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29th July 2012, Sunday

At Amritsar railway station

Before going through the post, please once again go through the date I have mentioned above, It will be understood in the next part of the post. Our train was scheduled to arrive at Amritsar Junction at 00.50 AM and depart at 01.10 AM a halt of 20 minutes. We left our hotel at 00.15 AM went to the station which was just on the opposite side at a distance of 5 minutes. We reached on the platform 4 where train was supposed to come and waited at a bench where our bogie was supposed to come. Still at 00.30 AM  at night again in open airy space I was feeling terrific heat . I found one water cooler nearby and more postively it was in working condition , so the water there was really cold. Again and again I used to pour that cold water on my head soaking all my hair and some water on my back in side my T shirt  to relieve myself from that terrible heat. I had never experienced this sort of heat at mid night anyhwere. So this experience of feeling heat  was all new to me. All of sudden there was anouncement that the train was late and I supposed to arrive at 01.45 am one hour late. That added to misery which we were feeling due to heat. We didn’t had option but to wait.

Sonali’s verbal fight with  arrogant and egotistic travelors.

Our train arrived one hour late and we all were set to rush inside as our train entered the platform. We had lot of luggage ( 5 nos. = 2 big suit cases and 3 travelling bags ) so it was decided that my father in law will stand with luggage outside the bogie. I with one bag will go in the the train first with Sonali and Aarya , make them sit in reserved seats and then again come back to take bags. As  soon as our bogie came near us , I was first one to catch the door backed by Sonali and Aarya. We went inside and I kept one bag below the berth and made Sonali and Aarya sit on our reserved seats.  Also my compartment was in the middle so I had to travel all the way in the rush to go out. 4 bags were still remaining. While I went out one of the passengers came in our compartment and said that the berths on which Sonali and Aarya were sitting were his berths and started talking with Sonali. I was not aware when did it started because I was out of the bogie to take my remaining bags. When I came back with one of my bag in the second turn the conversation was something like this.

Arrogant Fat Travellor :- मेडम यह हमारी सीट है . हमारा यहाँ पर reservation है. आप यहाँ से उठो .( Madam This is our reserved seat, please get up)

Sonali :- ज़रा एक मिनिट रूकिये. यह सीट  हमारी है  हमारा भी reservation है. मेरे पापा जो बहार खड़े है उनके पास टिकिट है. वे आ रहे है. ( Just a minute, even we have reservation in these seats. My father standing outside has tickets. He is coming.)

Arrogant Fat Travellor in a harsh voice:- नहीं आप अभी उठिए . यह हमारी सीट है. S -4 में  33 ,34 , 35 हमारी सीट है. मेरे पास reserved टिकिट है . यह देखिये. ( Not you please get up . This seat is mine . S – 4 coach seat no. 33,34 and 35 . I have reserved ticket, See this )

Sonali :- एक मिनिट रुको मैंने बोला ना. ( I told you to wait for the moment)

He was not willing to understand.

I told him :- भाई साहब ज़रा एक मिनिट ठहरे मैं ज़रा टिकिट लेके आ रहा हूँ. ( Dude please wait I am coming with the ticket )

I went outside as my father in law was waiting with 3 more bags. I came with one more bag and kept below my reserved berth in front of that man. He was pestered a lot and now  started shouting like a insensible people who fight on streets on silly things. His voice was more gruff with lot of anger and attitude and started blowing his radical remarks on Sonali . We had three seats in a three tier  compartment . Two were lower berths and one was middle one. From eight seats in our compartment, two were occupied by a couple and three were occupied by me and remaining three were occupied by other individual men. These  three individual men who were from same state and shared same speaking language ( I will not mention which state and language here) started supporting that arrogant man who was claiming my 3 berths. That couple was neutral but those three men and  that arrogant passenger with his two people ( 6 people) started a verbal fight with Sonali. I had no choice but to go out and bring my 2 bags and father in law this time.

All those 6 men were attacking her without any conclusion , Now their language was showing that they were like Ruffians . No manners how to talk specially to ladies and started racial remarks.

