To celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence, 81 persons will embark on the same 386 km long foot-march starting from Ahmedabad, and ending at Dandi in Gujarat – This was the news and I decided to visit Dandi but not via my Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark 350 motorbike.

How to reach Dandi from Mumbai? – The question.

Mumbai to Navsari by train and then from Navsari to Dandi by bus or auto – whichever is available.

IRCTC website is the best to reserve train tickets.

BDTS ST SF SPL (02935) – 06:10 from Bandra Terminus (BDTS) will reach Navsari at 09:53 – 03h 43m journey.

Second Sitting (2S) was available (Second Sitting – a new experience). Booked. Rs. 133.19 paid.
for the return journey I reserved a ticket via HW BANDRA SPL (09020) – 17:42 from Navsari, reaching Bandra Terminus at 22:05.

AC 3 Tier (3A) ticket was only available. Booked. Rs. 540.89 paid.

The train was on time at Bandra Terminus. Reached Navsari on time too.

Second Sitting (2S) experience was good. It is almost like General Coach but with a mattress. Two passengers are allowed to seat at the lower berth, two to seat at the upper berth, and two to seat at the side-berth.

I enquired – How to reach Dandi from Navsari railway station?

Navsari railway station – west side exit, walk-on left-side towards the road. A display-board showing directions for Dandi.

A neem tree (Indian lilac) – one will get a bus or auto for Dandi from here only.

I was told – the bus for Dandi just left.

I was disappointed.

I suggest: Dandi bus timing should match with Train timing.

Anyway, I waited for another 15 minutes but there was no bus.

Finally, I started inquiring about auto fare from Navsari railway station to Dandi?

Rs. 200 – The reply from various auto drivers.

The distance from Navsari Railway Station to Dandi is 18 km approx.

One auto driver after the bargain was ready for Rs. 150.

At 10:20 am we started the journey from Navsari Railway Station, and reached Prarthana Mandir, Dandi at 10:45 am.

The journey was comfortable as the road condition was excellent and very less traffic on-road. I like smaller towns.

Vijay – The auto driver was helpful. He gave his mobile number in case while returning I require an auto because bus and auto service is not that frequent in this remote area.

Thank you – said I

Approx. 3 hours I spent at Prarthana Mandir, Saifee Villa, National Salt Satyagrah Memorial and Hajani Bibi Dargaah.

While returning I waited for 15 minutes for a bus or auto to arrive at Prarthana Mandir, Dandi but was disappointed again.

I was told by a makeshift shop owner – 2:15 pm bus will arrive. And next bus at 7:00 pm

Rs. 18 bus fare from Prarthana Mandir, Dandi to State Transport (ST) Bus Depot, Navsari.

Rs. 25 auto fare (sharing) from Prarthana Mandir, Dandi to Char Rasta, Navsari.

No bus nor auto was available. I opt for a lift from a biker – Nirshal.

Nirshal dropped me at Char Rasta, Navsari. Thank you very much – said I.

from Char Rasta, Navsari to Navsari Railway Station (3 km approx.) there is an auto for Rs. 10 per person.

Finally, I reached Navsari Railway Station.

I was hungry. Bhuvneshwari Khichdi Center at Lunsikui (opposite Parsi Hospital gate) – I had to reach.

I was told to walk further for a few meters from Navsari Railway Station to cross the railway line to hire sharing auto for State Transport (ST) Bus Depot. Parsi Hospital was nearby – walking distance.

I hire a sharing auto for Rs. 10 and approx. 2/3 km journey I reached ST Bus Depot.

Had sugarcane juice (without ice) for Rs. 15 per glass and walk towards Parsi Hospital (D. N. Mehta Sarvajanik Hospital).

Bhuvneshwari Khichdi Center is inside the lane (left-hand side) opposite Parsi Hospital gate.

2:40 pm reached Bhuvneshwari Khichdi Center. Air-conditioned it is, having ground and upper floor.

I enter the ground floor. Had Masala Khichdi and 2 glasses of Chaas (buttermilk) – Delicious it was.

Rs. 70 for Masala Khichdi and Rs. 40 for 2 glasses of Chaas. The total amount paid – Rs. 116 including CGST AND SGST.

Bhuvneshwari Khichdi Center opens from 11 am till 11 pm (3 pm till 5 pm closed).

Had walk from Bhuvneshwari Khichdi Center till ST Bus Depot and then hire an auto for Rs. 10 till Navsari railway station.

Reached Navsari Railway Station. Upon request to the station master, an air-conditioned Waiting Room was opened. Spent a few hours and return train at 17:42 – on time. Reached Bandra Terminus – on time.

The one-day journey (to and fro) from Mumbai (Maharashtra) to Dandi (Gujarat) was fruitful.