India.. Life's a Journey

Travel, backpacking in the Indian regions: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh e Madhya Pradesh

 

Day 1

After a direct flight Rome - New Delhi lasted about 7 hours, with the airline Eurofly, the arrival in the Indian capital is 15 hours.
The time difference between Italy and India is 3 hours and 30min.
Arriving at the airport they begin to make their fingers crossed for the arrival of the backpack ... that after about 30 minutes from landing, arriving punctually on nastro.E this is already a good news!
Withdrew the backpack, I begin immediately to seek the change .. with € 1 will take about 56 Rupees ... in a few seconds, with € 100, the portfolio is cluttered with notes.
At this point, I pull out the Lonely Planet and mythical. Northern India, which was updated in June 2006 ... that will be my bible for the duration of the trip.
Just out from the videos, on the right is a railway reservation counter, I take this opportunity now to book the train to Shimla tomorrow.
Exit the airport on your right is the door Delhi Traffic Police Prepaid Taxi Booth, which allows you to buy a voucher for the destination in Delhi is absolutely crucial not to give the voucher to the driver until it has taken you to your destination. ..
I targeted the area of Paharganj (Main Bazaar), and in particular the Hotel Vishal.
The race with the prepaid taxi from the airport costs at Main Bazaar Rs 225.
Hotel Vishal is more or less towards the center of the street Main Bazaar ... a road that is teeming with cheap small hotels, restaurants, shops and a constant coming and going of people.
Paharganj has the advantage of being located a short distance from the railway station in New Delhi and is therefore a convenient area for those who must depart early in the morning!
After about 40 minutes to arrive in Main Bazaar is pretty traumatic ... a mess with people, smells, colors .... here is welcome dell'Incredible India!
Night at Vishal costs Rs 400 for double room. For a night the room is fine ... .. we say bathroom in room arrangement acceptable, unpretentious.
For dinner, my companion in adventure, Renzo, met through a forum on the internet, we choose the Kwality Restaurant ... a good restaurant in a central Connaught Place. For travel between Paharganj and the center are very comfortable the autorisciò .. very cheap ... I recommend: bargain, bargain and bargain!
Tomorrow morning the alarm is for the hours 4:15 ... but the journey has begun .. and the adrenaline is at 1000!

Day 2

Alarm hours 4.15. After a good chai taken before the New Delhi railway station, the train to Kalka is at 5.45.Puntualissimo. The name of the train has Himalayan Queen Express.
Pleasant journey, through the window a thousand images overlap each other, after the first half hour in the suburbs of Delhi, the train begins the race to the north.
At 10.30 arrival at Chandigarh, a city designed by the famous architect Le Corbusier, the capital of Punjab. At 11.15 arrival at the terminus, the town of Kalka.
At 12.10 the famous "Toy Train" - narrow-gauge train - which arrives in Shimla at 17.15, after a winding ascent over the hills and far montagne.Il small track through 103 tunnels at 93km! This trip offers breathtaking panoramic views.
The cost of the train from New Delhi to Shimla Rs 505.
The choice of the night fell the Hotel Classic (Rs 550 in double room per night), friendly and comfortable is about 500 meters from the train station, nice rooms, well maintained and very scenic.
Tip: just arrived at the station, you will be surrounded by touts for hotels, managers will undertake to increase room rates to cover their fees ... so, pull right!
Himani's dinner at the restaurant where you can taste delicious dishes of Indian cuisine spent Rs .. 180 .. and ate very well!
Walk to Shimla and then sleeping!

Day 3

Shimla - Wake 7.15 am. Breakfast at "Baljee's" great place for breakfast.
At the bus station of Shimla (messy!), 9 at the counter, bought a ticket for tomorrow for Mandi (Rs 112).
At the counter of prepaid taxi took a taxi to take us all day to visit Tattapani and Naldhera; mini tour cost Rs 1100.
Tattapani is located about 60 km from Shimla, is a peaceful village known for its sulfur springs ... Naldhera is instead known as a beautiful golf course nestled among the cedar trees.
Return to Shimla in the afternoon ... and visit to Shimla.
Shimla, perched on a ridge at an altitude of 12 km of mt.2205, is situated between mountains covered with forests pini.Per many is the archetype of the Indian resort; "discovery" by the British in 1819, gradually gained importance and in 1864 became the summer capital of the Raj. Christ Church and buildings in mock Tudor Scandal Point, really give the idea of old England, while the monkeys are a ubiquitous element of the surreal contrast.
Dinner of excellent samosa restaurant Baljee's ".