One was saying :- अब आप हटिये वरना हमें सामान उठाके फेकना पडेगा. ( You just get way otherwise we will have to throw your luggage.)

Second one says :- यह बड़े बड़े शहर वाले हमें उल्लू समजते है. अभी उठाके फेको इनके सामान को.( These people from big cities think us to be foolish.Throw the luggage outside)

Third one said :- मेडम , आप उठिए इनके पास टिकिट है. जब टी सी आएगा तब फैसला होगा . ( Madam , please get up , these people have  ticket. Let the decision happen when Ticket checker comes) and so on.

This went on till I came with my 2 bags and father in law. I saw Sonali in terrible stress fighting with those people. I came put my bags at the place and then folded my sleeves.

My Final Entry 

Myself in a gruff voice to that passenger   :- भाईसाहब , क्या बात है ज़रा शान्ति से बात करेंगे , क्या problem ज़रा बताओ. ( Dude ,can you talk peacefully. Whats the problem).

Arrogant Fat passenger :- यह मेरी और मेरे परिवार कि सीट है जिसपर आपने कब्ज़ा किया है. ज़रा हटिये इधर से. और मुझे यहाँ बैठने दीजिए. और आपका सामन भी हटाओ.(These seats belong to me and my family , captured by you. Get up andd let me sit here. And move your luggage also.). Along with him the remaining three persons who had nothing to do with our case joined him and supported him.

I asked them ,आपकी सीट्स कौनसी है. ( Where are your seats ).They showed me their seats.

I told them,  यह आपका मामला नहीं तो कृपया आप चुप बैठो .OK. और आगे मत आओ.( This is not your problem so pleas you all keep quiet on this.) As they were getting closer. They went on their seats.

Now I told this arrogant passenger :- आपकी सीट confirm है. ( is you seat confirm) .He told me yes. I told him :- मेरी भी confirm है. ( mine one too is confirmed) And asked him :- कौनसे तारीख कि है ? ( whats the date? ).

He told me :- 28 July . ( just see the date above )

अब आया ऊँट पहाड़ के निचे.

Myself :- भाईसाहब आज है ना 29 july है.  रात के बारा बज गए है. आपकी ट्रेन है ना कल चली गयी. ( Dude today is 29th July . Its already 12.00 am at night. Your train has gone yesterday).

He was thinking still it as 28th July. He became absolutely mum frightened mouse from an unwarranted Ruffian. All his 3 supporters and his family members were in pin drop silence.

क्या भाई , आई बात समज में. अब आप हटिये यहाँ से और आपका सामान हटाओ.( Dude, you understood. Now you get up and move your luggage out of here.)   My voice was in full confidence and had put gruffness with my all might.

चलो उठो ,I said. ( get up)

He said , ज़रा एक मिनिट रूकिये. ( just a minute ) And started looking at his ticket. Exactly the same words Sonali told him when he told her to get off. What goes around comes around. Still he was motionless and now was not getting up to move ,still surprised by his own blunder.

I had to say , भाईसाहब अगर आपको इस ट्रेन से आना है तो आपकी यह टिकीट नहीं चलेगी ,क्यूंकि यह कल की है. आपको नयी टिकीट खरीदनी पड़ेगी. ( Dude , if you want to travel by this train this ticket won’t work , because its yesterday’s. you have to buy a new one.)

Listening to this he quickly got up and left the compartment and bogie and rest of the people remained as silent as grave.

That arrogant passenger thought he was going to travel on 28th night and reach on 29th morning , but the date at 00.00 AM changed which he didn’t realize and therefore this altercation happen. But by this at least I came to know what kind of negative energies are there in a person when someone claims his even small thing like reservation berth. He is not ready to listen  to anyone without knowing whether he is correct or not. And other people who live in the same state and share same language also support him without knowing who is correct.

