Nagesh Patankar

Day two was supposed to be a ride to Ajanta Caves and back. We had arranged for breakfast at the lodge so that we don’t have to stop on our way for it. Everyone was ready by 08.15am and we started off at sharp 08.30am.

The route decided was as follows :-
AURANGABAD -> Pokhari -> Phulambri -> Sillod -> Golegaon -> Ajanta -> same way back to AURANGABAD

The total distance to be covered was around 100kms one way. The roads in Aurangabad city are average. As soon as we left our lodge we stopped at a BP petrol pump near Delhi Gate to check the tire pressures. Some guys also wanted to fill up their tanks. It did not take much time to get out of the city. After riding for about half an hour through a couple of small villages we stopped unexpectedly at Phulambri. Our lead rider as well as I wanted to brief the participants about maintaining discipline and their position in the group. This unexpected briefing happened because, on the day one (as I had mentioned earlier) the riders found it a little difficult to ride in a group formation. However, by day 2 everyone was comfortable with each other.

The unexpected briefing seemed to have a positive effect. I could actually feel that the riders felt really nice and were enjoying their ride with the fellow riders in the group. We quickly started off our ride as we had to reach Sillod for the first pit stop by 10.30am max. Riding through various small villages we finally reached Sillod by 10.30 am. The road was pretty ok. After a short break of 15-20 mins we started off again as now we had to reach a dhaba (I think it was in Golegaon) just 8 kms from Ajanta Caves for lunch by 12 noon at any cost. This was because one needs a lot of time to really explore the caves and the surrounding areas. Moreover, it takes some time to arrange for the tickets for everyone and accordingly get everyone to aboard the bus which takes us to the caves. For these reasons our lead rider – Sachin went ahead without stopping at Sillod. We met him at the Dhaba. However, one of the bikes suffered a puncture just a km before the dhaba. Fortunately, there was a puncture shop at the junction (near the dhaba). So once everyone arrived the food was served. We did not order too much. Just Paranthas. From here it was decided to park our bikes at the dhaba and everyone would be transported to Ajanta by the Tempo Traveler.

Everyone finished their food and soon the Tempo Traveler went to drop the first batch to the base of Ajanta Caves. The distance to be covered was just 8 kms. Soon the second batch went and everyone met at the base of Ajanta caves at 2.30pm. We distributed the tickets to everyone. We decided to visit the “view point” first (the area from where the caves were first discovered). This place gives a magnificent panoramic view of the caves. One can see all the caves in an archaic format and also the origin of the Waghora river that flows between the hills. Soon the shutterbugs started to click and why not ? Such was the beauty of this place that even a person who is not so keen on photography will start clicking.

After a round of shots (photos) we started to descend the hill. This is an alternate route to reach the caves. Most people travel by the bus provided by MTDC which transports the tourists from the base to the caves. I thought it was a good decision to chose the alternate route. We spent around 2 hrs exploring the caves. While returning we chose to travel by the MTDC bus to reach the base where our Tempo Traveler was parked. We reached the base at 4.45pm and with 2 rounds of the Tempo Traveler we managed to reach the dhaba (where we had parked our bikes) at 05.30pm. Tea was ordered for everyone and in the meantime the shutterbugs started to discuss about the various pics that they had captured. Couple of us were discussing about the return journey to Aurangabad. We were also concerned about the puncture that we had on one of the bikes.

We finished our break in about half an hour (surprisingly) and were ready to start our return leg to Aurangabad. It was 6.45pm. This return leg was one of the best in terms of group riding. Everyone observed great discipline and we managed to reach Aurangabad in just 2 hrs and 45 mins at 09.30pm with just one 10 min break in between. Of course I was worried a little bit about the inexperienced fellow riders riding in the dark with a relatively big group. However, to everyone’s surprise this ride so far was the one that we all enjoyed to the core. Even though it was dark, we managed to keep a good speed of 80-90kmph constantly and touching 100kmph on a few occasions.
There was sparse traffic on the entire stretch which helped us to cruise at such high speeds constantly.

