Driving Safety Slogan
Letter of Appreciation from French Traveler
Patrick – The French Traveler was in the Yoga class at Rishikesh (Uttarakhand). As I was leaving for Maha Kumbh Mela 2013 at Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), he requested to join. I reached Allahabad the day before the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela, and he reached the next day early in the morning and lost his luggage at the Maha Kumbh venue. Anyhow, I helped as much as I could and he reached safely to French Embassy in New Delhi.
The above letter of appreciation is sent by him appreciating India and its people.
Thank You, Patrick. Love you.
Welcome to India…
Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark Swing Arm Bush Replacement for the First Time
I have a habit of visiting Royal Enfield Service Centers on average once a month or sometimes twice to meet the head mechanic to check whether all is OK with the motorbike or not. This time I was at Rishikesh (Uttarakhand).
After driving for a few km head mechanic suggested – You should change the Swing Arm Bush. They are old now and are not in a proper condition which is why there is wobbling while driving and if you do not change wobbling will increase further.
OK – said I.
After a few days, I again visited Friends Enfield house (Vicky bike zone), Koyal Ghati, Haridwar Road in Rishikesh – The service center and requested the owner of the center to test the bike whether all is OK or not.
Again the reply was the same to change the bush as there is wobbling while driving. And he also suggested changing the brake shoes.
What if I do not change the bush for a long time? – I question.
It will slowly-slowly damage your motorbike chain sprocket teeth and maybe while driving chain will break if wobbling is too much.
OK – said I.
And I requested him to change both – Swing Arm Bush as well as Brake Shoes.
(Older damaged Swing Arm Bush and the brand-new ones shown in the picture)
While replacement I question: Why is there a difference between older damaged Swing Arm Bush and the brand-new ones?
He said: Older ones or the ones that are with brand-new motorcycles are with plastics but trust I am replacing the best for you.
During the replacement, he also suggested replacing Rear Brake Shoes Cam as it is worn now.
OK – said I.
The cost:
Swing Arm Bush: Rs. 145
(also known as Rear Jhula Bush)
Rear Brake Shoes: Rs. 260
Rear Brake Shoe Cam: Rs. 94
Labour Charges: Rs. 300
Grand Total: Rs. 799/-
And Rs. 700 I paid plus Rs. 50 to wielder for fixing Bush. Total Rs. 750/-
But what the best about the Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike is:
It is more than 3 years and 6 months old, more than 28,000 km driven and it was the first Swing Arm Bush and Rear Brake Shoes Cam replacement.
Rear Brake Shoes I replaced earlier too.
I am happy now as wobbling is no more there while driving. Hope the cost is OK. Thank you – said I.
Red Radishes
Red Radishes – This photo was taken at Palika Bazar (Sabzi Mandi) in Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh).
Red Radishes – Rs. 20/per kg.
Vasishta Guha (Gular) – An Introduction
वशिष्ठ गुहा-एक परिचय
गुहा का अर्थ है एक गुफा। हिंदू पौराणिक कथाओं के अनुसार, वशिष्ठ सप्तर्षियों (7 अमर ऋषियों) में से एक हैं, उन्होंने अपनी पत्नी अरुंधति के साथ कई वर्षों तक यहां तपस्या की थी। उनके जैसे कई महान लोगों की तपस्या के कारण, अधिकांश लोगों को गुफा में गहन शांति का एहसास होता है।
कई वर्षों तक रामकृष्ण मिशन केरल में रहने के बाद, परमपूज्य स्वामी पुरूषोत्तम तमनंदाजी 1928 में वशिष्ठ गुहा आये। यहां उन्होंने घोर तपस्या की और जीवन का लक्ष्य प्राप्त किया। 1961 की शिवरात्रि की रात को, उन्होंने 82 वर्ष की आयु में महासमाधि प्राप्त की।
(English to Hindi Translation by Google Translate)
Visiting Hours: 8 am – 12 pm / 3 pm – 6 pm
Road Safety Slogan
सड़क पर सुरक्षा, घर पर सुरक्षित चाय।
Daal Ghati (Bachhelikhal) – Valley of Pulses
During Devprayag to Rishikesh journey by Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike a friend enhanced my knowledge by saying – This is Daal Ghati famous for growing Daal (pulses), Ginger, and Haldi (turmeric).
He also said Chamrara Devi Temple is nearby.
Sweet Lime (Mosambi) Tree
Sweet Lime (Mosambi) Tree – This photo was taken from Maa Karni Devi temple, Marodagad, Palkot in Tehri Garhwal (Uttarakhand).
Homestay at Bagi Village (near Devprayag)
Bagi Village (Devprayag) is 65 Kms approx. from Rishikesh (Uttarakhand).
I started Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike from Rishikesh at 1:30 pm and reached Bagi Village, Devprayag at 3:35 pm. Total journey hours from Rishikesh to Bagi Village, Devprayag is 2 hours 5 minutes.
Note: Once you reach Devprayag do not turn right to cross the iron bridge over Bhagirathi River. Drive straight for approx. 1 km to reach the Power House on the right-hand side. Enter inside the powerhouse. 100 meters approx. is Bagi village consisting of 12-15 homes.
The oldest home is 200 years old as said by the villager though no one stays as it is in dilapidated condition.
Village homes – a mixture of stone, mud, and cement.
The best about the homestay is that it is along the river Bhagirathi river and surrounded by dense greenery. The homestay owner enhanced knowledge by showing Vaital Shila and narrating the history behind the same and further enhanced knowledge about Surya Kund inaccessible these days due to the dense jungle.
One can walk towards the Bhagirathi river and spend time on the banks as it is a quiet place to sit and meditate.
Regarding food, as I was not interested in having dal, chawal (rice), or roti upon the request the village house owner prepared the food of Uttarakhand.
On day one for dinner, I had Rajma Urad, Gawar ki Fali (homegrown), Pahari Kheera ka Raita, Roti, and Sabudana ki Kheer. Delicious it was.
On day two for breakfast, I had Chunani Roti with Phari Kheera ka Raita – traditional food of Uttarakhand. I liked Chunani Roti. It was so tasty.
For lunch, I had Arbi aur Kashifal ke Patte (homegrown) ki Sabzi, Ches, Jhangora – traditional food of Uttarakhand. Sabzi was my favorite.
Another best part of the village is the early morning visits and chirping of birds. Between 6-7 early morning hours one can watch many birds such as Red-billed Blue Magpie, White Crested Laughing Thrush, Oriental White-eye, Jungle Babbler, Black Crested Bulbul, Mynah, etc., etc.
Rs. 600 per night (double bed) I paid for the stay.
For breakfast, I paid Rs. 60, and for lunch – Rs. 80, and for dinner Rs. 80.
In short village life is very peaceful because of lesser homes, dense greenery, and mountains around. As soon as the Sunsets village life closes for the day. Electricity is available.
It is a good option for staying if you are visiting Devprayag as Sangam (confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda) and Raghunath Ji Temple are approx. 1 km from the village. The motorbike can reach till village but for four-wheelers, one has to park nearby the Power House.
You can also visit Chandrabadni Devi Temple as it is approx. 30 km from Devprayag and Karni Mata temple approx. 14 kms.
I enjoyed the village homestay thoroughly especially Uttarakhand traditional food such as Ches Roti, Ghet ka Phana.