner and done.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Apparently, Gunjan hadn't slept like me and had already
managed to hire a moped for next day.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRvtkVmVxIH7KHYwYQPPq3FT-DXA3tyxGPfdhNVIZEC0aS2W9kxzdeUp7Lg30XDR8IdqM--uWhPFg9r55i_M7cMcuritcZNWLf6V48THmgc8csvGS9iSVRbUWixYPmcdoac9t3fAF7873XrIkQlQoNvYfCxGMoiTCCeHJOdOxdOIby6ycmxSvyjVZ/s3264/20220623_205214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRvtkVmVxIH7KHYwYQPPq3FT-DXA3tyxGPfdhNVIZEC0aS2W9kxzdeUp7Lg30XDR8IdqM--uWhPFg9r55i_M7cMcuritcZNWLf6V48THmgc8csvGS9iSVRbUWixYPmcdoac9t3fAF7873XrIkQlQoNvYfCxGMoiTCCeHJOdOxdOIby6ycmxSvyjVZ/w640-h480/20220623_205214.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hari Parvat as seen from Nigeen Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">24 June 2022</span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>We had breakfast and took the moped and rode off. The helmet
was stinky yet was necessary. The moped was a Honda Navi, vehicle with funny
looks of a motorcycle and features of a moped. Well, at least it let us commute the city and
performance was fabulous. The owner, wanted my Aadhaar card as security to
which we negotiated considering the places we were planning to travel and
handed over my PAN card.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsG18l3vsTOMJV3tdE9T2d3mjFfBErl-TI-KbaiDUamVdzQS0tixz9euvnwHE6JJQv8AzzNnTQMjoil2dFR0AfrhpRxDdNj6MdzI6FmC20TS1ZgfvFcjRb_wHMmzCWJunT7abrq1PI-_B2XdAyHILj1asP0tPfiFh1VthXwcFCvTyd-2dVC1CEFYVJ/s1280/photo_2023-01-14_10-13-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsG18l3vsTOMJV3tdE9T2d3mjFfBErl-TI-KbaiDUamVdzQS0tixz9euvnwHE6JJQv8AzzNnTQMjoil2dFR0AfrhpRxDdNj6MdzI6FmC20TS1ZgfvFcjRb_wHMmzCWJunT7abrq1PI-_B2XdAyHILj1asP0tPfiFh1VthXwcFCvTyd-2dVC1CEFYVJ/s320/photo_2023-01-14_10-13-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Our first stop was Shrimad Shankaracharya Temple. I have
been visiting here since 2009. Until 2022, the tourists were not allowed to
click pictures. In fact, I remember the times when we were forced to leave our
mobile phones in the lockers. This time, I went for pictures. One of those that
I flaunt very proudly at home. This place has different vibes, something that
cannot be described in words. Shrimad Shankaracharya, the first acharya who has
unparallel status of being first guru of Hinduism. He's the one who restored
the studies of Vedas and came out with philosophy of Advait Siddhanta. I have
always revered him, for reasons strange to me too. The moment I see his
picture, I have always found myself bowing my head with eyes closed and my
hands performing a namaskar. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Well, so here we were riding to the Shankaracharya hill.
There were armed army personnel at every few meters. (Mind it, just meters!)
The first was passing a check post at the foot of the hill, bang opposite to
Dal Lake. The ghat has a scenic, thick forest with good roads. The other
drivers seemed disciplined and we were at second check post in about 10
minutes. We were stopped asked for identifications and when they realised, we
were just two ladies riding on our own, they let us pass quickly. One of them
said, it's good to see that two women have made it this far by themselves, we
hope to see more in future. Later, we were allowed to park the vehicle near
last security post as well. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-sSxZT7cWmM18FfAsxUrl6hXKxDtuTxyW5qkt1TisYqCfT7eaEsCFeBgjtL8Qnqoj-Yw9LZi8kBRBrnfxVtgnXD33And7B1OS3kt4mrQDFs5rbiSGFK_ecKi8yZ0vB7G9heVsyAXE_fU8h0NWgajdEcMu9Gx9P94KriHxSTqvQJodh82wzdIKIAz/s1280/photo_2023-01-14_11-37-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1280" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-sSxZT7cWmM18FfAsxUrl6hXKxDtuTxyW5qkt1TisYqCfT7eaEsCFeBgjtL8Qnqoj-Yw9LZi8kBRBrnfxVtgnXD33And7B1OS3kt4mrQDFs5rbiSGFK_ecKi8yZ0vB7G9heVsyAXE_fU8h0NWgajdEcMu9Gx9P94KriHxSTqvQJodh82wzdIKIAz/s320/photo_2023-01-14_11-37-07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then, final hike of 240 steps and we were at the base of
Temple. People sitting and chitchatting, many of them clicking pictures and
making videos and reels and Facebook live and all. It was a welcome change. I
have this memory from childhood when the terrorists had threatened to destroy
the temple along with pilgrims of Amarnath, well, gone are those days. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeYhQOSqqBzv3gDyI7zMDqRbQr9Pe-zA_i7jx2afyAhD68cr8OwengXq-Uz6g3dZPe1xnTO4uMwQLFAuEmkUxroWZ12AdtmJfgRbIzOU5tLHrxfb5ritHu8HXFK00tdUDvYKZpuC3uw83AVZWToVrJRlki4Fm25aeZByBJIEjLtJe815C8qIm9nL4/s9248/20220624_121437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9248" data-original-width="6936" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeYhQOSqqBzv3gDyI7zMDqRbQr9Pe-zA_i7jx2afyAhD68cr8OwengXq-Uz6g3dZPe1xnTO4uMwQLFAuEmkUxroWZ12AdtmJfgRbIzOU5tLHrxfb5ritHu8HXFK00tdUDvYKZpuC3uw83AVZWToVrJRlki4Fm25aeZByBJIEjLtJe815C8qIm9nL4/s320/20220624_121437.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />The temple has a Shivalinga known as Jyeshteshwara, and then
the small cave where Shri Adi Shankaracharya performed asceticism -
Tapascharya. I was fortunate to have the entire cave by myself for more than 10
minutes and I obviously utilised the solitude to meditate. After which, I
realised Gunjan was missing. Then I went and sat on one of the benches in hope
of finding her in the passers and she was right behind me.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We merrily climbed down the steps, clicked few pictures and
started with our long ride towards Shree Kheer Bhawani Durga Temple. The temple
is located in Ganderbal, we could have avoided riding along Dal Lake but
unbeknownst to me Gunjan chose this route which was about 4 kms long. Anyway!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjza4ite5N26hDQVWdvASNfxi6Xwr6-LPNNgINroowBWHzEwxH_kwxUghl1CA4mWZoyemwhhLfPxhzQa64TeQnoYYzC984ZnQXKyScU31iU_jbwiGIaM45dhFcv6x712thEz30K1Nr9LBKyGNEa2eexZaEbVnPBiArNrK5dCE4Smvnxaln4o_A6PZVG/s1280/photo_2023-01-14_10-13-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjza4ite5N26hDQVWdvASNfxi6Xwr6-LPNNgINroowBWHzEwxH_kwxUghl1CA4mWZoyemwhhLfPxhzQa64TeQnoYYzC984ZnQXKyScU31iU_jbwiGIaM45dhFcv6x712thEz30K1Nr9LBKyGNEa2eexZaEbVnPBiArNrK5dCE4Smvnxaln4o_A6PZVG/w400-h225/photo_2023-01-14_10-13-05.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Shree Kheer Bhawani Durga Temple, is an important temple for
Kashmiri Hindus. This temple was also out of bounds for civilians and as I have
heard even the defence personnel had to take permission from ministry of Defence
before visiting here. We reached here at about 1330 and again the formalities
of entry and the curiosity of two women riding by themselves. The SSB was
deputed here and it was like entering a fortress. Here I presented my Aadhar
Card for entry. Also, at the time of entry, we were told very authoritatively
that there will be lunch inside and we should have it and not depend on
anything else outside.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The happenings inside the temple bring goosebumps even today
after 6 months. There are few moments in life when you remain spellbound and
your mind never understands what happened.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We went for darshan of legendary Khir Bhavani. At the time
of entry, the security personnel of Seema Suraksha Bal told us authoritatively
not to eat anything anywhere outside, there will be lunch - prasad available
inside. We nodded and moved in. The temple was pretty peaceful and there
weren't many people. We offered puja and I sheepishly asked where we would get
lunch. We were directed to Yagnashala close to the temple. <o:p></o:p></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We were received and welcomed by a family of Kashmiri
Pandits. They offered us lunch which consisted of bottle gourd subji - Al
Yakhni, Dam Aloo, rice, moong dal, some green vegetable and khir of Rice
somewhat like Payasam. It was absolute Authentic Kashmiri Cuisine. The taste
was heavenly and we probably overate. We thanked them for food and left. Later on,
our way out, we met one of the men who had served food to us we had a little
chat. He told us he was a teacher who had repatriated to Kashmir recently and
also that he is a relative of the family. The family head is a high-ranking
officer of Jammu Kashmir police. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBhKCxyFYID2IT5IVfodLitmkVfarP6kDJixe3noHBiZbJTUIgXNAxJKhhwYJNM_HEfscTtbi2H6ooG8lMIo4A1kBjh5z79mICWsEqAXSolJuO91D7tMFHVQx_MmHlGG0-tu2RMZQt8seKkoxF5G67YPVxKiQ_q94ErJ5lr_FhNURi_r3tSuduMnf/s9248/20220624_145130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9248" data-original-width="6936" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBhKCxyFYID2IT5IVfodLitmkVfarP6kDJixe3noHBiZbJTUIgXNAxJKhhwYJNM_HEfscTtbi2H6ooG8lMIo4A1kBjh5z79mICWsEqAXSolJuO91D7tMFHVQx_MmHlGG0-tu2RMZQt8seKkoxF5G67YPVxKiQ_q94ErJ5lr_FhNURi_r3tSuduMnf/w150-h200/20220624_145130.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />Later I realized that he was right in front of
us all the time when we were having lunch and had made sure that we were served
properly. There was not a single moment when his high rank had peeped in his behaviour
and we were almost looked upon as "Devi". A true sense of Hindu
culture: Atithi Devo Bhav<b>|</b> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am not going to put any efforts in making my mind
understand any part of this entire incidence and rather just hold it close to
my heart and pray Ma Kheer Bhavani to bless me memory strong enough to cherish
this incidence for entire life. (This was written on that day in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/InGypsyPrincess/posts/pfbid0QyseYZ23qAi6DWmLct5NaJM4Zg8C5P8STTYFN67ph72KRGxSdtgCFDvS4DSoKzrJl" target="_blank">Facebook post</a>) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Upon arriving at the gate, I noticed that the lever of left
side brake, the one for rear wheel was broken and it was going to be a
difficult task to reach Srinagar. Also, it was Friday, so I was thinking that
the shops would be closed, but the soldiers assured that we would find someone on the
way to repair it. So instead wasting our time, we chose to ride slowly back to Srinagar in
the hope of finding some garage on our way. About 8 kms from the temple, we
found a garage. We had big tikka on heads so they guessed it right that we were
returning from the temple. To avoid overindulgence from these guys, we ended up
telling them about the puja we had attended and that were acquaintances of the
aforesaid gentleman from Jammu Kashmir police. They quickly replaced the lever
and charged mere <span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">₹</span>75. We left immediately.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">From here we intended to go to Lal Chowk where Modiji had flared the Tiranga few years ago and until recently which had flaunted Pakistan's flag. Also, after the abrogation of article 370 in Aug 2019, this was my first visit to the valley. I was eager to see the changes that were brought in due to this historic decision. We reached Lal Chowk and then of course the
photography. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGxR88e_0I0R-9DuZMPgbD3DELHWfS-BXwWDFNUIjGDiunnxh4IWuiZrgjnH9w62MaFcmEj6mFZYO3Q8A-cjT_NkE8oJNTf69J1REMJ7tPIm_V6a5D2rSLaHvswQDi-T4W7roc65gpX64lEcqaz95IbvHQD2YwaBREsaTJhOO7vKoXKzzsrfVR55Z/s1280/photo_2023-01-14_10-12-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGxR88e_0I0R-9DuZMPgbD3DELHWfS-BXwWDFNUIjGDiunnxh4IWuiZrgjnH9w62MaFcmEj6mFZYO3Q8A-cjT_NkE8oJNTf69J1REMJ7tPIm_V6a5D2rSLaHvswQDi-T4W7roc65gpX64lEcqaz95IbvHQD2YwaBREsaTJhOO7vKoXKzzsrfVR55Z/s320/photo_2023-01-14_10-12-41.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Now we headed back to the houseboat for yet another
strange experience. We tried calling the owner of the moped but he wouldn't
pick up the call. The attendant at the houseboat said not to worry and leave
the moped at the spot from where we had picked up, unlocked and with the key. I
didn't find it to be a good idea and brought the moped where the houseboat was
anchored. In the evening we called Asif as I wanted my PAN Card back. He said
there was some feud in the owner's family probably over the hired moped. He
also mentioned that the guy whom we were thinking to be the owner was in fact
the grandson of the actual owner of the moped and he had hired out the moped
with knowledge of his grandpa and obviously grandpa was upset over the matter.
It was about 10 in night when I handed over the keys and got my PAN Card which
was severed. I just wanted it back and didn't want to live it in the valley.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Finally, the day in Srinagar ended and we were back in
seclusion of our room. I packed hastily and carelessly and had plans of checking in 2 of my bags and travel with just one small carry on. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p> <b><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;">25 June 2022</span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>The cab came right on time and we left. Srinagar airport although now is an international airport
has always been the one with highest security amongst all the airports that I
have ever seen. The security screening happens almost a kilo meter before the
airport and not the just luggage but even the vehicles going in are screened.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>For Ladakh trip, before Srinagar I had carried a big duffle
bag and due to experience, I knew it was weighing in permissible limits. Upon
screening, it was sealed. One yellow coloured backpack would have been
additional luggage and I was willing to pay for it. I had saved time by not
washing clothes including inners which I had packed somewhere and didn't recollect which bag it was. And I didn't
realise that this yellow backpack was not sealed at security check. The smaller blue backpack was
packed in accordance with standard carry-on norms like no sharp objects etc.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we arrived for baggage drop off, the officer told me to
take both backpacks as carry on and absent minded I agreed, Afterall it saved
me a couple of thousand bucks.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From here, we bid bye to each other and went on to our
terminals. At the terminal, the security officer screened and held back the yellow
backpack! He said sharp objects, my worry was soiled stinky inners which could have been in this backpack. I was already filled with
embarrassment when he opened the yellow backpack. He was taking out things one
by one, first was my yellow top the one in pictures above, then were the olive-green
pants and Thennnn... There it was... an orange-coloured pouch which had all the
cutlery. I almost on top of my voice said, this is it. He gave me a funny stern
look and said, that’s my job to determine. He then opened the pouch, took out a
knife, a peeler and a pair of scissors and threw it in the bin behind him.
scanned the backpack again and let me off. What a relief!!! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Flight was on time and I reached Delhi, spent some good 3
hours at the boarding gate and to arrive in Pune by evening.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Gypsy Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327973143430793000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-2491394792118966882021-08-25T22:23:00.000+05:302021-08-25T22:23:21.363+05:30MP Trip Feb 2021 - Day Two, Three and half Orchha and Jhansi<p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="https://www.thegypsyprincess.com/2021/08/MPtripgwalior.html" target="_blank"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa63SFWMuzWDHQfEcLmm8daL_xI6kQrleR-nt6HTeyKSdhaT1WkS6-rTnC-wtsnwNeVWB_sxKLSy_ijavF2AKV_Mo9tsxGqgRCYsZ8HDAlhP38TupzWs7XY2YHrB7wJfbJNhlMppIqZ0/s2048/Trip+to+Jhansi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQa63SFWMuzWDHQfEcLmm8daL_xI6kQrleR-nt6HTeyKSdhaT1WkS6-rTnC-wtsnwNeVWB_sxKLSy_ijavF2AKV_Mo9tsxGqgRCYsZ8HDAlhP38TupzWs7XY2YHrB7wJfbJNhlMppIqZ0/w150-h200/Trip+to+Jhansi.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.thegypsyprincess.com/2021/08/MPtripgwalior.html" target="_blank">When we reached Jhansi it was well past 9PM. </a>We took an auto
and he agreed to drop us to Orchha. We were kind of worried about our safety; I
shared my live location with a friend back home. But the auto driver seemed to
be good guy and he dropped us near our homestay. The homestay owner - uncle
checked us in and we requested if we could get some Aloo Paratha They obliged
us with freshly made just for us. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The room was too good for the charge we paid. It had been a
long day and thankfully everything had gone well. We slept off fast. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> Day Three</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXT7MbWADhAxQVLR3J8ujBgi-_W2bap2zmykiMyFDM2x5Lt4DlVHfFYKrClVdJy_AsAlLgJJwyrjv7ZSz04hIQttqKNa489neOu-qLvNcprL_hhzjnqDgmVgWrXvO-_6EB1zSwgki9X8/s1280/Rajaram+Sarkar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXT7MbWADhAxQVLR3J8ujBgi-_W2bap2zmykiMyFDM2x5Lt4DlVHfFYKrClVdJy_AsAlLgJJwyrjv7ZSz04hIQttqKNa489neOu-qLvNcprL_hhzjnqDgmVgWrXvO-_6EB1zSwgki9X8/s320/Rajaram+Sarkar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Gunjan had woken up early and been for Yoga on the rooftop.
I chose to sleep in for some more time. We started off a bit late in morning. First
on the list was Ram Raja Sarkar Palace – Temple. The mobile phones were to be
switched off and no photography was allowed. The Ram Raja Sarkar is believed to
be the governing authority of this locality. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br />After the Darshan we went to Chaturbhuj Temple, Jehangir
Mahal and Raja Mahal. The Raja mahal has some good frescos which are being
conserved. The paintings are depicting scenes from mythology and Ramayana and
Mahabharata. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYJDOAScnepl1vIxfthdgpXGlY_D3M750TTwK44G98hKjo-J6JStaEKJRZgQwkeo8ZxG1BD4-3Avm0yqN3j-xPEqrVIOH4KYNyrLUcaURb9QJr6zNRC8rgmm517u1yGto-itNQNiDiIk/s2048/20210217_121335-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="2048" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYJDOAScnepl1vIxfthdgpXGlY_D3M750TTwK44G98hKjo-J6JStaEKJRZgQwkeo8ZxG1BD4-3Avm0yqN3j-xPEqrVIOH4KYNyrLUcaURb9QJr6zNRC8rgmm517u1yGto-itNQNiDiIk/w320-h171/20210217_121335-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>The day was getting hot and now we were also very hungry.
Gunjan recommended a place “Café Nomads” for lunch. We went there and food was
delicious. I am somewhat skeptical about online recommendations, but they
proved me wrong.
<p class="MsoNormal">Now we were close to the famous Orchha Chhatris - the
cenotaphs. There are 9 Chhatris, out of which six are being maintained and
visitors are allowed. Three chhatris were closed out of which one is biggest of
all: Raja Veer Singh Dev’s chhatri. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was around 3PM and we desperately needed a break now. So,
we went to the homestay and rested <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>for
some time. Now last one on list was Lakshmi Temple which was less than a
kilometer away from </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OfI-xR01ywIsg-tnD3USMXHwyKLCYvMXQeYHyMIteHmlW4AuUHsaps5bUkVzxw4n7mskFCDp4UjRv8-ZmwtkVkJrK91hCyyHdwtxZqkEh-t3pqPiwVwVn9wU8u3iU4n2lCMdyV-J7Q4/s1280/photo_2021-08-25_21-48-40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OfI-xR01ywIsg-tnD3USMXHwyKLCYvMXQeYHyMIteHmlW4AuUHsaps5bUkVzxw4n7mskFCDp4UjRv8-ZmwtkVkJrK91hCyyHdwtxZqkEh-t3pqPiwVwVn9wU8u3iU4n2lCMdyV-J7Q4/s320/photo_2021-08-25_21-48-40.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>our homestay. So at 415 PM we again started our odyssey.
The Lakshmi Temple is somewhat on a hillock. It is huge structure with outer
wall and sanctum sanctorum inside. The idol of Lakshmiji is not big but the
temple is functional yet i.e. Puja is performed daily. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The walls from inner side have been painted with several
mythological stories along with some of those from certain battles of Indian
upsurge of 1857AD against British rule. We spent quiet some quite time here and
then the security guard told us it was about closing time, hence we left. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is a huge Baobab tree which is named as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Kalpavriksha”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and is also being marketed as <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by MPTDC and I have no clue why… We went there
just out of curiosity and I couldn’t find any reason to call it a Kalpavriksha
– a tree that grants every wish. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN4aL6c6F85-8PUojeuYRdH6gZncP6x38XeibUnjo3HWDcHr5bvJx76NCh3NE3_p4mLp_S6QGxDFzczYWiZELNsfrQSk3PB6etUA7u_uQEs0gp-loEaaWN0UhLNeppMDCPgbZcrmajrM/s1280/photo_2021-08-25_22-03-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUN4aL6c6F85-8PUojeuYRdH6gZncP6x38XeibUnjo3HWDcHr5bvJx76NCh3NE3_p4mLp_S6QGxDFzczYWiZELNsfrQSk3PB6etUA7u_uQEs0gp-loEaaWN0UhLNeppMDCPgbZcrmajrM/w150-h200/photo_2021-08-25_22-03-43.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>We wanted to see the lights of Chhatris from opposite side
