FRIENDLY CAFES OF RISHIKESH (CV)

8th June -10th June 2017

"Revolutions have always started in Cafes", said by Martin Firrel.

This was my fourth visit to Rishikesh and I chose Zostel as my home and 'exploring cafes of Rishikesh' as my business. Every cafe here has its own vibes, its own colours and culture. The best part about the cafes here is that they do not bring bills to the table (and that is with every cafe I had visited) and one could sit for hours watching the flowing Ganga and the green mountains with no one to disturb.

Cafe 60's (Cafe Delmar/Beatles Cafe)

1. 60's BEATLES CAFE

With a view of Ganga, peaceful ambience and Beatles music in the background, Cafe 60's is the perfect place for the people who love silence and the food. With delicious food and amazing Masala Chai, Cafe 60's became my favourite cafe. 

View from Cafe 60's

2. ZOSTEL ROOFTOP CAFE

Zostel in itself is a 'must visit' place in Rishikesh. A perfect place to stay for a backpacker, Zostel provides all amenities with chance to interact with different travellers from different countries. My love of graffiti increased after visiting this place. Even if one is not staying in Zostel, one could visit its beautiful rooftop cafe in evening to have its amazing Dal Fry with hot chappatis. 

Graffiti on one of Zostel's walls

Zostel Cafe at dusk

3. CAFE MOKTAN

We went to have early morning breakfast in Cafe Moktan. Well, I would call it a brick cafe. The interiors of cafe was made of appealing raw bricks with one corner of the cafe covered with books. We had delightful cheese omelette and garlic breads with sumptuous fresh fruit juices.  

The Brickhouse

4. CAFE DE-GOA

"All our waiters are married. They know how to take orders." With a view of Laxman Jhula, Cafe De-Goa is a place to sit where one could observe people walking on Laxman Jhula and wishing and hoping to go on the other side of the river. While we were looking for another cafe to munch-on it started raining in Rishikesh and we found shelter in Cafe De-Goa. The green tea and hot ginger lemon tea were enough to satisfy our taste buds.

Graffiti in front of Cafe De Goa

Graffiti near the cafe

View of Laxman Jhula from the Cafe

Cafe De Goa

5. CAFE LITTLE BUDDHA

Cross Laxman Jhula and walk for few minutes towards right and  one would come across a hidden gem- Cafe Little Buddha. I started climbing the dungeon stairs of the cafe and wondered where I was heading to. To my surprise the dungeon stairs opened upto a beautiful cafe full of people of different colours with amazing Ganga view. We named it the Happy Buddha Cafe.

 

6. CAFE CHATSANG

Very near to Little Buddha Cafe on the road side was Cafe Chatsang. The name of the cafe lured me (from Satsang came the Chatsang) and I couldn't control myself entering the cafe. Grabbing just a cup of tea with my book in my hand I spent some silent time here.

"Sore Today, Strong Tomorrow"- Wall of Cafe Chatsang

 7. GANGA VIEW RESTAURANT

We had heard a lot about Cafe Moksha and in efforts of finding it we ended up landing at Ganga View Restaurant. Cafe Moksha, as was told, is the most happening cafe of Rishikesh with live music in evenings. As we had our bus back to Delhi in evening we visited the cafe from outside and decided to spend some more time with view of Ganga at the Ganga View Restaurant.

The Cafe hopping in Rishikesh gave many beautiful moments to me- the rains, the rising moon, the setting sun, the Ganga water with rafts and bloats floating, the bridge with loads of people walking peacefully over it, the cool breeze and yes the amazing sumptuous delicious food.

Exploring galis of Rishikesh

The Rising Full Moon

A MARRIAGE TO GET INSPIRED FROM - A MARRIAGE IN MUKTESHWAR, UTTRAKHAND (CIV)

They met 8 years back and fell in love. Love, that beautiful feeling of being understood, being always together in all ups and downs. They were travellers, the mountain lovers and they chose Mukteshwar to tie that sacred knot. The knot- the promise to take care of each other, the promise to travel whole world together.

PRISTINE MUKTESHWAR

They are Anki and Prat, my favourites. Anki is my friend and my soulmate in office and Prat (now) her husband. Anki is crazy like me as being in Delhi she was getting married in hills and that's why I love her so much. 

