My Travel

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Adventure road journey, Jammu Kashmir, India.

A road for adventure travel is from Jammu to Manali via Leh. It is a six day ardous road travel at high altitude and extreme weather conditions.Landslides and chances of road accidents are high on this route. Hair pin curves and a speed of 30 kmph with no overtaking.

No one is in a hurry on this road. Safety comes first.

Jammu - Srinagar highway is a good road which passes through the famous Jawahar tunnel.

Srinagar - Leh road is over Zoji la pass and Fotu la. Buses operate during the season with night halt at Kargil. Two day travel time is normal. Drass is the world's second coldest inhabited place. Kargil is near the Pakistan border and the highway is within the shelling range.

Srinagar - Sonmarg (87 km) - Zoji la pass - Drass (56 km) - Kargil (62 km) - Mulbekh (53 km) - Fotu la (4093 m) - Lamayuru (44 km) - Khulsi - Saspol - Leh (55 km).

Manali - Leh Jeep Safari

Manali (2050 m) - Kothi - Rohtang Pass (3985 m) - Gramphoo - Khoksar - Sissu (3130 m) - Tandi - Keylong (3350 m) - Jespa (3200 m) - Darcha - Patseo - Zingzingbar - Baralacha la (4880 m) - Sarchu - Lachulung la (5065 m) - Pang (4630 m) - Debring - Tanglang la (5370 m) - Rumtse - Upshi - Kharu - Thikse - Shey - Leh (3500 m).

Himachal Pradesh state bus operates in this route and the distance is covered in two days with a night halt at Sarchu or Keylong depending on the road conditions. Leh departure 0430 h daily, book one day in advance. The bus goes to New Delhi via Keylong, Manali and Chandigarh.

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Terrorist activities in Kashmir

The Jammu - Srinagar national highway (NH 1A), the only winter route to Kashmir, is frequently disrupted due to heavy accumulation of snow at Batot - Patni top, Banihal tunnel and Quazi gund. Numerous frequent landslides and hurtling down of small bridges on the valley makes the traffic difficult. Heavy snows generally commence in October and the falls carry till May. Zoji la (3980 m, pass) leading to Ladakh (Leh) from Srinagar remains closed for almost six months. Closing of Khardung la (5602 m, world's highest motorable road from Leh to Siachen glacier base at Panamik) causes the road movement and stocking schedules of Shyok and Siachen garrisons.

Thoise on the other side of Khardung la acts as an airfield for Siachen. Line of Control beyond the point NJ 9842 (Siachen) was undetermined and was captured by Indian Army in 1984.

Series of bomb blasts ripped through the Kashmir valley and on the national highways on both sides of Jawahar tunnel at Banihal, random bomb blasts near Srinagar club, detection of a powerful explosive device inside the Jawahar tunnel itself, frequented prolonged 'hartals' at Srinagar, unidentified gunmen on motorcycles opened fire at the sentry posts outside the residence of the sessions judge, firing near Inspector General office, killing of three terrorists in an encounter, a car was blown up in Lal Chowk and bombs were lobbed at a police piquet at Zaldagar bridge, two extremists fired at a CRPF post in the High court premises, several bomb blasts at various tourist complexes in the city, extremists lobbed a hand grenade on the roof of the TV transmission centre and at various police out posts.

A bus carrying CRPF 'jawans' were bombed by a remotely operated device killing more than 16, a powerful time bomb was detected at the Srinagar airport and was disarmed later, mob violence and protests, riots, military convoys were targeted by remotely operated bombs, grenades were lobbed at an ammunition depot, airfields of Avantipur and Badgam
were attacked using rockets in a commando style operation by terrorists and damaged a couple of parked aircrafts.

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Major fires : A major fire broke out in Army petrol depot and JKSRTC bus stand due to the firing of MZ A17 flame thrower. The staff of Radio Kashmir was held at pistol point and a programme was aired by the terrorists. The terrorists fled in a jeep after throwing two petrol bombs, power stations and transmission towers were regularly damaged in attacks, one tube of the Banihal tunnel was blocked for more than 24 hours when a truck blew up halfway, a number of houses (mainly made of wood) were set on fire by militants while escaping, two trucks in the up convoy were damaged by mines at Zoji la, frequent bank robberies, fire from automatic weapons were even directed to armed forces Head quarters and lots more.

