Mirza Ghalib Poetry – This photo was taken at the Tomb of Mirza Ghalib, Nizamuddin Basti, New Delhi.
Mirza Ghalib Poetry
Kailash Cave, Loyal Village – Length 125 meters/Width 8 meters
Chandan – The guide enhanced our knowledge about a newly found cave – Kailash Cave, Loyal Village, and we decided to visit. Scooty was not recommended because we have to drive uphill. A motorbike was required. This time, I opted for the Hero Honda Splendor motorcycle. Cost Rs. 350 per day starting from 9 mornings till 9 night hours. Scooty is 100 rupees cheaper, but then it is a risk to have it for an uphill drive, I guess, with two people.
At 11:15, we started our journey from Tapovan, Rishikesh, and by 1:30 pm we reached the newly found cave, i.e., Kailash Gufa, Loyal village. In between, we stop at Vashisht Gufa, Gular at 11:50 am.
Total journey time from Tapovan, Rishikesh to Kailash Cave, Loyal village: 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Kailash cave is at Loyal village in Tehri Garhwal of Uttarakhand was discovered on 7th March 1997. A few village children were chasing a sahi (Porcupine). It entered into a small space around rocks, and when the rocks were removed huge cave was discovered by the villagers. The length of the Cave is 125 meters, and the Width is 8 meters.
(narrated by Swami Hoshiyargiri – Priest of Kailash cave)
Hoshiyargiri also has sound knowledge of medicinal herbs and plants. If requested he will show you various herbs and plants such as Dalchini, Sarpgandha, Din ka Raja Plant – Violet, Vaijanti Plant, Shami tree, Rudraksha tree, Camphor tree, Bay leaf, Lemon Tulsi plant, Rama Tulsi plant (used for making Tulsi Mala), Brahmi Plant (medicinal use – good for memory) and many more in around Kailash Cave and will narrate the benefits of having the same as plants at your home or as a medicine.
Rishikesh to Kailash Cave (Loyal Village) – Distance and Driving Directions
Rishikesh to Kailash cave (Loyal village) is approx. 31 km and 14 km from Vashisht Gufa, Gular.
Tapovan, Rishikesh > Neer Waterfall ( 2 km )
Neer Waterfall > Shivpuri ( 9 km )
Shivpuri > Vashisht Gufa, Gular ( 6 km )
Vashisht Gufa, Gular > Kailash Gufa, Loyal village ( 14 km )
(Follow NH 58 till Gular. After crossing the Gular bridge, turn left to reach Loyal Village. 14 km beautiful uphill drive)
Rishikesh to Pawki Devi Temple (Nai Village) – Distance and Driving Directions
Tapovan, Rishikesh to Pawki Devi Temple, Nai village Distance is approx. 39 km
Tapovan, Rishikesh > Neer Waterfall (2 km)
Neer Waterfall > Shivpuri (9 km)
Shivpuri > Vashisht Gufa, Gular ( 6 km )
Vashisht Gufa, Gular > Kailash Gufa, Loyal village (14 km)
(Follow NH 58 till Gular. After crossing the Gular bridge, turn left to reach Loyal Village. 14 km beautiful uphill drive )
Kailash Gufa, Loyal village > Pawki Devi Temple, Nai village (8 km)
(Kailash Gufa, Loyal village till Nai village is another beautiful uphill drive. I stop many times to watch villages all around the hills, and not to forge,t one can watch the holy river Ganga flowing far down below. Amazing experience. One should visit. Remember, after taking a right turn from Nai village, you have to drive approx. 1 km further and a newly made uphill path of 3 km to reach the Pawki Devi temple)
Tomb of Mirza Ghalib (Nizamuddin Basti)
A few weeks back, I was at Nizamuddin Railway Station, and the arrival of the train was about one hour. What is the best use of waiting time? We decided to visit Nizamuddin Dargah. A cycle rickshaw was standing near an auto stand outside the station. Upon query to visit the dargah, he said Rs. 30, and as per him, the distance is far. We believed and we reached Nizamuddin Dargah and also visited the Tomb of Mirza Ghalib.
I guess Nizamuddin Dargah is approx. one and a half km from Nizamuddin Railway Station. While returning, we asked a flower vendor near Nizamuddin Dargah about the cycle rickshaw fare from Nizamuddin Basti to Nizamuddin Railway Station or Nizamuddin Railway Station to Nizamuddin Basti. He said – Rs. 20. And yes, this time upon query, another cycle rickshaw wala said – Rs. 20 only/-.
Pawki Devi Temple (Nai Village) – Also Known as Vageshwari Devi Temple
Chandan – The guide wanted to go to Pawki Devi Temple because it would be his first visit. He said the temple is a siddh peeth. I said OK. Scooty was not recommended because we have to drive uphill. I opted for the Hero Honda Splendor motorcycle. Cost Rs. 350 per day (Scooty is 100 rupees cheaper) starting from 9 mornings till 9 night hours. I filled the motorcycle petrol tank with Rs. 200 petrol.