Day 4

Departure from the bus station of Shimla to Mandi at 6.Il old Tata bus is a very spartan but maintains the roads in the mountains! The cost of the ticket is Rs 5.30 H.L 112.Durata trip ' arrival at Mandi is at 11.15.
Mandi - citizens already important as a node of the path of direct sale to Tibet, is an important crossroads at which converge the roads coming from the Kullu Valley, the Kangra Valley and Shimla.Nelle Close by are the famous sacred lakes of Prashar and Rewalsar.
Just these 2 lakes attract our attention, so you decide to rent a jeep for RS1800 will take us to visit them.
The Prashar Lake in 2730mt is a pretty mountain lake with a beautiful adjoining temple (Temple Prashara) .. the road that winds along the mountain is almost all dirt road bellissimo.La landscape is interrupted at about 20 min walk from the lake so a nice walk you will enjoy even more of our beautiful place. (you can not stay overnight).
The Rewalsar Lake is located 24km south-west instead of Mandi.Nell 'VIII centuries Monaco Padmasambhava departed Rewalsar to spread Buddhism in Tibet, so that today there are many devoted to the sect gompa nyingmapa.Il lake also becomes a place of pilgrimage at once after the Tibetan New Year.
Around the lake there are many gompa, inhabited by hospitable monaci.Troviamo excellent accommodation in a monastery for RS250 night in two.
Hindus also revere the lake because it was here that the sage Lomas Rishi did his penance in honor of Shiva. This lake is really very beautiful and relaxing.
Dinner at the gompa where we stay ... finally I eat momo!
Busy day, but beautiful.

Day 5

Wake up at dawn to spend a few hours to Rewalsar Lake.
To 9.15 yesterday with the driver we had made arrangements, we are to take him to Ganj.Il McLeod agreed price is Rs 2600.
On the road we stop to see the famous and beautiful Gompa in Bir, Billing and Baijnath.
They are very beautiful, absolutely not perdere.E 'must go there with a car, but I assure you that you will be surprised ... and then the Tibetan monks are fantastic!
A sense of calm, tranquility and spirituality welcomes the traveler in these monasteries.
At 17 we get to McLeod Ganj - home of the exiled government of the fourteenth Dalai Lama.
Accommodation and meals at "Nick's ItalianRestaurant" .. (do not be fooled into Italian .. of nothing!) .. The rooms cost RS200 night and the restaurant has an excellent roof terrace and delicious food.
Tomorrow morning visit to McLeod.

Day 6

McLeod Ganj - Located about 8 km from Dharamsala is the seat of the Tibetan government in exile and the Dalai Lama.Il official residence of the Dalai Lama and his entourage asked for political asylum in 1960 following the Chinese invasion of Tibet.
McLeod Ganj is full of little shops with souvenirs Tibetan trekking and voluntary associations.
After breakfast, we reach in ten minutes on foot Tsuglagkhang Complex, which houses the official residence of the Dalai Lama, in addition to Namgyal Gompa, Tibet Museum and the Tsuglagkhang. A beautiful day to visit this important complex Tibetan ..
Do not forget the Dip Tse-Chok Ling Gompa, the beautiful monastery which is at the top of a steep path. The prayer room (dukhang) houses an icon of Sakyamuni and two huge drums of goatskin.
Here, during Losar, the beautiful carvings are made into butter which are then destroyed the following year at the same party.
In the afternoon, a quiet walk on foot to Bhagsu leads to a beautiful waterfall ... and 4 km north west of McLeod Ganj, we arrive at the natural amphitheater created by the lake surrounded by mountains and trees deodara.