of the river, however the way was sealed with barbed wire, so we returned to
main town of Orccha and went to attend the Aarati at Ram Raja Sarkar Temple at
7 PM.
<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">It was really enchanting to see the faith of so many people
in one place. As I mentioned earlier The Ram Raja Sarakar is believed to be the
governing authority of this locality, hence every evening before Aarati, a
guard of honor is performed by local police. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After Aarati, we did little shopping of glass bangles with
some bits and bobs. Then the very delicious gujia found their way in our
tummies and in the bags along with few other delicacies. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu-iLb7K-2ENCH9q0Uqq3L-NTDXKA7wn28d45JxEeC5R6jgI0Yx8THIsS1LXpklmsiA34UgbbRJx89XOjO5O1QIO3L-2rUar2ZlVzrcENWukADW-UTwqiJeMleoGmRkyuHUzTk8CTTtI/s1280/photo_2021-08-25_21-48-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitu-iLb7K-2ENCH9q0Uqq3L-NTDXKA7wn28d45JxEeC5R6jgI0Yx8THIsS1LXpklmsiA34UgbbRJx89XOjO5O1QIO3L-2rUar2ZlVzrcENWukADW-UTwqiJeMleoGmRkyuHUzTk8CTTtI/s320/photo_2021-08-25_21-48-42.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We returned to the room and requested uncle to oblige us with
dinner. Meantime, we packed considering that both of us were to take our
separate trains next day to our respective destinations. (Bedding!) Uncle also
arranged for an auto to pick us up next day early morning. There was an elderly
couple who was staying at same homestay asked if they could join us, we were
happy to have them. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For a change, we slept pretty early that night. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Day Four</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We woke up well in time, got ready and auto driver arrived
on time. It was pleasantly cold when we drove to Jhansi. We wanted to keep our
luggage in the cloak room at the station but they won’t accept because it was
not locked. They sent us to some toilet facility at the entrance of the railway
station who accepted our big backpacks with some charge. We took an auto to
Jhansi fort which is like 3 kms away from the station. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GWOBgaAAYkF7rV9rW4xfHrQu9u4p9TPGfi-sBb3v-Qf_XX4g002U7hJ16Z7CJVe1vNn4P97HiUuE8a8a04NCxo0m3yrW3wl8UrbquzXbA3HHGY7N11MUOj-5xGVVYIELqjzIUmloxXs/s1080/Screenshot_20210303-033842_Gallery-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GWOBgaAAYkF7rV9rW4xfHrQu9u4p9TPGfi-sBb3v-Qf_XX4g002U7hJ16Z7CJVe1vNn4P97HiUuE8a8a04NCxo0m3yrW3wl8UrbquzXbA3HHGY7N11MUOj-5xGVVYIELqjzIUmloxXs/s320/Screenshot_20210303-033842_Gallery-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The fort is a small structure on a hill top. The
fortification is strong yet and the monument is managed by ASI. We took a walk
along with the fortification. The Indian Tricolour was flurrying high on the
fort which obviously reminded me why the queen sacrificed herself in the
battle. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Not exactly in the battle but
while being chased!) Looking at time, we cut short our trip on the fort and
returned to the railway station. Soon after Gunjan left for her next
destination and thankfully my train arrived on time. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><i><b>Few highlights of the trip were: </b></i></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1) Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh are really developing
good in all senses. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">2) Toilets were really clean no matter where we went. Be it
monuments, railway stations or roadside restaurants, anywhere everywhere. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">3) All the cell phone services had good coverage again
anywhere everywhere. Whilst on our auto ride from Jhansi to Orchha, I shared my
live location for about 45 minutes and it did not drop even for 10 seconds. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">4) I wore somewhat fancy touristy clothes like shorts and tunics
and did not have to face eve teasing even once. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">5) No cheating, no extra charge, no unnecessary hi hellos,
no pictures without our knowledge, no uncomfortable advances…perfectly safe for ladies!!! <br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This trip was like meant for some peace of mind to by
bringing pieces of mind together! Gunjan love you loads for this trip and
beyond! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fact File: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pune to Thane: Shivneri 450 Rs. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thane to CSMT: Ameya dropped us</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">CSMT to Gwalior:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rajdhani Express departure 1600 and arrival at Gwalior at 0615. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Gwalior Stay: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seth Vidhichand Dharamshala 1500 for one night </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Room was ok ok types but expensive for charge we paid. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Gwalior intra- city transit: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hired a bike for 2 days at Rs 500 per day. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Vendor: <a href="https://www.rentmyufo.com/">rent my UFO</a>. Contact: Bunny Bhaiyya: 9669229053</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Contact info: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Gwalior to Jhansi </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">MP State Transport bus: Rs. 150 each </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jhansi to Orchha and back: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Private auto rickshaw: Rs. 300 one way. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Orchha: we went around on foot as everything is well within
city limits. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lunch at Café Nomads:
Aloo Paratha and Curd Rice</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Orchha Stay: Rs. 600 per night (two nights) Hotel Sunset </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_IlKaLl0mfh4Vwgck4qqnFn15cphvKKrIfOPQRIP6EGdyac3dqknWSw1srhaTD3a-5WvhsxtmGAUMHd1L-xIdIOpGoNaKklnlzyOZAZjgIctka06GaLO0ZZdJhP8kmSXRmo-e4qdNvc/s2048/20210217_180649-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_IlKaLl0mfh4Vwgck4qqnFn15cphvKKrIfOPQRIP6EGdyac3dqknWSw1srhaTD3a-5WvhsxtmGAUMHd1L-xIdIOpGoNaKklnlzyOZAZjgIctka06GaLO0ZZdJhP8kmSXRmo-e4qdNvc/s320/20210217_180649-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV535DpTo2J5EPQieeR7LzlLr4ucY6zLFuY2Z9iqG_WuBBKbEQfwYnTd24OKzK5W_5q7SIwAfTln6UBgZBkKi9A6JYGvsFblGB4besrAsuagHtww8wxfDe7akR0nlIazNd-UXLnN43OyA/s1280/photo_2021-08-25_21-48-37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV535DpTo2J5EPQieeR7LzlLr4ucY6zLFuY2Z9iqG_WuBBKbEQfwYnTd24OKzK5W_5q7SIwAfTln6UBgZBkKi9A6JYGvsFblGB4besrAsuagHtww8wxfDe7akR0nlIazNd-UXLnN43OyA/s320/photo_2021-08-25_21-48-37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jJBfua_Of_C253UqpIe9fmcOK3W7wUmey5xaa9TYY6sQSXYay4xDFbMqwJvwI1CgDUQxA2O1auA4lVIz0jUKOABWX1pftro7ioVS4aAInRQUAxgupffcyw6p3Qo7Pjgxe_GhnlKGC3A/s1280/photo_2021-08-25_21-48-42+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jJBfua_Of_C253UqpIe9fmcOK3W7wUmey5xaa9TYY6sQSXYay4xDFbMqwJvwI1CgDUQxA2O1auA4lVIz0jUKOABWX1pftro7ioVS4aAInRQUAxgupffcyw6p3Qo7Pjgxe_GhnlKGC3A/s320/photo_2021-08-25_21-48-42+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
Gypsy Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327973143430793000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-59082645032417175142021-08-17T20:55:00.003+05:302021-08-17T20:55:52.180+05:30MP Trip Feb 2021 - Day One and Two Gwalior <p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOJSeMyxSIDbADTYphnlEdFY44caWwB4blzT3haeOG4Lng9SYapFzTQQnXfvymLUEW6_WRwJHgdYnQ_WfmjQYFMlhGFKdqR2MUwponOdFXJPBMoZbwJyCuFsSnwxdu0ggzSkQV21RCFg/s2048/20210215_170323-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOJSeMyxSIDbADTYphnlEdFY44caWwB4blzT3haeOG4Lng9SYapFzTQQnXfvymLUEW6_WRwJHgdYnQ_WfmjQYFMlhGFKdqR2MUwponOdFXJPBMoZbwJyCuFsSnwxdu0ggzSkQV21RCFg/w640-h480/20210215_170323-01-01.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> It was a cold morning of January when Gunjan messaged and
asked if I wanted to join her on a short trip to some parts of Madhya Pradesh.
I had just returned from a winter trek in the Himalayas so I took couple of
days and then said yes. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal">We discussed several options and she was also planning to
attend a family function at one of the cities. So the rough plan was to one day
each at Gwalior, Orchha and Jhansi. We also listed few monuments and made train
reservations. It was obvious that I would be returning to Pune, and she would
be staying back so we decided to travel together from Mumbai to Gwalior. Thanks
to CoViD19, It had been more than a year since we had met last. A lot of
catching up was pending. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Couple of days before departure she informed that IRCTC is
not providing any bedding and food would be available at extra cost. I was
taken aback as we would have to carry the bedding throughout the trip and that
was going to add weight to the backpack. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDW3aFDcLJjuhLDIt9yD02usuZ9Yuhy2Og_wM5NSq_L0pvHoXrWJ7r3eH39cW_XLsdbTeEpy07x3Go3jHYJqJvCJJVdv5CX4x_4bAvdV1FfdaLESd5dyR0XXi3hPaGWnZM8XrJ-zJnKk/s4000/20210214_154343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDW3aFDcLJjuhLDIt9yD02usuZ9Yuhy2Og_wM5NSq_L0pvHoXrWJ7r3eH39cW_XLsdbTeEpy07x3Go3jHYJqJvCJJVdv5CX4x_4bAvdV1FfdaLESd5dyR0XXi3hPaGWnZM8XrJ-zJnKk/s320/20210214_154343.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As decided earlier, I left from Pune on 14 Feb and reached
Thane. The Shivneri reached Thane just in time to start for CSMT. So Ameya
obliged by driving us all the way to CSMT. We had booked Second AC berths, so
comparatively there was less rush in the bogey. We occupied our seats and
started chatting which stopped only when somebody came or when we ate. Around 9
PM, we realized that we were the only ones who were blabbering. It was time to
sleep. The only worry was getting up in time to get down at Gwalior where we
would be reaching at 6 AM. Hence, with couple of alarms in place for 5 AM and 530
AM we slept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I woke up couple of times
in the night only to realize that the train was running ahead of schedule. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Around 615 we alighted at Gwalior. Like a typical Indian
railway station, there were autowalas available ready to take us anywhere in
the city. We weren’t so keen in travelling anywhere away from station so chose to
share a plate of Poha and tea before going to the hotel which we had chosen. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09vX4hg0K2dLFU_Fdg2j5AtO36tetCMYnfbUgu7vocIi8FZp-xDZjvsUuAykJpiGA5cffqq3WAUF9sFtIlfpiCYE5Do1WkXEb2erT3P7s2iNdcNvMGVgfsnbJtDCLl1HgUndIXo-ccBo/s4618/20210215_092806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09vX4hg0K2dLFU_Fdg2j5AtO36tetCMYnfbUgu7vocIi8FZp-xDZjvsUuAykJpiGA5cffqq3WAUF9sFtIlfpiCYE5Do1WkXEb2erT3P7s2iNdcNvMGVgfsnbJtDCLl1HgUndIXo-ccBo/s320/20210215_092806.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />We had booked at Seth Vidhichand Dharamshala as our abode
which is right outside Gwalior Station and is a 2 minute walk. When we reached
the reception area, the man at reception was missing for about good 40 minutes.
He arrived and we were allotted a tiny room. Tired we took ourselves to the
room and slept for couple of hours. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">During planning Gunjan had found a bike rental service in
Gwalior which we had booked beforehand. Around 9 AM both of us were ready to
explore Gwalior. Right outside the gate we found a small hotel which offered us
yet another plate of Poha and samosa and eventually we got some coffee. By then
the guy at bike rental service had already called us about bike pick up. So we
immediately went to pick up the bike. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was Honda Activa5G. The fuel was about half filled. The
formalities were complete under 10 minutes and we were on our way. The first
item on our list was Mitaoli - Chausath Yogini Temple which was 35 kms North of
Gwalior. We topped the fuel to full tank and rode off. The highways were in
good condition. Some 12 kms away I realized that we were in Uttar Pradesh,
between Morena and Bhind District. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While growing up, the stories of Late Phoolan Devi and other
dacoit filled columns of several newspapers from time to time. Somewhere back
of the mind, the tension about getting into any unpleasant situation was
present and I did my best to keep it under control. </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHgxEZ9a7qllNZOw9vFeFYNAJ6NZgqxMnuXgn5lUs7j02PVEeyMcOpYl9mN-sGslk7krmgeNJVGmAfBtYSnHSbUsahZ8jIlEIR_EGP5HHg00F3YEk-LHtDt1A9XHXrwLkmmadPZ61JuI/s1280/mitaoli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzHgxEZ9a7qllNZOw9vFeFYNAJ6NZgqxMnuXgn5lUs7j02PVEeyMcOpYl9mN-sGslk7krmgeNJVGmAfBtYSnHSbUsahZ8jIlEIR_EGP5HHg00F3YEk-LHtDt1A9XHXrwLkmmadPZ61JuI/w640-h359/mitaoli.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> We took a turn on internal road from Malanpur and the
condition of road deteriorated with every kilo meter. Best thing was the cell
phone coverage was very good throughout the journey. Soon we reached Mitaoli
village and a quick hike of 5 minutes we were on the top of the hill which has
a small plateau. The Chausath Yogini temple is dedicated to 64 yoginis and the
goddess Devi. There is a shrine in the center which houses a big Shivlinga. The
temple was constructed in 11<sup>th</sup> century to provide education of
Astrology and mathematics based on sun transitions. It is believed that the
current structure of Indian Parliament House is based on this temple. There are
65 chambers which probably housed images of different “Yoginis” however now
there are just some with Shivling and few are empty. We spent some good one
hour here. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVRh8d5-cv-8sh1BJlrstJ3g0qq-nJsOBIWN70F8WK02oFeGTMcd9seO9gnbEeDvXnrnNYe9JGVIGsodWjhqtshgeN-xwBgWTN47b1E7mYtlGaPTylYwjMiGlQSp1jXPWv6866RBnIN8/s2048/20210215_134408-01-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVRh8d5-cv-8sh1BJlrstJ3g0qq-nJsOBIWN70F8WK02oFeGTMcd9seO9gnbEeDvXnrnNYe9JGVIGsodWjhqtshgeN-xwBgWTN47b1E7mYtlGaPTylYwjMiGlQSp1jXPWv6866RBnIN8/s320/20210215_134408-01-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>The second stop was Gadhi Padhavli which was about 5 kms
from Mitaoli. I hadn’t heard much about it and it looked very intriguing from
the parking lot. We entered and were just walking through the walkway; there
were idols on both sides. I noticed some Gajalakshmi, Ganesha and few erotic
ones. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Nandi Mandapa is at a height and is accessible through a
staircase. There were two lions on each side of the staircase. I didn’t know
what was to unfold. We climbed the staircase in no time and the complete
picture unfolded… I was spellbound, stunned. I have been to many archaeological
sites but the Nandi Mandapa here is something way beyond. Absolutely beautiful!
There are 5 sections to the ceiling and each one of them has numerous
mythological figures. I am unsure and grateful for that most of them are intact
while the entire Shiva Temple is destroyed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are few erotic ones as well and then the
Yaksha. Different panels telling stories from Puranas and other ancient
literature like Bhagawat et all. There was a fellow who showed us the
intricacies from the carvings. We paid him 100 rs and went to the fortification
on the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Nandi Mandapa looks beautiful while the empty space of
Shiva temple will ache your heart. We came down clicked few beautiful pictures
and moved to the third item on our list: Bateshwar group of Temple. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We all should thank ASI Bhopal region's Superintend
Archaeologist K.K. Muhammed who restored the site with help of Dacoit Nirbhar
Singh Gujjar and his gang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSb5QcBxsX4olQD1HIDTvPexgzKBQljmRZwZLiUXW7CCttLTd16h5Bw1I7dpqOxC6WKDAv2gtfJ14VYI9md53Zby4OHSMog_XqRkeniP0F3Y9Ac7o70Hdcr2wr6lr5bVGfJZ_lyNQTEio/s4618/20210215_141231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSb5QcBxsX4olQD1HIDTvPexgzKBQljmRZwZLiUXW7CCttLTd16h5Bw1I7dpqOxC6WKDAv2gtfJ14VYI9md53Zby4OHSMog_XqRkeniP0F3Y9Ac7o70Hdcr2wr6lr5bVGfJZ_lyNQTEio/s320/20210215_141231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bateshwar will make your brain freeze with its grandeur.
There are about 100 temples restored by ASI from mounts of ruins just like a
jigsaw puzzle. In one of the interviews that I had watched Shri K. K. Muhammed
had mentioned the temples were based on principles of architecture in Sanskrit
architectural texts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember
the names of the texts. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Bateshwar still has a long way to go when it comes to
restoration and I am glad that ASI is relentlessly working on it since 2005. Can’t
thank them enough! Please visit <a href="https://kevinstandagephotography.wordpress.com/2019/04/24/bateshwar-group-of-temples-batesara-batesvar-morena/" target="_blank">Kevin Standage’s blog</a> for photos pre and post
restoration. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>We clicked and
clicked. Thankfully it was Monday so there were almost no tourists. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had hardly spoken to each other since we
arrived here. Most of the words said were,”get out of my frame.” No number of
photos is going to bring any justice to this site. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I checked the time, we had already spent over an hour
here and it had felt like a split second. We were now hungry hence took a quick
snacks break in the seating area bang opposite The Vishnu Temple which we chose
to skip since we also had to return to Gwalior in day light because first the
road conditions and secondly being in a remote area in dark didn’t sound like a
safe idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence we started our
returning ride to Gwalior around 330. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On our way back Gunjan was continuously checking the closing
times various other destinations in the city. The Surya Mandir – Sun temple aka
Birla Temple was closing down at 5, the Tansen Maqbara too at same time, Rani
Lakshmibai Samadhi as well. Also that Google wasn’t helpful much because it
kept showing temporarily closed on map and different times for closing when we
searched. All because of CoViD19! </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We took a chance and went to Gwalior Fort. The parking lot
was yet filled with many bikes and cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gunjan checked that there was a sound and light show in Hindi at 630.
While buying tickets for the show we had a word with the elderly man at the
ticket counter. He guided us about the fort and other tickets and also about other
destinations on our list. He was curious about where we had come from etc. It
was a good chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4569PB-p_UIMDEsidWYx4CwUMhJyBHQJ1TreHjcMX2QPYXTc85wg_kT7BnuHlPdPszQOVYUX6I3c9mwK9hVmQ12-jMM72kr-Mwa0pB3Svfw1wxvnTmy6AKUjBDGtPWLfN1r2I6KHcQI/s4618/20210215_183412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3464" data-original-width="4618" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4569PB-p_UIMDEsidWYx4CwUMhJyBHQJ1TreHjcMX2QPYXTc85wg_kT7BnuHlPdPszQOVYUX6I3c9mwK9hVmQ12-jMM72kr-Mwa0pB3Svfw1wxvnTmy6AKUjBDGtPWLfN1r2I6KHcQI/s320/20210215_183412.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We hurriedly made our way to Sas Bahu (Sahasrabahu) Temple
but the security guard literally shooed us away since we didn’t have ticket. So
we had to return to galleria to wait until it was time for Sound and Light
Show. The entire city of Gwalior was getting lit by lights and looked very
beautiful. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Soon it was time for Sound and Light Show and we were
engrossed in the history of Gwalior fort and City. It was not so pleasant but
the bike rental guy called us and asked when we were returning the bike and I
didn’t know when. I requested him for some more time to call back. We had
booked for only one day thinking we would be done. It was clear that Gwalior
needed more time. We were to check out of the hotel next day morning as well.
This called for a long discussion over permutation and combinations of
possibilities. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After leaving from the fort, we made our way back to the
hotel. Dumped our backpack in the room and freshened up. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The receptionist told us we could leave our luggage in the
cloak room and go around the town and not have to pay for entire room. The
autorikshaw drivers seemed uninterested in taking us on a fixed rate to explore
other parts of the city for most part of the day. Apart from that main
attractions at Gwalior fort still remained unvisited. After accounting for many
things, we called the bike rental guy and requested if we could use the bike
for another day. He agreed readily just that asked for payment upright which
worked perfectly for us. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8h47Mf82122NipSNeORN4iEdMY7_6EOs5C46XLX5EpMvnaPOMpZb0KsHklew_7ecVz3kTkLNWNzhA1wKwNAfruPtb2g9cm_z2UnOISbWwyg3JfphTGyE0NeR2oSsRfKRnbjVzQLSoFkw/s4618/20210215_214844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4618" data-original-width="3464" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8h47Mf82122NipSNeORN4iEdMY7_6EOs5C46XLX5EpMvnaPOMpZb0KsHklew_7ecVz3kTkLNWNzhA1wKwNAfruPtb2g9cm_z2UnOISbWwyg3JfphTGyE0NeR2oSsRfKRnbjVzQLSoFkw/s320/20210215_214844.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />All set for next day, we went for dinner. The dinner was Masala
dosa followed by a good cup of coffee at Indian Coffee House opposite to our
hotel. It is a typical south Indian restaurant. Gunjan decided she didn’t want
coffee but the masala milk. And the same restaurant where we had breakfast was
serving it in the Kulhad. Happy with day one we retired to our room around 930.
<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As expected Gunjan and I chattered some more and finally
slept off around 130. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><u><b>Day Two: </b></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The day began pretty early for us at 530. Both of us were
ready to leave at 715. The restaurant where we had breakfast on the day prior
hadn’t opened yet, so we went back to the station entrance and had Poha and
coffee. It had started drizzling for no reason. I was worried because of the
cold that it brings and additionally riding in rain on an unfamiliar vehicle
seemed rather gruesome. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We started our ride to Gwalior fort again. The city roads
were all wet and obviously it reduced the speed. After reaching Gwalior fort
and we took our first stop at the Jain caves near Urwai gate. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HWdkjWLGtb_qLmw6JmmN8qTJQYSWkdPq2ApwP4yu7cL98a8nwOu6L6gosCsqBcKUxs2KWmE9AOnA1l9ad1Af_GEoMzuRJr7Je7ZNiBSzxTeXHcEZJzh-HIpySOsP0dfKnA0knmg3qJw/s2048/20210216_093128-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3HWdkjWLGtb_qLmw6JmmN8qTJQYSWkdPq2ApwP4yu7cL98a8nwOu6L6gosCsqBcKUxs2KWmE9AOnA1l9ad1Af_GEoMzuRJr7Je7ZNiBSzxTeXHcEZJzh-HIpySOsP0dfKnA0knmg3qJw/s320/20210216_093128-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Then at Hathi Pol took our entry ticket for Man Mandir
palace which also was valid at Sas Bahu Temple and Teli Ka Mandir. We made our
way first to Sas Bahu Temple, because I wanted good pictures in perfect day
light. We spent some half an hour here and then headed back to Man Mandir
palace. <br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I guess most part of the Palace is closed for visitors, we
didn’t take guide here. The staircases and the hallways and the rooms were
absolute maze. It is a three storied structure and if you’re bad with navigation
and signs you should take a guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
another half an hour we came out of the Maze. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some part of Gwalior fort is under Madhya Pradesh State
Archaeology and there is separate ticket for that. We were not sure if we
wanted to go. After reading the list of monuments, we thought we should explore
it. There is Jauhar Kund, Bhimsen Rana ki Chhatri, Vikram Mahal and Karna Mahal.
We didn’t spent much time here and came out quickly. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was time for brunch, so we went to MPTDC restaurant. One
last and important one on list was Teli Ka Mandir before we would leave the
fort. Thankfully we could ride to the Teli ka Mandir. The temple is a tall
structure and dates back 8<sup>th</sup> or 9<sup>th</sup> century. There are no
exact records as to who built it. The carvings are yet again fascinating. We
walked around the temple, clicked pictures and left. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJKOAGRRpfGW7PDwLCSFEvUUszZgodxxMZ-G1XCp13AAaVxQQDCa60NvJ2RVl-mRqKkflak-JGK3GnRHVcV7aJwiaMJVegr7mBEKQ4WieuZxdv-l_a8JuYo_nPWsh-atmqB2lKIjeHAc/s2048/20210216_122517-01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVJKOAGRRpfGW7PDwLCSFEvUUszZgodxxMZ-G1XCp13AAaVxQQDCa60NvJ2RVl-mRqKkflak-JGK3GnRHVcV7aJwiaMJVegr7mBEKQ4WieuZxdv-l_a8JuYo_nPWsh-atmqB2lKIjeHAc/s320/20210216_122517-01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We checked Google and Jai Vilas Palace was close by. The
palace was built in 1874, a part of which is now a museum. Apart from enormous
range of artifacts, The Durbar hall is a glamorous royal place which tells us
about the aristocratic lives of Scindias of Gwalior. The crystal fountain and
the chandeliers made the visit worth the ticket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our next destination was Rani Lakshmibai Samadhi. I would
have never forgiven myself if we would have skipped it. Having grown up
listening to valor stories of this queen this was a must visit place. However,
upon visit I felt sad because I saw many couples seating and publicly
displaying affection and courtship. Elderly people seating there because they
had nowhere to go probably. It had become just another place of pastime
activities for people. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We rode to the Sun Temple which is a replica of Konark Sun
temple and is funded by Birla Family. It was almost 3PM now and Jhansi and
Orchha looked far away! Somehow made a tour of Sun Temple and rushed off to
hand over the bike back to the guy. Then took an auto to the Station and took
our luggage. The bus station is another five minute walk from the Hotel. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The first bus we got in was a private bus which was going
somewhere else and they were planning to make us change the bus at Datia. We
were not convinced with the idea. Then Gunjan searched for more buses and then
we found a government serviced bus which would drop us at Jhansi Bus Station.
It was leaving at 6PM, which meant we would be reaching Jhansi around 9 PM and
then Orchha looked far away from there. I felt I hadn’t dressed appropriately
with a sleeveless one piece or tunic. Then we also realized that throughout the
day there hadn’t been a single incident of eve teasing and I wasn’t made to
feel uncomfortable in spite of wearing a sleeveless tunic. </p>
<br /><br />Gypsy Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327973143430793000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-41187537997809663922020-04-01T15:19:00.000+05:302020-04-01T15:19:57.828+05:30The Story of Dream unfulfilled... Lingana<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwCQQNP_jmwLdx825q2DHt9erar-YzLIuY_3yVhqAttnFgHdRUMIzDGzSuyYisIa-g7z23prg1wUkmKuI6SS6GkgCol81k6JtX85kZdU3WTm8rsTsaRk7YQIrN4vH9mOA0KS3TQock08/s1600/IMG_20191219_175517027-EFFECTS+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwCQQNP_jmwLdx825q2DHt9erar-YzLIuY_3yVhqAttnFgHdRUMIzDGzSuyYisIa-g7z23prg1wUkmKuI6SS6GkgCol81k6JtX85kZdU3WTm8rsTsaRk7YQIrN4vH9mOA0KS3TQock08/s640/IMG_20191219_175517027-EFFECTS+a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been adventurous all my life and from the time <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Tobythepirate/">Toby</a>
has arrived, my adventure quotient has risen. He and I did several treks which
involved technical stuff like rock climbing & rappelling. After Nalichi Wat
at Harishchandragad, I searched a lot and we purchased a good rock climbing
harness for him online. We did a good abseil at Sandhan Valley in May 2019. Having him on treks has been a treat. Many a
times patrons on treks of <a href="http://www.zenithodysseys.com/">Zenith Odysseys</a> also inquire whether he would be
joining or not. He is a well behaved dog whilst on trek which is not really
expected from an Indian dog. So taking
him to a climb, putting his harness to good use and pending items my bucket list
were pointing to Lingana.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lingana is also looked upon as a Mecca for the rock climbing
community of Western Ghats of India, however, many commercial trek operators
organize rock climbing events here and the mountain has lost its sanctity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAew-TbeKueeid6OyswtsDbq0Nns9789WoErK5tXvhV-wNsuhHzTdnKMPqV-CS62gYqND164HC_UQoSTubdf5o8eoT2lms0OtuSHxKaRRDirOMf6Y_pLkLVYiNnHlFYj7mKs6Qm7_BnUM/s1600/IMG_20191218_010848474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAew-TbeKueeid6OyswtsDbq0Nns9789WoErK5tXvhV-wNsuhHzTdnKMPqV-CS62gYqND164HC_UQoSTubdf5o8eoT2lms0OtuSHxKaRRDirOMf6Y_pLkLVYiNnHlFYj7mKs6Qm7_BnUM/s320/IMG_20191218_010848474.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The urge to visit this place was getting stronger day by day
and I started looking for team. I am usually look for a team with certain qualities like stable mind,
ability to perform under pressure, respect towards the nature, physical
capacity and stamina, team spirit and of course technical knowledge. Apart from
playing team, I usually have couple of non playing captains who in case of
emergency can handle rescue if required. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I messaged “The BMC bud” & “The
BMC Kid”, another lady friend and few other regular patrons of Zenith Odyssey. “The
BMC Kid” said yes unconditionally and “The BMC bud” put up a condition of
choosing weekends. I strongly wanted “The BMC bud” to join as He, “The BMC Kid”
and I would have made an awesome team. We three are batch mates of Basic
Mountaineering Course and have been glued to each other since then. Initial
plan involved just 5 people and then there were few additions. However, the
rains lasted much beyond expected and some withdrew and some were on wait and
watch mode. One fine day, “The BOY” messaged he wished to take The DOG, a breed
dog to Lingana and I thought of taking two dogs to summit. So the plan was
shaping up nicely and we forgot about it in few days. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then again “A FRIEND” asked about status and we all came
back to life. As “the climbing season” for commercial trek operators had already
begun, we decided to climb on weekdays. With this decision few others along
with “The BMC bud” dropped out. I chalked out a rough itinerary and we decided
to leave on 18 December early morning and return by early evening of 19
December. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two days prior I started preparing. I borrowed few stuff
like branded harnesses and a Jumar etc. from a friend and also bought some stuff
for Toby. “A FRIEND” chose to look after food. It seemed like “The BOY” and I
had all the required gear. By the nightfall on 17 December, Toby and I were
ready to move out next day. “The BOY” and I had been planning on introducing
Toby and The DOG before the trek however due to other commitments I couldn’t do
that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was up by 345 on 18 December and we all were already
exchanging messages on WhatsApp. By 5 AM “A FRIEND” and “The BMC Kid” had
arrived and few moments later “The BOY” arrived along with his friend “The
GIRL”. I was surprised to see her since it was never discussed that she would
be joining. “A FRIEND” mentioned he was carrying food for only four people; I
assured him it would be alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
morning we tried very hard to make Toby and The DOG friends, however both kept
growling at each other and then I decided to give up after around 20 minutes.
