A trip on HOLI

Holi, a scary proposition for me from college. As it was approaching I was on the look out for ways to escape Delhi. As it fell on a Monday I had at hand a 3 day weekend. My friend and I started contemplating a bike trip for the week end. The climate was ideal for the same, neither hot not cold. The possible destinations ranged from the deserts of Rajasthan to the hill stations of Nainital. Finally we decided to visit the Sariska Tiger reserve considering the huge campaign tats been started for protecting our national animal.The plan was to reach Alwar district where sariska is situated. Get an accommodation there and then visit places of interest around. If time permits we also decided to drop by Jaipur on the return journey. We set out early on Saturday morning around 6:00 AM. Me on my Thunderbird, my friend Sunil on his Std 350. We drove continuously taking breaks only for tea and then for pictures at interesting locations in between.

Reached Alwar before noon. Our first destination in Alwar was Silisereh lake.

A former hunting lodge for the royalty, the lake is located in a very scenic location surrounded by hillocks. The hunting lodge is now an RTDC resort. But it has just 12 rooms so don’t dream of getting one without months of advance booking. After spending some time at this scenic location we climbed down hill. At the base was another RTDC resort. We booked a cottage for a paltry amount of 1200Rs. After resting our aching bodies for a couple of hours we set out to explore Bala Quila in the city.

The Quila has a Balaji temple, Balaji refers to Hanuman not Tirupathi Balaji, at the top. The ascent was superb with a good population of wild life along the way. We dint visit the temple but spent sunset atop the hill. After dark we returned to base and after food and watching India loose to SA hit bed.
Early next morning we set out for Sariska which is about 30Kms from our hotel.

Booked a jeep at the reserve for 1000 Rs and spend 3 hours inside. The reserve was frankly a let down. Inspite of the fact that the resort has only 3 tigers, deep down we were hoping we would get a sighting. We didn’t. The other wildlife was also ordinary and common, except for the migratory Bar Headed Geese, the highest flying birds in the world.

After lunch we set out for Jaipur. Though this journey was at the height of noon, still it was a pleasant drive. We reached Jaipur around 2 in the after noon. After freshening up we were joined by two of Sunils friends working in Jaipur. We decided to visit Jalmahal and the Nahargarh fort, of Rang De Basanti fame. After getting separated and lost for some time in the busy and confusing lanes of Jaipur we finally regrouped and reached Jalmahal to witness a beautiful sunset and moon-rise.

Then we went up Nahargarh. The way is full of hairpin curves and is completely dark. One wrong move and you will be plunging down. To add to the woes, half the climb is fully pot holed road. After some tricky driving all four of us reached the top in one piece. But the view and atmosphere up there is worth while. The entire jaipur city all lighted up looks extremely beautiful. We dint feel like coming down from there.

After the fort we decided to get a taste of some authentic Rajasthani food. We fixed up on some restaurant suggested by our guides. But when we reached the base of nahargarh tragedy struck. Sunils front tyre got punctured. Must have happened on one of the many pot holes en route. Fortunately it happened right in front of Jalmahal. So leaving Sunil and the girls behind I went in search of the mechanic. After loads off begging and promise of a good reward, one agreed to come. As the time was getting late the girls were packed off in an auto. Our plans for authentic rajasthani food was dropped and we decided to eat something after reaching our hotel. But this puncture was the crowning point of the entire journey. No bike journey is complete without some thing like this, esp when you are going in Royal Enfield. We got the thing rectified and reached our hotel just before midnight. In place of authentic Rajasthani we had just bread omlette.

After two days of early rising and continous driving we decided to wake up very late on the Holi day. We set out after a heavy brunch on our way back to Delhi. Reached back at around 5 PM covering 783 Kms in 2.5 days. One day later sitting in office typing this, I am already feeling nostalgic.