SPITI RIDE

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dodra - Kwar: Where Griffons Dare

Image
  Dodra – Kwar is a very less known cultural region of Himachal. It is a narrow valley drained by River Rupin, and enclosed by loft ranges of middle and greater Himalayas. Last year, a jeep able road was completed, connecting this valley to Rohru. Prior to this, people of this valley travelled by foot or horseback to Rohru. The easier rout was to walk along the river and reach Netwar, a large village in Uttrakhand. Netwar is also the confluence of rivers Rupin and Tons. According to the folklore, this valley was a part of the kingdom of Tehri but was given in dowry to the princess who married King of Rampur Bushahr. Thus it became a part of Himachal. The very idea of biking up to an unexplored region is very rib-tickling; so the plans are made well in advance and on 30 th May two of us load our bikes and scoot off. The rout we are to take is Chail, Kufri, Narkanda, Baggi, Khara Patthar, Rohru, Chanshal, Dodra and Kwar. The return is from Rohru to Hatkoti, Jubbal, Theog and Shiml...
Read more

The French Connection - Pondicherry

Image
24 - 29 December 2007 We spend a few days in Bangalore doing the Brigade Road and all the malls, pubs and restaurants but the roads leading out of the city tempt us. So one fine morning we drive off towards the east – destination Pondicherry. The road from out side Bangalore to Krishnagiri is a dream come true and we travel at almost the speed of sound. From the Krishnagiri, I take the NH66 and till day I rue the decision. It is an elongated pot hole almost 55 kms long. Our souls and the suspension is saved only when we reach Thiruvanamalai. Mount Arunachalam towers over this sacred town, which is home to the ashram of the greatest saint of the twentieth century – Raman Maharishi. He lived and preached here. His ashram exists here which is as always teeming full of foreigners. The ancient intricately carved temple of Thiruvanamalai stands testimony to the rich heritage of this region. A quick stop to take pictures is all we manage and then speed off. We stop at a way side dhaba for foo...
Read more

Kumaon - Part 2

Image
Going to Almora – Drive Slowly to Enjoy the Environs! 14 June 2006 Another beautiful morning and we are to go to Almora today. After having eaten a huge breakfast of aloo-paranthas and said our byes to the hotel people, we start for Almora. The road is nice and the drive becomes more and more picturesque as we move away. We stop at Fruitage, a home made products shop, to buy some honey, jams and chutneys. A turn later the ‘Kainchi Mandir’ comes in to view. The road is choc-a-block full of parked cars, vans and buses. Some sorts of festivities are on as there are lots of s adhus and other devotees. The temple is very colourful and stands out in verdant green surroundings. A large stream curls around the temple with a branch flowing through it. The location is ideal and very soothing despite the crowds. We move on towards Almora along the banks of the stream. The drive is all down hill through lush green forests and dales. At places groves of trees are dense green with moss and ferns...
Read more