I was planning for my hometown ride for last couple of months and finally it happened. I covered and visited lots of places in between and also missed plenty of such places which I always wanted to visit. But it’s better to leave couple of things to create a chance for the next time. I had cooked up the log route wise rather than the day wise.
For most of the IT professionals December month is termed as the Honeymoon period, as none of the major work is carried out in this month. (Though some people think that IT wale saal bhar Velle aka Phokut rehte he)
So I took an opportunity to take a long leave to visit my hometown, as I haven't visited my place from last last year
Preparation part:-
1) Collected map and routes for my journey.Thanks to my fellow Mumbai Xbhpian's
2) Purchased a tubeless puncture kit, Accelarator wire, clutch wire, mini foot pump and couple of bungee cords.
3) Got my permanent license on the last day,packed RC book and Insurance papers and other useful document's
4) Hard cash, clothes and usual stuffs.
5) Got my bike serviced, Oil changed, chain lubed, brake oil and coolant level check.
I was all ready to rock on 9th of December 09.
The Journey:-
AAMCHI MUMBAI TO AURANGABAD (CITY NAMED AFTER AURANGZEB)
Route map
Visiting Aurangabad had two purposes with it. First I always wanted to visit that lovely place, second my cousin sister's marriage.
Wednesday was the day who witnessed the start of this long and much awaited ride. I started bit late for this ride around 12:00 noon from Andheri.The ODO reading was
7650.
There were two options for route selection to reach Aurangabad.First one is Via Pune-Ahmednagar-Aurangabad (NH4,SH27 and SH60) and the second one is via Malshej-Ahmednagar-Aurangabad (NH222 and SH60 ).I preferred the malshej route as I always loved to ride in the NH222,less traffic and smooth twisties with beautiful views. Since i started late by 12:00 noon, the traffic was at its peak and I wasted an hour or so in riding in the dense traffic.
After much of the effort in the traffic here I was running in the NH3,took right turn for Kalyan to take the NH222 which ultimately leads to Malshej and further leads to Ahmednagar.I was easily doing 90-100 on that smooth turmac.Stopped in Kasgaon for Tea and Breakfast break. I remember when me, bibek and Ansh went to Malshej once. We stopped in the same place, Kasgaon.So the point is, just before the end of Kasgaon there is hotel which serves pretty good MISAL PAV.Redeveloped my taste with the tasty misal pav and started moving ahead.NH222 is wide enough at the Jungle areas, less wide at the Ghat and town, village areas. One needs to be extra cautious while riding in the day time, because people's there are not used to vehicles running at speed of 90-100 Km/hr.Took some breaks to click few shots.
Tunnel @ Malshej ghats
Watchful eyes
Lovely Ghats
Reached Ahmendnagar at 5:00 clock in the evening, So covered approx 280 kms in 5 hours(that's why I fall to super slow rider's category).Had a tea break and moved ahead.Ahmednagar is approx 115 kms from Aurangabad and SH60 leads to Aurangabad from Ahmennagar,four lane highway was in damn good condition, heaven for rippers. This is the same highway which comes from PUne and leads to Aurangabad.Actually bibek recommended me to not to take the ahmednagar route, he advised me to take some route from sangamner (leave NH222 from Ale).But somehow I missed the route. Anyway "ANT BHALA TOH SAB BHALA"
Finally reached Aurangabad around 6.
Attended my cousin sister’s marriage in the night and slept tight around 12:00-1:00 in the night.
It was a big day ahead and I couldn’t get enough sleep,
Woke up early in the morning. Quickly finished all the stuff and started rolling around 7:00 am in the morning. It was dead cold at that time.Bibi ka Maqbara was very near to the place I stayed in the night. So the first spot to be visited was BIBI KA MAQBARA.
BIBI KA MAQBARA
Quote:
Some info from WIKI
Bibi Ka Maqbara (Urdu: بیبی كا مقبرا) is a maqbara built by Prince Azam Shah, son of Emperor Aurangzeb,one of the Mughal Emperors, in the late 17th century as a loving tribute to his mother, Rabia Durrani. The monument's name translates literally to 'Tomb of the Lady', but has earned the nickname 'poor man’s Taj' because it was made to rival the Taj Mahal. It is situated in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. The tomb in itself represents the transition from the ostentatious architecture of Akbar and Shah Jahan to the simple architecture of the later Mughals. The comparison to the Taj Mahal has resulted in a general ignorance of the monument. This monument is also called the Dakkhani Taj.
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Took an entry ticket for 10 INR and roamed in and around for half an hour. Though half an hour is very less time to completely visit the Beautiful monument.