Day 7

At 7.00 for a taxi ride takes us to the bus station of Dharamsala (fare Rs 140).
At 8:30 a bus leaves for sgangheratissimo of Dalhouisie .. .. the drivers go as crazy as ever travel by bus are grueling, but this is part of the trip or not? Cost Dharamsala - Dalhouisie is Rs 115.
Arrival at Hotel Aarti Dalhouisie to 13.30.Pernottamento; discrete rooms but with beautiful views! Our request for an overnight stay is simple: every room must have the room and bathroom with hot water (sometimes carry the buckets).
Dalhouisie here at the cost of double room is of RS150 (about 2.5 €!).
Dalhouisie is a quiet town and very clean. Spread over five hills at 2036mt, was at the time of British rule, a health resort used mainly by those who lived in Lahore (now Pakistan).
Dalhouisie hosts a substantial community of Tibetan refugees.
Today, being the day of relaxation, we use it for walks and reading on terraces with stunning views.
Naples Dinner at a restaurant (!), Located in the bazaar not far from Gandhi Chowk, is an elegant restaurant that, despite its name, does not serve Italian food, but excellent Indian cuisine and Chinese.

Day 8

After a good Chai's departure by bus to Chamba is at 7 o'clock. (ticket price - which is on the bus - is Rs 40).
How to find Dalhouisie you need to travel to Chamba along a 56Km very nice, not private, tuttavvia, some sudden thrill.
Arriving in Chamba at 11.15, immediately searched for bed .. chosen hotel "Aroma Palace" for Rs 450 per night in double doppia.Posto well maintained with large, clean rooms and the hotel has a beautiful terrace where you can have a nice view and be bringing dinner!
Chamba, perched on a ledge above the river Ravi, is a relaxing place, characterized by narrow streets and ancient temples.
In the afternoon visit the temples: Lakhmi Narayan Temple - they are 6 temples dating between the tenth and the nineteenth century, examples of which have beautiful style sikhara sculptures.
Another place not to be missed is the Bajreshwari Devi Temple is located on top of the hill, above the complex Lakhmi. The climb is tough .. but it's worth it!

Day 9

We're back! The Bus leaves at 8:30 am headed Bharmour ... 65Km winding mountain road, mostly unpaved ... thrilling! Cost of travel RS48.
Arriving in Bharmour at 12.30.
Bharmour (mt.2195) is an ancient village, its houses with roofs ardesia.La mountain road leads over the river Ravi, the steep slopes of the valley are terraced to form strips of farmland, a tough job that has required centuries of fatigue.
The temples of Bharmour are mostly devoted to Shiva.Il largest temple is the Temple Manimahesh style sikhara.
Besides the visit of the Temples, in the afternoon I made a brief but intense trek which brought me to achieve a beautiful panoramic position on the way ... I was literally "buried" by children coming from school and who have accompanied me for mountain trail ... a delightful afternoon!
Accommodation and dinner at the Hotel ... Chaurasi rooms with nice view, but very spartan (Rs 155 a double room per night).

Day 10

Today will be a hard day of transfer!
Departure at 8 off road to Chamba (Rs 1000), arrived in Chamba 11.30.
A Chamba begin to negotiate for a taxi that will bring us up to Pathankot railway station .. we won this for Rs 1300.
Arrived in Pathankot after about 3h, we take the train to Amritsar of 16.55 (Rs 37).
At 19 we get finally to Amritsar!
A autorisciò leads us to our guesthouse for Rs 30 ... MK Sood Guesthouse, modern, clean and very close to the Golden Temple (Rs 750 per night in double room).
Given the time, after a quick shower we go to dinner: the choice falls on New Punjabi Rasoi restaurant ... excellent vegetarian restaurant (ah, I forgot .. I'm a vegetarian) .. very close to the guesthouse.
Went to bed early because tomorrow the Golden Temple at dawn awaits us!

