Udaipur is one lovely city & so are the people in the city. Waiting to see more pics to refresh my memories.

Day 3 : Monday, the 2nd April, 2012 :

Started from Udaipur early morning and crossed Rajasthan by 10.00 A.M. There was sea change in the landscape as compared to in Rajasthan. The fields were much more greener and a clear sign of prosperity was visible when I crossed into Gujarat. Could not visit Shamalaji Temple on NH 8 and turned towards Gandhinagar just to have a look at the city. It was an eye opening experience as it was at par with the State Capital Delhi and in some fields much better than New Delhi. After crossing Gandhinagar again reached the NH 8 and found hundreds of pilgrims walking in scorching heat, some even bare feet to getting blessings of a Devi nearly 120 kms farther. The calm and composed manner in which they were moving was in sharp contrast to the Kanwaria's who move in North Delhi in NH 58 from Haridwar to various parts of North India and who create a major law and order problem with their movement.

By the evening I reached Junagarh and booked accommodation at Girnar Hotel managed by Gujarat Tourism for Rs. 250/- per day. (I must admit that the final few kilometres towards Junagarh were really test of my ability to ride as the roads were in really bad shape. This was the only occasion when I found the roads in Gujarat not well maintained otherwise I found the roads really well maintained, even better than National Highways).

One more thing, the Dhabas/Restaurants on NH 8 are very few and far away and in the scorching heat it was really difficult to drive.

Here are a few pics of day 3 from Udaipur to Junagarh :

Day 4 : Tuesday, the 3rd April, 2012 :
Woke up early and left Junagarh at 4.15 a.m. to reach Sasangir (58 kms) by 6.00 a.m. The road is a 2 lane but there was no problem in the early hours. Last few kilometers had to drive in the forest and that too in the dark and was a bit scary since I was in Sasangir . Reached the Reception Centre of Gir Sanctuary and National Park by 6.00 a.m. and was advised by the receptionist to adjust my seat with one of the fellows who still had seats available as it would be cheaper. Asked a few persons and one person had only 4 members team and thus accommodated me as now they had to shell out around Rs. 400 less for the permit and the transport cost. We entered the Gir forest by 6.30 a.m. and within half an hour were lucky to spot the Lion, the King of Gir Forest entering the bushes. All of us were spell bound and were just watching him as he was walking away from us in the bushes. He was not perhaps comfortable with the presence of humans and the jeeps around him as we had encroached his territory. He made his presence felt and roared a couple of times. After walking away from us about 50 yards, he stood still and moved his head towards us and we could hardly watch him through the bushes. I used my binocular to watch him clearly. He looked at us quite a few number of times and then turned his head in the opposite direction and sat on the ground. Perhaps he wanted us to leave. I could not take clear pics as now he was at quite a distance for my PS camera. But I was satisfied to see him in his full glory and respecting his freedom, moved away after spending around half an hour with him.
Could not spot another lion and thus came out of the Forest sanctuary by 9.30 a.m. and left for Somnath via Veraval which is around 60 kms away. Reached Somnath Temple with ease and the police personnel at the Temple helped me park my bike near their police post. It was so kind of them. As they took care of my bike, I went inside the Somnath Temple. It is situated on the sea shore and has been reconstructed a number of times. The police personnel were amazed to see me having come all the way from Delhi, and that too solo on a simple bike. They guided me for my onward journey to Porbandar. The roads were in good condition although I had to drive just along the sea shore on a number of occasions and after crossing Porbandar moved towards Dwarka. Reached Dwarka by 6.00 p.m. and booked accommodation at Gujarat Tourist Lodge near the Circuit House.
Since I had already visited Badrinath Dham, Puri Dham, Rameshwaram Dham, it was the last Dham which I was now visiting as it is considered auspicious to visit all the Four Dham in a life time according to Hindu mythology. And it was indeed a great moment for me. I visited the Dwarkadish Temple at 8.15 p.m. and was so overwhelmed by the atmosphere inside the temple that I did not wish to come out. Thanks you Hoodibaba, my bike, for having made it possible for me to visit Dwarkadish.
Now a few pics of Sasan Gir, Somnath Temple and Dwarkadhish Temple :

Sir ji, just one word......

