beruoist

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
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
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.

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
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

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






BADA MAHADEV








PART 2 OF THE TRAVELOUGE ( DUE TO THE LIMITATION OF 100 IMAGES PER MESSAGE)
CHECK AT THE END OF THE PAGE




Cheers
BIRU

If you like the travelouge,then do not forget to vote for me.

__________________
MY SPACE....http://musafirhuyaron.blogspot.com/

"सैर कर दुनीया की गालिब,जिन्दगानी फिर कहा.
जिन्दगानी गर रही तो ,नौजवानी फिर कहा!!"

ken cool

Wonderful solo trip. I wish you had written some more. The Ellora caves are something to watch... rich cultural heritage of the fading Golden Age of our history.

If everybody started paying 10 Bucks to the guard for explanations, people like me would be out of a job!

Approved

__________________
The Wheel was a great invention; Two Wheels with a Motor in between was even better!


BMW Motorrad Days 2011

Xbhp's Indo-French Kashmir-Ladakh Tour

Aditya-biking pro

Lovely pics,waiting for rest of the trip-log and pics especially the Aurangabad-Bhopal-Panchmari part as I'm from Bhopal.

__________________
I don't ride fast,i fly low.

Owner of the fastest indian now-Pulsar 220 dts-i!

tourer_kashif

I was expecting this log since long.
Couldn't see the pics,will see them at home and will rate it once you take us to the ride of Bhopal with ur logs.

__________________
Click Here To Visit My Biking World

beruoist

Thanks Ken da..You are right about it.But i was just short of time.I will add some text for each cave.
And I will take a guide next time

Hang-on there mate there is more to come.

Yes Kashif bhai..take your time.And do not forget to vote if you like the travelouge

@ ALL - AURANGABAD TO CITY OF LAKES PART UPDATED

Cheers
Biru

__________________
MY SPACE....http://musafirhuyaron.blogspot.com/

"सैर कर दुनीया की गालिब,जिन्दगानी फिर कहा.
जिन्दगानी गर रही तो ,नौजवानी फिर कहा!!"

himanshumm

@beruoist

Nice one dude.. it would have been more cool, if you had try to add some data of trip , i mean km travles. time stamps etc.. although you made me remember of my childhood when i last visited zoo with my dad.. since then i couldnt get a chance to visit a zoo or any vanvihar. will make sure i'll visit zoo in delhi very soon... Good going..

Aditya-biking pro

@beruoist,
Superb pics. of Bhopal man. It's a treat to watch photos of home-city in a trip-log.
Have you visited the other two lakes as well?

__________________
I don't ride fast,i fly low.

Owner of the fastest indian now-Pulsar 220 dts-i!

beruoist

CONTD...

BHOPAL TO PACHMARI AND TO JABALPUR ALL THE WAY

GUPT MAHADEV



Some serious poser's on the way from Gupt Mahadev To Paanch Pandav caves


PAANCH PANDAV






Some pics of the Garden Outside.






Poser bikes outside the premises



PHAANSI KHADD
Its name says it all,If it doesn't then have a look at the pictures.
Well there are no specific direction signs to reach this point,just a sign board pointing towards an offroad.You have to do offroading for 1-2 Km to reach this point



THE LAKE
On my way back i visited the lake which is situated in the heart of Pachmari.Boating,Camel ride and Newly Wed couples were main attraction of that spot.Also there were plenty of golf courses around

Sunset at the lake


Camel ride




My clock ticked 6 and I make my move to get back on the road leading to Jabalpur.I was shaking in the cold as the temperature there was 3 Degree. Reached Pipariya back in an hour and it became dark. I had plenty of energy left in me so I decided to move ahead until I feel exhausted. Road from Pipariya going towards Jabalpur looked well, and it was in much better condition. Covered approx 160 Kms and reached Narsimhapur.Checked-IN in a lodge for 250 bugs, quite clean and decent one. Had my energy drinks and crashed on bed.
15th December 09, Very less road remaining to reach my destination. Started my day with a tasty breakfast Poha-Jalebi and Tea. I was quite happy about the ride so far as it was completely mess-free, zero hiccups, zero failures and it was going ahead as planned. Now here comes the bad part when I took wrong road for the Jabalpur.I had to take the road which leads to NH12 and which finally goes to Jabalpur.I took the wrong road which leads to the Nagpur-Jabalpur higway.And I can't explain in the words that I drove in such a messy road, infact no road at all.50 Kms of no road at all, actually the road construction was going on. The contractors were doing Mine blasting in between, so got stopped in between 8 times for it. And after blast all the big bolder were scattered on the road, it was very difficult to cross with your bike or any vehicle from that strech.I was scared that if something goes wrong then I will be stuck in this Jungle, and what I am going to do then. But I moved slowly slowly and finally managed to come out of that strech.It took my precious 3 hours to reach the NH7.Took a Break at Lakhnadon and rode for another hour and I reached Jabalpur at 11:00 am
Another sad part was about to begin, leaving my sweetheart at my friends place and continue my rest of the journey by bus.
Only one bus at 5:00 pm goes to my place from Jabalpur, which I missed by 5 mins.Me and my friend chased the bus and finally caught it, just outside the city.
Reached Home sweet home on 15 th December at 10:00 Pm.

