Road Trip Vignettes - Saffron Fields of Kashmir!

On the way back from Srinagar to Jammu, our driver Abdul stopped for a few minutes on the roadside and showed us these tilled fields. He asked us to guess what would be planted there. We blabbered some names of cereals or vegetables.

Abdul was not amused and said it would be SAFFRON. We were zapped as we had never seen Saffron fields. "Red Gold" as it is called, Kashmir is one of the largest producer of Saffron in the world. We were in Pampore town known as "Saffron Town" which produces 80% of Kashmir Saffron on Srinagar - Jammu highway. The Saffron of Kashmir is regarded as high quality and gets very good price. For people of Pampore and surrounding regions, it is a lifeline.

We could not see the flowers as they normally bloom in October in Autumn when these fields would be carpeted with lovely lavender flowers. Autumn is a excellent season to visit Kashmir and visiting these Saffron fields and seeing how they harvest it will be icing on the cake.

If you are driving on Srinagar - Jammu highway during the months of October - November, stopover at Pampore to enjoy these Saffron farms.

Postscript - The Pictures with flowers are downloaded from web.

If you want to read interesting vignettes captured on our Road trips, you may click here

Road Trip Vignettes

Please share the post

If you enjoyed reading this post, please take a moment to click on buttons on the sidebar and share it with your friends! 

Read More

Road Trip Vignettes - Banyan tree and Tulsi Vrindavan

We just stopped seeing this. 

The setting was lovely. This was during our trip to Dudhsagar and Goa in August last year. As we left the hotel in Siolim and started for Morjim beach, the driver asked us whether we would like to see a big banyan tree nearby. He said this was the largest tree in Goa. We were curious as we have seen one of the largest Banyan trees in the world in Bangalore. 

When we arrived at the spot, the tree was big but nowhere in comparison to the one in Bangalore. What caught our eye was a small Tulsi Vrindavan or the place where Tulsi, the holy basil is grown. There was no tulsi plant but the colourful Vrindavan was a lovely contrast to the grey backdrop of the aerial roots of Banyan. The small Vrindavan was a contrast to the huge tree.

Around the roots were the holy white threads. 

Brinda clicked the picture for the keeps. Here it is.

Have you noticed unusual vignettes during your travel?

If you want to explore unusual Goa, you may look at the following post in this blog

12 Things to do in Goa you haven't done before!

Share the post

If you enjoyed reading this post, please take a moment to click on buttons below and tell the world!

Read More

Road trip Vignettes - Men in Black!

Road trips are always like this. 

You suddenly notice something interesting and get down. It can be anything. A lovely landscape or a small water fall or life in rural india. We call these as "memorable moments" on the road.

We were driving through Jharkhand on our way home from Sikkim. The plan was to drive through Ranchi and reach Orissa for the night. The day had begun well when we left Bodh Gaya and the weather was perfect. We left foggy roads of Bihar and entered Jharkhand at Hazaribagh. To our luck, the road was not foggy as feared. After a tasty breakfast of Alu Parathas washed by excellent chai at the iconic Nanak Dhaba in Ramgarh, we headed towards Ranchi.  Fantastic landscape with sal forests flanking the road, small water bodies reflecting the rays of the morning sun welcomed us.. Though, winter, the sun was getting scorcher.

Suddenly, we saw men pushing their bicycles with sacks of coal. Men in black. Men covered in coal dust, impoverished. Men bent over the handles of their bikes. Men whose livelihoods depended on the coal they carry and sell. As we continued the journey, we saw many of them doing this rigour along the road. It was tough as the road was full of gradient. They had to really struggle to push their bicycle over the uphill.

We got curious. This was winter. Weather was still bearable. What happens in Summer when the mercury soars in this region? How do these guys manage? We stopped the car and Poorna got down to talk to them and find out where they were taking these loads. To our shock, the man replied that they were carrying the coal all the way to Ranchi which was still 40 KMs away!! Walking, pushing the bicycle all the way for 40 KMs??

We felt bad for them.

P.S. When we were Googling for more details on these men, we happened to see this interesting articles. Click here to read.....

The Untold Coal Story of Coal pullers of Jharkhand

Coal Cycle Wallahs - A documentary by Sophie Gerrard

Share the post

If you enjoyed reading this post, please take a moment to click on buttons below or on the sidebar and tell the world!

Read More

Road trip Vignettes - A Bridge on Musi River

Road trips are always like this. 

You suddenly notice some lovely spot and get down. It can be anything. A lovely landscape or a small water fall or early morning life in rural india. We call these as "memorable moments" on the road.

When we were driving on the world class highway between Hyderabad and Vijayawada on the way to Sikkim during Christmas holidays, a lovely bridge on Musi river caught our eye. It must have been built during British or Nizam times, the lovely arches made of bricks was aesthetically very pleasing. There was not much of water in the river.