It was a noisy start of the day for the entire neighborhood. I removed Toby’s
stuff from my backpack along with his backpack. My baby looked confusedly at
me. I could not even hide my disappointment in my fate and left. By the time we
finally left from my place, it was 0605. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We reached Velhe and hungrily searched for a place to eat.
Torana Vihar hadn’t opened yet so we decided to eat at the only place
available. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The road after Kelad khind (pass) seemed ok until a point and
after that practically just because it looked like something which looked like
a road because handful of heavy duty vehicles could pass. We reached Mohari
Village at 915 and prepared for the hike. I removed some more stuff and left it
in the car. Time was 940 and we were delayed by almost one and half hour
already. At that time it just meant less rest between lunch and final climb and
it didn’t matter much technically. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We walked nonstop till the starting point of Borata Naal –
the Gorge that goes down closest towards Lingana. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the entrance of the gorge we took a small
break and “The GIRL” already looked tired. I was worried but pretended
otherwise and carried on. Time was 1030 AM. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Tq9wxb2mrmIWUEIYQUin4_08yM-K4s5Ob4hCJPAU8jA_3lb2KiVy-1L0CN7OMWRidtFfnrXoZU1L7FfawwdDHLgVKxNT-63TIqT0kEUDUWW_lK7J-wzMv45t1WD9leMCbYTeFV7fwkY/s1600/IMG_20191219_181457973+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1600" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Tq9wxb2mrmIWUEIYQUin4_08yM-K4s5Ob4hCJPAU8jA_3lb2KiVy-1L0CN7OMWRidtFfnrXoZU1L7FfawwdDHLgVKxNT-63TIqT0kEUDUWW_lK7J-wzMv45t1WD9leMCbYTeFV7fwkY/s640/IMG_20191219_181457973+A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The hike down was pretty easy but slow. I didn’t want to
push anyone to stress themselves and make things difficult for themselves and
others. The rock was heating up and Sun was teasing us with every minute lost.
By the time we reached the traverse, it was 1130 AM. This is where I started
calculating daylight hours left and making equations as to how much time would
be required to reach cave. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xrG3HE0WWrVHeYF5loUbU3-Xmcqpn6L6xIyK2IUEMUFOI9tWzYtKMFIo-NsPvbMMJA89kGI5hKRjJ8G7sV_Vfa5bKjx5uMjWb4gavYFTuSuhbDXt69sZPAXBinLPcLNX8652XaOaBEI/s1600/IMG_20191218_115250121_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xrG3HE0WWrVHeYF5loUbU3-Xmcqpn6L6xIyK2IUEMUFOI9tWzYtKMFIo-NsPvbMMJA89kGI5hKRjJ8G7sV_Vfa5bKjx5uMjWb4gavYFTuSuhbDXt69sZPAXBinLPcLNX8652XaOaBEI/s320/IMG_20191218_115250121_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a>During the planning, “The BOY” and I had discussed a
possibility of climbing the summit before sunset and rappelling in dark to the
cave. At that point of that time, it looked very much possible, but every time
I looked at “The GIRL”, I could feel that this possibility was now diminishing.
We reached the col below Lingana at about 1330 and I declared that we would be
just pushing to the cave before the nightfall and would attempt the summit next
day at sunrise.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The BOY” was our lead climber, his rope management and
climbing skills are top notch. He fixed the rope and helped us climb. Looking
at the losing daylight, I suggested two people climbing at same time. And then
I realized that we were so smart that we were carrying only one static rope and
other one was left in the car. I literally wanted to abandon the climb and
return home right from that spot. </div>
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Working upon my
suggestion, “The BOY” anchored the rope with a clove hitch and now two ends
were available. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suggested that “The
BMC Kid” to be last man so that he could assist “A FRIEND” and “The GIRL” to
get on the rope and climb. I postponed my dream to climb Lingana and used the
other end to jumar up loads of backpacks and the dog. I kept telling the
climbers to self anchor whenever they would reach the station and also kept
anchoring the backpacks and the dog during my load ferries. Every time I
started Jumaring with the dog on my harness, a chill would go down my spine. I
was the only one the local made, uncertified harness. (We did have 4 branded
and UIAA certified and I had picked up this one last moment after I saw “The
GIRL”)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As per the original plan we should have been in the cave by
1400 having lunch. And here we were just beginning to climb with hungry
stomachs. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During this climb, I also realized that “The GIRL” knew close
to nothing of climbing and also that the rope had severe abrasions near the
midpoint. The entire climbing activity looked like a grave mistake and it would
have been wiser to return home immediately. However, hiking back would have
taken far more time since “The GIRL” was almost exhausted and also we were
short of water at that point. The water source and shelter was available some
hundred meters above us. It was a catch 22 situation. I made certain notes in
the mind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We put great efforts and the team finally reached the cave
near the water source. First thing we did was that we had the sandwiches “A
FRIEND” had brought for us. Time was 1700. I declared that now we rest and do
the rest of the climb next day morning. Everyone agreed, I didn’t want to let “The
GIRL” climb but didn’t know how to put it forward. Thankfully, she herself came
up with the suggestion. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The BOY” and “The GIRL” helped refilling the water. We “A
FRIEND” had also brought ready to heat dinner for us all, Which we had by 2130
and slept off in no time. Although, the night was pretty much uneventful, I
didn’t get good sleep. Perhaps the thoughts of next day kept me disturbed all
night long. We woke up by 700 and it was already late to start the climb. The
breakfast preparations and packing the stuff after that took almost an hour after
that. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We all had kept only climbing gear outside and had packed
everything else inside. I had also left a Swiss army knife with long cord. We
had a set of walkie talkie to facilitate communication across stations. I
handed over one set to “The GIRL” who was going to stay back in the cave, One
to “The BOY”, One to “A FRIEND” and one was to be shared between “The BMC Kid” and
me. I had specifically requested everyone to be careful with the sets and keep
them in the zipped pockets of the clothing. “The BOY” took out cord of my Swiss
army knife and attached it to his set of walkie talkie without my knowledge. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
At about 815, “The BOY” started climbing and even before he
had reached first station he shouted watch out. We glued ourselves to the
rockwall and saw some small object falling. He then informed me that it was his
set of walkie talkie. I was terribly frustrated already. We who were at base
station tried to look for it however realized it was way too dangerous to move
even an inch towards the valley without proper safety. We gave up the idea and
I decided to climb with the dog on my local uncertified harness. It just felt
way too risky because I kept feeling that the sewing of the harness might just
rip off. Also due to load and incorrect placement of the Jumar, it kept locking
up. Seeing me struggle that “A FRIEND” said he didn’t want to go to the top. I
didn’t push him and suggested we all give up the idea of summit and start our
journey back home, which “The BMC Kid”and “A FRIEND” agreed with no questions
asked. Same time, “The BOY” tried to give similar suggestion from the first
station. And due to wind and “The GIRL”s over enthusiasm to reach “The BOY”
with her voice was causing hindrance. Somehow “The BOY” got the message and we
wound up the climbing plan. In few minutes, he was back to the base station
near water source. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The BMC Kid”said the walkie talkie set had fallen in the
grass nearby and we could perhaps retrieve it. “The BOY” took the responsibility
on himself and anchored himself and went downwards on the face of the mountain.
Thankfully he retrieved the walkie talkie set which was undamaged except for missing
back cover. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went back to the cave. Did little bit of rearrangement of
all the backpacks to share the loads as to reduce the weight from “The GIRL”’s
backpack and help her walk a bit freely. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We set up the ropes for abseil and I suggested “The BMC Kid”to
go first and then “A FRIEND”, “The GIRL”, myself and “The BOY” to be last.
Before we started, I reiterated importance of being self anchored and made sure
that everyone including the dog had a tapesling with a carabineer. It was
almost 1030 when “The BMC Kid”started abseiling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A FRIEND” was just reaching first station and “The GIRL” told
me to go before her with the dog. I was just not ready to take the dog on my
harness again. But then I realized that I had no option as “The BOY” might have
to do tandem – abseil or simul-rappelling with “The GIRL” because it was
probably first time that she was abseiling. My anger had already reached sky
and with great difficulty I controlled it and quietly took the dog and
abseiled. Here “A FRIEND”, “The BMC Kid”and I sat for about 45 minutes before
the couple arrived. Somewhere back of the mind I was cursing myself for this
misadventure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have never lost my temper in the mountains but this time and I shouted at “The GIRL” and used all sort of offensive words for throwing up
tantrums during the abseil. Although it was just abseiling, it took us almost 5 hours to reach the col. I was on the verge of break down when we reached there.
I sent texts to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took a quick break of
about 15 minutes to re-hydrate and relieve ourselves and started immediately. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
all the three backups – non playing captains that we had
finally abseiled safely. It was a great relief that everyone had reached safely
to the base.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now the second part was the upward hike towards Railing
Plateau and later the easy walk to Mohri Village. We did have food and
hydration yet I wasn’t really convinced that we would make it to Railing before
sunset. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was literally coercing “The BMC Kid”to exchange his
backpack with “The GIRL” (his backpack was lightest; I knew it since I had
packed most of it). Nonetheless, “The BMC Kid”and “A FRIEND” volunteered and we
shuffled some more stuff). The climb went through far better than I had
anticipated and we were out of Boratyachi Naal (the gully) by 1720. I have
never been that grateful to the almighty as I was at that moment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wanted to go near the cliff of the Railing Plateau and thus
suggested “The GIRL” to rest and “The BOY” to accompany her. “A FRIEND”, “The
BMC Kid”and I went on the small hike without our heavy backpacks. So it was a
quick walk of about 10 minutes and we could see the entire vertex of Lingana in
single glance. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the return hike, “A FRIEND” had said that he felt bad
that we gave up our summit attempt because of him. I had tried to convey that
it was not at all about him but various other reasons. And with experience I
knew that a complete picture would tell him the exact story. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when three of us were standing on the edge, I pointed
towards the cave and elaborated the climb that we had abandoned. He seemed
relieved. “The BMC Kid”had a funny reaction,” Did we go there just for camping?
We could have simply pitched our tent right here and looked at the mountain.” I
sincerely felt sorry for the kid. We didn’t wait for the sunset and rushed back to the point
where “The BOY” and “The GIRL” were resting. We picked up our bags and walked
back to the village. We just dumped our backpacks in the boot and drove off. We
took a stop at Velha again for dinner. It was almost 2230 when I reached home.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although this climb was not successful, I did learn certain
lessons that I am sharing below: </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Strictly no strangers on the technical climbing
activity. Ideally I should have declined to venture out in the outdoors
especially on a climb like Lingana with a girl who was a complete stranger. But
because of my inability to say NO, we did. I now feel “The BOY” was also a
stranger to me when it came to outdoors. His outdoor ethics seemed far
different than mine and it did make me uncomfortable throughout the climb.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><br /></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Strictly no last minute additions on the
climbing. Apart from reasons mentioned in the blog, it also affects the
logistics like food, water and equipment.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->My ideology of small group in outdoors again
proved to be correct! This time we were 5, I would add just one more person who
would be capable of climbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>The equipment should be sufficient. We left
second rope in the car. We had only one Jumar, carabineers were just numbered.
One lost or broken would have put us in unwanted - unpleasant situations. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no Prussik cords available. We
didn’t have enough gloves / mittens. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->All equipment should always be branded and
certified by UIAA. Period. (More about this in next blog) </li>
<li>Gather all the equipment at least two days prior
to the activity in one place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></li>
<li>Check all the equipment prior to the activity.
There were abrasions on the rope. </li>
<li>No dogs on multi pitch climbing. No questions
asked! </li>
<li>Adhering to timelines. I think this is enough
said!</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>This is a personal learning: I should develop
the skill/ tact to be able to say no or stop when things don’t seem right. This
climb could have turned into a grave fatal accident. I will be guilty all my
life for having jeopardizing lives of my friends and myself and the dog. Mountains
are never forgiving. They’ve spared us this time, but that may not be the case
every time.</li>
<li>I am usually look for a team with certain qualities like stable mind, ability to perform under pressure, respect towards the nature, physical capacity and stamina, team spirit and of course technical knowledge. But going forward I should be following this strictly! </li>
</ul>
I look forward to work hard and complete the dream in the year 2020...<br />
<u><i><span style="font-size: large;">Lingana waits... </span></i></u></div>
Zenith Odysseyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210444565312357123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-43102316902526246942018-12-25T15:54:00.000+05:302018-12-25T15:54:49.916+05:30वारी हरिशचंद्रगड - नळीची वाट<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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अवघ्या भटक्यांची पंढरी असलेल्या हरिशचंद्रगडला वर्षातुन एकदा तरी जाणे मस्ट... मग ते पाचनई मार्गे असो वा नळीच्या वाटेने.<br />
<br />
जुन २०१४ मध्ये झेनिथ ओडिसीज ची सुरुवात केल्या पासुन मी एक गोष्ट पाळते ते म्हणजे जर एखादा ट्रेक ना नफा ना तोटा असा करायची वेळ आली तरी तो करायचाच. क्वचित काही ट्रेक ला खिशाला चाट पण पडते पण सह्याद्री मध्ये फिरण्यासाठी सब कुछ करेंगे.<br />
<br />
तर असा हा हरिश्चंद्रगडचा बेत ठरला. मी माझ्यापरीने जाहिरात केली पण नेहमीचे ३ आणि नवीन २ असे ५ जण ट्रेक तयार झाले. गाडीकाकानी नेहमी प्रमाणे पैश्याची खळखळ करत येतो म्हणून सांगितले. १० ला झेनिथ च्या ऑफिस मधुन उर्फ माझ्या घरून निघू याला नेहमी प्रमाणे टांग मारून ते त्यांच्या सोयींनी १०३० ला आले. मग सामान टाकुन संकल्पिता आणि मी टोब्याला घेऊन निघालो. गिरिशसर नळस्टॉपला वाट पाहतच होते. मग नाशिक फाट्यावर फिलिप, हर्षल आणि शुभम आले आणि आम्ही एकदाचे निघालो.<br />
<br />
एके काळी राष्ट्रीय महामार्ग आहे अशी अफवा असलेला NH50 आज NH60 म्हणुन दिमाखदार झालाय. एके काळी म्हणजे फार पूर्वी नव्हे अगदी ३ वर्षापुर्वी इथून जाणे म्हणजे शिक्षा वाटत असे. तेव्हा हा रस्ता अतिशय अरुंद आणि खड्ड्यानी भरलेला होता मग याचा कायापालट झाला. आता चौपदरी आणि मुलायम अश्या या रस्त्यावरून प्रवास अतिशय सुखकर झालाय.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJJAVQU69l0evgYSXuq3T014RcM6Fbs4rLlQXkp40WNgUjW1XsQ6qJuLm2LC1ZLPRfQ7Ic7dt94VDAsJ4ueNRGDp1bIcQqYN_fO1xb4z82t1hFzkrM_U61Xi0XGKMvVl1nIWRYIz4OEM/s1600/DSC02846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJJAVQU69l0evgYSXuq3T014RcM6Fbs4rLlQXkp40WNgUjW1XsQ6qJuLm2LC1ZLPRfQ7Ic7dt94VDAsJ4ueNRGDp1bIcQqYN_fO1xb4z82t1hFzkrM_U61Xi0XGKMvVl1nIWRYIz4OEM/s320/DSC02846.JPG" width="320" /></a>साधारण सव्वा वाजता आळेफाट्याला पोचलो. एक चहाचा राऊंड झाला आणि आम्ही खुबी फाट्याकडे वळलो. तिथून पुढे मी वल्हीवले - बेलपाडा साठी GPS लावला होता. रात्रीची वेळ असल्यामुळे माळशेज घाटात वाहतूक फारशी नव्हती. साधारण ३ ला आम्ही बेलपाड्यात पोचलो. पुरुष मंडळींनी झाडाच्या पारावर पथाऱ्या पसरल्या तर मी आणि संकल्पिता गाडीच्या सीटांवर पसरलो.<br />
<br />
सकाळी ५३० चा गजर लावला होता खरा पण दिवसभर झालेली धावपळ आणि रात्रभर रस्ता दाखवण्यामुळे झालेले जागरण या मुळे तो बंद करून झोपण्याचा मोह आवरला नाही. ६ ला आम्ही दोघी उठलो. नाश्त्यासाठी उपमा आणि चहा घेऊन बाकी आवरून निघे पर्यंत ८ वाजलेच. तरी नळीच्या वाटेने चढणार म्हणजे पश्चिमेकडून चढाई अर्थात उन्हाचा फारसा त्रास होणार नाही याची खात्री आणि म्हणुनच एक प्रकारचा मानसिक आधार वाटत होता.<br />
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ट्रेकला निघण्या आधीपासूनच मी गावात संपर्क करायचा प्रयत्न करत होते पण प्रस्थापित वाटाडे दाद लागू देत नव्हते. असो. सकाळी नाश्ता बनवत असताना, गावातील एक दोघेजण आले, मी त्यांच्याशी संवाद साधण्याचा प्रयत्न केला. पण बहुदा पिकनिक type पब्लिक मुळे सवय लागली असेल वा काहीही कारणांनी त्यांनी अवाढव्य रक्कम सांगितली, जी मला परवडणार नव्हती. मग आम्ही तसेच चालु पडलो. मग त्यांनी तिकडे "वाहाघ" आहे, तुमच्यासोबत कुत्रा आहे वगैरे भिती घालायचा प्रयत्न केला. मी पण आगाव... त्यांना म्हणाले बिबटे माळशेज घाटाच्या आसपास नसतील तर काय पुण्यात सदाशिवात असतील काय? एवढे उत्तर पुरेसे होते आणि त्यांनी काढता पाय घेतला.<br />
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गावाबाहेर गणेश म्हणुन एक मुलगा येऊन मिळाला. त्याला विचारले येतोस का तर येतो म्हणाला. सोबत चालु लागला. आम्ही त्याची चौकशी केली तर नववी मध्ये आहे म्हणाला. मग आजची शाळा? असे विचारल्यावर बुडवली असे म्हणाला. गावापासुन पुढे येऊन २० मिनिटे झाली तसे म्हणायला लागला उशीर होतोय मी जातो. माझी बिदागी आणि बहिणीसाठी खाऊ द्या... मी थक्क झाले... नळीचे तोंड सुद्धा आले नव्हते. काय बोलणार आता. त्याला १०० रुपये आणि बहिणीसाठी खाऊचा पुडा दिला. फोटो वगैरे चमत्कार करून त्याला निरोप दिला.<br />
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गावाबाहेर आल्यावर टोबी ला मोकळा सोडला, तसेही त्याला धरून चालणे मला अवघड जात होते. कार्टा उधळला होता. त्याच्या उजव्या पायाची जखम पुर्ण बरी नव्हती झाली त्यामुळे मला जरा काळजीचं वाटत होती. पण मोकळे मिळाल्यावर तो खुष झाला होता.<br />
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मग आम्ही पुढे निघालो. काही ठिकाणी दगड (केर्न्स - cairns) रचले होते. आता टोबीनी पण मस्ती आवरती घेतली होती आणि फक्त पुढे मागे करणे चालु ठेवले होते. He was just acting like a good shepherd dog, trying to herd entire team together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ef7wbHnjOEwxWlDR_6C0g_yt2TTcu6l7_01VjwQB1eoralqyGTR3W1Dc30cFxfkHVtVGMHL5om5VNG-0XlbK4iBk6oqTb5U0boaWht6P5x5RCyiFvV9l8oa7Ys2vZ3eEE4WjANdV7QM/s1600/IMG_20181215_085749493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Ef7wbHnjOEwxWlDR_6C0g_yt2TTcu6l7_01VjwQB1eoralqyGTR3W1Dc30cFxfkHVtVGMHL5om5VNG-0XlbK4iBk6oqTb5U0boaWht6P5x5RCyiFvV9l8oa7Ys2vZ3eEE4WjANdV7QM/s320/IMG_20181215_085749493.jpg" width="320" /></a>आता आम्ही मुख्य नळीत होतो, कोकणकडा समोर उभा ठाकला होता. त्याचे रौद्र रुप खुपच मनोहर होते. त्याला पाहताना काही दिवस आधी झालेला प्रसंग आठवून अंगावर शहारे आले. असो. आम्ही एक छोटा पाणी ब्रेक घेतला आणि पुढे निघालो. आता मुख्य नाळ आणि त्याच्या उजव्या डाव्या बाजुने २ उपनळी... आणि आम्ही confused! मी हा ट्रेक २ वर्षापुर्वी केला होता, मला बऱ्यापैकी आठवत होते पण नळीची वाट म्हणजे पावसाळ्यात धबधब्याची वाट अर्थात दर वर्षी बदलणारी... इथेही केर्न्स होते त्यावरून अंदाज बांधून आम्ही डावीकडची नाळ घेतली. साधारण २० मिनिटे वर <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vA971qW4x00WAqN7A_AuThkXkixQmo3zyu9XVnwkvM7btM1aEXHP60cOjwwrk-BfTCx1BnL4T7LJy1noZC5iD87SqBI2TXxjjw1DBTMHzRtoTZQF2owaqINGyp9hyphenhyphenyrOk1KzljX-fwA/s1600/IMG_20181215_091516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1204" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vA971qW4x00WAqN7A_AuThkXkixQmo3zyu9XVnwkvM7btM1aEXHP60cOjwwrk-BfTCx1BnL4T7LJy1noZC5iD87SqBI2TXxjjw1DBTMHzRtoTZQF2owaqINGyp9hyphenhyphenyrOk1KzljX-fwA/s200/IMG_20181215_091516.jpg" width="150" /></a>गेल्यावर कळाले कि पुढची वाट बंद आहे. आली का पंचाईत... बाकीच्यांना तसेच बसवून मी आणि शुभम परत <br />
केर्न्स पर्यंत खाली आलो. मुख्य नाळी मधुनच चढायचे असे ठरवले. शुभम ला त्या नळीतून वर पाठवले आणि मी बाकीच्यांना आणायला परत गेले. दोन्ही नळी मध्ये एक safe पण गचपणानी भरलेला ट्रॅव्हर्स सापडला तो घेऊन आम्ही सगळे शुभम ला येऊन भेटलो. एक छोटा ब्रेक घेऊन आम्ही पुढे निघालो.<br />