An affair which couldn't be completed without 100s of people attending it, an affair which calls of so much show off that people die thinking that "what other people would think about them", an affair which is usually torturous and painful (at least for me and probably for Anki and Prat also), an affair which is usually called "Marriage" in our society. Well, marriage is not all this. Marriage is two people coming together, marriage is event of those two people, marriage is for happiness of those two people and marriage should be for those two people.

I was sitting in my office and a courier came. It was a card which stated "Dear person who is really important to us...Let's go to Mukteshwar, come for a trip, stay for a wedding." I jumped off my seat after reading the card.

A group of 15 people started their journey from Delhi in Shatabdi till Kathkodam and from there in mini bus and cars till Mukteshwar. Parents, siblings and friends (whom Anki and Prat call close people) were invited. People with whom there was no formality, people who understand them, people with whom they could enjoy their special day with. It was a marriage full of laughter, talks, fun, dance and excitement.

Finally the time arrived and we went to wedding mandap. I was in awe when I saw the mandap. Mandap was beautifully decorated by the village women with rice flour. For them Anki was like their daughter. The village people played music and danced in the barat.

LADKEWALE :D

Anki was looking as beautiful as always and Prat the handsome hunk. It was a marriage which solemnised in midst of mountains. While leaving the place I couldn't control my tears. The village people performed vidai ceremony of Anki in their traditional way with golden colour Kalash (Urn) and baded her goodbye like their sister.

Our tastes match so much

   

Beautiful Bride and Groom

It was the marriage which is unforgettable, a spectacular, awe-inspiring marriage.

IN SEARCH OF SOMETHING UNKNOWN - TRIP TO SARAHAN, HIMACHAL (CIII)

10th March- 14th March, 2017

INDIA- a book gifted by a fellow traveller, is an ocean in itself. I opened its chapter on Himachal and the first heading I saw was Sarahan. Secluded Sarahan- erstwhile summer capital of Bhushar rajas is some 170 kms ahead of Shimla. I couldn't resist myself after reading about it and two days later I was on a bus to Sarahan.

HOW TO REACH?

Delhi to Shimla night bus (10-11 hours)

Shimla to Rampur bus (4-5 hours)

Rampur to Sarahan bus (2-3 hours) 

There are direct buses also from Delhi to Rampur which I got to know later on my return journey.

START OF THE SEARCH

I didn't know what I was looking for or what I wanted. I was just taking this journey, probably in search of "Nothing".  

The bus crossed Shimla and my eyes became wide open in amazement. I had never seen Shimla like this before - It was white, pure white. The trees were covered in snow and the sunlight was falling on them, the water dropped from my eyelids like that melting snow falling from the leaves. It was start of a good journey.

The bus had to take another route to reach Rampur as route from Narkanda was closed because of heavy snowfall. Narkanda, every time I hear this name I go back in my memories - my first solo trip was till Narkanda. The trip which has given me strength to fight my fears, the capacity to know me well, the trip which has given me new perception of looking at life. (Story on Narkanda)

It was raining cats and dogs in Rampur. The Hotel Satluj view came as a rescue- cosy room, with all amenities and a beautiful view of Satluj River.  

Rampur is a small town in Himachal with River Satluj flowing through it. The sound of river, the vibration of the bridge, prayer flags emitting good vibes - everything was positive about that town. The rain droplets were kissing all my body and the mountains merged in me making me feel alive. At night looking out of my room window I cried, I cried a lot hugging those mountains, no ifs and buts were asked, no questions were thrown, it just let me cry and the river soaked in all my tears. 

Places to Visit in Rampur

1. Padam Palace

2. Rampur bridge over Satluj River

3. Small beautiful market after crossing the bridge

4. Peaceful mountains and river water

SARAHAN

The journey from Rampur to Sarahan is beautiful. I saw snow covered mountains from Rampur and I wished to reach there and after reaching Sarahan I realised I was on those mountains. 

Sarahan is famous for Bhimkali temple - a temple with beautiful wooden architecture and I was lucky to have its tasty langar food. Snow covered mountains surrounded the temple making it even more pious. 

The road ends at Sarahan and I was glad to touch the last point.  

END OF SEARCH

As I said, I didn't know what I was looking for but I was sure that I was not going empty handed from this place. Leaving this place was not easy for me. I didn't get enough of this place. Any number of days or how much time I spend there were less. I felt as if I was leaving something really important behind. I had no relationship or connection with it but still when I bade goodbye something in me was sad. The conversations I had with nature I could never share those thoughts with anyone else- my fears, my views, my thoughts which are unacceptable to this world. It had lent such a good hear to all my talks. If I had an option I would have chosen this place as my home, but unfortunately I had no choice. All this while I was leaving love stating it to be impractical, but for the first time love was leaving me as the same was not possible.  I wish I get only one reason to hate it so that I never come back here again. However, I took a promise- not to forget me ever and keep me as one good chapter of life.  On the way back to Delhi I said "I will miss you" and the setting sun shone even brighter as if it held my hand in that moment. Only two things could bring tears in my eyes- love and nature and I got both on this trip. 