We had to get get down and click a picture of it!

Read More

Road Trip Vignettes - Chilly Morning in Kabini!

We had been to Kabini two weeks back. The weather was fantastic albeit a bit cloudy. The mornings were chilly though.

On our way to Jungle Lodges for the Morning safari, we saw this family huddled around fire warming themselves. 

Not so much for the cattle who were on their way to meadows for a sumptuous breakfast!

You may also look the following related posts on Kabini and other Wildlife tales.

a) Skywatch Friday - Kabini

b) Bandipur 2 - Tale of a big cat!

Read More

Road Trip Vignettes - Lovely landscape around Mysore!

We could not wait to post this picture.

We were driving back from Mysore to Bangalore in the morning today. It had rained heavily on the previous night. The fields looked fresh as if they had taken a good shower!

We found this lovely landscape on the way to Bannur. This region is considered as "Rice bowl" of Karnataka. The paddy crop is ripening and getting ready for harvesting. When it is time for harvesting, the paddy fields turn golden yellow. The fields provide a beautiful contrast to the green colour of trees, grey flowers of Sugarcane and blue sky above. 

You will find such lovely landscape if you are driving during this time of the year in and around Mysore, Coorg and in Malnad region. Look out and enjoy these lovely colours.

Read More

Road trip Vignettes - Refreshing Tender Coconuts on Ooty road!

Being roadtrippers, one thing we always relish during our drives is the "tender coconut". It is very refreshing and healthy. This is especially so when you drive anywhere in Karnataka when you will always come across a small roadside outlet selling tender coconuts. There is nothing beautiful about these places. 

But if you have travelled to Ooty from Mysore, you would have noticed the fascinating array of coconuts on the road. They are arranged like a pillar which is visible from a long distance enticing curiosity. When you come near, you realise that they are beautifully arranged tender coconuts. Having travelled many times on this stretch, we always stop at one of these places to savour it and refresh ourselves. 

Few months back, we did stop at this place near Nanjanagud. The coconuts were arranged beautifully and they looked aesthetically brilliant. We asked, Siddappa, the owner of the outlet what made him do this when many of his peers elsewhere just kept them. The answer was insightful. 

"We wanted to do something different from others and thought of this. Also it looks nice. Isn't it?"

 "Yes, it is. Has your business increased once you installed the "coco pillar"? 

"Yes, it has. people stop to check it out of curiosity and then ask for tender coconuts."

Any innovative idea, is always welcomed and so is Siddappa's others of his ilk on this road. Sure, it also helps him to earn few extra bucks as well!

Now you know where to stop when you drive to Ooty from Mysore. Stop at any othese places and and get refreshed!

Want to read more vignettes from our road trips? Please click here.

Road Trip Vignettes

Read More

Road trip Vigenettes - Cricket bats from Kashmir

We all have played cricket and love the game. Did you ever remember where does the bat you use come from? I for one always thought that the bats were either from Meerut or Ludhiana. 

That was till we saw them in Kashmir! Lots!

When we drove down the highway connecting Srinagar and Jammu, we noticed shops selling Cricket bats near Avantipora. We are surprised as we never knew that Kashmir also manufactured Cricket bats. Abid, our driver said that we get some of the best bats in Kashmir. He has played club level cricket in Kashmir and missed out chance in Ranji team. So i had to trust his words. What is interesting is that Avantipora and surrounding towns are well known for manufacturing top quality Cricket bats from Kashmir Willow.

We could not go to one of the manufacturing units as it was very early in the morning. We could however see pieces of Kashmir willow piled up in the factories on the roadside. We stopped at a small shop to check out thee bats. They were quite good.

Next time when you are driving between Srinagar and Jammu do stop at Avantipora and check out how the cricket bats are manufactured. It is quite interesting. Pick up a bat for your little ones. They would just love it.

Read More

Road Trip Vignettes - Colours of Dhabha!

We all have seen it. Our dhabhas on the roadside are the colourful places. Whether it is food or smells or the people, it is a mini India out there. We have had best of the food in some of the nondescript road side dhabhas. We can recount best Alu Parotas we had on the way to Pandharpur from Sangli, tasty rice kheer in a dhabha in Chattisgarh, softest of phulkas in dhabhas of UP, crisp and khadak rotis with dal in Punjab.........the list go on.

On our way from Jammu to Dharamshala, we stopped at Milan Dhabha, one of the oldest dhabha near Madhopur bridge as one cross Himachal Pradesh and enter Punjab. I remember this Dhabha which we used to frequent as bachelors when i was posted in Madhopur in eighties during my first posting in Army. 