At 11:15, we started our journey from Tapovan, Rishikesh, and by 2:45 pm, we reached Pawki Devi temple. In between, we stop at Vashisht Gufa, Gular at 11:50 am, and Kailash Gufa at 1:30 pm.
Pawki Devi temple is situated near Nai village in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand and is approx. 39 km from Tapovan, Rishikesh, and 22 km from Vashisht Gufa, Gular. It is a Shakti Peeth visited by a number of devotees each year, especially during Pausha month, i.e., December / January, to perform ‘Hariyari Puja’. The temple is also known as Vageshwari Devi temple. It is said and believed that Goddess Sati‘s right foot fell at this location.
Lord Brahma had two sons, Narad’ and ‘Daksha’. Lord Brahma requested Narad to create the Universe, but as Narad was a divine sage and not interested, the request was forwarded to Daksha. The universe was created. Daksha was unanimously selected as the leader and was named Daksha Prajapati.
Once at Allahabad, Yagya’ was organized by Daksha Prajapati. Each and every person present at the Yagya site paid standing respect to Daksha, except Lord Shiva who was not liked by Daksha Prajapati. He once again organized Yagya at Kankhal, Haridwar, and invited all Devtaas except Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma his daughter (Goddess Parvati in her previous birth was known as Uma and later Sati), but Uma attended the Yagya without invitation. Upon query why Lord Shiva was not invited, Daksha Prajapati gave his reasons, which was an insult to Lord Shiva. Angered by this, Uma jumped into the Yagya and killed herself. The news spread like fire and reached Lord Shiva. He became furious, pulled out his Jata (hair-lock), and smashed it into the earth. Virbhadra was born. Virbhadra, by the order of Lord Shiva, went to Kankha,l destroyed Yagya, and killed Daksha. And then Lord Shiva carried the remains of Sati’s body and walked aimlessly on earth in grief.
Lord Vishnu was concerned that Lord Shiva’s grief would cause the destruction of the Universe. Finally, he took out his Sudarshan Chakra and cut Sati’s body into pieces. Sati’s body parts fell at various places known as Shakti Peeth. Pawki Devi is one of them.
Kunjapuri Devi, Surkanda Devi, Rajrajeshwari Devi, and Jwalpa Devi Siddh Peeths are within Uttarakhand.
Note: Virbhadra Mahadev temple is near IDPL colony approx. 5 km from Rishikesh.
Monkey Drinking Glass of Water
Monkey Drinking Glass of Water – This photo was taken at Kailash Gufa, Loyal village in Tehri Garhwal (Uttarakhand).
Hoshiyargiri – the master offering a glass of water to the monkey.
Rama Palace – Cheap and Best Cinema Hall in Rishikesh
During travel, I sometimes think of watching a movie, especially a Bollywood movie. Yesterday at Rishikesh, I had talks with Chandan, The guide whether he is interested or not to watch a movie. He agreed.
‘Talaash‘, I was thinking of watching but Chandan confirmed that *Rama Palace (cinema hall) is now playing ‘Dabangg 2.’ I immediately requested him to buy two tickets, one for him and one for myself. And we saw the movie ‘Dabangg 2’ starring Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Arbaaz Khan, and Vinod Khanna. House-full – 3:30 pm show. The best about the movie was the entry of Salman Khan at the start of the movie. Recently, two movies by Salman Khan, 1) Ek Tha Tiger and 2) Dabangg 2, entry of Salman Khan is Excellent Excellent Excellent. In short, I like the movie. Good editing, a Good star cast, and Good action. Songs of Dabangg were much better than Dabangg 2.
And how much did I pay for the movie ticket?
Rs. 75 per ticket for the balcony.
Update
After 6 months, I was again in Rishikesh. I requested one of my friends from Rishikesh to join us to watch ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani‘ starring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. He agreed, and we both saw the movie.
I have to say Ranbir Kapoor is a born actor. In a very short span of time, he proved to be one of the best actors in Bollywood in recent times. I have met Ranbir Kapoor personally, but at that time he was not a screen hero, but his movie ‘Saawariya‘ was about to release.
Anyway, after 6 months, the cost of a Balcony ticket morning show is still Rs. 75/- only.
*Rama Palace is on Dehradun Road near Natraj Chowk and is the only cinema hall in Rishikesh.
Update II
Currently, the renovation of Rama Palace is going on.
Distance of Various Towns from Gular (Uttarakhand)
Gular is situated in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand and is approx. 18 km from Rishikesh (towards Badrinath), famous among tourists for Vashisht Gufa and Arundhati Guha.
Distance of Various Towns from Gular (Uttarakhand) in km
Gular – 0, Srinagar – 83, Rudraprayag – 117, Gauchar – 139, Chamoli – 180, Pipalkoti – 197, Joshimath – 228, Govindghat – 240, Badrinath – 276