The return leg was so exciting that once we reached our lodge, everyone was engrossed in discussing how they felt, the top speed managed etc etc. Nobody would say that they have just returned from a 100kms ride. As organizers we were really relaxed and happy to see the entire scenario.

Nagesh Patankar

DAY THREE–
The route taken was :-
Tourist Home (Our Lodge)-Aurangabad ->> Nasik Road ½ hr ->> Exit to Ellora ½ hr ->> Ellora ->> Ghrishneshwar (left around 6.30-6.45pm) ->> Back to Tourist Home (around 7.45pm) ->>

Everyone was informed that the breakfast would be served at 7.30am. Accordingly everyone was up early and ready to roll by 08.00am. Today we were to visit the magnificent Ellora Caves. The distance to be covered was just 30 kms one way. We left around 8.10am and hit the Nasik Road. To our disappointment we were up against bad roads again. However, it lasted for just half an hour. Soon we took the 1st exit from this road towards Ellora. The roads were good now. (Later we realized that we had chosen the wrong exit
. It should have been the 2nd exit which goes via the majestic Daulatabad fort.) From this exit onwards we enjoyed our ride because the roads were good and were surrounded by beautiful landscapes. In just about half an hour we reached Ellora.
We did not rush through our ride as we had to cover only 30 kms (one way) today. So we decided to be a little laidback and enjoy the ride especially the second half an hour ride from the Nasik road exit till Ellora. Once everyone reached, Sachin went to get the tickets. He came back in like half an hour and the tickets were distributed to everyone. I would like to inform everyone here that it takes a lot of time to get the tickets especially if one is visiting on the weekend. We noticed a huge crowd that day including a considerable amount of foreigners. As was expected it was a little difficult to find a good place to park our bikes and the back up vehicle. However, we did manage to find a good shady place for the Tempo as well as the bikes. Soon we started to explore the caves.
Our invitee scholar – Dr. Manjiri Bhalerao was constantly guiding and sharing her knowledge about the caves with everyone. What I liked the most about her was that she explained everything in detail yet she made sure it was not boring like a lecture. She had her unique way of explaining things. One can actually realize how much she was dedicated towards Heritage Conservation. We spent almost 3 hours exploring the caves and by the time it was 1.30pm we arranged lunch for everyone. All of us were eager to visit the ‘Kailas Mandir’ because we all had heard quite a lot about it from Dr.Bhalerao. In about an hour everyone had finished their lunch and were ready to visit the Kailas Mandir.
I would like to mention here that at Ellora, one just can’t afford to miss the Kailas Mandir. This rock cut temple is just astonishing. Its kingsize presence is felt every moment. All us know that Ajanta-Ellora are rock cut caves and that they all were carved from a single humungous rock. The stupas, the carvings, various sculptures and even the pillars that we find inside the caves. These all are one piece. No attachments. That’s why they are called Monolithic structures.
Similarly even the Kailas Mandir has been carved out of one humungous rock. In fact, if you look at the pics you can notice that the carvers started from the top of the hill and its atleast at a height of 100 feet approx. Its difficult to believe that the entire monument was made by excavation and not by construction. This place just does not stop to mesmerize you. It takes you into a different world altogether. I think I can not describe enough about the beauty of this place. Let the pics do the talking. It was a perfect shutterbug’s delight. After exploring the caves for 3-4 hours we decided it was time to return. The clock showed 4.00pm. By 4.30pm everyone had gathered in the parking lot. I could see the happy and relaxed faces which indicated we had just experienced. No wonders Ajanta-Ellora are considered as ‘World Heritage Sites’ (UNESCO).
Everyone got their bikes out of the parking lot and soon we went to see another set of caves which were just 2 minutes away. The reason we took our bikes was that this last set of caves were at an elevation and had a lot of parking space available. To our benefit there were very few people around. After exploring the last caves and having some photoshoots we informed everyone that it was time to leave. The time was around 5.45pm. We decided to have tea at the same hotel we ordered our lunch from.
Next on the agenda was to visit the Ghrishneshwar temple which is just 10-15 mins from Ellora site. After having tea we all went to visit the Grishneshwar temple. It’s open till 9.00pm. Some guys preferred to stay back in the parking lot while the others went inside. After 45 mins or so all of us were ready to return to our lodge. This time we decided to take the route via Daulatabad fort. It turned out to be a nice decision because the roads through this route were simply awesome. We really enjoyed the ride in the dark. Sachin decided to take a small break near the fort to give some information about the fort to everyone. After a small gyan session we were riding again. As I had mentioned earlier in the log, by this time the group was so well in sync with each other that it was a site to see all the bikes taking the corners in the small ghat section near the fort. It was awesome. Such a synchronized feat it was. Kudos to all of them.
After a day well spent and a splendid short ride in the dark we all returned to our lodge extremely satisfied and happy. What else could we ask for J.
Pics will be uploaded soon.