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हवामान अगदी छान होते ११ वाजले तरी उन्हाचा तडाखा नव्हता कि हवा आणि खडक गरम झाले नव्हते. आम्ही केर्न्स शोधत होतो. पण एकही दिसेना. तसेच परत वर गेलो. आता कोकणकडा अगदीच जवळ होता. आम्ही अगदी कोकणकड्याच्या पोटात पोचलो होतो... आता परत वाट चुकली होती. तेवढ्यात माझा फोन vibrate झाला. अर्रे range आली तर... मग मी एवढा वेळ आत ठेवलेला फोन काढला. व्हाट्सऍप आणि फेसबुक ला रॉयल इग्नोर मारत मी आधी गुगल मॅप्स चालु केले. (फोन नवीन आहे, बॅटरी टिकते वगैरे वगैरे, आणि एक सोलर चार्जेर आणि एक पॉवर बँक पाठीवर वागवली होती).<br />
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मग हा निळा ठिपका आहे ना तो आपण आहोत, हि पांढरी रेष आहेना ती नळीची वाट आहे. आपल्याला तिकडे जायचे आहे. तर एकूण आम्ही नालीच्या वाटेपासुन साधारणपणे १०० मीटर दक्षिणेकडे होतो. मग फिलिप आणि हर्षल थोडे पुढे जाऊन वाट शोधुन आले पण ती काही मिळाली नाही. मग आम्ही परत थोडे उतरलो. आधी वर चढताना फिलिपनी एक वाट पाहिली होती, जी मी नापास केली होती तीच घेतली आणि मग आम्ही पोचलो परफेक्टली नळीच्या वाटेवर.<br />
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आता सुरु झाला खरा थरार... मोठ्ठाल्ले दगड ज्यांना boulders म्हणता येईल असे पार करत, कुठे निसरडी माती कुठे छोटे रॉक patches. टोबीशेट मी कसा natural climber आहे ते दाखवुन देत होते. सकाळच्या उत्साहाची जागा आता सेफ्टी फर्स्ट नी घेतली होती. २ मुले आमची मदत करायला थांबली होती. तेवढ्यात एक गावकरी उतरताना दिसला. त्याला गिरीश सरानी विचारले किती वेळ लागेल. त्यांनी सांगितले जाताल वर ५ - ६ वाजेपर्यंत. तेव्हा माझ्या घड्याळात झाले होते २. अर्रे ३ तास फक्त... सगळ्यांच्या जीवात जरा जीव आला. मग सगळ्यांनी जरा झपाझप चालायला सुरुवात केली पण कसचं काय. नुसती दगडे आणि निसरडी माती. नाही म्हटले तरी वेग मंदावला होता. मग आला पहिला रॉक पॅच. टोबी काही बाजुनी सुट्या झालेल्या दगडांवरून जायला तयार नव्हता मग रोप लावुन त्याला वर चढवला, सोबतच सगळ्यांच्या सॅक दिल्या. आम्ही एक दोघे बाजुनी सुट्या झालेल्या दगडांवरून गेलो काही रोपची मदत घेऊन चढले. पहिला अवघड टप्पा पार पडला वेळ होती ३१५.<br />
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इथे एके ठिकाणी डोंगराच्या अगदी पोटातुन उजवीकडून जायचे होते. टोबी इथं अडकला... मी थोडी रागावले पण माझ्या लक्षात आले कि त्याचा डावा डोळा निकामी आहे, उजवा डोळा त्याला डोंगराला लावून पुढे येताच येणार नव्हते. मग मी पुढे झाले. सॅक उतरवली आणि फिलिप दिसत होता त्याला परत बोलावले. तो आल्यावर आम्ही टोबीला leash up केले आधी मी पुढे झाले फिलिपनी त्याला उचलून माझ्याकडे दिले, आणि टोबी पार झाल्यावर तो आला.<br />
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तसेच पुढे गेलो आणि १५ मिनिटात दुसऱ्या रॉक पॅच ला पोचलो, हा आधीच्या रॉक पॅचच्या तुलनेत उंच होता. साधारण ८ मीटर खडा आणि नंतर २ मीटर सोपा. शुभम आधी वर गेला. मग मी रोप घेऊन चढले, तिकडे नशीबाने एक झाड होते त्याला clove hitch मारून anchor केला. तेवढ्यात गडावरून माणिकराव आले, ते मला म्हणाले मॅडम तुम्ही मागे राहा मी पुढचे बघतो. सगळ्यात आधी टोब्याला haul केला. शेट आधी खाली उतरायला बघत होते मग अरे आपल्याला पण क्लाइंबिंग येते हे आठवल्यावर रॉक वर जोर देऊन चढायला लागले. मला खुप अनपेक्षित असा सुखद धक्का देऊन तो अलगद वर आला.<br />
मग २ सॅक haul केल्या. मग रोपच्या एका टोकाला bowline on bight मारली, दुसरे टोक तसच सपोर्ट म्हणुन सोडले. सगळ्यात आधी संकल्पिता आली. तिला पाहुन मला धक्का बसला. पोरगी सॅक पाठीवर घेऊनच चढली होती. धन्य!<br />
मग फिलिप आला, तो हि सॅक पाठीवर घेऊन चढला. मग गिरिशसर आले, त्यांची सॅक आधीच आली होती पण ते पण अतिशय सराईतासारखे पटापट चढून आले. बाकी सगळ्यांना पुढे पाठवून दिले आणि खाली हर्षल शिट्टी वाजवत होता. गिरिशसर त्याला विचारत होते, खुष दिसतोयस, तिथेच राहतोस का? बिचारा शेवटी एकटा राहिला होता खाली, आम्ही त्याला विसरून जाऊ नये म्हणुन शिट्टी वाजवत होता बहुतेक. रोप टाकल्यावर तो हि पटापट आला.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxTyUFZ5roftTWfMjbdwHu4JDxBK3kIiz5FBPorylBePX-eSEZta0ueV_qFpLPPRl8-3ECj5emzyEaUDf-7kQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>आता होता आला शेवटचा रॉक पॅच. तसा बराच सोपा होता. पण तरीही रोप लावुन चढलो. वेळ होती ५१५. म्हणजे काळोख होण्याआधी नळीमधून बाहेर आलो होतो. माणिकरावांनी सुमधुर असे लिंबु सरबत दिले आणि आमच्यासोबत भास्कर कडे निघाले. अपुरी झोप, आदल्या दिवशीची दगदग आणि आजचा ट्रेक यांनी खूप दमले होते आणि थोडी चिडचिड होत होती पण माणिकरावानी आम्हाला व्यवस्थित भास्करकडे पोचवले आणि सुपुर्त केले.<br />
टीम ला टेन्ट्स लावायच्या आधी जेवायला सांगितले आणि मी टोबीची खाण्याची व्यवस्था करायला गेले.<br />
टोबी जाम दमला होता पण काळा आणि डोळा दिसल्यावर त्याला त्यांच्याशी खेळायचे होते. मग मी त्याला पलीकडे भाकऱ्यांच्या चुलीजवळ बांधले आणि दुध पोळी दिली. ती खाऊन झाल्यावर त्याला झोपायचे होते पण माझे जेवण बाकी होते.<br />
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मी जेवायला बसले, तेव्हा आठवले मी दुपारी काहीच खाल्ले नव्हते. संत्र्याच्या २/३ फोडी, अमुल ताकाचा एक carton आणि २ ग्लास लिंबु सरबत यावर मी ट्रेक पुर्ण केला होता. तेवढ्यात भास्कर आला, माझ्या ताटाकडे बघुन हसायला लागला, असे कसे खातेयस... मग भाकरीचा कुस्करा, त्यावर कढी आणि ठेचा... अहाहा काय चव होती... बसच...<br />
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मग टेन्ट्स लावले... पण अफाट बेभान वारा... सॅक टाकल्या आणि सगळे झोपायच्या मुड मध्ये आले. पण हर्षल ला कढी प्यायची होती आणि गिरीश सरांना चहा. कढी मिळाली पण गर्दी बघुन मी भीतभीतच भास्कर ला विचारले चहा मिळेल का?अगं बाई तुला काय हवेय तू फक्त सांग... पुरवायची जबाबदारी माझी...<br />
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मग आई जवळ थोडं बसावे म्हणुन गेले तर तीनी आधी कान धरला, इतका वेळ कसा लागला म्हणून. मग सगळे सांगितल्यावर म्हणाली नशीब पोचलीस व्यवस्थित ते. रात्री ९ वाजले तरी लोक येत होते. भाकरी करण्याऱ्या मुलीला विचारले तर म्हणाली सकाळपासुन २०० भाकऱ्या मी एकटीनेच केल्या असतील. आई आणि दुसऱ्या मुलीच्या वेगळ्या...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5-gpDwrH50eCWI4G7UXK6SFbbas0KNpPC0mYYWjCADOyMFNId7xPZ__-u6fkN2EzcepfawebO1uamMln2kOi5F26F3foFtx5XnD2_VretDTW2Ck2D82gLzEURYYLfqDUkO251DDqMdk/s1600/IMG_20181216_080313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD5-gpDwrH50eCWI4G7UXK6SFbbas0KNpPC0mYYWjCADOyMFNId7xPZ__-u6fkN2EzcepfawebO1uamMln2kOi5F26F3foFtx5XnD2_VretDTW2Ck2D82gLzEURYYLfqDUkO251DDqMdk/s200/IMG_20181216_080313.jpg" width="200" /></a>सगळे आटोपून आम्ही रात्री ९३० ला एकदाचे अंथरुणात पडलो. रात्रभर वाऱ्यांनी टेन्ट फडफडत होता. शांत अशी झोप झाली नाही.<br />
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सकाळी चिवचिवाटापेक्षा गलक्यानी जाग आली. मला वाटले असेल एखादा ग्रुप पण टेन्ट बाहेर आल्यावर <br />
माझी नजर जिथे जाईल तिथे टेन्ट लावलेले दिसत होते आणि कोकणकडा एखाद्या रेल्वे स्टेशन इतका गजबजला होता. अर्थात तक्रार करून उपयोग नाही. असो.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM9QncI8AwVN_MyD2-A6NRusDHtK7g5CdwEeGmy-dUkzHQpK-g2c72MZS4iWm6Av6JHl77W67xo3sBD77YPmjRwBXyWnJqdY5iUslXLphSe5HZnETTFdVVYqlM-2HYXgDfK6_86StruM/s1600/IMG_20181216_091954884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkM9QncI8AwVN_MyD2-A6NRusDHtK7g5CdwEeGmy-dUkzHQpK-g2c72MZS4iWm6Av6JHl77W67xo3sBD77YPmjRwBXyWnJqdY5iUslXLphSe5HZnETTFdVVYqlM-2HYXgDfK6_86StruM/s320/IMG_20181216_091954884.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PbBfxnPwoHaS6_xkSQvwjaQcbg6YSybnRZuWXROOHwdTjIA7ficvZL8WyuNMt2H3uqN2u_ghGXt70s8KyMu-nNo9XX68nKTY_6fLys6swwnVdhn541nwAoTq9KfqBHMjhn4aZt6IObY/s1600/DSC02988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PbBfxnPwoHaS6_xkSQvwjaQcbg6YSybnRZuWXROOHwdTjIA7ficvZL8WyuNMt2H3uqN2u_ghGXt70s8KyMu-nNo9XX68nKTY_6fLys6swwnVdhn541nwAoTq9KfqBHMjhn4aZt6IObY/s320/DSC02988.JPG" width="320" /></a>मी उठायच्या आधीच भास्कर पाचनईला गेला होता, चहा मग नाश्ता करून, हिशोब करून आई बाबांचा निरोप घेतला आणि आम्ही हरिश्चंद्रेश्वरच्या मंदिराकडे आलो. मी टोब्याला घेऊन थांबले आणि सगळे गुहा बघून आले. मंदिरात मी पाणी भरायला गेले तेव्हा मंदिरामागच्या गुहेत दोन साधु पोथी मोठ्यांदा वाचत होते. सकाळच्या त्या वातावरणांत ते उच्चार मंगल वाटत होते. तिथेच ते ऐकत बसायची इच्छा होती पण वेळे अभावी शक्य नव्हते. बाहेर परत आल्यावर कोणी blue tooth वर तम्मा तम्मा ऐकत होते तर कोणी रामरक्षा लावली होती. मा पामराला या गोष्टी नाही कळत त्यामुळे त्या यात्रेकरूंची मी मनोमन माफी मागितली आणि आणि आम्ही बरोबर १० ला खिरेश्वर च्या रस्त्याला लागलो.<br />
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हा रस्ता तसा जरा सोपाच आहे फक्त थोडा वेळ जास्त लागतो. वाटेत ३/४ ठिकाणी ब्रेक घेत, लिंबू सरबत घेऊन तरतरीत होत आम्ही टोलार खिंडीतून खिरेश्वर गाठले आणि पुण्याच्या रस्त्याला लागलो.<br />
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या पुर्ण ट्रेक मध्ये फिलिप ची टोबीसाठी खुपच मदत झाली. पण एकंदरीत पहाता टोबीला रॉक क्लाइंबिंग च्या ट्रैनिंग ची नितांत गरज आहे तसेच त्याच्या दिव्यांगांमुळे त्याच्या हालचालींना काही बंधने येणार आहेत त्यानुसार प्लांनिंग करून त्याला नेणे योग्य होईल. अन्यथा अपघाताला आमंत्रण दिल्यासारखेच आहे.<br />
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वाटेत जेवण आणि चहा करुन पुण्यात मी घरी पोचले तेव्हा रात्रीचे ८ चे टोले पडत होते.<br />
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इति हरिश्चंद्रगड यात्रा अविघ्नम संपुर्णम! <br />
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Zenith Odysseyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210444565312357123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-90171512775643552032018-04-27T17:41:00.000+05:302018-04-27T18:06:33.415+05:30घर कि मुर्गी दाल बराबर: सिंहगड <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">गाडीवाटेने जाताना दिसणारा सिंहगड </td></tr>
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इतिहासातील एक पुरातन किल्ला सिंहगड <br />
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चविष्ट खेकडा कांदाभजी आणि दही ताक मिळण्याचे ठिकाण सिंहगड <br />
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हिंदुपतपादशाहीतील महत्वाचा किल्ला सिंहगड <br />
Weekend ला फिरायला जाण्याचे ठिकाण सिंहगड <br />
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सिंहगड या वर काय लिहिणार? नेहमी तर जातेस नवीन काय आहे तिथे... <br />
थोडक्यात काय तर घर कि मुर्गी दाल बराबर... पण आहे ना बाबा... बघायला अनुभवायला हि खूप आहे... चविष्ट खेकडा कांदाभजी आणि दही ताक तर आहेच पण दूरवर दिसणारे राजगड तोरणा... हवामान अगदी चांगले असेल तर अगदी तुंग तिकोना, पुरंदर रुद्रमाळ... बाहू स्फुरण पावतील अश्या मावळ्यांच्या शौर्यगाथा... आणि आधुनिक मानवांनी केलेला कचरा, त्यातल्याच काहींची तो साफ करण्यासाठी चाललेली धडपड. हिमालयात निघालेल्यांची फिटनेस साठी चाललेले प्रयत्न. रोज (हल्ली वीकेंडला) गडावर दही ताक विकणाऱ्या मावश्या आणि अजुन खूप काही... <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-67d9nZqf-flS3MXfeOtoQkQ5VwwuQ9zh0AMhROo7W0EOAr4QCmeX_soVXKhsqb8DHqyPjJNe-LGSmDexTvn1k5Z18xyeDdHr1mLVy649rTeQ1K5A9KTJKeCGwMOUFNc5zdAHtR6Q3ko/s1600/IMG_5323+PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1600" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-67d9nZqf-flS3MXfeOtoQkQ5VwwuQ9zh0AMhROo7W0EOAr4QCmeX_soVXKhsqb8DHqyPjJNe-LGSmDexTvn1k5Z18xyeDdHr1mLVy649rTeQ1K5A9KTJKeCGwMOUFNc5zdAHtR6Q3ko/s640/IMG_5323+PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">संध्याकाळी दिसणारे राजगड तोरणा </td></tr>
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कालानुरूप बदलत गेलेली ओळख घेऊन अजूनही ताठ मानेने, दिलदार मनाने सगळ्यांचे स्वागत करतोय हा किल्ला. पुणे शहरापासुन फक्त २५ किलोमीटर वर नैऋत्य दिशेला भुलेश्वर रांगेमधला हा किल्ला किती पुरातन आहे त्याचा अंदाज काही नुसता जाऊन येत नाही. कौंडिण्य ऋषींच्या तप करण्याचे ठिकाण असावे म्हणून कोंढाणा नाव पडले असा कयास. इतिहासातील नोंदी १४व्या शतकापासुनच्या आहेत. इसवी सन १८१८ पर्यंत अनेक हस्तान्तरे पाहिली याने. <br />
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श्री शिव छत्रपतींनी आधी श्री शहाजी राजांच्या सुटके साठी व नंतर इसवी सन १६६५ मध्ये पुरंदरच्या तहामध्ये हा महत्वाचा किल्ला गमावला. आणि इसवी सन १६७० मध्ये श्री तानाजी मालुसऱ्यानी बलिदान देऊन हा किल्ला स्वराज्यात आणला. मधल्या काळात किल्ला औरंगजेब आणि मराठे यांच्यात हस्तांतरीत होत राहिला आणि इसवी सन १७७० मध्ये श्री राजाराम छत्रपतींनी येथेच देह ठेवला. १७०३ मध्ये औरंगजेबाने किल्ला जिंकून नाव ठेवले बक्षींदाबक्ष! पुढे मराठे, मुघल आणि निजाम यांच्या या किल्ल्यावर लढाया होत राहिल्या. १८१८ मध्ये जनरल प्रिझलर ने मराठ्यांकडून हा किल्ला जिंकुन घेतला. ब्रिटिश राज काळात लोकमान्य टिळक व अन्य प्रभृतींनी येथे वास्तव्य केल्याच्या नोंदी आहेत. <br />
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पुण्यात राहणाऱ्यांकडे कोणी पाहुणे आले कि त्यांना ऑथेंटिक मटका दही आणि खेकडा भजी खाऊ घालायला गाडी पुणे खडकवासला गोळेवाडी मार्गे येते सिंहगडावर. गोळेवाडी ते सिंहगड वाहनतळ असा सुमारे ९ किमी चा घाट पार करून आपण वर पोचतो ते खांदकड्याच्या खाली नवीनच बांधलेल्या वाहनतळावर. आजुबाजुला गडकऱ्यांनी बांधलेली झोपडी कम हॉटेल्स आहेत. या घाटात एक वाट खेड शिवापूरच्या जवळ कोंढणपुर ला उतरते. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5D81cGX3kbltDP8ktlXToAdrWV50wP5a_5r_EOXWqj858jJA5abUvN5AO6A3xcUmUApb94jvCs57Vh9DcDTmIyb7dW2ixabk4Rk0vF1nrxU-j-eoFf3FCF9NOGfmgeft1ZDmKsrp39I/s1600/IMG_20180323_183756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1108" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5D81cGX3kbltDP8ktlXToAdrWV50wP5a_5r_EOXWqj858jJA5abUvN5AO6A3xcUmUApb94jvCs57Vh9DcDTmIyb7dW2ixabk4Rk0vF1nrxU-j-eoFf3FCF9NOGfmgeft1ZDmKsrp39I/s320/IMG_20180323_183756.jpg" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">पुणे दरवाजा क्रमांक २</td></tr>
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पाहुणे थोडे उत्साही असतील तर आतकरवाडीतून किल्ला चढत येतात. या वाटेने येताना मध्ये एका मेटावर काळूबाईचे स्थान आहे. हि वाट पोचते पुणे दरवाज्याजवळ असलेल्या पायऱ्यांजवळ. उजवीकडे पायऱ्या आणि पुणे दरवाजा कि डावीकडे वाहनतळ अश्या चक्रात ना पडता आपण आपले ३ दरवाजे ओलांडून वर जायचे. उजवीकडे दिसते ते दारुगोळ्याचे कोठार कि ब्रिटिश कालीन चर्च... आणि डावीकडे खांब असलेली खोदीव गुहा जी कदाचित पागा म्हणुन वापरली गेली असावी. आपण आपले पदपथावरून चालत राहायचे मग एक वाट डावीकडे वळते तिकडे जायचे. मग चालू होते गडाच्या कड्यावरून जी वाट - पूर्वी अत्यंत बिकट असावी असा मनात विचार सुद्धा येणार नाही अशी बांधलेली आणि कोणी खाली पडू नये म्हणून कठड्यानी सजवलेली. या कड्यावरून खाली कल्याण, कोंढणपूर गावे आणि उजवीकडे गडाच्या पोटात असलेला कल्याण दरवाजा. मान ताठ केली तर समोर राजगड आणि तशीच उजवीकडे नजर वळवली कि तोरणा... तसा हे किल्ले ओळखायला फार अभ्यास करावा लागत नाही. असच डावी कडे पाहिले कि दूरदर्शन चा मनोरा. आता उजवी वळायचे आणि चालू पडायचे. थोडे अंतर गेल्यावर एक वाट डावीकडे खाली उतरते आणि जाते कल्याण दरवाजाकडे. एकापाठोपाठ एक अशी रचना आहे. वाट पुढे कोंढणपुरला जाते हे लक्षात ठेवायचे आणि आणि गुमान मागे फिरायचे. दरवाज्यावर एक कोरीव हत्ती दिसतो, एक देवनागरी शिलालेख आहे. <br />
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थोडे वर येऊन, आलो त्याच्या विरुद्ध दिशेला म्हणजे मावळतीला चालु पडायचे. इथे दिसतो तो झुंजार बुरुज. आणि खाली असलेले कळकी मेट. इथे देखील एक दिंडी आहे. करायची थोडी शोधाशोध, सापडते लगेच. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZnP02I7VRtjVzQkrfqMw9ZzErVhuoQback3BEfu0qEmoN4mGc2tAfHevYtaZZnxtA1wjrDToF9tGNN4To_azXp0ZULhdq8SHQ4-5fFlSHCJUhCnDsyKFAqbt3s69ez1df9QgGpvscJI/s1600/Image0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZnP02I7VRtjVzQkrfqMw9ZzErVhuoQback3BEfu0qEmoN4mGc2tAfHevYtaZZnxtA1wjrDToF9tGNN4To_azXp0ZULhdq8SHQ4-5fFlSHCJUhCnDsyKFAqbt3s69ez1df9QgGpvscJI/s200/Image0104.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">खेकडा भजी </td></tr>
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इथून पुढे चालु लागलो कि तटबंदी वरून जाणारी उंच सखल वाट घेऊन जाते विंडपॉइंट उर्फ तानाजी कडा उर्फ डोणागिरीच्या कड्यावर. तानाजीराव इथुनच रात्रीच्या अंधारात चढुन आले होते स्वतःचा जीव पणाला लाऊन एक वेडे स्वप्न पुरे करायला. आपल्याला काय त्याचे! आपण आपली पिकनिक चालु ठेवायची आणि विंडपॉइंट चा वारा खाऊन आणि सरबत पियुन पुढे निघायचे. कलावंतिणीच्या बुरुजाजवळ म. रा. प. वि. मं. ने एक प्रेक्षागृह आणि काहीबाही बांधले आहे. त्या कडे फार लक्ष ना देता पुढे बंगले दिसतात तिकडे जायचे. अचानक एक रस्ता डावीकडे उंचावर जायला लागतो, जायचे ना मग तिकडेच. श्री कोंढाणेश्वराचे मंदिर, किल्ल्यावरील सर्वात उंच पॉईंट - किल्लेदाराचा वाडा आणि पुढे तानाजीरावांचे स्मारक वगैरे बघुन आपण पोचतो ते एका पठारावर. इथे बरीच हॉटेल्स आहेत, आपण आपली पिठले भाकरी ओरपायची आणि पाणी कुठून आले असेल याचा विचार न करता हल्ली ऊन खूपच आहे असे म्हणत पडी घ्यायची. फारच उत्सुकता वाटली तर १२ महिने २४ तास अविरत पाणी पुरवणारे देवटाके बघुन घ्यायचे.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OHb9BvQJPAmRbM7Qz5DjVBJ4Y5rhWmRL9-yXr6B7PLDgaTeWZbwLeek4tg7Ekjz46Z6yXIG1v_qnmpzpCyHGGhyphenhyphenVb5XUFYg3i9Xon9USLPWNcLwimUyzynshJTWrZxyQkUBmV9k7RIo/s1600/Image0205+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="998" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OHb9BvQJPAmRbM7Qz5DjVBJ4Y5rhWmRL9-yXr6B7PLDgaTeWZbwLeek4tg7Ekjz46Z6yXIG1v_qnmpzpCyHGGhyphenhyphenVb5XUFYg3i9Xon9USLPWNcLwimUyzynshJTWrZxyQkUBmV9k7RIo/s320/Image0205+A.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">तानाजी मालुसरे स्मारक </td></tr>
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तानाजी स्मारक समितीने काही काळापूर्वी या स्मारकाची निर्मिती केली. हरसाल माघ वद्य नवमी ला येथे स्मृती समारंभ केला जातो. याच्या जवळच तानाजीच्या विरुद्ध लढणाऱ्या मुगल अधिकारी उदेभानु चे देखील स्मारक आहे. <br />
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आलो त्याच चढणीवरून परत फिरलो कि डाव्या हाताला खाली श्री राजाराम छत्रपतींची समाधी बघायची. तिथल्या टाक्यांमधली घाण कुणी तरी मुर्खाने केली म्हणून त्याला नाव ठेवायची, आपल्या हातातली संपलेली पाण्याची बाटली पण तिथेच टाकायची आणि आणि पुढे चालू पडायचे. <br />
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पुढे अचानक काही जुन्या प्रकारचे बैठे बंगले दिसतात. यातील एक आहे लोकमान्य टिळकांचा. अरेच्या! असेल काही तरी असं म्हणायचे आणि पुढे निघायचे. <br />
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इथून एक वाट पुढे जाऊन पुणे दरवाजा क्रमांक ३ जवळ पोचते, त्या आधी तिथे डावीकडे शौचालये आहेत. फार अपेक्षा ना ठेवता जर गरज असेल तर लाभार्थींनी लाभ घ्यायचा. डावीकडे अफाट पसरलेलं पुणे शहर दिसते. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK76aY5jm39TXLsxKtXmR1pI9W1CHht2VWWx79gLfOsm1EDRP-UIhvBTkYJUflIUIVBUHcjq4-G0ESx1YtY3pT1CDqosRLoq3UDmfZYNXXP0XgBCEZEMjWQerW9LqwMzig3lXuyR5IW-s/s1600/Image0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK76aY5jm39TXLsxKtXmR1pI9W1CHht2VWWx79gLfOsm1EDRP-UIhvBTkYJUflIUIVBUHcjq4-G0ESx1YtY3pT1CDqosRLoq3UDmfZYNXXP0XgBCEZEMjWQerW9LqwMzig3lXuyR5IW-s/s320/Image0107.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">पिठले भाकरी </td></tr>
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पूर्वापार चालत आलेल्या पद्धती नुसार आसपासचे गावकरी अजूनही दूध दही घेऊन विकायला येतात. जागोजागी विक्रय चालू असतो. संक्रांतीची सुगडी असतात तश्या मातीच्या छोट्या मडक्यांमध्ये हे दही लावलेले असते. गडावर बरेच जण पिठले भाकरी वगैरे बनवून देतात. बड्या हॉटेल्स मध्ये वाद न घालता असेल त्या किमतीत छटाक भर भाजी घेणारे इथे मात्र एक भाकरी आणि पिठले याचे ५० रुपये जास्त आहेत असा वाद घालताना नक्की दिसतील. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNhafqWCJexQkDeSgZwZweUQU5tF0PMCvxMJnyu8wqJGP6Ll8NF_vo3cwlmGXtm3hs0yS6piZdkQVDGYkciZ0zRbo6xLJ1oOqqu3mYMerYYV3LxN_QRBA_mhMOc7MMCK_HljAG53Lh1M/s1600/Image0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNhafqWCJexQkDeSgZwZweUQU5tF0PMCvxMJnyu8wqJGP6Ll8NF_vo3cwlmGXtm3hs0yS6piZdkQVDGYkciZ0zRbo6xLJ1oOqqu3mYMerYYV3LxN_QRBA_mhMOc7MMCK_HljAG53Lh1M/s320/Image0103.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">मटका दही</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
तर इतिहासातील एक जीर्ण झालेले सोनेरी पान वगैरे काही विचार ना करता, स्वातंत्र्य, स्वराज्य वगैरे गोष्टींचा फार लोड ना घेता आपण आपले घरी परत निघायचे. <br />
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चढून आणि गडफेरी करून थकला असाल आणि गाडी नाही तरी फिकर नॉट. वाहनतळावर खाली जाणाऱ्या जीप / वडाप मिळून जातील फक्त योग्य तो मोबदला द्यावा हि त्यांची अपेक्षा. <br />
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गडावर एक तोफ आहे, पण हा उल्लेख सोडून इतर माहिती टाळली आहे कारण बरेच जण फोटोशूट साठी प्रॉप म्हणुन त्याचा वापर करतात. आणि बघायची असेल तर शोधा कि जरा स्वतःची स्वतः! <br />
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आतकरवाडी मधुन एक वाट डोंगराच्या पोटात जाते, तिथे बरेच पक्षी दिसतात, त्यामुळे बरीच "पुण्य"वान मंडळी तेथे पक्षी निरीक्षणासाठी जातात. <br />
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खुप जण फिटनेस साठी, हिमालय मोहिमांच्या पुर्वतयारी साठी नियमित येत असतात. कात्रज ते सिंहगड (K2S) हा एक लोकप्रिय ट्रेक आहे तसेच सिंहगड पुण्याजवळ असल्यामुळे व कमी कष्टात गडमाथ्यापर्यंत पोहोचण्याच्या सोयीमुळे खूप वर्दळ असते त्यामुळे अतिशय कचरा होतो. कुठल्याही दुर्गम ठिकाणी पाळण्याचे नियम पाळले तर सहल / गिरिभ्रमण / गिर्यारोहण उर्फ ट्रेक सगळ्यांसाठीच सुखावह होऊ शकतो. निम्नोक्त काही नियम आहेत ते पाळणे गरजेचे आहे जेणे करून आपला हा जैवविविध्याचा आणि ऐतिहासिक वारसा पुढील पिढयांना सुद्धा अनुभवता येईल.<br />
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Gypsy Princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327973143430793000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-69369778424899368472016-01-20T15:56:00.000+05:302016-01-20T16:27:32.583+05:30Raireshwar Part 2 - January 3, 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://thegypsyprincessofindia.blogspot.in/2016/01/Ulhasvalley.html" target="_blank">On the New Year’s Day, I reached home at about 2245</a>. After
reaching home I got busy with cleaning and unpacking my backpack. Before going
to bed I checked my phone. <a href="http://beingwedapashi.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Prasad </a>informed that we could go to <a href="http://thegypsyprincessofindia.blogspot.in/2016/01/raireshwarpart1.html" target="_blank">Raireshwar </a>next
day. I slept like a baby that night. In less than 24 hours, I was to go for
another exciting trek. </div>
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During the day, I shopped for food and packed again. <a href="http://sagarsatishmehta.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Sagar</a> came to pick me at 2000. At about 2045 we took a tea break near Khed Shivapur
Toll Naka while waiting for Prasad. </div>
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At Bhor, we took another break and then zoomed off to
Raireshwar. The road was still the same!</div>
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Once at the Raireshwar Plateau, we decided not to disturb
the civilization and pitched the tents midway near a waterhole. </div>
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It was exact 0030 when we pitched the tent and started
cooking maggi as midnight meal. Hot
soupy maggi! Yummy!! I had not even entered the sleeping bag and Prasad was
already snoring. His snores made me feel safe in the wilderness. </div>
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At 600 Sagar was already up and was trying to wake up Prasad
and me. After a lot of efforts, I managed my way out of tent at about 645. We
quickly wound up the camp and headed to <a href="http://journaldewanderer.blogspot.in/2012/09/raireshwar-stay-eat.html" target="_blank">Mama’s </a>place. Mami again cooked Pohe
and tea for us, and at 830 we were out in pursuit of Nakhind. </div>
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This time two doggies started following us. And later i.e.