For pictures on Rampur and Sarahan visit my facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/thedayirealisedthatiamalive/

I WISH! (CII)

I wish when I die, 
I die in hills reading a book 
Or on a beach watching sunset

I wish when I die, 
I die in desert drowning in mirage
Or in sea watching star fish

I wish when I die, 
I die sitting on a cliff meditating 
Or under a waterfall playing

I wish when I die, I die while living. 

KASARDEVI, UTTRAKHAND, INDIA

IN SEARCH OF SOLITUDE- TOSH, THE UNTOUCHED BEAUTY (CI)

Sitting on my comfy chair with Murakami in my hand, when the sun rays were filtering my hair and the sun-light on snow was emitting gold and silver, I realised that Himachal has given me so much- so many friends, the love of my life, so many sunrises and morning teas, full moons and the constellations and most of all the courage to start my solo journeys. This was my another solo venture to find some solitude in Tosh- The Untouched Beauty of Himachal. Tosh is a small village ahead of Manikaran and some 20 kms from Kasol. Soothing, isolated and away from all the luxuries of city life, Tosh has the charm in its simplicity.

HOW TO REACH

Bus from ISBT or Manju Ka Tilla, Delhi till Bhunter (11-12 hours)
Local Bus from Bhunter to Barsheni (Bhunter-Kasol-Manikaran-Barsheni) (3-4 hours)
Taxi or Trek from Barsheni till Tosh. (20-30 minutes)

THAT 21 YEAR OLD

For the first time my side seat in bus was occupied by a female solo traveller. 21 year old, young and smart, she was little conscious and confused as it was her first solo trip in India. She was going to Kasol. We talked and laughed and discussed, without interfering into each other's privacy. We were alone but whenever required we were together.

GRAFFITI IN VILLAGE TOSH

WHERE TO STAY

Sunset Guest House, II Floor, Corner Room for the best view.- Rs 300 for double occupancy room (he may charge extra Rs 100 if there are two people).

FEAR- THE FIRST NIGHT

As suggested by my traveller friend Sushant I took room no. 111 and indeed the view was perfect from the balcony.

It was off season and there were very few people in the guest house and on my floor I was the only one. The sun started snoring and the moon was hidden behind the clouds, huge black mountains were standing tall in front of me and from a distance sound of gushing water of waterfalls was touching my ears. Everything was dark and I could feel the darkness inside me. I felt scared. I tried to sleep but I couldn't. After half an hour when I failed in my attempt I knocked the door of fellow travellers Sakshi and her brother Vikrant who were staying on first floor. The brother-sister from Delhi were travelling together for the first time and they had a very sweet and sour relationship. It was fun listening to them. For five minutes I kept pondering whether to knock or not, whether to disturb them or not, but for the first time I kept myself above "What people would think about Me." I knew I would be disturbing them but I couldn't help. For me it was the matter of survival.

View of Waterfalls from my balcony

WHAT NOT TO MISS

Orchid Cafe- This wooden cafe offers delicious honey pan cake, cheese omelette, lemon tea and paneer and butter roti.

NEW FRIENDSHIP, NEW LOVE, NEW RELATIONS

By this time me, Sakshi, Vikrant and Animesh (a fellow solo traveller from Delhi) already had many discussions on business, marriages, love, friendships, relations, economy, law, philosophy, psychology. The next day after bidding adieu to Sakshi and Vikrant,  me and Animesh started our trek hoping to reach that ferocious waterfall.

TREKS

1. Trek till river bed- I would not call it a trek as it was a simple walk till a pasture from where one could hear sound of rustling water of river.

2. Trek till the Waterfall- It was not a normal trek and no villager suggested us to go for it.

Me and Animesh started walking down the lane hoping to touch the waterfall. It was the tough terrain and I am sure that if Animesh wouldn't have been there I would have never thought of taking pains to reach the waterfall. In life we experience all kinds of hassles and sometimes a help, a confidant, a friend is required to overcome them.