The most disturbing feature in Kashmir was the total passivity of the police during 'bandhs' and strikes.

Large number of Kashmiri youths were trained in guerrilla warfare at Pak occupied Kashmir and send back to India with sophisticated automatic weapons to disrupt the peace in the valley. They are provided with automatic weapons, huge quantities of ammunition, hand grenades, plastic explosives and money. Training camps are located near the Line of Control and are run by experienced Afghan Mujahids. Batches of 500 Kashmiri youths were trained at a time here. The financial support for these caps were done by POK administration and from their donations of the businessmen of the area.

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Pawna dam to Lonavla : Monsoon trek

Pawnanagar to Lonavla via Shiv Khind pass (20 km trek in 7 hour). Pawna lake is one of the largest water bodies of the area which supplies water to places beyond Pune. The road is on the banks of the Pawna dam with views of Tung fort. Dam has long walls and an electric power station nearby. The lake has boating facility - water scooter, speed boat (Rs 50 for a round trip) and motor boats.

The road zigzags on the banks of the Pawna lake to Mantru temple of Sant Gyaneshwar. The two waterfalls nearby are a good place to visit. Lonavla is on the other side of the hill range at a distance of 9 km. The road climbs gently to Shiv Khind and the pass is a narrow one cut through solid rock. Just after the Shiv Khind, a road on right side goes to the upper plateau of Lohagad fort. The road further leads to Aundhe village and then to Khusgaon. Sinhagad educational institutions are nearby. The road further goes to Lonavla via Bhangarwadi.

Tung fort can be approached from Pawna dam by launch or from Tikona by a long march (road). On the left side of the massive rock face there is a Hanuman temple is located. From there approach the rock face and a small track leads to the top. A nice trekking experience with grand views of the surrounding hills and Pawna lake.

Lohagad fort is 10 km from Lonavla by this road. Visapur fort can also be easily trekked in a day. No shops on the way and the monsoon time (July - Aug) is the best time for a visit. The route is motorable and is popular with two wheelers.

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Panshet dam is 40 km from Pune connected by ST bus (Swargate station). Jeeps are also running on this route with a travel time of one hour. On the route, first comes Khadakwasla dam (11 km) and is a popular picnic spot. National Defence Academy, National Water Academy, Indian Armament Technology, Institute of Defence Studies etc are the prime national institutes located here. The road follows the Sinhagad fort road and takes right diversion to Khanapur. The area is scenic and a good road traces a curved path on the banks of Khadakwasla lake to reach Panshet. Two main dams - Panshet & Varasgaon - are located nearby.

Both dams can be visited and are at a distinace of 2 km each from Panshet ST stand. The flow of water from Panshet dam can be seen by following a road from dam site. It is frightening sight with deafening sound of the flowing water, a small Niagra flalls !. Don't beleive my words or the photographs, go to Panshet and experience it during monsoon months.

Varasgaon dam has a small electric power stsion is located at the base of the dam. There are two boating clubs are functioning - Varasgaon boating club and Dolphin boating club. Both has facilities of speed boat, water scooter and motor boat. Walking on both dams and photography are not permitted.

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Oh, it's so beautiful. Can you up more some pictures

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On the first week of Sept 2007, I visited the mystery lake of Roopkund and Zorawar gali (5350 m) in Uttarakhand, India.

It was a moderate trek at high altitude over a well defined stone paved route. The weather during the 52 km to and fro trek was nice.

Roopkund and Zorawar gali photos

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Red Fort (Lal Qila) : The sandstone walls of the Red Fort (Rs 11, Monday closed) extend for 2 km and vary in height from 18 m on the river side to 33 m on the city side. Shah Jahan began construction of the massive fort in 1638 and it was completed in 1648. Shah Jahan never completely moved his capital from Agra to his new city of Shahjahanabad in Delhi because he was deposed and imprisoned in Agra fort by his son Aurangazeb.

The Red Fort dates from the very peak of Mughal power. The Mughal reign from Delhi was a short one, however, Aurangazeb was the first and last great Mughal emperor to rule from here.

The Yamuna river used to flow right by the eastern edge of the fort, and once filled the 10 m deep moat. Tickets are available at Lahore Gate entrance.