while drafting this blog I realized that one of them was our companion last
time. </div>
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Sagar was leading; Prasad had put on GPS tracking for us. All
I had to do was to enjoy the beauty of Sahyadri and click photos. </div>
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We walked on and on… This time it wasn’t much difficult.
There were no fog, no clouds and the Karvi was drying fast. It made our route
much simpler than last time. </div>
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Like previous time, this time as well, we were carrying
enough food and water for three of us. We were well equipped I would say. </div>
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Koleshwar Plateau on opposite side of valley looked
gorgeous. Now, we moved ahead and some
trails were available. Kenjalgad and Kamalgad were very easily visible. </div>
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It was 1130, when Sagar showed us a mile stone, It read Nakhind 7
kms. It felt like an achievement then. We decided to take a quick break. And
suddenly, Sagar pointed behind me. I was extremely happy to see my second home
– Rajgad. Then Torna, then Prasad pointed towards Raigad, the Varandha ghat
section, Mohangad, Mangalgad… OMG. That place was just awesome. We rushed
towards another end of plateau to have a better look. Kudali village could be
seen. Prasad has great hold of Geography. </div>
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At 1230 we were near a waterhole, so decided to take a quick
pitstop to refill our bottles and eat Thalipith. </div>
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The day went on so did we. At about 1300, we reached near an
end of the plateau and Nakhind was visible. But the trail was missing. There was a dried waterfall which was surrounded
by a forest. We decided to climb up the waterfall and we entered the forest.
This was a thick forest and this time it was not karvy. At places we had to
crawl below trees. The trees had inch long thorns. I suggested Prasad to climb
up a tree and check where we needed to head. He tried that twice. The first
tree wasn’t much tall but second tree that we found later was much taller. He
said we needed to head towards left towards a hillock and he also estimated
that we would take about 30 minutes. And in exact 30 minutes we were on that
hillock. There was a light trail heading towards Nakhind’s GPS position. </div>
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We followed this trail and which led us to another side of
the cliff we had encountered before entering the forest. We had lost a lot of
energy and time fighting that forest. Hence, we decided to have lunch and
return from this point as time was already 1515. Starting the return hike in
about half hour would have awarded us enough daylight time to get back to the right
trail and yet it would have been dark to reach Mama’s place. </div>
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Lunch consisted of boiled eggs, bread, butter, jam etc. We
rested for few minutes and started the return hike. In between Prasad kept
tracking our GPS location. It was close to 1700 when we reached near the
waterhole where we had our break earlier that day. We did not have to encounter
the forest on our way back, so it was much comfortable walk. </div>
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Near the sunset, we came across a man who was tending his
cattle. Now the trail was available and it wasn’t much difficult but we had to
develop our “nightvision”. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHhK_HfUZsNI4Fxw0hvWdLeaGu_5Mrok06VVl39vNpVdaDqPIu-awcomMfQBQQJ0iPqmG0DqVpniiWGlQEigxme7q6e-1_38V6nqvAtE-4Ls8Ju75c6wC2oHA_rjSC6L2wYRG_wUZPVU/s1600/IMG_20160103_170543994_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLHhK_HfUZsNI4Fxw0hvWdLeaGu_5Mrok06VVl39vNpVdaDqPIu-awcomMfQBQQJ0iPqmG0DqVpniiWGlQEigxme7q6e-1_38V6nqvAtE-4Ls8Ju75c6wC2oHA_rjSC6L2wYRG_wUZPVU/s320/IMG_20160103_170543994_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a>At 1900, we were close to civilization yet decided to take a
break. Sagar informed mama that we were on our way back. We fed biscuits to the
dogs and had oranges for ourselves. Hats off to both the dogs! They both had
walked entire distance with us plus more when they ran around chasing preys. </div>
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It was around 1945 when we reached mama’s house. Mama was
insisting that we should have dinner, but riding post dinner would have meant a
sleepy ride so we asked of Limewater which was very refreshing. </div>
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After having dinner at a hotel on NH4, we returned to Pune
at 0030. </div>
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Shraddha Mehtahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054560609736871111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-88486624145328367652016-01-12T18:59:00.000+05:302016-01-12T18:59:16.869+05:30Kokandiva May 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On 29 May 2015, I returned from <a href="http://thegypsyprincessofindia.blogspot.in/2015/06/ghnp2015.html" target="_blank">Great Himalayan NationalPark</a> and had no plans for the weekend. So, I was half sleepy when Sagar
messaged asking how my Himalayan trek had been. The discussion went on and I
asked him what he was upto that weekend. He said he was planning to go to
Kokandiva overnight. </div>
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Kokandiva had been a failed plan for long, I asked him if I
could tag along. He said, “Are you sure? It is not even 24 hours that you have
returned.” I was absolutely sure about visiting Sahyadri right away. </div>
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I had to unpack and repack. Got some food and we were on our
way at 5 PM. After a brief tea break near Panshet, we rode towards Ghol. Just
before Ghol, a small dusty path leads us to Garjaiwadi. The condition of that
road was so bad that we parked the bike midway and walked towards Garjaiwadi. It
was dark, the dogs started barking when we entered the village. Sagar went to a
house and handed over our riding gear. </div>
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After almost an hour, we were on a plateau. We rested here
for some time and tried to spot the villages in the valley. Now the final
climb! It was steep, real steep. It took another hour for us to reach the top. After
reaching the cave, we made some maggi with eggs and cheese at 0000 and slept
off. </div>
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When I woke up, Sagar was already up and was basking in
rising sunlight. I seriously wanted to sleep for more time. Luckily, he was ok
with it. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK3bapCa-T4fc-xy66tFoDO-qp9dRRszSbFdlMWMk24aiKtD-6rxUC4W7s47lYXEwI4Yf68MZli1pvRncnU2-nMkiR-9Bwp-a2IsEv5tnSX6dP83UmuIlQuKy69mgSBjZ6lQFMRgE5nk/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK3bapCa-T4fc-xy66tFoDO-qp9dRRszSbFdlMWMk24aiKtD-6rxUC4W7s47lYXEwI4Yf68MZli1pvRncnU2-nMkiR-9Bwp-a2IsEv5tnSX6dP83UmuIlQuKy69mgSBjZ6lQFMRgE5nk/s320/IMG_0187.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Fort doesn’t have many ruins as such. Just some water
cisterns and a cave where we had camped in night. So, after I got up, I made
some coffee and went to the hill top. Seeing Raigad from a height was treat to
the eyes, especially since one could identify the mountain top from with
details on it like Jagadishwar Temple. Beautiful site of Lingana was cherry on
the cake. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_qfLT9sgZ1PqGZbqBpXKR9FeE4A1q54vTbou5an-L25uh2ORX3hpxpYN4ImgT1wjOw9UsTp4pBNx0qimr7v7pWubBaP69H4PYzmEt8sEJ32zXgcDiQ8nyLhyphenhyphenECPDqa2hrwoxrIws2Uk/s1600/IMG_20150531_120109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_qfLT9sgZ1PqGZbqBpXKR9FeE4A1q54vTbou5an-L25uh2ORX3hpxpYN4ImgT1wjOw9UsTp4pBNx0qimr7v7pWubBaP69H4PYzmEt8sEJ32zXgcDiQ8nyLhyphenhyphenECPDqa2hrwoxrIws2Uk/s320/IMG_20150531_120109.jpg" width="240" /></a>At about 10, we returned to the cave and I thought of making
some egg burji only to realize that in the chaos of packing and unpacking I had
forgotten to get oil or butter. So, I mixed some garlic chutney and cheese and
made bhurji sans oil. Meantime, Sagar played some Marathi song on the mobile. </div>
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After brunch, it was coffee time and a Marathi song “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky0osqfJPDE" target="_blank">Yajanmavar, ya jaganyawar shatada prem karave</a>”… (Literally translates to: One
could love this birth, this life hundreds of times) I could give my entire life
for such moments! </div>
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We wound the camp and started descending at 1130. The jungle
was now visible. The shrubs were bearing Karawande (wild berries), we ate and
ate, filled all our pockets. </div>
<br />
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On the way, we came across the temple which we had missed in
the night. The path from here is a plain jungle trail to Garjaiwadi. We picked
up our riding gear and headed back to Pune. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNytD0D5PkkpmTitMeUBXNhdiGNC_bt83ukwrBLx5-wX-X838piv2ApQbIbZmtEkyrxoFjRnESb8Er1aoIfoz1ODHeWvXnWkx83viuZwmYrWwIcRPm9bA9VJzMV59Mq0QZJyq80BER7Y/s1600/IMG_20150531_132832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNytD0D5PkkpmTitMeUBXNhdiGNC_bt83ukwrBLx5-wX-X838piv2ApQbIbZmtEkyrxoFjRnESb8Er1aoIfoz1ODHeWvXnWkx83viuZwmYrWwIcRPm9bA9VJzMV59Mq0QZJyq80BER7Y/s320/IMG_20150531_132832.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Photo & Content Copyright : theGypsyPrincess.Com (2015)</div>
</div>
Shraddha Mehtahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054560609736871111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-18620212508218790822016-01-10T21:03:00.000+05:302016-01-10T21:03:48.375+05:30Ulhas Valley January 1, 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMV_hnJDhgImWliOwdVsfz4ArrgDfZyzeElgl0FIz4FEAAhRrjgQfWRCyNM13op3ZiPMC9gzrBpGJBoveC2eAr25fiSOLRQnFE9PbKzNLC0_KNNM23g2Gj4pJD29y39JBcYgzj7RNeXU/s1600/P_20160101_070644_PN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMV_hnJDhgImWliOwdVsfz4ArrgDfZyzeElgl0FIz4FEAAhRrjgQfWRCyNM13op3ZiPMC9gzrBpGJBoveC2eAr25fiSOLRQnFE9PbKzNLC0_KNNM23g2Gj4pJD29y39JBcYgzj7RNeXU/s640/P_20160101_070644_PN.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was 3 PM of 31 December 2015 and it seemed like I will be
welcoming the New Year in most traditional (boring) way. I was trying to convince (in vain) my mom to
go somewhere… She didn’t want climb even the smallest hill nearby, nor she
wanted to camp in a tent! </div>
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At about 1615, I saw some conversation between Prasad &
Sagar which mentioned camping at Visapur and trek to Umberkhind or Ulhas Valley
on New Year’s day. Like most of the times, this was a last minute plan. I asked
my mom for permission to go. (Not that I am stopped anytime, but it is always
better to follow the process.) </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So at 1630, I informed Prasad that I would be joining his
band. He told me to report at Pune Railway Station by 1845 and we would take
1905 local to Lonavala. Activa had a flat tyre so I knew I had to depend on
public transport. That meant I had less than an hour to prepare and leave. </div>
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As such, packing my backpack for a trek is part of my skill
set now yet it is a time consuming process. Process of elimination of necessities
is the tricky part. Prasad had mentioned that we would be 5 heads trekking next
day that meant carrying additional food. (Going by my previous experience, any
amount of food carried is less on the trek. The more the merrier) </div>
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Finally with all the preparations done, mom dropped me off
at the nearest junction from where I got a shared auto to Swarget. Looking at
the watch, I knew I would miss the local train if I would stick to the plan of
going to Pune Railway Station, hence I called Prasad and informed him that I
would be boarding the train next suburban station Shivaji Nagar and he advised
that if I missed this train then I could catch next train as well and reach
Lonavala. </div>
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With all the game, I managed to reach Shivaji Nagar Railway
Station in time and boarded the train. Looking at my backpack people were
staring at me as if an alien has boarded the train. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prasad and his gang from Pune were in the same coach yet it
took few stations for me to locate them. Finally train reached Lonavala and we
headed towards a hotel for dinner. At about 2030, the guys from Mumbai informed
that they were still at Andheri as the bus hadn’t arrived. Prasad suggested
them to stay back and arrive next morning. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_UtIFNOUJFnwWAINpPHhAy93GLENNeH0hrlmQ1QJ7ozhCV4Mq3VaIsYuS5NkhD34kVVErpyejeySe_vFQZWA4Lb4piRMA98HKSsI3DjKgvtBpyA_98stMioMrBKPB78jcys5tDvVvso/s1600/P_20160101_070752_DF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_UtIFNOUJFnwWAINpPHhAy93GLENNeH0hrlmQ1QJ7ozhCV4Mq3VaIsYuS5NkhD34kVVErpyejeySe_vFQZWA4Lb4piRMA98HKSsI3DjKgvtBpyA_98stMioMrBKPB78jcys5tDvVvso/s320/P_20160101_070752_DF.jpg" width="240" /></a>Meantime, Sagar was mentioning about going to Raireshwar
again next day. I had a feeling of being torn in 2 plans. It was like I wanted
to step on both the stones simultaneously. Prasad as well was enthusiastic about
Raireshwar. So he convinced Sagar to postpone the Raireshwar plan for some
other day. </div>
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We had dinner and started going back to the station when
Mehul called Prasad to inform that they had boarded the bus. Sujan and Prasad
went looking for Maggi for midnight snacks and I and Shalini purchased the
tickets to Malavali, the base village to Visapur.</div>
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We boarded the train at 2205 at Lonavala, got down at
Malavali and started walking towards Bhaje village. Mehul again called and
informed that the bus had reached Panvel. At this point, we decided to stay put
near Bhaje Caves till these guys arrived and then to trek ahead later in night.
The plan to watch crackers as part of New Year celebrations had doomed already.
While, three of us, Sujan, Shalini and I stay put at the Caves, Prasad tried to
look for the trail going further to Visapur in vain. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPZbMWZ_IMZ8-XZK_NIDV45UdxrV9XTSLu3kMsr56PCuO8PTX1BLtrPMIBGiDvjcZampz8Pzoezlt8sb1RfZG2dovcTMEpYWWU-PKh2wFxq7zO87zRXSKk8XJCmbYUmZj4s2LD6-LmF0/s1600/PicsArt_01-02-12.08.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPZbMWZ_IMZ8-XZK_NIDV45UdxrV9XTSLu3kMsr56PCuO8PTX1BLtrPMIBGiDvjcZampz8Pzoezlt8sb1RfZG2dovcTMEpYWWU-PKh2wFxq7zO87zRXSKk8XJCmbYUmZj4s2LD6-LmF0/s320/PicsArt_01-02-12.08.21.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
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The midnight came and we could see a lot of crackers from
the caves. At about 130, Mehul, Akash and Sonam came. After a brief
introduction round, we decided to sleep where were. <br />
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Prasad and band sat chatting for a while and I chose to
snore.</div>
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Next morning, we headed back to Malavali Station. I checked
the train time, we had to wait for good one hour before next train and Sujan
and Shalini had a train in about half an hour so, instead of wasting our time We
had breakfast and completed morning chores at station. </div>
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After reaching Lonavala, we purchased some chikki and
buttermilk and took auto to Kamat Hotel. Some 5 years ago, I had been to Ulhas
valley with my guru Ajit Ranade and few other friends. I missed them terribly. </div>
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It was 1115 when we started our descent from Shooting Point
at Khandala. The descent is gradual and involves one or two tricky rock
patches. At a patch, we used the 5 mm chord to emotionally aid the new bees. Prasad
and I were laughing at us but it was important in order to encourage them. </div>
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Somewhere on the descent, Jill (read me) came tumbling down,
bruised both hands and developed a small bump on crown. Team came to check if I
was ok. I felt ok too. Rest of the descent was otherwise uneventful. After 2
hours we reached the base of the valley and before we would start traverse, we
settled down and had lunch. </div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFALdBxfbcvkH0g9dHJ9Kwz2B-GYQDrtsygiD8V7fkc9b6Z4BCooRX-_PsQGX91_T03Y7dkkM4kxXyOzKRWn3hXLZKB58fNJ5AiZBR9slfCSPrzrucyAJ6EBXOOYaZTdWWc6eyT3W-Qn8/s1600/PicsArt_01-02-09.05.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFALdBxfbcvkH0g9dHJ9Kwz2B-GYQDrtsygiD8V7fkc9b6Z4BCooRX-_PsQGX91_T03Y7dkkM4kxXyOzKRWn3hXLZKB58fNJ5AiZBR9slfCSPrzrucyAJ6EBXOOYaZTdWWc6eyT3W-Qn8/s320/PicsArt_01-02-09.05.12.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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After that small accident, Prasad had already taken my heavy
bag and I was carrying his lighter bag. This bag became lighter now. </div>
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We started the traverse and the most exciting part of this
trek began. We had to cross the stream at times. We had started late that meant
we had lost a major time of day light hence marching in speed was crucial yet
safety couldn’t be compromised. </div>
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At several locations I noticed stones which looked like
deliberately positioned. I would accept that as trail mark. So we were on right
path. After some time we had to negotiate a small easy rock patch and commit to
the stream again. After this point, I decided to position cairns for ourselves
too. It also helped me rest before these guys would catch up. </div>
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It was 1530 when we reached base of monkey hill. The horns
of Railways passing kept us the company all day. Apart from the rubbish thrown
down the valley; that was only sign of civilization nearby. </div>
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We took few breaks in between for buttermilk and chikki. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZFauIOf7HfFcrlPlJahwPAmiIzY9OzNhoBV8SAtpxeraJ6YRp89gepZ9oKZSdPo9Nh3r0qa1OxIkFryEOitV4wDURpaqkXyynHbE_9OS47El5yqvP3Nd4aj5qdV1wiU_qpYPFDM6Pss/s1600/PicsArt_01-02-09.01.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZFauIOf7HfFcrlPlJahwPAmiIzY9OzNhoBV8SAtpxeraJ6YRp89gepZ9oKZSdPo9Nh3r0qa1OxIkFryEOitV4wDURpaqkXyynHbE_9OS47El5yqvP3Nd4aj5qdV1wiU_qpYPFDM6Pss/s320/PicsArt_01-02-09.01.30.jpg" width="240" /></a>Prasad said one stream comes from Kataldhar and joins Ulhas
Valley. Post which there is village Mundhewadi, then Kondana from where we may
get some vehicle towards Karjat. It was near this stream we got into the
jungles drifted from main stream of Ulhas River as it had become deep and
speedy. We crossed that stream and now Rajmachi was visible on our Right Side. Now
the forests looked pristine. The water was not clean anywhere and was
contaminated with sewage right from the beginning of trail. </div>
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This point forth, the trail was not clear and there were
several misleading cattle trails around. Establishing trail marks like cairns
made more sense here. Mehul kept checking our GPS location on his phone. </div>
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At a point, we saw few buffaloes in river, which was a sign
of civilization nearby. Time was 1600. Prasad
said we would need another 2 hours to reach Kondane. Sonam looked tired. Hats
off to this girl for not giving up anytime. A well trodden trail led us from here. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRECY-pJ5qVuH-IQinTK8COVenyqIa0FEAVsNELEFzQRYGcbPjFxuS1PERhWT6-RnSSKNDotiALv_MizaER4FaFdMBK72V0r1kPBxXqikf9svUIpEOWyo1r1g1p8PfaTnjwqlGtrEsMzU/s1600/IMG_20160101_175048693_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRECY-pJ5qVuH-IQinTK8COVenyqIa0FEAVsNELEFzQRYGcbPjFxuS1PERhWT6-RnSSKNDotiALv_MizaER4FaFdMBK72V0r1kPBxXqikf9svUIpEOWyo1r1g1p8PfaTnjwqlGtrEsMzU/s320/IMG_20160101_175048693_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometime passed and we came across few cattle like animals
on the trail we were on. The debate is still on if they were bison! Prasad was
leading the One of these charged against him. We retreated immediately, and
took another trail which we had ignored earlier. </div>
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It was about 1830 when we saw some lights and as expected it
gave us more energy to walk further. So finally we reached had reached
Mundhewadi and now it was regular route to Kondane. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At Kondane, we got a dugdug to Karjat. Once back in the civilization, we all broke loose
and had ice cream. I took a train back
to Pune. </div>
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A New Year’s day was well spent in the lap of Sahyadri which
also added more plans for the year. </div>
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Photo & Content Copyright : theGypsyPrincess.Com (2015)</div>
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Shraddha Mehtahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054560609736871111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-58898194710401462772016-01-09T18:03:00.000+05:302016-01-09T22:15:37.806+05:30Solo Ride and Trek to Ghanagad & Tail Bail 5 December 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFpSjCgfgQlhQ7O_cdeoB1hrx_OWUpZO6HB6swxMxGZTvJIsUoInMyOOoVfoDXxvtzzgjuhpV0dp-uA4_a3oXz3dQ5c-8smCRgi_Fj31_DXpSEdRAisNwyV6CAagIJbASMlQ-fLKiK-Q/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFpSjCgfgQlhQ7O_cdeoB1hrx_OWUpZO6HB6swxMxGZTvJIsUoInMyOOoVfoDXxvtzzgjuhpV0dp-uA4_a3oXz3dQ5c-8smCRgi_Fj31_DXpSEdRAisNwyV6CAagIJbASMlQ-fLKiK-Q/s400/IMG_0095.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gypsy Activa on the Tracks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After Morgiri, I felt the need to visit Ghanagad and
Tailbail. I needed timeout from my stress too. I wanted to spend some time
alone as well. Travelling & Trekking solo is always a liberating
experience. You tend to become more cautious and careful. Being single also
adds a sense of responsibility towards yourself. </div>
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During preparation for a solo ride, Firstly, I created a
note which had numbers of people who could assist if anything goes wrong whilst
on hike, along with numbers of a bike mechanic, a truck driver and a local
family who stays near Ghanagad. I also made another copy of this note and stuck
it under Activa seat in a plastic bag. <br />
<br />
As usual on the night before the trek, I photographed the pages from our Trekking Bibles.<br />
(Dongaryatra & Dongaryatret pahilelya Durgavastu, both books by Shri. Anand Palande Sir.) </div>
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My survival kit contains of Stun gun along with other things
like chords, Swiss knife etc. This stun gun looks like a lip stick and is
capable of putting even a sloth bear under a state of shock for some (good) 30
minutes. </div>
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Per Google Maps, the distance from my home to Ekole, the base
of Ghanagad was 84 kms, another 10 to Tailbail and return would have been 103, Thus
totaling roughly 200 kms. Considering Activa’s day to day average, 5 ltrs would
have been enough. Activa Fuel Tank was filled to capacity (6ltrs) and I also carried
another 3 ltrs in a canister. I listed the
villages sequentially and made 2 copies of it. I handed over one copy to mom along
with the emergency contact grid. </div>
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Additionally, I also carried a puncture repair kit and a small
hand pump just in case. The basic tool kit provided by Honda is always part of my
riding kit. (Out of love for bikes, I had done a certificate course of bike
maintenance few years ago.) The riding gear consisted of jacket, helmet and
gloves. </div>
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Like a routine trek, I packed ample of food, some 4 ltrs of
water and 1 ltr of canned juices and buttermilk. </div>
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I rode off on my Honda Activa on early morning of 5 December 2015. And before I started I informed mom that if I don’t call her by 7 PM, she
may trigger the rescue process. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timed Selfie at Independence Point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Be it any vehicle, the early morning rides are always
pleasant. Since it was Saturday, I wasn’t expecting many people on the trails. From
Nive, I took the road heading to Pimpry Village and made my first pit stop at Independence
point. This place offers splendid view of Kundalika Valley and Pinnacles
Kundalika and Navaji. </div>
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From here I made my way straight to Ekole without any
further stops. Time was already 1015 when I reached base of Ghanagad. It was clear indication that I had not
only started late but also that I had rode slowly. The road post Nive is almost
nonexistent, so delay was obvious. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Ghanagad Base</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Knowing that Ghanagad isn’t a long trail I was not
much alarmed. I left the riding gear in Activa bootspace and started the hike. In
no time, I reached Garjai Temple. Took a small photo break and continued. It
took me about 25 mins to reach the caves. Here, I sat for minutes and drank
some water and hiked further on the ladder. Ghanagad is the only fort where I have
come across a well built toilet. Thanks to Shivaji Trail. </div>
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I was eager to go to the top as I wanted to see Tailbail
from the closest distance. After a brief photo session, I came back to the
caves. Sat and consumed a sandwich and some juice. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsWl3YpzsH-jqnYhKgYkzxec63h3lEAjKPJoenVXZroLk0oVqLVxyX3wLqovwPF6EUhL4NrVZhWCX4Ntk9wVplZLpbM7CAQQhbAJ91kiDYRG39Pi-hXYb5qkPDi7XNIUTt_GaUp_hQi8/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsWl3YpzsH-jqnYhKgYkzxec63h3lEAjKPJoenVXZroLk0oVqLVxyX3wLqovwPF6EUhL4NrVZhWCX4Ntk9wVplZLpbM7CAQQhbAJ91kiDYRG39Pi-hXYb5qkPDi7XNIUTt_GaUp_hQi8/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water Cistern at Ghanagad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was about 1300 when I started walking down and hike was
real short! I geared up again for the ride and zoomed off to Tailbail. Google
maps had been pretty accurate with distances as the distance from my home to
Ekole to Bhambarde had worked out 89 kms as suggested.<br />
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The road to Tailbail is much better and in no time I was at
Tailbail. I parked Activa in shadow of a big tree and asked an elderly man for directions.