Day 11

Amritsar (Indian region of Punjab)
Amritsar was founded in 1577 by Ram Das the fourth guru of Sikhs, Amritsar is the beating heart of the region of the Sikhs.
The highlight is without doubt the Golden Temple (Golden Temple), a place of extraordinary peace, beauty and spirituality.
The Golden Temple is the holiest shrine of the Sikh religine, is open to all and will not be asked to enter denaro.Prima must take off shoes, washing feet and cover their heads.
The architecture of the Golden Temple has a mixture of Hindu and Muslims.
The dome is gilded with 750Kg of pure gold and represents an inverted lotus flower, symbol of purity which aspire Sikhs.
Return at different times of the day ... every time is an extraordinary feeling.
In the afternoon visit to the Museum Ram Bagh, the Mata Temple and Sri Durgiana Temple (which is a golden temple in the Hindu version!).
At 15.30 a taxi takes us an hour to Attari (Rs 350) ..
Attari is about 30km from Amritsar to the border with Pakistan.Tutte night around 18, the Indian and Pakistani guards are compared in a ceremony lasting about half an hour, which is a real spettacolo.Condotta with fair ostentation military ceremony closes the border.
Back to the Golden Temple in Amritsar to be able to admire in all its splendor in the evening ...

Day 12

Yet another day of transfer, will return from the Punjab in Himachal Pradesh.
Amritsar railway station, train of 6.20 will lead us to the ticket Pathankot.Costo Rs 20 ... arrival in Pathankot 9.40 am.
At Junction 13 Station Pathancot a narrow gauge train leaves for our goal: Palampur.
After a tiring journey we arrive at Palampur to 21.30 ... after 8.30 h of travel!
Take a taxi to the Hotel T-Bud .. are about 8 km, Rs 100.
The excellent Hotel T-Bud is run by the tourism, nice rooms and a double per night pulite.Costo Rs 500 ... ate dinner at the restaurant.
I go to bed dead tired destroyed.
Tomorrow is another day!

Day 13

Still with back pain due to many hours of travel by train yesterday (almost 12 hours!), A shower puts me in sixth.
By taxi it again at a time of Rewalsar Lake ... well then yes ... you back to the lake where we had already been a bit 'of days fa.Il place is so beautiful and peaceful that we decided to come back! Taxi fare from Palampur to Rewalsar Lake is Rs 1500.
Arrived at Rewalsar Lake in the early afternoon back in the Tibetan monastery to seek hospitality.
Without knowing today Rewalsar Lake is the festival with a small fun fair and many stalls ... spent the afternoon wandering in this "market" .. beautiful!

Day 14

Departure from Rewalsar Lake at 8:30 am by taxi to the Kullu Valley and specifically Naggar.Costo trip Rs 1500.
Approximately 15km from Kullu, in the village ajaura worth a visit Basheshar Mahadev, the largest stone temple in Kullu Valley. Built in the seventh century with carved blocks of stone, the temple has beautiful carvings and sculptures.
At 12.30 arriving at the small beautiful village of Naggar (mt.1760), famous for its castle, the ancient temples and the gallery of Russian artist Nikolai Roerich.Posto quiet to relax and wander through the woods and orchards.
Do not miss the Marlidhar Krishna Temple, located high on a ridge overlooking Naggar, near the village of Thaw .. To get there take a path that starts a bit 'before Roerich Gallery ... a wonderful panorama from up there the Kullu Valley.
Overnight and dinner excellent Hotels Ragini (Rs 400 a double room per night).

Day 15

Also today the weather is wonderful.
In the morning visit to the Roerich Gallery.In a beautiful old house workers are exposed eccentric Russian painter Nikolai Roerich, who died here at Naggar in 1947 and his son Svetoslav.Lo style Roerich is situated between surrealism and painting iconography Russian, but being a versatile, is also remembered for his works of poetry, prose and theater.
Another important thing is that the painter was profuse in efforts to ratify a pact to preserve cultural monuments from the ravages of war, to date the "Roerich Pact" was signed by more than 60 countries.
In the afternoon visit to Naggar Castle, the castle that was built at the behest of Raja Sidh Singh about 500 years ago, in the classic style of Himachal, wood and pietra.Nel courtyard of the castle lies the tiny Jagtipath Temple, which is preserved in a slab stone said to have been transported here by a swarm of bees.