RESPECT!!!

you actually proved CC is no matter for a bike to justify its power and ability!!
hats off to you and your machine!!

keep riding!

Day 5 : Wednesday, the 4th April, 2012
H
Pics of Bet Dwarka etc. :

Day 6 : Thursday, the 5th April, 2012
Left for Narayan Sarovar early morning. Reached Bhuj about 100kms before noon and visited the Swaminarayan Temple at Bhuj. Thereafter moved towards Mata Ka Mud Temple which is another 100 kms on way to Narayan Sarovar. The temple was closed in the afternoon and after spending sometime in the compound, moved towards Narayan Sarovar which was another 60 kms away. The Sarovar had almost dried and there were very few birds in the Sarovar. Thereafter went to Koteshwar Temple which was also being renovated and by the late afternoon returned to Samakhiyali for the night stay.


One thing I must mention here that since I was travelling almost on the coastal belt, there were pleasant site of huge windmills, and I myself had to drive very carefully, especially during the turns, in the ground sweeping winds throughout these days although the roads were in excellent condition.
A few photographs of Swaminarayan Temple, Mata Ka Mud, Narayan Sarovar and Koteshwar Temple :

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Been there.....

Great Shot Argee.

BTW How do you manage uploading big sized photographs, which I am still not able to do ? Please tell me either on my e.mail or here itself. I would be most obliged.

Day 7 : Friday, the 6th April, 2012

Started for Rann of Kutch by 7.00 a.m. and overshot the diversion for Rapar and had to take an interior road which passed through the villages. I must admit that these interior roads were also very well maintained. Although I was driving at 70 kmpl but was driving with care as there were a number of peacocks and other such birds on the narrow road which appeared suddenly.

I reached Rann of Kutch by Noon and was amazed to see the Great White Rann of Kutch. Took lot of photographs there and then moved to Dholavira. Had to cross through a number of BOP, the last one right on the road i.e. BOP Dholavira. Visited the ancient site of Dholavira locally known as Kotada timba and the archeological site of the ruins of ancient Harappa which belongs to Indus Valley Civilization. Went to the last village on the border and did some off roading for few kilometers but as thereafter I could not trace any clue to move further through the bushes, had to return back. I was told further down there were flamingos in the lake but may be I might have to try next time. On my way back again stopped at the White Rann of Kutch and after being satisfied with my journey so far, made up my mind to return. Reached Rapar and as directed by the locals, took the road to Adesar. Reached NH 15 and by the evening I was in Radhanpur. As I had faced the blistering heat in Rajasthan on my way to Gujarat, thought why not try and drive as long as I can. With this aim in mind, continued driving after dark. Reached Abu road and took the NH 14. I found that it was only a 2 lane highway and there were lots and lots of trucks. It was almost impossible to drive a two wheeler at that time in the dead of night. The glare of the headlights was just blinding my vision. Moreover, the roads were almost broken throughout and somehow reached Pali by 2.00 a.m. The ordeal continued further till I crossed Beawar and touched NH 8. Would not advise anybody to take this route which till date I remember was the deadliest road ever in my life, that too at night and all alone. As I reached Ajmer the sunlight welcomed me with smile. Thanked the Almighty God for saving my life. Still it was a long way to cover and with a full day to reach Home, decided to drive with ease as there were many diversions on the NH 8 with no sign of work being done as it had been left half completed,and that too with no proper sign boards as to which way to turn at many places. One has to use his presence of mind to continue driving on NH 8 in this sector. After reaching Kotputli I was feeling almost burnt down and now had to take breaks very frequently. Somehow reached Gurgaon and thereafter with not much of a problem and riding for almost a full day all the way from Dholavira reached home at Ramprastha, Ghaziabad.

Conclusion :

Through this travelogue I would like to impress upon all those who have smaller bikes with low cc power or those who have crossed their prime age, like myself, that it is possible to achieve anything. All that matter is the passion and zeal to do it. If I can do it, so can anybody else. So man, come out on the road and drive as far as you can.

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re

awesome log.
keep posting the pic..

The last instalment of pics :





















A small video of White Rann of Kutch

Snow White Rann of Kutch .AVI - YouTube

Thanks Aargee,

But it will take too much time and I am always short of time and somehow manage uploading the travelogues with photographs.

But, I am thankful for your guidance.