The Gate
Marvellous Designs
Mini Taj
Entry gate from other side
Another Angle
Garden
DAULATABAD FORT
Quote:
Some info from MH tourism site
Daulatabad is located at a distance of 13 km from Aurangabad. This fort, which was once known as Devagiri, is a magnificent 12th century fortress standing atop a hill. Daulatabad, which is constructed with excellent architecture, is one of the few invincible forts in Maharashtra.
Mohammed Bin Tughluq, the sultan of Delhi gave the name Daulatabad 'The city of fortune'. Series of trick defense and secret escapes routes are the famous features of this fort. Jami Masjid, Bharatmata Mandir, the Chand Minar, Elephant Tank and 'Chini Mahal' or Chinese Palace are the important monuments inside the fort. Daulatabad Fort, which initially had stronghold of Yadav, passed through the hands of several dynasties in Deccan.
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After roaming in Bibi ka Maqbara I went to Daulatabad fort. But the 750 stairs which needs to be climbed to reach there holded me back. Not because I am lazy, just because of the time constraints. So clicked some long range shots and moved ahead quickly as one of the salesman kind of guy who was selling India Map was bugging me quite frequently to purchase the tourist map.
Glimpse part 1
Part 2
and 3
Exit Gate
ELLORA CAVES
Ellora caves is not too far from the Daulatabad fort.
Quote:
Some info from wiki
Ellora (Marathi: वेरूळ) is an archaeological site, 30 km (19 mi) from the city of Aurangabad in the Indian state of Maharashtra built by the Rashtrakuta rulers. Well-known for its monumental caves, Ellora is a World Heritage Site.[1] Ellora represents the epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture. The 34 "caves" – actually structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills – being Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock cut temples and monasteries, were built between the 5th century and 10th century. The 12 Buddhist (caves 1–12), 17 Hindu (caves 13–29) and 5 Jain (caves 30–34) caves, built in proximity, demonstrate the religious harmony prevalent during this period of Indian history.[2]
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Entrance to the main cave (CAVE 16)
Read carefully
Cave 16.1
Cave 16.2
Cave 16.3
Nazara from the cave Balcony
Finally Me
Cave 16.4
Cave 17
Cave 17.1
Cave 17.2
Cave 17.3
Cave 17.4 - Witness of the History
Cave 29
Cave 29.1
Cave 29.2
Cave 29.3
God give me some light
Cave 29.4
Kehte he rani yaha nahati thi..Baaki logon ke toh maje hote rahe honge
Cave 29.5
Cave 32
Cave 32.1
Cave 32.2
Cave 32.3
Cave 32.4
Cave 32.5
Cave 32.6
Cave 32.7
Cave 32.8
Cave 32.9
Cave 32.10
Cave 32.11
Cave 32.12
Cave 32.13
Cave 32.14
Some color is still left on the paintings,Only the guides or the guards can show you where they are.So pay the guards 10 bugs,rather than paying a guide
Cave 32.15
Another witness
AURANGABAD TO CITY OF LAKES
Route Map :
After visiting the easily acessible points i moved ahead for my futher journey,It was almost 12:00 noon when i completed my course of visiting allora caves.Stopped at the retaurants nearby the caves to kill my hunger had some Uthappa's,Idli's and Dosa's.Continued on NH211 after completing the south indian food eating festival.
NH211 turmac was quite OK OK,Not too good though.Some Scenic view on NH211
In between got fooled because of a Bypass in between.The Bypass was in very very very Bad shape.You guys can imagine it took me 40 mins to cover 5-6 Kms of that Bypass.Big big pieces of stones laying on the deep holes,i have never read anywhere that this type of road is termed as Bypass.
Finally after couple of mins i got to see some road.Reached Dhule around 2:00 Pm.120 Km's in 80-90 mins,Pretty decent for me.
Now i was back on the NH3,I was very tired as didn't got to sleep much last night,so stopped at a Dhaba nearby songir had my lunch and rested for approx 3 hours.What i think is Our senses plays a very volatile role while riding and when you are tired,haven't had enough sleep etc-etc.Always take rest.As 'reaching safely at your destination matters,not the time you took or the top speed you attained'.
Quite an explaination for a 3 hours rest.
Started moving towards Indore,Eated another 170 Kms in NH3.Strech was quite Ok-Ok as the four lane construction was going on.For some patch left side road was open and for some of the patch right side road was open.Decided to stop at Kalghat.Spotted an MP TOURISM MOTEL when enquired about the price,they quoted 1500 Rs.I laughed at them and stayed at the Lodge right in the front of the Motel for 200 Rs.
Another morning calling for ride,to cover thousands of Km's.
Started early in the morning by 7 am in the bone chilling cold.Road from Kalghat to Bhopal was very good,Smooth four lane highway.Reached Indore in an hour,covered approx 90 km's.Took a breakfast break and had my favouraite Poha Jalebi in the Menu.