MY VILLAGE, JABALPUR TO MUMBAI

I belong to a village named Bhadutola which comes in Seoni district(MP).For other peoples to easily locate my place,it's 70 Kms from KANHA NATIONAL PARK.Farming is the only job people have in there.Soil over my place is very fertile as it's Black soil,but my place still lacks on the water resources.The entire agricultural area depends upon the water provided by Canals.
Farmers grow vegetables as well as the major crops.Like..Chana,Masoor,Moong,Arhar(rahar),Gehu,T iwada,Matar,Tili etc
Population will be hardly 200 peoples having 25-30 homes.
Here is some glimpse of my place and people living around.

Lauki


Saymee


Berr




Tomato


Flower's has come on Masoor and Chana

Masoor


Chana


Gehu..


Rai..Achar me dalne walii



Misc - In and around village

Bhukka dau


One side


Other side


The canal

Kids


My ride @ home



Another beautiful sunset


School chale hum !!


Trapped





Rested on 16, 17,18,19,20 Dec at Home. I planned to visit Kanha with my friends in between, but the plan got failed due to some personal issues. I started on the 21st Morning from my village at 6:00 am, as there is only one bus at 6:30 from Keolari which goes to Jabalpur.Said a good bye to my mom and dad with a heavy heart and climbed on the bus. One side I was feeling sad, leaving my mom and dad, on the other hand I was happy that I and my sweetheart are going to re-unite very soon.
I reached Jabalpur at 12:00Noon. Reached at friends place, thanked him hundred times for keeping my bike safe and sound. After saying my friend good bye I went straight to the Yamaha Service centre. Got the engine oil changed and chain cleaned and lubed.

There are two famous spots in Jabalpur, Gwarighaat and Bedaghaat (Dhuadhaar prapat).But these service centre guys wasted my most of the valuable day time. For a simple job like chain cleaning and lubing, Engine oil change they took 4 hours. Simply pathetic.
Now since I had very less time remaining to visit the places I dropped the plan for Bedaghaat.
Went to Gwarighaat, did darshan of Holy Narmada and the Temple and shooted off for my rest of the Journey.

Gwarighaat


Maa Narmada temple..




Route Map:



I had to take NH7 which connects Jabalpur and Nagpur.I was familiar with the small portionof the highway, thanks to the wrong turn I took while coming to Jabalpur.
I started at 6:00 Pm from jabalpur.NH7 stretch was quite good in condition, wide and smooth. One can easily rip at the speed of 90-100.Most important thing. Very less traffic.70 Km stretch before Seoni district is newly made. It’s a four lane, another heaven for ripper.
Reached Seoni around 7:40, had some food. At 8:00 Pm I was back on the road running towards Nagpur.Road from Seoni to Nagpur was not in decent condition. After riding for an hour and covering 60-63 Kms I reached a road going to PenchNational park. I immediately made my plan to visit the Park early in the morning, so stopped there and started to look for accomodation, did found some high-fi hotels which were out of my budgets. So I thought lets look for the accommodation on next stop, Stopped in Mansar and asked the locals for any decent lodge nearby, they said you have to go Ramtek for iterate was 15-20 Kms from Mansar off NH7.I decided to move ahead rather than staying on Ramtek and visiting Pench National Park, as it would have consumed half of my day. Later while on my way to Nagpur I faced some batter issues as well, I stopped for pee break at one point and when I came back and started my bike it didn't started.Ofcourse the battery was exhausted as the headlight's were not turning ON as well. Put my bike on first
gear and started running, finally she got started and a big sigh of relief for me.
I reached Nagpur at 10:00 clock. Found a Lodge on the Highway only which has a quote "GHAR SE DOOR EK GHAR".Quickly checked in for 250 bugs and crashed to bed.

For the next day I had to cover a huge distance Nagpur to Mumbai.
Next day I started bit late 8:00 am. Took NH6 which leads to Dhule,Road is in awesome condition till Akola.
Found a big idol of Hanuman ji on the way..


My worst nightmare started when I crossed Akola.First the road was in quite bad condition and too much traffic from both sides. The stretch from Akola to Dhule consumed most of the best riding hours of the Day time. I reached Dhule at 4:30 in the evening. Stopped for breakfast and tea. I was feeling very much tired. I somehow got feeling that I will not be able to make it to the Mumbai today only. And the traffic jams on NH3 made my feelings into a reality.
Stopped at a dhaba in between had a lassi and aloo ke parathe’s (super size) in dinner. All this for 50 INR.Reached Nashik at 7:00 Pm.I was dead tired my body and my mind both were asking for rest, so I obeyed them and started looking for accomodation.Believe me or not it took 30 mins for me to search for it. Most of the lodges were full (No vacancy).Finally I got one for 300 bugs, room was OK OK.Costliest accommodation I had taken on my journey.

Started at 7:30 from Nashik and reached Home safely at 10:00 am. Quickly got refreshed and dressed and went to office.

What can I say for me it's the Best ride I had done so far, Ride of a life time kind of. I see myself planning for this ride 2-3 months back, I was not confident and sure enough that whether I would be able to make this ride or not. I always felt myself as an amateur rider who is qualified for small rides which runs for 1000 Kms or so. But the learning's and experience that this ride has given to me has boosted my confidence and enthusiasm.
Thanks everyone who gave me lovely wishes for this ride and helped me completing this solo ride.

Cheers
Biru

__________________
MY SPACE....http://musafirhuyaron.blogspot.com/

"सैर कर दुनीया की गालिब,जिन्दगानी फिर कहा.
जिन्दगानी गर रही तो ,नौजवानी फिर कहा!!"

k2cool_87

brilliant biru....amazin log and pics...loves every word...

__________________
Girls are like roads, more the curves, more the dangerous they are.

To ride or not to ride?? is a....
very very stupid question....

himanshumm

Execellent pics.. loved it...

Good job done dude..