That mud on my feet was like sparkling stones, the natural music of water and wind, the villagers gazing the cows and sheep, the smoke from the chimneys- everything was mesmerising about that place. After experiencing many difficulties when we saw the waterfall in front of us all pain vanished in a second. Pain is necessary to value life, this small life.

We had to cross the river to reach the waterfall

Newly discovered Tosh bridge

I couldn't imagine that something which I could see from the distance, which was so far from me, I would be able to touch it someday. I got so engrossed in the beauty of that waterfall that I forgot to click any pictures.

When I saw the mountains above and the river beneath and I was standing somewhere in between, I felt so small.

At night while gazing at the stars and the constellations I thought about the darkness I experienced the night before. I saw that one brightest lonely star and I wondered if life could be same- alone amidst the darkness and shining brightly like that star. 

One never gets enough of Tosh and it was not easy to leave that place. The best part was that I came alone but was leaving with a friend. 

LAW? (C)

Being a lawyer,

I think why there is need of law.

It comes when somebody wants to harm other

It comes when somebody hates someone.

It is required when somebody wants more than what he/she is working for

And being a lawyer I still wonder,

That law is important to remove that somebody

But is that possible unless that somebody changes

And being a lawyer I still wonder why law is required.

AMBEDKAR PARK, GOMTI NAGAR, LUCKNOW

AWESOME WEEKEND GETAWAY FROM DELHI- MORNI HILLS (XCIX)

10th September, 2016- 12th September, 2016

Fun of hills and plains
Beauty of forest and road
Attraction of history and nature

Morni hills have it all. Situated in District Panchkula, some 260 kms from Delhi, Morni Hills is perfect weekend getaway from Delhi.

HOW I REACHED MORNI HILLS FROM DELHI

HRTC Bus from ISBT, Delhi till Chandigarh- got down at Zirakpur bus stop before Chandigarh

From Zirakpur to Morni Hills- Bike, Duke. Roads are perfect and one could easily travel by one's own vehicle from Delhi to Morni Hills.

I reached Kasmere Gate bus stop, ISBT early morning at 5 am. My bus was at 6 o'clock. Sleepy but excited about the trip I was waiting for my bus to come. It was Saturday morning (God Shani Dev day) and I could see atleast 6-7 people carrying Shani Dev idol and roaming around the bus stop seeking dakshina. I saw people giving money to the Lord and for a while I got lost in my thoughts. I wondered that we don't love God, we fear God. While I was still pondering whether I love or fear God my bus came and I started searching for number 17 seat.

I reached Zirakpur bus stop and was waiting for Ashish to come from where we had plan to go on bike to Morni Hills which was some 40 kms. I had read it somewhere, "Roads are made for journeys and not the destinations." The journey from Zirakpur to Morni Hills is beautiful. Dense forests on both the sides and the turns on road - it was quiet and adventurous.

WHERE TO STAY

UV Resorts owned by a retire forest official- We found it on Goibibo website.  

Morni Hills is a place where you go and do nothing. It is a place to relax, to read, to write, to enjoy that cup of tea watching the hills, to enjoy that cool breeze touching your skin, to enjoy the conversations and to experience the silence. The view from UV Resort was beautiful. It was like an open amphitheatre. I was watching the changing of colours of sky in evening- from blue to orange to dark orange to grey to black. I love nights in hills. The star studded sky, the faded mountains, cool breeze, the far off dim lights- Nights in hills are beautiful.

PLACES TO VISIT

TIKKAR TAAL

View of  Tikkar Taal and Chota Tikkar Taal

When I am amidst nature, I am ignorant of everybody, everything around me. I am at peace with myself and my surroundings. I was looking at that soft flowing water, the distant boats, concentrating on the sunlight merging and emerging in water. It was hypnotic. Nature is the best gift God has given to mankind.  

A trek till Morni Waterfall

MORNI FORT

On Monday morning at 11.00 am we started our journey back to Delhi on our beloved Duke. We had to cover 260 kms which were ahead of us. But we knew that it would surely be fun as it is rightly said-   

"If you want to be happy for a day, drink.
If you want to be happy for a year, marry.
But if you want to be happy for a lifetime, ride a motorcycle."

Ashish's Duke and my Avenger at India Gate, Delhi
Picture taken on 13th September- the next day of completion of our trip

For more pictures and quotes on Morni Hills visit- Everything out there is for A reason  - A page owned by Ashish Sohal and The Day I Realised that I Am Alive-  My Facebook Page