@Indore Bypass
Windmills
Reached Bhopal at 10:00 am Sharp.Parked myself and my sweetheart to my friends place and went for the rest.
During the course of my Bhopal stay i visited the Upper lake and Van vihar.
UPPER LAKE
Quote:
Some info from wiki
Upper Lake, (Hindi: बड़ा तालाब), is the largest artificial lake in Asia which lies on the Western side of the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal. It is a major source of drinkable water for the residents of the city, serving around 40% of the residents with nearly 30 million gallons per day. Bada talaab, along with the nearby Chhota Talaab, meaning small lake in Hindi, constitute Bhoj Wetland, which is now a Ramsar site.
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Bhopal is called city of lakes,having 3 beautiful lakes.Upper lake,Lower lake and Shahpura lake.
Bunch of quack quack's roams around the Boating area
View from another side
VAN VIHAR
Quote:
Some info from wiki
Van Vihar National Park is a national park in India located a the heart of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. Declared a national park in 1983, it covers an area of about 4.45 kmē. Although it has the status of a national park, Van Vihar is developed and managed as a modern zoological park, following the guidelines of the Central Zoo Authority. The animals are kept in their near natural habitat. Most of the animals are either orphaned brought from various parts of the state or those, which are exchanged from other zoos. No animal is deliberately captured from the forest[1]. Van Vihar is unique because it allows easy access to the visitors through a road passing through the park, security of animals from poachers by building trenches and walls and providing natural habitat to the animals.
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Van Vihar is located near by the Upper lake,One side there is upper lake strech and the other side is the dense forest where the animal's reside.We can take our bike or whatever vehicle inside the VAN VIHAR premises.Nominal fee of 50 or 100 is charged based upon the Vehicle type.Also Cycles are available on the rent for the tourists.
All the pics are zoom shots,so quality will be poor.
1) HYENA (LAKADBAGHHA)
2) Junglee Bhalu's
They termed and Marked this one as a Reech
3) Rock Turtles
4) Leopard
5) There are 3 Tigers at Van Vihar..Two male tiger and one Female Tiger.One of the Male tiger is White tiger infact.I waited for almost 30 mins to get the glimpse of the tigers but they didn't showed up.Finally i spotted female tiger named Shweta.
6) Snakes and Vipers
Rat snakes(Dhamna) - I have seen plenty of these in my village
Lazy Bud
Spot the King Cobra's
Found another turtle between snakes.
7) Alligators and Crocodiles
8) Atlast some Deer's
This one was very sweet
Rest of the days (that is 11,12 and 13 Dec) i wasted and spended in my friends marraige.
BHOPAL TO PACHMARI AND TO JABALPUR ALL THE WAY
Route Map:
It was 14th December, time to get back on the track and move ahead. My next destination was Pachmari.Started early in the morning at 8:00 am. Took NH12 which leads to Jabalpur,but at point we had to leave NH12 and get along with the NH69 to reach pachmari.There was some heavy traffic in between which I encountered at NH12 because of the Industrial area near by Bhopal. But road was not in that bad condition and I was quite happy about it.
Narmada river on the way
Tawa river
Reached Pipariya at 1:00 pm.Now road leading to Pipariya is very thin, like half lane. So I was taking my time and going slow on the bike on the road. I had to cover 52 Km's to reach Pachmari.
Welcome message
Eated the Km's in an hour, now it was time to kill the hunger. After little bit of enquiring for a hotel serving non-veg food, I came to know that there is One BOMBAY hotel which serves the best non-veg food in the town. And yeah whoever told me was damn right about it. After finishing the yummy chicken I moved ahead to visit Jatashankar, Bada Mahadev, Paanch Pandav caves and the lake. During my visit I missed couple of lovely points which takes lot of time and effort. Like B Falls, Chauragadh, Dhoopgadh and most important one "Satpuda National Park”. Then again I should have to leave them for the next time
JATASHANKAR
Quote:
Some info from wiki
Jatashankar is a holy place located in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh, India. This place has temple to the God Shiv. Jata means hair and Shankar is another name of Lord Shiva. The temple is located in the middle of the local hills. There are two different types of little pond, fed by springs, found in the locality, one of cold water and the other one of hot water
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BADA MAHADEV
Quote:
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Bada Mahadev cave is about 25 ft. width and 60 ft. in length, inside the cave is a pond filled with water seeping into it from the roof. Inside the cave is a ‘Shivaling’. On Maha-Shivratri a fair is held at this place and about 4 to 5 lakh devotees comes from all part of India to get the blessings of Load Shiva.
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PART 2 OF THE TRAVELOUGE ( DUE TO THE LIMITATION OF 100 IMAGES PER MESSAGE)
CHECK AT THE END OF THE PAGE
Cheers
BIRU
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