Day 16

Today is the last day of Himachal Pradesh.
Hours 7.oo - departure from Manali towards Naggar taxi (Rs 450).
From Manali took a jeep that took us to visit the Temple Dhungri: high wooden building, constructed between the trees in a parco.Eretto in 1553, the temple is dedicated to the goddess Hadimba be workshops and wood reliefs depicting dancers and characters numerous stories Hindu.
After visiting the temple, left for the Rothang Pass in 3979mt which is about 50km from Manali. Given the season, the road is blocked due to snow at about 2800mt, and then begin a trek to the Falls Rahal ... although after about 3 hours walk, the snow blocking the trail ... we then go back.
At 17 a night bus with bunks starts from Manali to New Delhi tomorrow morning ... will 9.Il cost of the bus to the "deluxe" with cubicles of Rs 700 ... and sleep very well!

Day 17

Arriving in Delhi from Manali by night bus with bunks at 9.00.
For the night we choose the Tibetan area of the district (given that we were able to appreciate the friendliness and the warmth of this wonderful people) ... and the choice falls on Wongdhen House (Rs 450 per night double occupancy).
It 'also very convenient to the center of Delhi ... with a motorische we do bring to Rs30 at the first stop of the brand new subway station and from there you can reach the center in a few fermate.La metro is very beautiful, very clean and ... Controls are very strict.
In New Delhi visit the Red Fort (RS100 input): the imposing walls of the Red Fort is 2 km long and varies in height from 18mt to 33mt.Nel 1638 Shah Jahan started the construction of this fort, which was completed in 1648.Il Red Fort was built at the height of the Mughal Empire's power, but ruled in Delhi only for a short period.
After we dive in the Red Fort Chandni Chowk, the famous and very bustling commercial street of Old Delhi ... busy bazaar street with animated ... beautiful!

Day 18

Today great day visit to New Delhi.
We negotiate for a motorische (of course with driver!) Throughout the day (for RS500) that will take us to visit:
Qutb Minar complex - these impressive buildings date from the advent of Islamic rule in India and are considered masterpieces of ancient architecture of Afghanistan (the complex is a World Heritage Site). The Qutb Minar is a remarkable slender tower whose construction began in 1193, shortly after the fall of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi, has a height of 74mt and 15mt measure its base diameter, the top is up just assotiglia 1.5 mt. The complex is amazing .. do not miss!
We move then to visit the Bahai Temple: beautiful temple in the shape of flower loto.E 'newly built - completed in 1986 - stands in a complex of pools and manicured gardens, and welcomes believers of all religions, who come to pray or to meditare.Tra the tenets of the Bahai faith is the successful completion of the prejudices and the achievement of universal peace.
In the afternoon we visit the Humayun's Tomb: built in mid-sixteenth century by Haji Begum, the first wife of the second Persian Mughal emperor Humayun, this tomb is a masterpiece of Mughal period ...
Towards evening walk to India Gate and then back in "our" neighborhood Tibetan.

Day 19

At 5 am departure for a mini-tour of 4 giorni.Concordato a taxi Rs 6 per Km plus tax and parking.
The mini-tour will take us as a premier destination to Agra to visit the famous Taj Mahal.
Agra is located 205 km south of Delhi in the Indian region of Uttar Pradesh, The Taj Mahal is the most extravagant among the monuments erected to love .. this impressive Mughal mausoleum has become the symbol of India. The Taj was built by 'Emperor Shan Jahan in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their fourteenth child in 1631.La construction of the Taj began that year and ended in 1653.E' a great thrill to admire the spectacular mausoleum white marble, declared Patrimony of Humanity.
After visiting the Taj Mahal, we visit the Agra Fort, the palace fortress of red sandstone, situated on the banks of Yamuna.A my opinion is far better than the Red Fort of Delhi.
After the visit of Agro Fort, we travel 40km west of Agra, to visit the magnificent walled city (now abandoned) and former capital of the Mughal Fatehpur Sikri.E 'a splendid village declared World Heritage Site. If you Agra can not absolutely miss this wonderful place!
Late afternoon departure for Gwallor; overnight at hotel Majuro (RS400 night double). Eat a good dinner at the Blue Fox.

