A Nihang Riding Two Horses Together – This photo was taken at Kila Raipur Sports Festival 2015 in Punjab.
A Nihang Riding Two Horses Together
Kharar (Ajitgarh) to Kila Raipur via Ludhiana Journey by Bus
31st January – Third day of Kila Raipur festival 2015 and freezing weather conditions. We decided to visit Kila Raipur by bus instead of a motorbike. A local person guided us to reach the Kharar bus stand to get a bus for Ludhiana, and from Ludhiana, a bus for Kila Raipur.
We followed the advice. Morning hours at 9 we were at the Kharar bus stand. There are many buses to Ludhiana every few minutes. A bus conductor was shouting Ludhiana-Ludhiana-Ludhiana. We enter the bus. At 9:15, the bus started its journey. Rs. 70/- per person is the bus fare between Kharar and Ludhiana. Paid.
At 11:30 am, we reached Amar Shaheed Sukhdev Interstate Bus Terminal, Ludhiana. The journey was very much comfortable compared to our motorbike journey in the past two days. Road condition – fantastic.
After reaching the interstate bus terminal, we inquired about the bus to Kila Raipur. We were guided by a bus conductor to reach the adjacent local bus terminal. Just 50 meters walking distance, we were at the local bus terminal. It was almost empty in comparison to the interstate bus terminal. We inquire about the bus for Kila Raipur.
We were told from pillar no. 9 bus will go to Kila Raipur. Currently, there was no bus but it was about to arrive. We were hungry because of no breakfast till now. A small shop opposite pillar no. 4 was making Rotis. We requested breakfast. As it was afternoon hours, he said – Thali will be served only. Ok – said I. Rs. 50/- unlimited thali was served, which was too good in taste especially Rajma. The food was hot, and the owner himself was preparing rotis. Fantastic, in short, the food quality.
After lunch, it was time for the Kila Raipur journey. We were getting late a little bit. At 12:05, our bus started its journey to Kila Raipur. Rs. 18/- per person bus fare from Ludhiana to Kila Raipur.
At 1:15 noon hours, we reached Kila Raipur approx. one km before the stadium the bus dropped us. By 1:40 pm, we reached Kila Raipur stadium walking one km. The best about this journey – The bus passed through various villages.
A wish – instead of starting at 9 am, it would be better if we started much earlier from the Kharar bus stand. The sports had already started when we reached the stadium, and we spent only a few hours.
Yes, I forgot to tell you about the return journey we inquired from the bus conductor. We were told at 4:50 pm the same bus from the same dropping point we may return to Ludhiana. And let me tell you exactly at 4:50 pm, the bus arrived at the same point and we returned to Ludhiana. Such a time of perfection, especially by a bus a new experience. Well done.
Directions and Distance between Mohali and Kila Raipur
29 January – 1 February, Kila Raipur festival 2015, we planned to attend for the first time. We started our Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorcycle from Mohali at 8:15 am. Approx. 27 km driving at 9:00 am, we stop for breakfast at Mittran Da Dhaba – the left-hand side of NH 95. After having Aloo Pyaz Paratha with white butter as breakfast and a cup of tea, we restarted our journey at 9:45 am.
41 km further driving on National Highway 95, we reached Kohara. Till this point, we are on NH 95, but now we have to turn left for Sahnewal. 10:50 am is the current time.
At Sahnewal, bridge construction work was going on. We have to turn right to drive a few extra km via Sahnewal airport to reach the other side. Directions were narrated by a shopkeeper. During the drive, we crossed the NH 1 bridge, if I am correct, to reach Dhillon.
After another 27 km of driving and we reached Dhillon. Here, one has to cross State Highway 11 to drive toward Kila Raipur.
5 km drive, we reached Kila Raipur Stadium, which is on the left-hand side approx. 100 meters inside the road. The time was 12 Noon.
The total distance between Mohali and Kila Raipur is approx. 100 km.
Road conditions between Mohali and Kila Raipur are fantastic. Total hours journey from Mohali to Kila Raipur by motorbike, including breakfast time – almost 4 hours, but the next day we reached within 2 hours and 30 minutes because of continuous driving till Kohara.