We stopped over there for a cup of tea. It was 7.30 in the morning and preparations were on for breakfast which is traditionally parotas with Curds and Pickle. We were in for surprise when we ordered. Surjit, the man asked whether we want have buttered toast along with chai. Why not and he gives us eight slices of toast - roasted in tandoor - with dollops of butter smeared. It was yummy and perfect combination with typical punjabi chai - the best we have had on this trip. 

When we were looking around, we noticed the pictures on the wall. All gods were there and it is not unusual to see such pictures of gods of all religions in our dhabhas. 

Possibly, they are the most secular place in India!

Read More

Road Trip Vignettes - The Paddy fields and a Prayer wall

Pluses of a road trip is the freedom it gives to enjoy the journey at your own pace. Many times we have noticed that journeys are more interesting than the actual destination itself. When these vignettes are captured on the lens, they remain cherished memories forever. We will share some of these in our blog and hope you like it.

We never expected beautiful vistas of greenery when we drove from Melkote to Madikeri. 

The temple town of Melkote is a small little town rich with history and is well known for the temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The landscape of this place with lovely valley and undulating topography is an eye candy, especially after the rains.

After a brief halt in Melkote we drove to Madikeri via K R Nagar. This stretch between Melkote to K R Nagar was a big surprise. Lush green fields, backwaters of Krishnaraja Sagar Dam makes it pleasant drive. 

The Mysore - Hassan highway near K R Nagar is surrounded by paddy fields on either side. This place is known as "Rice bowl" of Karnataka. When we were cruising on this excellent highway we stopped when we noticed this picture postcard landscape. 

The small prayer wall with white-green colour was a nice complement to the green around and the cloudy sky above.

Read More

Road trip Vignettes - Sharavathi Valley view

Plusses of a road trip is the freedom it gives to enjoy the journey at your own pace. Many times we have noticed that journeys are more interesting than the actual destination itself. When these vignettes are captured on the lens, they remain cherished memories forever. We will share some of these in our blog and hope you like it.

Driving in Western ghats is always a memorable experience. Whether you are driving during the monsoon or immediately after it, you will greeted by geerenery all around.

One of the lovely drives is from Bangalore to Goa is via Shivamogga and Jog Falls. The roads are good. The drive will give an opportunity to see magnificent Jog falls. Monsoon is the right time to visit Jog falls which will be at its glorious best. 

When you depart Jog falls and drive towards Honnavar, you will drive through Sharavathi wild life sanctuary. The road is through thick forest. As you drive listening to the sounds of Cicada, smelling the fresh air, you will be greeted with a fabulous valley of Sharavthi. The forest department has built a small watch tower which can be climbed easily to get a nice view of the valley. Here are few pictures of the valley we had clicked on the way to Goa in December last year.

The Sharavathi Valley

The power station in the background

Next time when you decide to drive on this road, look out for this spot and enjoy the lovely valley view.

Read More

Road trip Vignettes - Madikheda Reservoir, Shivpuri

Plusses of a road trip is the freedom it gives to enjoy the journey at your own pace. Many times we have noticed that journeys are more interesting than the actual destination itself. When these vignettes are captured on the lens, they remain cherished memories forever. We will share some of these in our blog and hope you like it.

During our fortnight long Central India Road trip from Bangalore, we covered many interesting places. Some of them are well known and some of them we had not bargained for. 

It was in Sept - Oct 2011. This was the year of bounty rain fall in Central India. After many years of drought, the reservoirs were full and it was green all around. Having served in Jhansi during my Army days, i know how hot and arid these regions are.

When we left Jhansi to Udaipur - a last minute change - we never bargained for an excellent road. A green and beautiful landscape complemented it. 

As we crossed Shivpuri bye pass, we saw a vista of backwaters of Madikheda reservoir. The reservoir was full to the brim and the stems of the dried trees submerged in water made the place look surreal. We stopped for few minutes to explore and click some pictures. 

Next time around, if you are travelling from Jhansi to Udaipur or Kota, make a stop over at Shivpuri to visit the well maintained cenotaphs of Scindia Dynasty. Also make a trip to serene Madhav Sagar lake and visit the George Castle built by Scindia for British Emperor George V who never came to stay there.

Shivpuri in Wiki

Read More

Road Trip Vignettes - Arabian sea near Ankola, Karnataka

One of the pleasures of going on a road trip is the freedom it gives you to stop, explore and enjoy road side vignettes in a diverse country like India. These can be miles and miles of yellow spread of mustard in North India in winters or countless water falls while driving in Western Ghats during monsoons or fields filled with beautiful sun flowers in spring. We have stopped and enjoyed these beautiful moments in many of our drives.

Last week we were driving in Coastal Karnataka. If you are a roadtripper like us, driving on the West Coast in India is a pleasant experience. The rivers, estuaries, the hills and the mighty sea.......all add to the beauty of the place. There are many pristine and unexplored stretches of sand on this route - hope they remain same - which make West Coast such an eye candy.

