Re: Taste of Sambhar

Topic Approved.

I've been there and what a trip it was. Riding on train tracks, feeding squirrels, taking salt crystals back home, riding on sliding sands, sitting on tracks then moving away on seeing the cargo train moving at 10 kmph.... and then signalling the already angered train driver for a lift back into town.
What a day it was, with fellow bikers Ram and Devvrat.

Anyways, n_venki, you should post a more detailed trip log, I guess. Good pics, waiting for more.

Taste of Sambhar - Delhi to Sambhar

Thanks Samarth for the approval.

Yes, it was indeed fun as you mentioned. Did stuff similar to you guys. Here goes my detail log.

On Saturday 15th Jun, found out that on Sunday I had nothing to do. One option was to sit idle at home. Wake up late, have breakfast, watch TV, laze out and have a relaxed time. But, the biker in me said that lets go out for some good long ride. Thought about it for a while and then felt should do a ride. It's a good way to de-stress and would be better use of available time. One feels rejuvinated after a good ride.

Couple of locations came to my mind, but Sambhar topped the list. It would be a different experience. It's a vast salt lake. With flat land for long long distance. Hardly any soul around.

Suddenly reality struck me that this is middle of June, hot summer and ride to Sambhar would bake me up. But, I was inclined to go there, due to the uniqueness of this place.

Next thing, started looking at Accuweather website to see what the weather forecast is on Sunday for areas around Delhi, Jaipur, Ajmer, etc. It all sounded positive. Website said
- Temperature would be around 31 to 35 degrees (good)
- Mostly cloudy (very good)
- Chances of 80% rain around 8 to 10 AM in morning and around 4 to 7 PM again 70% chances of rain (WONDERFUL).
Which means would be decent weather to ride.
In fact, Accuweather website forecast was quite accurate. That's how weather turned out to be on Sunday. I carried my things in plastic bags and waterproof covers. So, camera, documents, toolkit, etc are not damaged. But, didn't take my rain suit. As I wanted to get drenched, when it rained. It would be more fun. That's what happened, was riding in rain between 5 PM to 7PM on my way back, which was fun.

Next, Googled and searched xBhp threads, to see how to get to Sambhar. Saw number of options. But, all of them more or less said, take NH8 from Delhi, reach Jaipur, get on to the Jaipur - Ajmer Highway, there are number of places before Dudu from where take right. Should take 30 or 60 KM to reach Sambhar, depending on where you take right turn. (I took right from a place called Mokhampura on Jaipur - Ajmer highway. 23 KMs from here to Sambhar.)

Heard a lot that NH8 from Delhi to Jaipur is under construction for 6-laning. So, called up a friend to check. He frequently travels on that section on weekends to see his parents in Jaipur. He said, it's not that bad. Could reach Jaipur in 5 hours from Delhi in roadways bus. That sounded reasonable. As a biker can always better that.

Satisfied with the pre-ride research, packed up required things, set the alarm for 4 AM, Sunday morning and went to sleep.

Delhi to Jaipur

Woke up at 4, got freshened up and started by 4:40 AM from my home at Dwarka, Delhi. Got onto NH-8 and was riding at decent speed of 80-100 kmph. Around 7:15 saw a good restaurant before Kotputli. Found out that it was opened 3 months back. Diverted the bike inside and had breakfast. As was travelling to Rajasthan ordered some Kachoris. Also, had a parantha and tea. The restaurant has good ambience, plenty of space inside and green space out side. One normally gets to see dabha or crowded restaurant on highways. This was different.





Took 1 hour break and then moved on. Delhi - Jaipur section was not bad as expected.

Some place between Shahpura and Jaipur. See, it's cloudy as forecasted. In the below snap, you could see sun rays on mountain, but not on road. Before 9:00 AM, I couldn't see sun, the clouds were obstructing sun's rays.



Once on the Jaipur - Ajmer highway, it's wonderful tarmac. Been on this 2 or 3 times before. Bike was doing triple digits with ease.



Reached Mokhampura and took right. Now, I was out of highways and onto normal roads.



The route goes via Phulera. There are 2 to 3 railway barricades enroute, which forced me to take breaks.



Reached Sambhar village around 12:30 noon. Queried locals way to lake and reached there. It was hardly 0.5KM from village. This place had plenty of rail tracks and some abandoned Salt plants. Took some clicks there.















On Bhangarh trip, Ninja on Air strip. This time, Ninja on rail track. Next time??



Some abandoned Salt plant of 1960s.





Caged Ninja.



Will upload more soon.

Taste of Sambhar - Around Sambhar and way back

The above was just one end of the lake. I had heard that there is a vast piece of land with just sand and sand all around. But, I couldn't see that after wandering for around 40 minute in this area. So, went back to village. Enquired were it was, particularly the place where Jodha Akhbar shooting was done. Locals then told me that it is at other end. Near Sakhumbara Devi mandir, which is 23 KMs from Sambhar Village. I was short of time, as it was already around 1:30 PM. 23 KMs would mean another 40 min ride on village road and around 1 hour of photo session, so might get late for my way back to home. I wanted to reach Delhi before 10PM. But anway, I have come this far, so wanted to go there as well.

PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SEE JUST SAND AND SAND DO OFF ROADING. MAKE SURE THAT YOU HEAD FOR SAKHUMBARA DEVI MANDIR FROM SAMBHAR. THIS IS 23KM FROM SAMBHAR VILLAGE.

Before heading wanted to refuel myself. Went to a Juice shop. Found out that they have some papaya shake. This was different. Hadn't had that before in my life, not even heard about it. It was really tasty, so gulped down 3 glasses of it. The shopkeeper told me that once there was a tourist bus that came with 50 odd people from Delhi. They found it so tasty that they all 50 had 3 to 4 glasses each. I also did the same.

Thumbed the Ninja and moved ahead. The road goes round the shore of the Lake.



Rode for around 10 to 11 KMs. I could see plenty of sand wala area. Took the Ninja onto the sands, had off-roading fun and clicked plenty of snaps.









Flemingos and Cranes on the Lake.





Saw the watch and realized it was close to 2:40 PM. Dropped the idea of Sakhumbara Devi visit, as I had plenty of off-roading enroute itself and headed back Delhi to reach home by 9:30 PM.

If road and sky is like this. It's just tempting to ride and click.



Cloudy evening during ride back to Delhi.



Took a break, to watch the sun go down.





After that experience, promised to self that will do rest of the lake some other time. Total 700 KM done in 17 hours. Overall it was good fun. Really enjoyed the ride.

Re: Taste of Sambhar

Lovely log, lovely pictures and a lovely bike, mate..


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📲 Sent from my Nexus !

Re: Taste of Sambhar

This is just awesome - refreshing clicks!! The visual style is an eye candy, giving certain photos a reminiscent retro feel. Make sure you do the rest of the lake & pour in such amazing photos; so satisfying to see the Ninja in those angles. Enjoyed!!

Re: Taste of Sambhar

Thanks for the appreciation guys.

Re: Taste of Sambhar

Nice log with amazing pics mate.. the green goblin is stunning in every angles..the vast lake tempts me for off-roading..wanna ride there someday

Re: Taste of Sambhar

Wonderful ride and beautiful pics buddy

Cheers
Biru