The weather was too cold, almost freezing, and driving a RE motorcycle on a highway was a tough challenge. Drive slow – The mantra.
How I Saved Time via Train Travel between NZM and New Delhi
26 January 2015 (Republic Day), I reached Hazrat Nizamuddin – the last railway station for the train, but I had to continue the further journey to New Delhi railway station. Pre-paid autos for New Delhi were there outside the station, but were stopped for a few hours.
What to do? How to reach New Delhi?
I inquire at the railway station general ticket counter – If any train for the New Delhi station, a ticket, please.
I was given a Rs. 10 ordinary train ticket to travel via EMU, and the platform number was conveyed. The train EMU arrived at the correct time, but for some reason, it returned back.
What to do next?
I re-visited the general ticket counter and purchased another ticket. This time Rs. 30 for the ticket, but for the Mail/Express train. I forgot to return the Rs. 10 ticket as I was in a hurry. An express train was about to leave for the New Delhi station. I enter. Within a few minutes, I was at the New Delhi railway station.
In short, the journey between Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station and New Delhi railway station via train saved my time, in fact, money also. In the past, I was using an auto service. A new discovery for sure. Thank you, Indian Railways.
A question: Do you know if general compartments are next to the express/mail train engine or at the end of the train near the guard compartment?
History of Samosa – Originated in 9th Century
Evening hours, we were very hungry after attending Kila Raipur Sports Festival – 2015. Thought of having a samosa at a shop we saw one day before. A few km from Kohara (NH 95), just before Neelon Bridge, Ludhiana–Chandigarh Highway on the left-hand side is Samosa Junction. We stopped to have a few samosas. Sam (samosa) Pasta, we had and a cup of coffee. Hot mouth-watering snack it was, along with lip-smacking chutney, but what was equally interesting was The History of Samosa written on a display board. Knowledge enhanced. Thank you.
Aloo Pyaz Paratha/White Butter as Breakfast at Mittran Da Dhaba
During our first day tour to attend the Kila Raipur Sports Festival 2015, we stopped for breakfast at ‘Mittran Da Dhaba‘ situated on the left side of Chandigarh–Ludhiana road (NH 95) approx. 30 km from Mohali.
We opted for an open-air seating arrangement because the morning weather was too cold, but the Sun was out. We requested breakfast.
Chaas was served in a jug to drink as much as one can, and after a few minutes, Aloo Pyaz Paratha was served with white butter in a bowl. The amount of white butter was amazing. It was one full bowl for one person. White butter, especially homemade – a personal favorite.
In short, the breakfast was hot and delicious. I always request for a little more onions in Paratha. And how much I pay?
Rs. 160/- for two people. Aloo Pyaz Paratha Rs. 20/-each. White Butter – Rs. 20/- per bowl. We had tea also after breakfast.
Dhabas are the best in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. During road tours, to stop, especially during winter time to have even a cup of tea is a luxury. In many dhabas, you will find displaying proudly famous personality photos at the entrance gate. Maybe sometimes they have stopped too. Mittran Da Dhaba is displaying a few prominent personalities such as Navjot Singh Sindhu and Harbhajan Mann.
Matanga Hill is One of The Best Place to Watch Sunset in Hampi
This photo of Matanga Hill was taken from Sunset Point, Virupapur Gaddi (across Tungabhadra River) near Hampi in Karnataka.
Hand Painted Map of Hampi at Virupaksha Temple
Click to learn more about Virupaksha Temple.
Sign of Occupied Seat in Train General Compartment
Train General Compartment is either next to the train engine or at the end of the train near the guard compartment. It is for unreserved train ticket travelers. During the journey from Hospet to Hubli via Hyderabad Kolhapur Express, while sitting at an unreserved upper berth, I clicked this interesting photo. The passenger might be gone for the toilet, but to occupy his sea,t he kept a handkerchief and a water bottle. Interesting way to reserve a seat. General compartment train journey, I personally find one of the best ways of traveling – cheaper and interesting, but most of the time it is overcrowded. Maybe more general compartments are required. What say?