Day 20

Here the alarm at 6.30! that struggles to get up .. but now is the turn of Gwalior! Another beautiful day intensive promises ...
Meanwhile we are in a new region of India: Madhya Pradesh.La temperature is very hot .. a dry heat that is around 43-45 gradi.I liters of water that you consume does not count! Hints obvious is that when you buy l ' water, always check the seal on the cap is intact! The cost of 1 liter of water is estimated from Rs 12 to 15 rupees.
So here we are in Gwalior to visit the famous Gwalior Fort.
It 'like a mighty cliff that rises in the middle of a plain, within the walls of the fortress are enclosed interesting ruins and buildings, witnessing just how amazing the lifestyle of maharajà.Non you'll here' s interesting history of the complex of Gwalior (on the internet you can find it), but I can assure you that you will spend 3-4 hours and interessanti.Straordinarie very beautiful and special are the numerous sculptures of the rock encountered during the journey that leads up to forte. These works, carved in solid rock of the cliff in the middle of the fifteenth century, depicting naked bodies of tirthnkars (masters) Jains will fascinate you ...!
Overall there is also an important Sikh temple ..
After the visit to Khajuraho again ... that is about 8 ore.Durante the way, with surprise, we see a beautiful castle (of which the LP does not mention it). We are in Datia and the magnificent castle is called Dhan Bhirsingh; is beautiful and the guardian accompanies us to visitarlo.Essendo out any route "tourist", the only way to visit is to take a car from Gwallior.
At 19.30 we arrive at the destination: Khajuraho, overnight at Hotel Surya (Rs 500th night in a double room). Dinner at Blue Sky Restaurant, just opposite the entrance of temples.

Day 21

Khajuraho - The fabulous temples with erotic paintings, are one of the main attractions of the whole of India: architectural masterpieces and sculptures executed with extraordinary ability are of considerable historical importance and artistica.Tutto World Heritage site.
The temples were built at the time of Chandela, a dynasty that survived for five centuries before succumbing to the attack of the Mughals, and date from a period of great artistic vitality that lasted nearly a century (950-1050 AD).
The isolation of Khajuraho has certainly helped to preserve the temples from destruction.
There is still no certain answer to why his paintings were carved ertiche.Secondo a theory tratterrebbe a Kamasutra in stone, a kind of manual initiation for adolescent children of Brahmins, another theory suggests instead that these figures had designed to protect the temples from lightning, since they would meet the favor of God Indra.
Another theory is much more convincing that the pictures were of tantric breathing, according to this religious tradition, the fulfillment of the primal instincts is one way to cleanse us from all negativity and finally obtain spiritual enlightenment.
Anyway, the sculptors may even have to be a limited aspect of their age, when sexuality was lived with the total lack of inhibition, like any other activity ... a representation of the joy of life.
In the afternoon left for the capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow.
When you arrive at Lucknow at 22.00 ... after a very long and hot journey.
Overnight at Gompti (Rs 650 per room per night).

Day 22

Lucknow - The capital of Uttar Pradesh gained importance as the residence of Nawab of Avadhuta. Visit Lucknow very quickly, given the distance we must travel in the day to return to New Delhi (about 600 km).
Bara Imambara the colossal tomb is very beautiful but very decadent; costrure was made around 1780 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, thousands of laborers worked on this project also initiated to provide a livelihood to people hit by famine.
Following the visit, we share ... where we get to Delhi at 23.30 tired.
Overnight in the usual neighborhood Tibetan Wongdhen House.

Day 23

New Delhi - Here I come to the last day. A sense of gloom is felt at the first morning after waking ... accompany me throughout the day.
Being the last day, is used for shopping!
Purchases at Dilli Haat market, the continuation of shopping in Paharganj Main Bazaar .. .. negotiate contracts ... every purchase is a different story ... I will remember with pleasure every moment of this wonderful journey.
A warm greeting to friends known as ..., and Sara Fabrizio, a salutone and thanks to my traveling companion Renzo who met through a forum on the internet, accompanied me in this adventure.
I hope that the description of this trip can be of help to those who want to tackle a fantastic journey in the 'Incredible India'.
Tomorrow 26 April 2007, a flight Delhi - Rome me back in Italy ..
Who wants more information can contact me ...
http://blog.libero.it/india2007 where you can find more information about the trip.
HELLO! Henry

Day 24

return New Delhi -> Rome -> Cuneo sob ...