Nagesh Patankar

DAY FOUR –
There is nothing much to write about the last day of our journey. However, Its worth mentioning that as the entire team of bikers were well in sync with fellow bikers by day four, it was really a very well coordinated and hence a swift ride from Aurangabad to Dombivli. Especially I would like to mention the ride from Sinnar – Ghoti – Bhiwandi junction. Fabulous is the word. No one needed any special instructions. All were riding well in their limits and were still in sync with each other. I just can’t stop appreciating these guys J. Well, that brings the end of a fantabulous tour and we hope to continue our journey like this in future.

Last but not the atleast I cannot end this trip log without appreciating xbhp and my fellow xbhpians whom I have not even met till date . Such is the aura of this forum that it instills the sense of belongingness and biking brotherhood. I could do this with the inspiration of xbhp and my fellow x-bhpians whose travelogues have ignited the touring spirit in me again. Thanks again ! Hope to meet you guys soon on a certain G2G.

Nagesh Patankar

Just before Kasara Ghat


What is that ? Well, the tank states "Triumph" but was it really a Triumph ? I don't think so but you never know ....






Malhar - the complete entertainment package for everyone





This was taken at our lodge - Tourist Home on the final day just before we started our return journey.

Nagesh Patankar

People generally avail the bus service provided by the government to reach the base of Ajanta. However, If you take the other way to reach Ajanta Caves, that is from the top of the mountain exactly to the opposite of Ajanta caves, then this is the view that you get. This is the point from where these caves were originally found..

I do not remember exactly but this is the start (Ugam) of the "Vaghori" river which flows from the mountains where Ajanta caves were carved.



The bridge on top of the Vaghori river. The river flows between the 2 mountains.

The famous and a very well known photograph - termed as "Mahaparinirvana" awastha.







This is the famous "Kailas Mandir" at Ellora caves.

Another view of Kailas Mandir at Ellora.







The entire group photograph, just before the start of our return journey. That's me seated at the extreme left.



I must say that the roads were excellent except for a few kms between Kopargaon and Aurangabad.




Pics courtesy :- The pics added here have been clicked by various members of the group. It took me really long to collect these pics and sort them to upload here on xbhp.

InsaneRider007

Nice ride and cool pics. I've never been to Ajanta Ellora caves. May be sumday I'll plan for it

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abhinavsri01

Hey nice log...
I did Pune-Aurangabad-Ajanta Ellora last year in July, on my fiance's Activa(I love it) with her..
Nice roads & Great place..

Nagesh Patankar

Thanks Avinash . I think you should soon go for it. Really worth it. Nice roads except a few kms between Kopargaon and Aurangabad. You will love the kasara ghat and the straights of NH8 . Also if you are a cornering junkie then you will love the ride to Ellora caves from Aurangabad.

All the best buddy!




Thanks Abhinav! . It was a great ride and especially when you have your beloved with you, what else can one ask for


Cheers
Nagesh