He was very precise and also asked if I was there to join another group which was
already climbing there. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipl0o1svA_1Ghh_te9r4bsZ4Z8kJgfAIcnGQbN1EMXEehnnwRmDF3-alUvsQxNorlsENjUXcdOOIvJZjQNBrD9PjSlt-6wGXpde2BoerUEIQG7tD2nE36-k4Lsr2XbmCyqbm8AKUD0_Ro/s1600/IMG_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipl0o1svA_1Ghh_te9r4bsZ4Z8kJgfAIcnGQbN1EMXEehnnwRmDF3-alUvsQxNorlsENjUXcdOOIvJZjQNBrD9PjSlt-6wGXpde2BoerUEIQG7tD2nE36-k4Lsr2XbmCyqbm8AKUD0_Ro/s320/IMG_0082.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer view of Dyke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Tailbail is a dyke formed few hundred thousand years ago due
to volcanic eruptions. It has been climbers’ paradise since evolution of rock climbing
for humans. The trail is well trodden and one would hardly lose their
way to the pass between the two dykes. There is a newly constructed small
temple. When I reached there, a group as mentioned by Mama from village was climbing.
They had a plan to stay there and climb even on next day. I watched them for
few moments and started to climb down.</div>
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I returned to my bike in about 45 minutes and started the
return journey home. It was almost 1800 when I reached Mulashi. I called mom
and informed her that I should be home by 1930.<br />
<br />
And it was exactly 1930 when I
reached home. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TailBail as seen from Ghanagad</td></tr>
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Photo & Content Copyright : theGypsyPrincess.Com (2015)<br />
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Shraddha Mehtahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054560609736871111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-11122251230949889152016-01-09T01:24:00.001+05:302016-01-09T20:00:40.216+05:30Raireshwar Part 1 - 28 June 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I had no plan for the fixed plan weekend. I didn’t want to
go to Sinhgad either. So was looking for someone with exciting plan to tag
along. As such, during the discussion with Sagar, plan for Raireshwar came up. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNJI-Gyd287BEt62coIhYUQJIWBM9LowJOz2QQJPAHM2hwBpW1eGe_8AyVBa0CEnr7T6od89kocAUZ1yVLYcmQqPGnaWYRmsuzsM5nGAEJ2-HfOibCvGZfpphN4mlb8zbFWCmhExdon0/s1600/IMG_20150628_062833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNJI-Gyd287BEt62coIhYUQJIWBM9LowJOz2QQJPAHM2hwBpW1eGe_8AyVBa0CEnr7T6od89kocAUZ1yVLYcmQqPGnaWYRmsuzsM5nGAEJ2-HfOibCvGZfpphN4mlb8zbFWCmhExdon0/s320/IMG_20150628_062833.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Noisy Bullet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It
was August 2012 when I had been to <a href="http://shraddhamehta.blogspot.in/2012/08/monsoon-trek-raireshwar.html" target="_blank">Raireshwar </a>last. It had been a torturing picnic then. We had walked for 9 kms
one way as the roads were bad and the plateau was not much explored due to
weather condition then.</div>
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After a brief yes no game, at about 630 in evening, Sagar confirmed
that we would be exploring the plateau of Raireshwar and will try to find the
Nakhind End. He also had GPS track of the exploration someone had done earlier.
He was occupied hence he suggested that I pack food etc. </div>
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So at 4, he came to pick me up and we left immediately after
disturbing entire neighborhood with thumbing of Bullet which has no silencer! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTjRhdPae2b2ybqDH43CRbUzsCgypYcT9ri2eoZHaot1xxgGSw59FJVXM82aqN53ifQGYgukApiFmhYitPZa9p6OBAyPPYwJWQpx7OoStOH-J_ZAeoNz1Y0DTNZ8sLkMi7LgQFdq4434/s1600/P_20150628_071919_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTjRhdPae2b2ybqDH43CRbUzsCgypYcT9ri2eoZHaot1xxgGSw59FJVXM82aqN53ifQGYgukApiFmhYitPZa9p6OBAyPPYwJWQpx7OoStOH-J_ZAeoNz1Y0DTNZ8sLkMi7LgQFdq4434/s320/P_20150628_071919_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sagar on the trail to Raireshwar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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At about 630 we were at Korle. I had also packed some tea
with anticipation that we would not find it on the way. We had tea before
hitting the ghat of Kenjalgad. </div>
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The top is now very much accessible because of (somewhat) recently
constructed steps and the iron staircases. Korle end of plateau doesn’t offer
much except for a well trodden path to the settlement of the plateau. This side
of plateau has been secured with railings all over as well. </div>
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This being monsoon a lot of seasonal flowers had bloomed. The
temporary lake was filled to the edges. While enjoying the monsoon, in no time
we were at Shankar Jangam’s (Mama) House. </div>
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His wife is one warm lady who welcomed us directly near the
Chulha. It was real joy to sit there enjoying warmth of the chulha and eating
Pohe and having black tea afterwards. </div>
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After the Pohe and tea, I wanted to bundle up and stay there.
However, the curiosity to reach to the other end of the Plateau which is one of
the largest in India won’t let my spirit rest. Hence, at about 830 we set on
our route… </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARIVWaua1j1QVZH_Q36_b7D1LdbBkzfqzYYcO3SQVi1YUSXRHdKj6UogXGbGq3yRt9jdHv2ZfwwwgprKG6zkYVkFnx6kBfj_f0OXn73GvnzmU0PLSnQUbt5bPRN8PYIwOAQB59sejLrQ/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARIVWaua1j1QVZH_Q36_b7D1LdbBkzfqzYYcO3SQVi1YUSXRHdKj6UogXGbGq3yRt9jdHv2ZfwwwgprKG6zkYVkFnx6kBfj_f0OXn73GvnzmU0PLSnQUbt5bPRN8PYIwOAQB59sejLrQ/s320/IMG_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unfaithful Doggie </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sagar had seen the GPS Track so I decided to follow him
blindly. Before we crossed the settlement, one doggie started following us… I
tried a lot to shoo it off but Dogs!!! </div>
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Sagar was like a mammoth walking with no distraction, I was
finding it difficult to match my speed with him. Fog, clouds and his camouflaged
clothing were additional hindrances. </div>
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Three of us, Sagar, the doggie and myself continued on and
on without any idea where we were heading. All I knew was we had been walking
for quite some time without any break. So, we decided to sit down for few
minutes before getting into dense karvy. </div>
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The path was not well trodden yet I wasn’t worried much as
Sagar was checking our position with respect to the GPS track he had. </div>
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Now we crossed the Karvy and we were very close to the
cliff! Only because the clouds had moved for a brief time we realized our
proximity to the valley which offered straight fall of few hundred meters. </div>
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We continued for long time along the valley and then finally
near the stream before we could get in to another Karvy establishment we
decided to have lunch. Lunch consisted of Boiled eggs, bread, ketchup and
cupcakes. We offered bread and boiled eggs to the doggie as well. </div>
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Post lunch, this smart doggie crossed the steam and started
walking back to the civilization. My first thought was, “What an unfaithful dog”.
</div>
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Post lunch, all recharged, we entered the Karvy. Karvy
establishments are very dense and the leaves are very rough and denty thus
obviously rough for the human skin. </div>
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After struggling for around an hour we were at another end
of Karvy jungle. It was about 1300 now.
And per my calculations we had walked real far away from civilization. So we
checked the map and our position with respect to GPS Track again. </div>
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We found a light trail entering Karvy in front of us again.
We decided to take chance and follow it. Meantime, we decided that if we don’t
find right trail by 1400 then we would turn back. At about 1345, we were out of
Karvy. Astonished we looked at each other and burst out laughing as we had
reached the same place where we had lunch some time back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, the fog was also dense and it was getting difficult to
determine. Sitting there, we took a stock of how much food we had. It was sufficient
enough for both of us to sustain that night and next day. My survival kit
contained a tadpoline sheet, which could have served as a temporary shelter and
also we had some fuel which may have helped to start a fire. It being monsoon,
plentiful water was available. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVWFf0E7vOXKA6D0jxg-5PG86V01kuoYIDpdmCvIANeur6YMni44ipVf1Z5izGbU_0Re91bWmIWlFUNvIMm2PK2kwXW34la_7XAsWtgK9E-KaW-5F18LX8GXVGc5udB4JCVQkCTR06b8/s1600/IMG_20150628_154402820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVWFf0E7vOXKA6D0jxg-5PG86V01kuoYIDpdmCvIANeur6YMni44ipVf1Z5izGbU_0Re91bWmIWlFUNvIMm2PK2kwXW34la_7XAsWtgK9E-KaW-5F18LX8GXVGc5udB4JCVQkCTR06b8/s320/IMG_20150628_154402820.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The food stock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Suddenly, I realized I had 2 phones which may have some
network. Thankfully, the data network of lower bandwidth was available. Immediately
on a WhatsApp group of fellow trekkers I could relay a message with our GPS
location accurate upto 100 mtrs . Thankfully, Dhruva was available with a
better network at his end and he told us to follow a certain direction. However,
I had doubts about the direction he was suggesting since per my calculations it
was opposite direction. When I mentioned
this on WhatsApp, we realized the true north of my phone needed to be
collaborated.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWXUk-vKE01txq8sSdhH8w3jZJVcDwgwhCXJ0OhNiWOBUajd5I0ytZ7wE5DcYTTbRNkMN5wRrD9B9SLbUtg0S4_dn4S6GIIJcD_d5j7sm0ReTPkiUCS_524GjUDivrSfpLI22SLtR7AU/s1600/IMG_20150628_161422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWXUk-vKE01txq8sSdhH8w3jZJVcDwgwhCXJ0OhNiWOBUajd5I0ytZ7wE5DcYTTbRNkMN5wRrD9B9SLbUtg0S4_dn4S6GIIJcD_d5j7sm0ReTPkiUCS_524GjUDivrSfpLI22SLtR7AU/s320/IMG_20150628_161422.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shivling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, it was not possible in data network of lower bandwidth. However,
by God’s grace, the fog cleared for few moments and I could communicate to the group
that a water enclosure in the valley was at 10 o’clock for my position and probably
the mountain beyond it was Kenjalgad. With these referential points, Dhruva established
that we were around 10 kms away from the Raireshwar Temple. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyg53fJVxkdh6hiAbuyriCvbD_TWW5TubGl_zWVx9tFgzg4Pe7Aa0STQe_0P5QknpCtr0abUqM7G9qftIRlPPegYiAxvigo4Hu4518ldeSjpjUsCWRQbc4grF-VHzlcze0uSXQJ1g3WM/s1600/IMG_20150628_112314_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyg53fJVxkdh6hiAbuyriCvbD_TWW5TubGl_zWVx9tFgzg4Pe7Aa0STQe_0P5QknpCtr0abUqM7G9qftIRlPPegYiAxvigo4Hu4518ldeSjpjUsCWRQbc4grF-VHzlcze0uSXQJ1g3WM/s320/IMG_20150628_112314_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stones decorated with Vermilion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, we were very much on the right path. On a side of the path we saw few stones decorated with vermilion. Soon we met a man
who was tending his cattle on the plateau. A few steps ahead Sagar came across a beautiful Shivling carved on a stone, then another small establishment of houses… And then the main
establishment of plateau. It was about 1745 when we reached Mama's place. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZScJJK9fyZlbq2sLIdDm_cLn2Yq47_6IPyesTPZeKjRnRGnQeEZDo6lSzRCNQhHa296vmBizECY8_TM-XJOVsIdPaE5ieWV2vSO8Yp8BNV3Ubn0ZlisNarUd67NjXVauawsCZfcLEks/s1600/IMG_20150628_182104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZScJJK9fyZlbq2sLIdDm_cLn2Yq47_6IPyesTPZeKjRnRGnQeEZDo6lSzRCNQhHa296vmBizECY8_TM-XJOVsIdPaE5ieWV2vSO8Yp8BNV3Ubn0ZlisNarUd67NjXVauawsCZfcLEks/s320/IMG_20150628_182104.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So finally we were back in the civilization with a
thrill of being lost! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The experienced Mama immediately guessed that we had been to
Nakhind. He was a bit upset with us for doing such an adventure in the monsoon.
We were tired and hungry, hence had early dinner of Pithale Bhakri and Kanda
Bhaji.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
On our way back we were laughing about the lesson learnt due
to our foolishness! Yet were determined to accomplish our goal next time we
visit.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://journaldewanderer.blogspot.in/2012/09/raireshwar-stay-eat.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3j1-MEiJi5KqtL3IEfthsPbZbHs9pY6BXLnygJ6Rhjxj_iiApIvEZQDxTHR70iD9eS2qOmMOSBiSUDceymAKUJxkTO_Iudz9-QgyyM-OjEujPByQraCzKelSiS68rZHkKnbk4F4lDLwM/s320/IMG_20150628_183642.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://journaldewanderer.blogspot.in/2012/09/raireshwar-stay-eat.html" target="_blank">Mama Mami at Raireshwar Settlement</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Photo Courtesy: <a href="http://sagarsatishmehta.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">Sagar Mehta</a><br />
<br />
Copyright: theGypsyPrincess.Com (2015)</div>
</div>
Shraddha Mehtahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054560609736871111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-14137175367180124512016-01-08T22:11:00.000+05:302016-01-09T20:02:11.984+05:30Morgiri 29 November 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6pS50DOSjwO07S1GX5e1-w5aZee_FfxkXcHLX8JdI5dI30o8yIV1iHWJYyJKEk972kXw7yw3COuswkcBgRrReKQFLQto8NDywIhLCMHvBtsUEjWKKVBEIkkROsmrL-foZDhqLRrg8w8/s1600/PicsArt_11-30-01.47.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6pS50DOSjwO07S1GX5e1-w5aZee_FfxkXcHLX8JdI5dI30o8yIV1iHWJYyJKEk972kXw7yw3COuswkcBgRrReKQFLQto8NDywIhLCMHvBtsUEjWKKVBEIkkROsmrL-foZDhqLRrg8w8/s640/PicsArt_11-30-01.47.58.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tung as seen from Morgiri top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It had been almost a week that I was sitting back home and not doing anything. I would have been darned to sit home even on the weekend.<br />
<br />
When chatting with an old trek bud, we came up with a plan to a nearby mountain which offered some good amount of adventure. It was about 930 in night when the plan finalized. I packed my daypack and tried to sleep but damn Facebook...<br />
<br />
As decided, <a href="http://sagarsatishmehta.blogspot.in/2015/12/blog-post.html" target="_blank">Sagar </a>called me at sharp 415 in morning, I was already up. With little morning chores, I was ready to leave. In few minutes, I heard the thumping bullet and I walked out of my home. With a quick tea break near highway, we rode off towards Paud. With the fog and cold it was evident that winters are knocking in. It was early morning there was very little traffic on the roads. We came across a few enthusiasts cyclists and bikers roaring in different directions.<br />
<br />
Ahead of Paud, we took a turn towards village Javan. The road was narrow and dusty at places which passed through farms on both the sides. At Javan, the road diverges one goes to Tikona Peth and other one leads us to Tung. The road from here was intermittently good. Around 20 kms ahead, there is small a road which turns left and goes towards the base of the hill.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Nty7Ka0BovmvqFKXnsy8R0xyu-kA55yIG4qZzLZCVPRNTy6p_qM-yUOPcbd25-pmengC3a_3WwC5EE84krG-utBSddoGlL8fuLepsS1orUoXnqreTh52UQR6yu-ryLfefLq4ebcubOw/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Nty7Ka0BovmvqFKXnsy8R0xyu-kA55yIG4qZzLZCVPRNTy6p_qM-yUOPcbd25-pmengC3a_3WwC5EE84krG-utBSddoGlL8fuLepsS1orUoXnqreTh52UQR6yu-ryLfefLq4ebcubOw/s320/IMG_0218.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgiri as seen from Morve Village</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was almost 8 AM when we reached the base village Morve. We spoke to the guys at the office, parked the bike, handed over the riding gear and started the trek. One could see the flag outside the cave and on top of the mountain. The forest near the cave looked very dense. We asked the guy for the directions as well. I had earlier came with another trek-bud about a year back, however we hadn't been able to find the way. Today I was determined and well equipped with information from fellow<br />
trekkers. Also, this time we had entire day to explore.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiU_ov0ydEmLv91Yx2qiTeogPGHCZtwky1T-RfJEGW_OvERQPd_YvXieQ-dcnAfcgOIfXgDsj7Ku3iv9bkeF78zRGB85enQbL1vBSKJRJ4n5Bo3jyJs_DMyXDyDwLN7IfNh3vy4bJn9Js/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiU_ov0ydEmLv91Yx2qiTeogPGHCZtwky1T-RfJEGW_OvERQPd_YvXieQ-dcnAfcgOIfXgDsj7Ku3iv9bkeF78zRGB85enQbL1vBSKJRJ4n5Bo3jyJs_DMyXDyDwLN7IfNh3vy4bJn9Js/s320/IMG_0220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The guy at the office had mentioned that they were trying to build the way but it was a major fail. The remnants of road were telling the same story. We hiked further only to see the road vanishing into forest. We marched ahead on the vanishing road. The path actually was through waterfall ( Nalichi wat in Marathi). Then again some signs of attempts of road construction. It was about 845 AM when we were about to enter the forest. Since we hadn't taken any pitstop apart from the quick tea break we decided to have breakfast and proceed further. The breakfast consisted of yummy egg sandwiches.<br />
<br />
Here on wards, we moved into dense forest of Karvi and few other indigenous trees. We could see some path which ended too quickly, so we just marched into the forest. <br />
<br />
Suddenly, something pricked my left elbow. I didn't know what it was but since we were walking into real thick forest. My first thoughts were if it was a Bamboo Pit Viper or something venomous. I was wearing full sleeved Tee which was not torn and nor it was stained with blood. But it was a throbbing pain. So we stopped. I pulled<br />
<br />
my sleeve and checked. The spot was hot but no bite marks or anything. Sagar said there was a Lime Tree; thorn of which must have pricked me. After a quick stop we moved ahead. Now it was Sagar's turn to scream. A thorn had pricked badly into his thumb and broken in flesh. I tried pulling it with tweezers but I was scared that I might hurt him more in the process. I gave him a safety pin and he managed to take out the broken thorn and covered the wound with a band-aid. After a brief rest, we again got on our way. Now we were out of the forest and on a traverse path leading towards the Cave of Jakhmata.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT1okBizWGWvISSQiD5GBBj54WkmbKF-zC1LpkJJtSPoRCtZeUEGFoXuy5QRHzU5d-ZcGbVosoCKjKAn9lqtFm7NkUsA6jaz35J0msFfR9XyEqXR6xw7qQ1Tzvv2d3eUKePBDjwYQ28Y/s1600/IMG_20151129_104539348_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT1okBizWGWvISSQiD5GBBj54WkmbKF-zC1LpkJJtSPoRCtZeUEGFoXuy5QRHzU5d-ZcGbVosoCKjKAn9lqtFm7NkUsA6jaz35J0msFfR9XyEqXR6xw7qQ1Tzvv2d3eUKePBDjwYQ28Y/s400/IMG_20151129_104539348_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jakhmata cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jakhmata Cave is small cave with a carved water cistern. There are few more cisterns nearby. One can reach mountain top by climbing a small yet very risky exposed rockpatch of less than 2 meters. Sagar climbed like an expert and I was awfully scared to take on that patch. Like a good leader, Sagar assisted me in climbing. There are a few steps carved out on the rock. The Mountain top is a small plateau with a one more water cistern and offers a 360 degree view of nearby area.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mwtlfgcHpTwTCMtxtE7Q-F8RlimQuPzCWqqMP8_3HmjVsPeegKsYGCdFV6s-OV2cBSjQQj4vi9qILTEbN6BsONmYPdS3fDzaCf8dd9hnzgkYKfXE1MNKsTum3ZPsK2ScNWLGaKqT5Hw/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mwtlfgcHpTwTCMtxtE7Q-F8RlimQuPzCWqqMP8_3HmjVsPeegKsYGCdFV6s-OV2cBSjQQj4vi9qILTEbN6BsONmYPdS3fDzaCf8dd9hnzgkYKfXE1MNKsTum3ZPsK2ScNWLGaKqT5Hw/s400/IMG_0231.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ameya's team on the Rock Patch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One can spot Koraigad, Tung & Tikona easily. On a clear day, many more must be visible. We spent some time on the top admiring the Mother nature's beauty and started climbing down. The middle plateau is very large and can accomodate couple of cricket stadiums. Another team, of our friend Ameya was climbing up hence we waited till all of them managed their way to summit.<br />
The area near Jakhmata Cave is a small balcony, therefore, sagar and I decided to cross the jungle and have lunch on the plateu below the cave. The route from the cave to the plateau is a well trodden path through the jungle.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmI1JgrHDDLRqPL5d3NJBoms_nTv2kX0Hzg934FJqqUdp1MaNk3jNvdBoqmdL8_ZjIg3KYAItAEAr6VZJJwpp3UIsxFRKSIlBGfZwbSxvrOrrnzGHlMOGUT2nsb7kkIjGYjRaG7RnmHMI/s1600/IMG_0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmI1JgrHDDLRqPL5d3NJBoms_nTv2kX0Hzg934FJqqUdp1MaNk3jNvdBoqmdL8_ZjIg3KYAItAEAr6VZJJwpp3UIsxFRKSIlBGfZwbSxvrOrrnzGHlMOGUT2nsb7kkIjGYjRaG7RnmHMI/s200/IMG_0219.JPG" width="133" /></a>Once on plateau, we opened our tiffin and had lunch. Post lunch, it was a easy trek downwards. Before 2 PM, we were near the bike and my first thought was, "Oh Shit! I am going to be home before 4." Sagar had something else on his mind.<br />
<br />
While getting ready for ride again, he suggested we take another way and look for some ancient trade route. I was obviously excited. So from Morve village, we rode to Ambavane near Korigad. It was pretty exciting to see the same fort from a distance and almost same altitude and from the base on the same day. We had quick tea break here and then we headed off to Mazgaon on Lonavala Nive Road.<br />
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Mazgaon is warm little village. We parked and inquired about the route. The elderly of the village tried to demotivate us and said," You guys are late. It would be dark by the time we reach the cliff and it would be impossible to climb down." But they also mentioned that, few hundred meters away there are two houses and the route goes beyond that plateau. We said ok and left.<br />
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When we spotted the houses, we decided to explore the possibility. It was about 3 PM and we had time till 545 PM (Sunset). So roughly 3 hours at disposal. We took our chances. Parked the bike at one of the houses and handed over bigger backpack and just carried some water and food and survival kit in smaller bag.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvpZ3Al_8iojv-BdrHH5VppO-UORUOyYTkrAactXz4h7TC8BggCNfQnb04Y-gy2ONuKb85nLkYnYrs4Y7UjZSrb-gq2-9q3-_tAz1HoGnwPflius3YZ7ANXvCT02rfhj3pYbNjgp8BEg/s1600/P_20151129_164710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvpZ3Al_8iojv-BdrHH5VppO-UORUOyYTkrAactXz4h7TC8BggCNfQnb04Y-gy2ONuKb85nLkYnYrs4Y7UjZSrb-gq2-9q3-_tAz1HoGnwPflius3YZ7ANXvCT02rfhj3pYbNjgp8BEg/s400/P_20151129_164710.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sagar and Anaghai fort in background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The plateau was covered with dried grass. Well in time, we reached the cliff, and with no local guide available, we could spot Anaghai fort from top but not the route we were looking for. Sun's position indicated that we should head back immediately. We took that advice and rode off towards Nive. The road is terrible. It was reminding me of Ladakh! Absolute offroading it was...<br />
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Hats off to Sagar for his energy and will power. His thumb was injured yet he was balancing the bike without letting me fall. After Tailbail fata, we took a quick halt for photos and post dinner at Mulashi, we returned home. <br />
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Distance covered: 186 kms<br />
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Route: Pune - Pirangut - Paud - Javan - Morve - Ghusalkhamb - Peth Shahpur - Mazgaon - Salther - Bhambarde- Nive - Tamhini - Mulashi - Paud - Pirangut - Pune <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrokhkIxLidKtCaRpDT4Mss4u1697AA95Hfet5Bs4VNf2BQgbWB07fzLni-_WYj86Yil9X2ahyphenhyphenjkXCcx_2pkt1wHkWcNnQy3OyQVnER_UnzJpdQBx2G0UKa20x0bOxOuzsanVsjnBrWg/s1600/P_20151129_071932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrokhkIxLidKtCaRpDT4Mss4u1697AA95Hfet5Bs4VNf2BQgbWB07fzLni-_WYj86Yil9X2ahyphenhyphenjkXCcx_2pkt1wHkWcNnQy3OyQVnER_UnzJpdQBx2G0UKa20x0bOxOuzsanVsjnBrWg/s640/P_20151129_071932.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Photo Courtesy: Sagar Mehta<br />
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Copyright: theGypsyPrincess.Com (2015)<br />
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Shraddha Mehtahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054560609736871111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-32154912458261788492015-06-26T17:30:00.000+05:302015-11-05T13:15:11.890+05:30GHNP Chronicles May 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXOevC6dikyqrTZkXKYbEB6jFOag3wGGPnXBnLc25124TrREJQsQoVdhEj5-CRCJXZmT0mIB3ZaET_cXIyHjKnd-qDCiwrWTQtB1t20Phi9KzVk9VYRnf2eHGorOATZv1EMk98qvhpZ4/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXOevC6dikyqrTZkXKYbEB6jFOag3wGGPnXBnLc25124TrREJQsQoVdhEj5-CRCJXZmT0mIB3ZaET_cXIyHjKnd-qDCiwrWTQtB1t20Phi9KzVk9VYRnf2eHGorOATZv1EMk98qvhpZ4/s640/IMG_0091.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Shilt </td></tr>
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It was late march when we started planning for a Himalayan trek.
