Journeys Of An Indian Gypsy

Rohit Upadhyay

Last evening,due to the fog i did not realized about the beauty of the place i have been staying.It was sunrise and just came out to breath the fresh air.And then i saw the beauty,which i have never seen in my entire life.I ran back to my room and took out my camera.And here is what i saw

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This scene was just next to the road where i was standing.

Rohit Upadhyay

The Day 12 started with an empty pocket,the other day locals told me that the ATM will open at the time when the Banks get open.I didn't believed them,So i went to the one of the ATM,and to my surprise saw an long queue for the money withdrawal.No the Bank and the ATM was not opened yet,as it was just 09 AM.The officials came at around 10:00 and the ATM finally opened at 10:15 for the public.Meanwhile i was ferrying between the only 02 ATM's in the town.So that which ever opens first i will withdraw cash from there and head towards Nepal as soon as possible.

Finally one of the ATM started.But the cash in it lasted only for 2-3 Customers.Sadly the other ATM had some technical difficulty and the engineer was on his way from Gorakhpur.I had no option left,I started towards Gorakhpur which was 80 Kms from there.The complete first half was wasted on going to Gorakhpur and coming back just for the Cash withdrawal.Lesson re-learnt :P

I reached the Nepal border at around 03:00 PM. Didn't looked like a border.. a part from the entry gate.The cops on the other side stopped me.and enquired a bit.Then they came into their original form and started asking too many question.They even asked me to get some receipt made for the electronic items i am carrying.Which costed me around 200 Rs.Certified-Authorized looting *******s

:P

The Indo-Nepal border looked quite cool.People crossing from both the side without any checking and interruption.The RTO office of nepal was bang on left hand side of the entry gate.The document which you need to get for your vehicle and yourself is called BANSAR.One Photo ID,Driving License xerox,Bike Documents (RC Book,Insurance papers),02 passport size photos(I think so) and around 1500-1600 Rs for 10 Days pass inside Nepal.It hardly took 30 mins to get all the paper work done and my ticket to Nepal was in my hand.

Beautiful scenery around

Rohit Upadhyay

In the first half of day 11 i took my bike to Yamaha service center for quick servicing.I told them my story that i need to travel ahead,I am travelling from so many days,I am in big trouble if i did not reach back in time etc etc..added some spice to it and they agreed to Service the bike on priority and give it back in 2 hours.

Better than the Yamaha Service center at Malad West.We have to take an appointment one week before to get the bike serviced.

Varanasi aka Banaras aka Kaashi...Which is blessed with the love of Holy Ganga.City which is reffered by many names.. "the city of temples", "the holy city of India", "the religious capital of India", "the city of lights", and "the city of learning."

At the banks of the Ganga,lies the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Lord Shiva.This is one of the Holiest of all the Shiva temple and contains one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

First thing was to visit the temple,since any kind of electronic equipment was not allowed inside.I took a locker in one of the Prasad shop and put all stuff there (Camera,Mobile etc).There are multiple gates for entry,manky check points.It took an hour for me to do the darshan.Which was quite less in fact

.I was expecting at least 2-3 hours

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On my way to the temple

Rohit Upadhyay

With 02 days of pure fun and admiration,it was time to bid adieu to Khajuraho.Khajuraho was the last point from which i was about to start my return journey as joining date with L&T Infotech was nearby.But in between i cracked IBM interview as well,which gave me time to extend my ride further.I checked the Eicher map to see which all places i can cover, also spoke to few of my friends that where to head next.Amit sir (hiambuj) gave me advice to visit Nepal.And i blindly followed that

I moved to Attara and then reached Chitrakoot.From my childhood i had heard a lot about this place,we used to chant a DOHA for this place.

"Chitrakoot Ke Ghaat Me,Bhayi Santan Ki Bheed"
"Tulsi Daas Chandan Ghise,Tilak Dete Raghuveer"

On My way to Attara

Rohit Upadhyay

Salute to the sculptor

Rohit Upadhyay

A wonderful morning in a small town,it was the excitement which woke me up little early in the morning.Orchha, meaning a "hidden place", certainly lives up to its name.Clustered around the foot of the exotic ruins, a sleepy village of neatly painted houses and various small small market stalls.
I planned to visit the temples first,then chattris and then the Raja Mahal.Everything which can be seen in Orchha is at walkable distance.

Orchha is quite a photographer's delight. It turns absolutely magnificent during the evenings and the Morning time.

Rohit Upadhyay

Day 6 - Coonoor - Ooty - Bandipur - Gundlupet - Mysore - Banglore - Pune

Yesterday while i was at the foothills,before reaching Coonoor.. i was thinking to stay for the night right there.But i had to travel a long distance next day,so i traveled till Coonoor and stayed there for the night.

Weather at Coonoor and Ooty was super awesome.Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiri hills.Its famous for the production of Nilgiri tea.

Just when i started towards Ooty in the morning

And the awesome view

Rohit Upadhyay

Day 05 - Kottayam - Pala - Thodupuzha-Munnar-Udumalaipettai-Palladam-Avinashi-Mettupalayam-Coonoor

Todays plan was not fixed,which way to head.Looking at the yesterdays mayhem at the Coastal route,I was no longer interested in going further on that route.So i thought of redoing Munnar and then head towards Ooty.

My trustworthy route guide 'EICHER book' was not with me.So i was having no idea which way/direction to head and ask for which places to head towards Munnar.I smsed Ankit (Roadzilla) for the necessary pointers and route details.Thanks to him for prompt response.I started at 08 AM in the morning towards Thodupuzha via Pala.

Road was in decent condition with less traffic,so did not had any difficulty in reaching Munnar by afternoon.

Saw some very beautiful waterfalls on the way to Munnar.

Rohit Upadhyay

Day 4 - Kanyakumari-Trivandrum-Kollam-Kottarakara-Kottayam

While going for bed last night,I requested the Hotel owner to wake me up in the morning.Sunrise in Kanyakumari happens between 05-30 to 06:00.I put 04 alarms at 10-10 mins interval and kept the mobile bit far from the bed,changed the alarm tone to the most annoying one.Just to make sure that i wake up on time to see the Sunrise.

In the morning after three alarms,i woke up at 05:30.And quickly rushed to the Sunrise point which was nearby.The sun had not come yet,I placed my self at a cozy location to enjoy the exuberant scenes of the sunrises.