One place we always stop and never get satiated is the stretch of road between Ankola and Karwar. This is a small distance - 15 KMs - of hilly terrain with curvy road with amazing sights of Arabian sea. Sadly, the Navy has constructed a compound wall all along the highway which obstructs the  beautiful view. What was being enjoyed while driving earlier times has to be done now by stopping and peeping! There are still some places where the Navy has not cordoned off and you can enjoy the sights from there. 

Here are two pictures we had taken while going to Goa last year. 

So, next time when you are driving to Goa from Bangalore, stop for a minute and enjoy these sights.

If you are looking a Driving Holiday in Coastal Karnataka or Karavali as it is known, please look the following post in this blog

Driving Holidays from Bangalore 4 - Karavali and Koffee Kombo!

Read More

Road Trip Vignettes - Flame of the Forest in Bloom

Flame of the forest is a beautiful tree. Specially when you see it during this season - January to March - when it is in full bloom.

My vivid memories of train journeys from South India to North while serving in the Army are the vistas of orange and vermillion colours whenever the train crossed Vindhya mountains in Central India. The train passes through deciduous forests of Central India which comes to life when the this tree is in bloom. The onset of flowering these trees covers the forest with colours giving an illusion of a flame in the forest.

Thus the name "Flame of the Forest"!

When we were driving in Central India during the road trip to Chattisgarh and Kanha, we happened to see these trees in bloom along the road. It was in March and some flowers had withered but they still looked lovely. It as a soothing sight.

Next time when you are driving in Central India or traveling by train in January - March , look out for these trees and for lovely sight of "Flame of the Forest" in bloom.

Useful Links

Flame of the Forest in Wiki

Read More

Road trip Vignettes - Fascinating Hills near Manmad

Last year when we were driving in Maharashtra, we came across these strange looking hills on the way to Manmad from Shirdi. I am not sure what has made them look like the way they are now. But the hill looks fascinating indeed. The peak of the hill looks like a "Thumbs up" posture. Is it because of millions of years of weathering? I have no answer. 

I asked some locals and they were clueless too. We saw similar hills on Baramati - Shirdi road as well.

Hope someone explore this and preserve it.

Read More

Road Trip Vignettes - Colourful Statues in Andhra Pradesh!!

Plusses of a road trip is the freedom it gives to enjoy the journey at your own pace. Many times we have noticed that journeys are more interesting than the actual destination itself. When these vignettes are captured on the lens, they remain cherished memories forever. We will share some of these in our blog and hope you like it.

India is a "Statue crazy" country. Every government or political party want to outdo the other when it comes to statues of the leaders in public places. We love these leaders and place them on a pedestal!!

I am not sure who started the statue culture in public places in the country. Was it British or the Indian Maharajas who wanted to please their British lords by erecting statues for any Tom, Dick and Harry till such time they were safe on their throne?

This statue culture reaches its zenith in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and in Uttar Pardesh in North India. Walk on the Marina beach in Madras (Chennai) or drive on the Necklace road around the Hussain sagar lake in Hyderabad and you will see what i mean. Then you have the big "mummy" of statue building in Uttar Pradesh when Ms Mayavati  went around erecting elephants and other statues in every nook and corner.

We found this interesting scene while driving through Andhra Pradesh in 2010 on the way to Chhattisgarh. We crossed Vizianagaram and were halted by this spectacle of life size statues of late Chief Minister Sri Y S R Reddy who was killed in an air cash few years back. These statues of the leader in different costumes and colours were ready to shipped  to different parts of the state. 

Take a look.

Read More

Road Trip Vignettes on the way to Wayanad

Plusses of a road trip is the freedom it gives to enjoy the journey at your own pace. Many times we have noticed that journeys are more interesting than the actual destination itself. When these vignettes are captured on the lens, they remain cherished memories forever. We will share some of these in our blog and hope you like it.

We were on our way to Wayanad for a weekend trip sometime during November last year. We started early in the morning and it was a pleasant drive. Golden brown paddy fields flanked the road. The brown colour was contrasted by the lovely grey/white flowers of sugar cane swaying in the wind. The sky was overcast. Excellent setting to stop and savour. We stopped at one place to click these pictures of cane flowers with lovely sky in the background. Please take a look.

Aren't they lovely? This is the right time to explore the landscape in and around Bangalore especially in the rice bowl districts of Mandya and Mysore in Karnataka in South India. 

If you are traveling in North India, look for yellow carpets of beautiful mustard fields.

For more posts in Road Trip Vignettes series, please click the link below.

Road Trip Vignettes

Did you like this post? Please share it with your friends by clicking on the side bar. If you need more information on road trip to Wayanad you may please write at poorna62@gmail.com

Read More