There were few places but we wanted to try something different. Hence when
Tirthan Valley & Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) was mentioned
everyone readily agreed over the plan. When we researched further we also came
to know about indigenous birds like Monals, Western Tragopan etc. The Western Tragopan was my reason to hike in
GHNP. </div>
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The suggested itinerary was as follows: </div>
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Day 1: Reaching Delhi & further travel towards Manali</div>
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Day 2: Getting down at Aut & moving head to Gushaini /
Nagini for homestay. </div>
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Day 3: Hiking to Rolla Campsite (11Km, rather a easy walk) </div>
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Day 4: Trek to Shilt Campsite (5 Km, extremely steep) </div>
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Day 5: Trek to Ghuntaro via Rakhundi Top (13 Km, steep climb
& strenuous walk) </div>
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Day 6: Trek to Dhel Campsite (12 Km, steep climb & Descent
with Strenuous walk)</div>
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Day 7: Rest Day at Dhel</div>
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Day 8: Trek to Lapah (9 Km, Steep descent & strenuous
walk) </div>
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Day 9: Trek to Neuli (8 Km, moderate hike), overnight at
Manali Hotel</div>
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Day 10: Manali site seeing & Manali to Delhi by overnight
bus</div>
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Day 11: Depart to Pune. </div>
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This plan was finalized in no time & bookings were done.
The group consisted of 3 singles and two families on sizes 3 & 4 each which
also meant we had 3 kids on the block. We kept practicing at Sinhgad regularly
and it was departure day in no time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex9kGxX_jBz3gE7GMIDlP5nHVnpUnnpl9DvPC93RhACL5Sy5LjugiuZsxJ9KkuUm2Cwl9O3s3dCCwqcrjmK-alxI-DYo_uWMZUEbQDi2Eb7le12gyroN1ySFDkCtdr234nS3vgInfBk0/s1600/Trout+Valley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex9kGxX_jBz3gE7GMIDlP5nHVnpUnnpl9DvPC93RhACL5Sy5LjugiuZsxJ9KkuUm2Cwl9O3s3dCCwqcrjmK-alxI-DYo_uWMZUEbQDi2Eb7le12gyroN1ySFDkCtdr234nS3vgInfBk0/s200/Trout+Valley.jpg" width="151" /></a>Everybody gathered at Delhi and we caught
bus to Manali on afternoon of 19 May 2015. </div>
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It was about 7 AM when we got down at Aut and the taxis were
waiting for our pick up. The serene Himalayas were so inviting that I wanted to
walk all the way to Nagini village but slept in the taxi. </div>
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As rest of the day was free, we went to the banks
Tirthan River which were right opposite to homestay. later that day, we went to a nearby waterfall. This was
one beautiful site. It reminded of movie Avatar. Soon we were back at the
homestay and sorted our backpacks for the adventure beginning next day. I had
decided not to use services of the porter. So I left my extra clothes in a bag
and packed rest of the stuff for leaving behind.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhZH8pzDsnvupKX0qhBDWYGxWcSjR0J5i7J7DTmci2cpcbK-t7XoPYNxZQRo2gFyd2sl6bVMi-QQhQ4SM5TGGXslXfPccGEO5FEYqQzqRMtom0iDnFTTVzejnKSA61WshRSzYquL_MeI/s1600/IMG_20150521_110628453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhZH8pzDsnvupKX0qhBDWYGxWcSjR0J5i7J7DTmci2cpcbK-t7XoPYNxZQRo2gFyd2sl6bVMi-QQhQ4SM5TGGXslXfPccGEO5FEYqQzqRMtom0iDnFTTVzejnKSA61WshRSzYquL_MeI/s320/IMG_20150521_110628453.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next day post breakfast, we were dropped at Gushaini Village,
which is the starting point of the trek. We all were pretty much excited. We
started walking towards to Rolla Campus (Altitude 2100 M) at about 11:30 in the
morning. The path was very much like a regular Himalayan National Park. At
about 3:30 we entered through the gates of the Great Himalayan National Park
and at about 5:30 we were at Rolla Campsite. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yOcV_XAp8cNAj8rzaGHwsBnGFoAv1GsbSiVvBaqjPtjtHSbiWY7pj82WXH_NkaPllJWFnQImqWo_bJstI_cHep2X3lGgqreGyZiE3bz4xIGVloWDBiNI-0qVzEEu94RlIcPmu6kIhjk/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yOcV_XAp8cNAj8rzaGHwsBnGFoAv1GsbSiVvBaqjPtjtHSbiWY7pj82WXH_NkaPllJWFnQImqWo_bJstI_cHep2X3lGgqreGyZiE3bz4xIGVloWDBiNI-0qVzEEu94RlIcPmu6kIhjk/s320/IMG_0102.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Tent at Shilt </td></tr>
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Today, we began walking at about 9:30 and the climb was
too steep. The distance was much less then yesterday but the climb was tough.
There was hardly any place where one could actually rest to relax their feet. Thankfully
distance wasn’t much and we reached the Shilt campsite (Altitude 3100 M) at
about 2 PM. The view from the tent was awesome. The Tirthan Peak & its adjacent
peaks were visible from the mountain range.</div>
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The third day of our trek began quite early and we started off
at about 8:30. Today we were to </div>
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summit Rakhundi and descend to Ghuntaro. Rakhundi
Top is at about 4100 M & Ghuntaro is at an altitude of 3400 M. The trek involved
mostly uphill walking. I had couple of Déjà vu moments from my previous treks. This
one day of this trek was the killer! We all pushed ourselves way beyond our
limits & comfort zones. The walk was never ending. By the time we reached Ghuntaro
it was about 6:30 pm and everyone was exhausted and hungry. </div>
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<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDe-MctK7qzfxNEpjjNCiiPqra5lQAlHlaEpm6acloDJ4ZzD62gRX4IWnzpt1kX5lFVOarnJmdvzoZzN0zhBr4gql0JHWyNRkKVzssngm61OSNsIib9Rg2ZNutKsI3LwUlzCedDsf6kk/s1600/Rhododendrons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDe-MctK7qzfxNEpjjNCiiPqra5lQAlHlaEpm6acloDJ4ZzD62gRX4IWnzpt1kX5lFVOarnJmdvzoZzN0zhBr4gql0JHWyNRkKVzssngm61OSNsIib9Rg2ZNutKsI3LwUlzCedDsf6kk/s320/Rhododendrons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbZqO99brjTFvSRpq9HPBun7-w97elj0Q9WAJpr6QAoLM1QZRqYOgEPjSRmyP_gV_l7pqeq7tXSCWmoST8Z6RbBaiKFzKvQcdmwhCWt_n3hKeZ-wrH9HZBSy1tvMIU9_fWJ4LWIXR9ms/s1600/Some+Random+snap+of+GHNP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbZqO99brjTFvSRpq9HPBun7-w97elj0Q9WAJpr6QAoLM1QZRqYOgEPjSRmyP_gV_l7pqeq7tXSCWmoST8Z6RbBaiKFzKvQcdmwhCWt_n3hKeZ-wrH9HZBSy1tvMIU9_fWJ4LWIXR9ms/s320/Some+Random+snap+of+GHNP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOpZyeQKuuaacJdJlLzYQLLzzbPx9ZGIR4Tctx239VViARPOVgnDztY_tKaL42o0K_vZ-Cgtz863tUheTM3aSgbZhBDVHqKPn3gMjf4UaP7VKKp4JqyXgErSeJAz7y-VtPkzj0Tq4JnA/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOpZyeQKuuaacJdJlLzYQLLzzbPx9ZGIR4Tctx239VViARPOVgnDztY_tKaL42o0K_vZ-Cgtz863tUheTM3aSgbZhBDVHqKPn3gMjf4UaP7VKKp4JqyXgErSeJAz7y-VtPkzj0Tq4JnA/s320/IMG_0076.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />At about dinner time, the leader made an announcement that
we would be resting at Ghuntaro for another day and return the same way we
started. This was a disappointing yet right decision as the climb from Ghuntaro
to Dhel was more difficult and strenuous. The weather went bad in night and it
snowed.<br />
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The campsite was located on the slope of a hill within the
area of barely some plain. It was probably the most beautiful campsite with rhododendrons
surrounding it. </div>
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We sat back in our dining tent and chatted. Some of the members
went for a walk further towards Dhel in the afternoon. </div>
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So after one day rest at Ghuntaro, we again made our way to
Rakhundi and from there to Shilt. It was a pleasant walk but walking downhill made
it difficult. Again at Shilt, it felt like being home. Again it rained entire
night. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBj2fA4Kw-XDb1xkUbQdGlNIVPPx-yozZs_zIrlEgozxA29ewR99FqZ1257ozH9RvAumBznaIkEebmFdP9OXZVoJDU1G160Oh9dDsxWc0kd1huRg6e9yFe5Y6TItm-x4mT8nCoV0ZZ_Q/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBj2fA4Kw-XDb1xkUbQdGlNIVPPx-yozZs_zIrlEgozxA29ewR99FqZ1257ozH9RvAumBznaIkEebmFdP9OXZVoJDU1G160Oh9dDsxWc0kd1huRg6e9yFe5Y6TItm-x4mT8nCoV0ZZ_Q/s320/IMG_0134.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Himalayan Pit Viper</td></tr>
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Next day we decided to walk ahead of Rolla and camp at the
gates of GHNP. We were hurrying off when the trek manager Roshan Singh spotted a
snake which he mentioned as a Viper. We all took few photos and marched
further. At Rolla, we took a good halt for lunch and then into the river. </div>
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Till Rolla, it was descent and then almost a plain walk. At
about 4 pm, that day we reached the Gates of GHNP. The last member walked in
and the rains started as if they were waiting for us to reach the shelters. Here
we enjoyed campfire and the staff also sang some local songs for us. It was a
pleasant evening. </div>
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Next day in the morning, we trekked to Gushaini Village and
then to Manali with a quick stopover at Nagini to pick up our bags. </div>
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The trekking in Tirthan Valley is not so popular even now
hence this part of forest is more clean and peaceful and away from the clutters
of commercialization. There are very few operators in this valley and the staff
they have excellent staff. We always felt especially cared for and the 9 year baby
on our trek was looked after very well. There are many reasons why I would
definitely go back to Tirthan and the foremost being quest of Western Tragopan.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuJlIzwzgbTxHjWU9Kjo_Jg1NyAMKdLDHqQdrluWVS63oAQ3Q7VhlMZQQeA_0Jt11flZLAxVlyhv7rsJZXiJXY5Kqv4KmQ2kegWsHtcxVEE50I2wxIjfsGYqmkC2wyfqlv3qPH44kSLg/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxuJlIzwzgbTxHjWU9Kjo_Jg1NyAMKdLDHqQdrluWVS63oAQ3Q7VhlMZQQeA_0Jt11flZLAxVlyhv7rsJZXiJXY5Kqv4KmQ2kegWsHtcxVEE50I2wxIjfsGYqmkC2wyfqlv3qPH44kSLg/s400/IMG_0159.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Shraddha Mehtahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054560609736871111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-59573351970046220382015-05-01T15:17:00.000+05:302015-05-01T15:18:47.661+05:30The Lost Treasures of Chalukyas Part - II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;"><b>27 March 2015</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">We had planned to
leave early, but the bed was comfortable that I just couldnt resist sleeping
longer. Finally at about 9, we checked out and drove off to Aihole. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72uVvxX4kdCB3Fgya_HpkZkX0WaWXqZ5oCpOGSSQQ6VcGnEYU8xiBImfDDLxTRNpSTrYHN-ISvzW67UvmtkENz1PptAt9eR0TdC8urLHo6n0zBYxgkQohvEyXdYRfcnCZW3RqMJcFAA0/s1600/IMG_8674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72uVvxX4kdCB3Fgya_HpkZkX0WaWXqZ5oCpOGSSQQ6VcGnEYU8xiBImfDDLxTRNpSTrYHN-ISvzW67UvmtkENz1PptAt9eR0TdC8urLHo6n0zBYxgkQohvEyXdYRfcnCZW3RqMJcFAA0/s1600/IMG_8674.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">Aihole is barely
44 kms from Badami and the road is small tar road with pretty much less
traffic. It was about 10 when we reached there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">First thing we
saw was a house like structure on the left side of the road. The sign read
"Huchchiappa Gudi". We left our car near the entrance and entered the
well <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">cared ruins.