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Lahore Gate : It is the gate of the fort which faces towards Lahore, now in Pakistan. Inside the fort on will see a vaulted arcade known as Chatta Chowk (Covered Bazaar). The arcade of shops once sold items that the royal household might fancy - silks, jewellery and gold.

The arcade leads to the Naubat Khana, or Drum house, where musicians used to play for the emperor. There is an Indian war memorial museum upstairs (Rs 2). The open courtyard beyond the drum house formerly had galleries along either side, but these were removed by the British army when the fort was used as it's headquarters. Other reminders of the British presence are the monumentally ugly, three storey barrack blocks that are situated to the north of this courtyard.

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Diwan I Am : The Hall of Public audiences was where the emperor would sit to hear complaints or disputes from his subjects. His alcove in the wall was marble paneled and set with precious stones, many of which were looted following the 1857 Uprising. This elegant hall was restored following a directive by Lord Curzon, the viceroy of India between 1898 and 1905.

Diwan I Khas : The Hall of Private audiences, constructed of white marble, was the luxurious chamber where the emperor would hold private meetings. The centrepiece (Until Nadir Shah carted it off to Iran in 1739) was the magnificent solid gold and jewel studded peacock throne. In 1760 the Marathas also removed the silver ceiling from the hall, so today it's a pale shadow of its former glory.

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Royal baths : Next to Diwan I Khas are the hammams (baths) - three large rooms surmounted by domes, with a fountain in the centre - one of which was set up as a sauna. The floors were once inlaid with pietra dura (marble inlay work), and the rooms were illuminated through panels of coloured glass in the roof.

Shahi Burj : This modest, three storey, octagonal, tower located at the north eastern edge of the fort was once Shah Jahan's private working area. From here, water used to flow south through the Royal baths, the Diwan i Khas, the Khas Mahal and on to the Rang Mahal.

Moti Masjid : Built in 1659 by Aurangazeb for his own personal use and security, the small and totally enclosed Pearl mosque, made of marble, is next to the baths. One curious feature of this mosque is that its outer walls are oriented exactly in symmetry with the rest of the fort, while the inner walls are slightly askew, so that the mosque has the correct orientation with Mecca.

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Gardens : Between these buildings were highly formal Charbaghs (garden divided into quarters), complete with fountains, pools and small pavilions. While the general outline and some pavilions are still in place, the gardens are not what they once were.

The Khas Mahal, south of Diwan I Khas, was the emperor's private palace, divided into rooms for worship, sleeping and living.

The Rang Mahal, the palace of colour, further south again, took its name from its painted interior, which is now gone. This was once the residence of the emperor's chief wife, and is where he ate. On the floor in the centre there's an exquisitely carved marble lotus, and the water flowing along the channel from the Shahi Burj is used to end up here.

Relics of the Mughal era are displayed at the Museum of Archaeology (admission Rs 2) in the Mumtaz Mahal, still further south along the eastern wall. A sound and light show is at 1930 h daily is organised in the fort at Rs 50 (one hour show).

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Chandni Chowk is the Old Delhi's main through fare where Sisganj Gurudwara is located.

Sunheri Masjid : In 1739 Nadir Shah, the Persian invader, stood on the roof of this mosque and watched while his soldiers conducted a bloody massacre of Delhi's inhabitants. Located near the Red fort.

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Jama Masjid : This striking mosque (camera Rs 150, Rs 20 minaret top) is the largest in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. Begun in 1644, it wasn't completed until 1658. The mosque has three gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40 m high, and is constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. The main entry point is Gate No 3.

The courtyard of the mosque can hold 25 000 people. From the top of the southern minaret one can get superb views of the city.

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India Gate is at the eastern end of Rajpath (Kingsway), while the western end is Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's house), which is flanked by the two secretarate buildings (North block & South block). These three buildings sit upon a small rise, known as Raisina hill.

India Gate, a 42 m high stone memorial arch, bears the names of around 90 000 Indian army soldiers who died in WWI, the northeast frontier operations of the same time and the 1919 Afghan fiasco.

The building at the end of Sansad Marg is Sansad Bhavan (Parliament House). The building is a circular, colonnaded structure 171 m in diameter.