There is no idol inside the temple. When we were descending the steps, we saw
another structure towards our right side, we planned to there after </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">exploring this
one.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">The temples of Aihole
are grouped as Konthi, Tryambakeshwara, Galaganatha and Jain Basadis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoH8sGZa0SHt-54XAwm_uxBKFRgDSum-P32gw35vh9hwxlou2adfNh6a6TZWiQ8cQu8v_dE7A_d5MSberEb4EoO3U6Hy1hVYFSQJygiwxjBwxdHxbPrip4pmZHhBqDPNAk7pwP_QgSn0/s1600/IMG_8631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjoH8sGZa0SHt-54XAwm_uxBKFRgDSum-P32gw35vh9hwxlou2adfNh6a6TZWiQ8cQu8v_dE7A_d5MSberEb4EoO3U6Hy1hVYFSQJygiwxjBwxdHxbPrip4pmZHhBqDPNAk7pwP_QgSn0/s1600/IMG_8631.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">Huchichiappa Gudi
is a small structure so quickly we moved to the next ruins. When we were
entering these ruins, we saw another one a bit further, so it was next in </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">line and another
one even more further... Soon I realized that there is a series of ruins and
the exploration is going to take long time. in fact it was going to be </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">much more than
what I had anticipated. </span></div>
<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Lp78zbKuBfLFGFs0qab4Br-jLXv8ghutdtv2Wxs0GqDvgjggHu0votDzzLGUNxMIbzIdzOKbc4vZC8XPXaUURhpwKRSCZuiCqf9nwO7kT9okDTW7-POhYYHnN-UsgDO5iPXGXJWopJs/s1600/IMG_8668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Lp78zbKuBfLFGFs0qab4Br-jLXv8ghutdtv2Wxs0GqDvgjggHu0votDzzLGUNxMIbzIdzOKbc4vZC8XPXaUURhpwKRSCZuiCqf9nwO7kT9okDTW7-POhYYHnN-UsgDO5iPXGXJWopJs/s1600/IMG_8668.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">We went around
for quiet sometime and then drove off to Lad Khan Temple. This complex, again
under ASI is well maintained facility. There are number of ruins here namely, Durga
Temple, Ladkhan Temple etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">We had cane juice
before entering here. It is very important to keep yourself hydrated on a sunny
day like this one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajvrnNuykj5DPM8jpfas2I1TSq_PDqrxBX2UkLdRjwEH5WwjS_zMCtTlJjwDxSM47UVUiCDOVbM4lpuCJNtVhcH4OJUWJ9rIoWjd3HLioMkG2VYvaMSMAXjKOH6seyLSEfvXrgdPt96A/s1600/IMG_8909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajvrnNuykj5DPM8jpfas2I1TSq_PDqrxBX2UkLdRjwEH5WwjS_zMCtTlJjwDxSM47UVUiCDOVbM4lpuCJNtVhcH4OJUWJ9rIoWjd3HLioMkG2VYvaMSMAXjKOH6seyLSEfvXrgdPt96A/s1600/IMG_8909.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durga Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">The Durga Temple and
Ladkhan temple, both are architectural wonders. My friend is an architect and
she kept mentioning about both these temples. Apart from these two the complex
also houses a well and a few other temples. It was 1:30 when I checked my watch
and we decided to leave immediately as we needed to reach Pune by day end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">Google counted the
distance as 458KM from Aihole to my place. However, since the highways are of
superb quality we were much sure that we will cover the distance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiqmSzlQlisR5AkAmQOVVOhECDBuGJXpaflwfPtKXcd1FuUl9WLuMN0xunA_dRpWkR16GGRrMclI0FsyYBs_StkG2SHfzEfVAZwNpP5O9afNkt1ufQkYhQZ4tauKpXZs2zP0LyYmQKAA/s1600/IMG_8918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiqmSzlQlisR5AkAmQOVVOhECDBuGJXpaflwfPtKXcd1FuUl9WLuMN0xunA_dRpWkR16GGRrMclI0FsyYBs_StkG2SHfzEfVAZwNpP5O9afNkt1ufQkYhQZ4tauKpXZs2zP0LyYmQKAA/s1600/IMG_8918.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rath at Kudal Sangam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">We were told to
have lunch at Kudal Sangam. Kudal Sangam is a confluence of two rivers, Krishna
and Malaprabha. We went round and round before we could find Kamat. Kamat
Served yet another tasty meal and we drove off towards Vijapur. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">The road... I
tell you... "it is amazing" is only an ordinary description. I am sad
that I was not driving a SUV but I am happy that my car is in awesome condition
even at 14. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">In no time, we
were passing from the outskirts of Bijapur. The Gol Ghumbaz marked the skyline
of the city. I almost coerced my buddy to visit the monument. Being an </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">architect, She
was also fascinated by the building yet was doing her best to avoid this.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2oJPoxXLeNF2i9awPKILwzyFORz7ap_T9k03gFyxlTPaVdtHJKUaRagf1XxTlGVoWTDlPr7QWGh6bnf9MzXC01RrTt43xztfKbIuqM4aEz1dnKiiLEhfWdVpcp-REWRrC1wQbP1ToJI/s1600/P_20150327_164516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2oJPoxXLeNF2i9awPKILwzyFORz7ap_T9k03gFyxlTPaVdtHJKUaRagf1XxTlGVoWTDlPr7QWGh6bnf9MzXC01RrTt43xztfKbIuqM4aEz1dnKiiLEhfWdVpcp-REWRrC1wQbP1ToJI/s1600/P_20150327_164516.jpg" height="224" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near Bijapur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">Finally we were
in the parking and she almost warned me to leave at the earliest. The people
were acting crazy and shouting on top of their voices and the entire place felt
like a mental institution. Our guide was also upset as his demonstrations were
hampered by the public around. He suggested exploring the horizon for some
time. Soon it was 6 PM and most of the people left. Now, he started his
demonstrations all over again. I was amazed by this engineering marvel. The building
is constructed in such a way that sound as small as palms being rubbed against
each </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">other is also
heard all over the place. I am still amazed by this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DscU6-56AM5Ad2vGA93WLAvNJvcyaVzI_DidkSvz4AokDriUR29aPLmOPm0mu0MImTEBK_qtDVXlfnuQnurPNEfzPaa8dJ8KYOhBsouxcHhxh0yM4kGZbefiRYK_8KsFKL_4I1xXmwQ/s1600/P_20150327_180203_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DscU6-56AM5Ad2vGA93WLAvNJvcyaVzI_DidkSvz4AokDriUR29aPLmOPm0mu0MImTEBK_qtDVXlfnuQnurPNEfzPaa8dJ8KYOhBsouxcHhxh0yM4kGZbefiRYK_8KsFKL_4I1xXmwQ/s1600/P_20150327_180203_HDR.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gol Ghumbaz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">It was closure time and we
were asked to leave. Apart from Gol Ghumbaz. I wanted to visit the cannon
Malika-E-Maidan. Since it was already sundown, we had to trash that idea and
move ahead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90UtoOXTtjJg7xLPWMUEczmrnOKNr4fDceuXvt4qV47xzTGPMBaBW5HJd-PFhweLOyYHXge2Yi175aNRuaS7h90Bjq9K-ygRxeGmYW_73TQz_BbVIDEXTgGvuXaRC36GWxzlcpcYMQ_o/s1600/JPP.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90UtoOXTtjJg7xLPWMUEczmrnOKNr4fDceuXvt4qV47xzTGPMBaBW5HJd-PFhweLOyYHXge2Yi175aNRuaS7h90Bjq9K-ygRxeGmYW_73TQz_BbVIDEXTgGvuXaRC36GWxzlcpcYMQ_o/s1600/JPP.gif" height="200" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jnana Prabodhini Bhavan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">We realized that
it would be a daring idea to drive to Pune late in night on a highway and we
decided not to take chances. So per discussions, we decided to stay at our Alma
Mater - <a href="http://www.jnanaprabodhini.org/" target="_blank">Jnana Prabodhini's</a> Solapur Branch. I have no words to describe the
feeling. I was also elevated by idea of attending Upasana next morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">We had reached
late and the kitchen was left open only for us to have dinner. The
lovely food was kept for us on the table. We were about to serve ourselves when
Amol dada and another guy came over to serve the food. They made us comfortable
like being at home. We hurried back to the room, put up all gadgets on charging
and slept early as we wanted to attend Upasana next morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">Jnana Prabodhini is the
foundation of my soul and character, an eternal source of strength. I draw most of my power from the firm principles
it has instilled in me. Missing Upasana when everything was on my </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">side would have
been the greatest sin of my life.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";"><b>28 March 2015: </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">It was about 5:00
AM when we woke up. Both of us rushed to the bathroom and quickly got ready for
Upasana. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIFVy5hh7bkP3IUHSOMhPaRQ-chIbzidB3QMCFjyAGs7ERNS1VcKopVEJ9S9NwgK-3KbzhJt6jie1LL2oosMLVSGpM33qcKe5wRGLjVz03ryu20YruhIc4IlS26w09POO5iXpPFLGw98/s1600/auditoriums_rooms4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIFVy5hh7bkP3IUHSOMhPaRQ-chIbzidB3QMCFjyAGs7ERNS1VcKopVEJ9S9NwgK-3KbzhJt6jie1LL2oosMLVSGpM33qcKe5wRGLjVz03ryu20YruhIc4IlS26w09POO5iXpPFLGw98/s1600/auditoriums_rooms4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upasana Mandir</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">Everyone associated with <a href="http://www.jnanaprabodhini.org/" target="_blank">JnanaPrabodhini</a> attends Upasana. Upasana is way of meditation. During the school </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">days, I never
understood the importance of this process however life's various experiences taught
me the importance.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">So, at sharp 6:15 AM we were at the Upasana Mandir. The Upasana Mandir resembled very much like the one at the Pune
Building. Humming the same old mantras, I could feel the positivity blooming </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">inside me. The
experience was beyond words. All I can say here is, it felt like a homecoming
of a reincarnated soul.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlW9LwaWNDyCy-SpwCHMWqG2QMo2Jl-maBIWMKffxA5C4WxUgD-z-CI1M2Uf1FCYPUj2n-YiC7AfqSkzpz-zZnH55sbxGJUlXQz9-ZgB-Mz9ThFHgqFjTHA2CEVdfZqBB-Tv7u0IowWo4/s1600/P_20150328_094012_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlW9LwaWNDyCy-SpwCHMWqG2QMo2Jl-maBIWMKffxA5C4WxUgD-z-CI1M2Uf1FCYPUj2n-YiC7AfqSkzpz-zZnH55sbxGJUlXQz9-ZgB-Mz9ThFHgqFjTHA2CEVdfZqBB-Tv7u0IowWo4/s1600/P_20150328_094012_HDR.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near Pune</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">At 7, we were
back on the highway. I am really impressed with the quality of the roads. Hats
off to the unknown people who all constructed those roads.</span><br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">We made handful
pit stops before reaching my place at about 12:30.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Shraddha Mehtahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054560609736871111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-63475798819714956252015-05-01T02:23:00.000+05:302015-05-01T02:23:10.242+05:30The Lost Treasures of Chalukyas Part - I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">Badami was on my
bucket list for long time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">In July 2011,
during my Hampi trip, I had tried to go visit this town but time had played
major role then. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">As I have vowed,
this year is going to be the year of travels and fulfilling my dreams, Badami
topped the list. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;">There wasn't much
of a prologue <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">before this trip. I asked some of my friends and two of them
agreed to join in.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">However, due to
personal commitments Deshmukh kaka backed out at the eleventh hour. My car is pretty old (14 years plus) now hence I was worried if it could sustain long distance hauls of this
trip. These were the only two hassles I saw on the eve of the trip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;"><b>25 March 2015</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">It was 5:45 AM of
25 March 2015; we left my place and drove on NH4. There wasn't much rush in
those early hours and we covered good distance before halting for a quick pit
stop. Kamat Hotel near Satara served tasty Idli - Chutney for breakfast. (They
also had a black female Labrador <3) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">The road till we
pass Satara is ok ok types but ahead of Satara you get a feeling as if you are
driving in heaven. Not only the condition of road is good but the both <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">The banks of the
roads are decorated with trees to soothe your eyes. I was driving at 110 km per
hour when we crossed Nipani and entered Karnataka. Now we had to slow </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">down as it was
time to explore the interiors of North Karnataka on our way to Badami.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">I had made a list
of towns we would pass through hence the problem of GPS fail did not trouble us
much. We did another small pit stop of Cane Juice at Sankeshwar. The r</span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">oads were mostly
empty and we were in Badami at about 4:15 PM. At about 4:30 we checked in at
Hotel Rajsangam bang opposite to Bus Station. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">First thing after check in was to
refuel ourselves and freshening up. We went back to exploring the town on foot at
about 5:15.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">We were informed
by the locals that the entry for the cave temples is closed at 5:30. So we knew
we did not have much time on hand, so we headed towards the main village and
market. After a detailed scrutiny of market we found one shop which sold us the
sunscreen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BMH1KqKLi1ozbZSTY2aZvn5_URfDZ0rMukxl8jco4Hn1q1UNgwRBOE476EW-wFCZl2-htihYsBIj6348BX23MhTi6pDb9Jr6uO0jZM67sXsK4KXXIV2YTSEK8_eI5AyHDjFjtkrBfFI/s1600/IMG_8053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BMH1KqKLi1ozbZSTY2aZvn5_URfDZ0rMukxl8jco4Hn1q1UNgwRBOE476EW-wFCZl2-htihYsBIj6348BX23MhTi6pDb9Jr6uO0jZM67sXsK4KXXIV2YTSEK8_eI5AyHDjFjtkrBfFI/s1600/IMG_8053.JPG" height="200" width="166" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;">The residential
area of the town is right behind the market. We decided to explore the day
today life of this medieval town. The kids were playing on streets and many were amused by my camera. There were old ladies sitting outside their houses and
discussing day today life. These ladies also were fascinated by camera and
posed enthusiastically. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">One of these was
a middle-aged lady who invited us to visit her house. The house is all made
from local stones and is around 200 years old. She proudly showed us</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZDweqqxNxawS7V4q6OTzoqiV_7XelLbrhwZzd2NgboRJiij742TXa3mybgIcGiv5bSmC_ICrTeyWs7Q6fDNC0lyg4qXNhxvd74jq3hDOK0LF05URBMSueaU3LpD_WyjnxCq6vIIGAy8/s1600/IMG_8092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZDweqqxNxawS7V4q6OTzoqiV_7XelLbrhwZzd2NgboRJiij742TXa3mybgIcGiv5bSmC_ICrTeyWs7Q6fDNC0lyg4qXNhxvd74jq3hDOK0LF05URBMSueaU3LpD_WyjnxCq6vIIGAy8/s1600/IMG_8092.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">around. Far away
from touch of contemporary architecture this was definitely a soothing site.
The cute young daughter of this lady was also named as Shraddha and we made an
instant connection. We spent good half an hour at their place & learnt to
say “we don't speak Kannada” in Kannada (Kannada barala), We exchanged our phone </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">numbers and waved
bye.</span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;">We headed towards
the gates of the Cave Temples. Here we met some of the locals waiting to enter
the mosque for evening namaj. They informed us that the cave temples are opened
at 6 AM and closed at 6 PM. They also showed us the way to the Ticket Counters.
After this quick chat we made our way to the Agastyatirthya, a natural </span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">reservoir </span><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;">secured by stepped walls. We spent some time on the steps of the lake before
returning to the hotel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">We had a good
dinner at a local restaurant before surrendering to the sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">We had expected
it to be cooler in night but the room was as good as hot oven and we were
almost sleepless entire night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9JKM4etv7pR_ZJU6I5togJmd-hrdRI9_mFUzZuVs7UtNAqN79lmiQK_94skmm97v3eHxDvI9DvlihtR1Bji-_yjwnrj0-Tc7dUSZTHaGYsePHCZltWFeufK6NV6jF_ABcLGKkFVlRyw/s1600/IMG_8275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9JKM4etv7pR_ZJU6I5togJmd-hrdRI9_mFUzZuVs7UtNAqN79lmiQK_94skmm97v3eHxDvI9DvlihtR1Bji-_yjwnrj0-Tc7dUSZTHaGYsePHCZltWFeufK6NV6jF_ABcLGKkFVlRyw/s1600/IMG_8275.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Town of Badami on the bank of Agastyatirthya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";"><b>26 March 2015</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">We woke up pretty
early, Had breakfast and moved out at about 8 AM. First stop was at Badami Cave
Temples. The caves are situated in a hill known as South Fort. The </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">entry to the South fort
is closed. We were charged Rs. 5 per head and Rs. 25 per camera. The guy at the
ticket window, The gate keeper and couple of locals cautioned us </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">about the
monkeys around.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">There are 4 caves
dedicated to Nataraja, Vishnu Avataaras, Paravasudeva and Jain Tirthankaras.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJb08IqCWMBhxRpO8C4CBqA6jFj5viKUAPH6fi3dwxV_JyGun9qoo2Ipqq9NU8rNK9HIWH2FLHQLB0Z81nca0zJm93JnFtT6ZmtORV21856LrRKRjAJjukmC5ZVzzDOAAjzGn7HnXZn4/s1600/IMG_8119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJb08IqCWMBhxRpO8C4CBqA6jFj5viKUAPH6fi3dwxV_JyGun9qoo2Ipqq9NU8rNK9HIWH2FLHQLB0Z81nca0zJm93JnFtT6ZmtORV21856LrRKRjAJjukmC5ZVzzDOAAjzGn7HnXZn4/s1600/IMG_8119.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nataraja at the entrance of the cave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">At the entrance
of first cave a Nataraja is carved. This lifesized image has 9 left and 9 right
hands and the permutaions of poses of both hands can lead to 81 dance poses.
This was mind blowing. I salute the unknown artisan for this legacy. The cave
also has a many other carvings including a Shivalinga inside the sanctum. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">Cave two is cave
of Vishnu Avataras. The walls and the ceilings proudly bear the images of 9
avataras of Lord Vishnu. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">Cave three is the
largest of the group houses giant sized images of Lord Vishnu seated on a
coiled serpent. There are highly expressive figures of Vaishnava Pantha deities.
This cave also has an inscription indicating that the images were carved by
Mangalesha during the rein of Kirthivarman. The date is 578 AD. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">The last cave, is
dedicated to Jain tirthankaras, and is full if images like Parshwa, Suparshwa,
Yakshas etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">These days the
caves are guarded by the watchmen who also double up as guides at times. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">I
was missing my friend Jessicca and the beautiful memories of Hampi trip </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">made me
nostalgic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">When I was at
Hampi, I had a simple point and shoot camera and this time I had rented a
DSLR. It was very first time I was
handling DSLR all by <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">myself and was
learning a lot new. As a back up I had requested my buddy to use my point and
shoot camera too to avoid loss of images which she handled well. The long </span><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;">practice of
Manual Mode on my point and shoot camera has helped me understand the aspects
of photography. So, using the DSLR felt much like a cake walk, Except that SLR
was way too heavy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">It was a pleasure
to see the carvings. Any sensible mind would be spellbound by the creativity
and hard word the artisans must have done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbSJV_a_hk76ttyjiGCpfzK8NC2eFuzYqAYYHzOGZEfgSerEaLzN3x44VISjiy7dni95jrbMQVHnn69x3qiiZ1CLh-ixQqTer9qT38ZFqr_KKCQV8taM5-AEytK5h-uC3bpejkzNhr0s/s1600/IMG_8152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbSJV_a_hk76ttyjiGCpfzK8NC2eFuzYqAYYHzOGZEfgSerEaLzN3x44VISjiy7dni95jrbMQVHnn69x3qiiZ1CLh-ixQqTer9qT38ZFqr_KKCQV8taM5-AEytK5h-uC3bpejkzNhr0s/s1600/IMG_8152.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">Right at the
first cave we met a huge group of people who tried to speak to us and with our
newly acquired vocabulary we informed Kannada barala! Yet they insisted on being
photographed by and with us. I was amused by their enthusiasm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">After cave
temples, we headed to the Museum at the base of the North Fort. This small
Museum is filled with artifacts from the ancient times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVOrWSSYvf-DfiMgD1YZlbE0xy6UIU_5nrjtecZNNvi_7rUjZ0ENcw17CTTKSDObhh2bM25CKi6ybqhKiC5N3bMvTMVyR8XQusdbc_C86awbn-X-YJMYwoFMW08hZm4gFCDNktdQgz2Y/s1600/IMG_8357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVOrWSSYvf-DfiMgD1YZlbE0xy6UIU_5nrjtecZNNvi_7rUjZ0ENcw17CTTKSDObhh2bM25CKi6ybqhKiC5N3bMvTMVyR8XQusdbc_C86awbn-X-YJMYwoFMW08hZm4gFCDNktdQgz2Y/s1600/IMG_8357.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower Shivalaya as seen from Upper Shivalaya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;">Now it was time
for the much awaited North Fort. This fort is also managed by Archaeological Survey of India. The well cobbled path takes us to the Lower Shivalaya </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">which may have
been a Ganesha Temple. The upper Shivalaya is situated on the top of the North
Fort and has carvings of stories from Mahabharata and ramayana. Upper </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">Shivalaya and
couple of other places in between. The only canon of fort still guards the town
and The crowded town of Badami completes the landscape. The ruins are mesmerizing.
One can only imagine about the rich culture and heritage of this corner of the
world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">The not so well
trodden path behind the fort brought us down near a cave at the backside of the
fort and finally lead us to the Bhootnath Group of Temples. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgQTwyrpo_3bVbuONfdsRrYgizN9Nul7NZFJrsa5v_iXzuEA7EpXYQQNU3w9Bf8C4lhLOfycYikSuF5OZHTlB7aZIpl9MYwASFtthJWPPdRo1djKKKlF30elHzI2DomB75TxbPjRpbug/s1600/IMG_20150330_110536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgQTwyrpo_3bVbuONfdsRrYgizN9Nul7NZFJrsa5v_iXzuEA7EpXYQQNU3w9Bf8C4lhLOfycYikSuF5OZHTlB7aZIpl9MYwASFtthJWPPdRo1djKKKlF30elHzI2DomB75TxbPjRpbug/s1600/IMG_20150330_110536.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main Temple from the Group of Bhootnath Temples</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">The main temple
of this group is constructed on a platform submersed in the lake. It must be
quiet a site during monsoons. The security guard of this temple was a <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">friendly chap and
he guarded us well against the monkeys and showed us around. Behind the
Bhootnath Temple, There are 2 cave temples which we would have never known if he
had never suggested. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">One of these
caves houses a sheshshayi Vishnu and another one houses a Buddha in meditation.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">We were not
satisfied but the hungry tummies insited the return to the modern civilization.
When I checked the time it was already 2 PM. Fortunately we found a dugdug near
the museum. The driver of this dugdug was friendly young lad and his dugdug was
nicely decorated. He dropped us near the bus station and charged us a fair
amount. It was a pleasure of not being looted in spite of the language barrier.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">Now back in town,
we had decent lunch at Hotel Royal Deluxe. Here we learnt to say Majjige,
kannada word for buttermilk. I was wondering if my friend was tired and wanted
to rest. (Also did not want to take a risk with the heat and was more cautious
due to previous experiences of whims and fancies of co-travellers.) Thankfully,
she insisted on going to Pattadakkal. I was relieved by her enthusiasm and was
more than happy to drive off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">The drive from
Badami to Pattadakal is mostly lonely with few villages along the road. We also
passed by diversions to Banashankari & Mahakuta. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_JN12cFXoxqeLJwtr0DDONte22c8owihtDEc_Rwn0aidsV7lneBA_HctbAPr97QCIMN219QptVCLaIWCx_k7R-2hFK-CmsEdpr2aQaOAD0agBRPdBpg6pB-gG87alyodjCQMSnsbo4A/s1600/P_20150326_174625_PN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_JN12cFXoxqeLJwtr0DDONte22c8owihtDEc_Rwn0aidsV7lneBA_HctbAPr97QCIMN219QptVCLaIWCx_k7R-2hFK-CmsEdpr2aQaOAD0agBRPdBpg6pB-gG87alyodjCQMSnsbo4A/s1600/P_20150326_174625_PN.jpg" height="102" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pattadakal Panorama</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">At about 4 PM we
reached Pattadakal. On the way, she also noticed a few other famous sites. We
ignored going there as we were more interested in seeing the Mallikarjun Group
of Temples. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">The temple
complex consists of several temples built during 8th Century by a chalukyan
kings. The site is well maintained by ASI and has an entry ticket of rs.5 per </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">head.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYMWm6ltTv3Kdp8IUubvqAwT6KFqPXetnHGqulwN_0YhVVO3LIURKesLm2ai9w55QgCwBwp5bXDiw5qx_oKTlKsvH_rqsVe2RDDhhXEKOMJlhHvLjAV5aZtVt4HP-IkbZvs8UC7SxH6s/s1600/IMG_8539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYMWm6ltTv3Kdp8IUubvqAwT6KFqPXetnHGqulwN_0YhVVO3LIURKesLm2ai9w55QgCwBwp5bXDiw5qx_oKTlKsvH_rqsVe2RDDhhXEKOMJlhHvLjAV5aZtVt4HP-IkbZvs8UC7SxH6s/s1600/IMG_8539.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">They did not
charge entry fee for cameras. It was an eye soothing site on a sunny afternoon
with lots of trees and lawn. There are about 8 temples in the entire</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">complex.
Virupaksha, Mallikarjuna, Sangameshwara, Galaganatha, Kashi Vishveshwara,
Papanatha, Jambulinga and Kadasiddheshwara Temple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">Additionally,
there is a museum which had closed by the time we reached. ( We werent much
keen to visit it either.) I was admiring the architecture and the craftsmanship
of the temples and almost forgot to use camera. This is when my buddy reminded
me that we were there not only to explore the lost treasures but also to learn
photography. Then my camera started doing its work and went on to fill the
memory card. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">It was till 6 PM
we were taking pictures when the guard informed us that it was about closure
time. Post a quick rehydration session of coconut water, we drove back to </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">Badami.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif";">It was dark but
the streets were still fairly crowded. We went on to explore more of this town.
Once Back to the hotel, we requested the manager to switch on the AC as last </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">night had been
terrible due to hot weather.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">We ordered </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">Some delicious chinese </span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', serif;">for dinner, we chatted & copied photos & prepared for next day. Later we watched some cartoons and slept
off.</span></div>
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Shraddha Mehtahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054560609736871111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4687880576274894992.post-40490774011731633432015-03-31T22:38:00.000+05:302015-03-31T22:38:00.282+05:30The Grand Sahyadri Odyssey -1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As 2015 began, we listed all long weekends of the year. January's last
weekend was the first. Vivek & Kaka were exploring options and I was
determined to make best use of this weekend to complete my target of 24 forts
for this year. So the ambitious plan came up. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The original plan was <o:p></o:p></div>
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Saturday: Sudhagad, Sarasgad & Stay at Surgad base <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sunday: Surgad, Awachitgad & Stay at Ghosalgad base</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Monday: Ghosalgad, Talagad & Caves of Kuda Mandad & Back to
Pune</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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This plan was going on in my mind for long time and I had shared with a
few people as well. However it had never worked out. So it was the time to do the stuff.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Vivek & kaka accepted the plan happily & we were set. However, like all my plans, this one too needed changes at the last
minute.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Vivek had to back out last minute due to personal reasons. I had
traveled to Mumbai on Friday & returned late in the night hence the
departure was delayed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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On Saturday afternoon, we (Kaka & I) left from his place and
headed to Sudhagad. Runtime decision was made to stay overnight at Sudhagad
& descend at the earliest in the morning. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We were at Sudhagad base: Thakurwadi at about 6 PM. We put on our
hiking shoes & started off immediately. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcj_0fPy4a3gamWs4TkRhBtRiUT2Ub7BvQehijG-PwQ7kn_g-ePT-JGGtVTwdKIrrIYZHQWdjcu9sMNiUxbUkHiPya3qF8H8qJ_Km_iwhdtaAPvTc9XXJqEVg-FNvfLQvApKlGwLp2xOw/s1600/1614498_734522909978135_2776101317705028377_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcj_0fPy4a3gamWs4TkRhBtRiUT2Ub7BvQehijG-PwQ7kn_g-ePT-JGGtVTwdKIrrIYZHQWdjcu9sMNiUxbUkHiPya3qF8H8qJ_Km_iwhdtaAPvTc9XXJqEVg-FNvfLQvApKlGwLp2xOw/s1600/1614498_734522909978135_2776101317705028377_o.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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3 village girls accompanied us till Ladder. It was getting dark fast
now. The route ahead was a simple one & near the bastion Govt has
constructed stairs now. Finally when we got to the top it was about 8:15. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsu2CawWazKfa3AqQAeHQ_NP6C_9bHZIL8itsAVG5-0skBirN4NoMNxLb_C6iDwLHBky0Y9DThKC_nl9yWYiSLExiRIk8xW6VYAfWk74WQPJmy9e7RIN_bs-oDBwqNKwGMUwoTQqLyPE/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsu2CawWazKfa3AqQAeHQ_NP6C_9bHZIL8itsAVG5-0skBirN4NoMNxLb_C6iDwLHBky0Y9DThKC_nl9yWYiSLExiRIk8xW6VYAfWk74WQPJmy9e7RIN_bs-oDBwqNKwGMUwoTQqLyPE/s1600/IMG_0028.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
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When we reached to the Pant- Sachiv Wada a group was already there.
They already had their dinner and had the fire still on. During the chat they
mentioned that they had climbed down all the way from TelBails. We Cooked
Maggie for dinner and slept off quick. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In the morning, the other group acted as hosts and served us tea. Later
they descended towards Patachapur & we decided to explore Sudhagad. The Twin Pinnacles of TelBaila were dominating the skyline in the morning. It wass definitely a mesmerizing site. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The MahaDarwaja is a replica of the Great King's Capital's (Raigad) Mahadarwaja;
hence we were keen to go there. We left our backpacks at Mami's place. It was a
short walk from the Wada. And we explored many Hero Stones near the temple of
Bhorai Mata.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The MahaDarawaja of Sudhagad is constructed in Gaumukhi (Circulatory)
Format. I was thrilled to the core. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw-tfOIDkoqziEecoStyBUH1DjmAesvXjTmZYvclOPbXuhrF9U7bF3P9E8Paeb0NfKidJhP2C0rpVKXNCda8S2qqOyhgEjAmaAGTRzZdykW_CEBMs5oHMBetssCEa0F_NRoIcx8aBUy8/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw-tfOIDkoqziEecoStyBUH1DjmAesvXjTmZYvclOPbXuhrF9U7bF3P9E8Paeb0NfKidJhP2C0rpVKXNCda8S2qqOyhgEjAmaAGTRzZdykW_CEBMs5oHMBetssCEa0F_NRoIcx8aBUy8/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Soon we returned to Mami's place & requested her to prepare tea for
us. She very happily served us tea. She is one of the most genuine people I
have ever met in my life. Such a minimalistic approach... God if everyone
becomes like her this world will become heaven in no time. Good things come to end soon & thus we had to bid adieu to her
& return to base.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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We decided to have lunch at Pali and climb Sarasgad & Skip Surgad. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It was about 2 PM when we reached Pali & found a place which serves
very good homely food. We overate thus rested there for some time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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At about 3:30 PM we started climbing Sarasgad only to realize that we
had underestimated its height. The steps of Sarasgad could be a subject of
another blog post. After a quick discussion we decided to descend before it
would be really dark. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Once at base we drove to Medha base village of Awachitgad. The vitthal
temple there provided us shelter for the night and the people around the temple
were again an example of hospitality. They helped us set up the chulha &
also supplied some firewood. We prepared hakka noodles for dinner. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Next morning we set off for Awachitgad along with Mama from the nearby
family.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Awachitgad is a small fort and still has most of the fortification
intact. When we reached top the Forest department had already hoisted the
tricolor. We sang our National Anthem before starting our descend. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now it was time to explore Ghosalgad. A small kid of 5th standard did a
job of guide for us and we went to the top in no time. This fort was probably
built only as a watch tower. There isn’t much to explore here. Hence we
descended. The entire task had taken only about 2 hours of our time. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now we drove to Tala village. I had to surrender to nature & sit
back in the car. Hence, kaka with company of a local guy went ahead to explore
the fort. He returned in about an hour's time & we left for our homes.</div>
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Picture Credits: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shraddha.mehta" target="_blank">Shraddha Mehta</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sunil.deshmukh.10" target="_blank">Sunil Deshmukh</a></div>
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Shraddha Mehtahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11054560609736871111noreply@blogger.com