Journey from Jammu to Pahalgam starts

Anyways in the morning at 6.30 AM we reached Jammu and to my surprise and happiness It was raining heavily. Now we had to reach Pahalgam by the evening so that next day on Monday , we start our Amarnath Yatra. Before coming to Jammu,  Sandeep had already told me that , there would be sharing taxis to Pahalgam rs. 600 / seat . from Jammu station. So I thought that, I will look out for that. For that reason I went out of the station to look where these sharing Taxi’s were parked. I left my family at station. Also Manu had advised me to rent a car and ask them to make a package tour for 5 days in Kashmir. Now since Amarnath yatra was on the verge to get finished there were no sharing taxis available. I tried for package tour of car for 5 days , but it was too expensive about Rs. 17500 with 2 days in the yatra. So I was thinking of some other option. One guy told me that he will leave us to Anantnag at Rs .700/seat  that to seats on the backside of  Tavera and from Anantnag, we will have to go to Pahalgam. But that was also not working. Finally I went outside the station complex where a auto person told me that he knew where we can get sharing taxi to Pahalgam and will drop us there in 5o bucks . So I went to station and brought my luggage and family and sat in auto rickshaw. While travleing towards share taxi , he told us why don’t you go to Pahalgam in private cab for Rs. 3000. I thought that it was wonderful idea rather than spending rs. 2400 on sharing why not take private cab for Rs. 3000 . So we went ahead to take the private car  Tavera which proved out to be a very wise decision .

Our journey started on Jammu – Srinagar highway at 8.30 am . We had to go till Anantnag on this highway and then from Anantnag to Pahlagam via another road upto 43 kms. Our Journey started on a very pleasant note with superb climatic conditions , since it had rained in the morning. I was witnessing Jammu – Srinagar which I felt was quite ordinary 2 lane road comparing different highways in India. At many places construction work was on for changing it to four lane freeway. Driver said it would take atleast 5 years to complete this Jammu Srinagar Highway to a 4 lane freeway.It is one of the most dangerous highway in the world. The death toll here is maximum in Indian highways as it is very accident prone and traffic is on 24 hours.  Also climatic conditions here vary from extreme hot in summer to snowfall in winter. In winter many times this highway gets closed due to heavy snowfall. On this way there are lot of Vaishno dhabas where you can have good variety of veg food like Indian Thali and special dish of Kashmir, Rajma rice.

2 lane Jammu Srinagar Highway

Manu Tyagi calls me and gives me tips. Thanks to him.

Around 2 and half to 3 hours we reached Udhampur and after crossing Udhampur driver made stop for tea. Now we started feeling heat once again. At this stop , my cell phone rang and it was Manu Tyagi . He called to say that he reached Delhi and asked me that how was I going through the journey. I told him that we took private car. He advised to taste and  buy some Patisa at Kud a small town just 4 kms  before Patnitop famous for making sweets. Patisa is a sweet dish made in pure ghee, wonderful and unique in taste. And he told me that since you have private car ask the driver to stop half an hour to Patnitop. Near Udhampur I had my first view of Himalayas and was absolutely amazed to see its titanic image for the first time. I had never seen something that much big matter in my life.  I had seen Sahyadris, Airavallis and Vindhya’s before . I had seen some mountains of Europe also. But after just a glimpse of Himalaya, I thought, ” Is this mountain range or something just before infinity?”. Exclamatory feeling inside my heart for some time. I and Sonali were just discussing its vastness for around 15 minutes. Still the feeling is unimaginable for sometime when I remember that first look to Himalayas.

After around one and half hour we reached Kud 4 kms just below Patnitop. Kud is wonderful small town just before Patnitop. It is mostly famous for climate , its sweets shops and landing platform from paragliding from Patnitop. As Manu told I had my first bite on Patisa. And as soon I had that thing in my mouth it melted within no time with a sweet taste that I never tasted. It was ultimate. One of the best sweets I had ever tasted. We quickly bought one kilo of Patisa and thought to buy 5 kilos while coming back for friends and relatives , that much were we impressed by the taste and sweetness.

And readers, please don’t bother from which shop to buy . Each and every shop at Kud is wonderful and Patisa everywhere has same taste and quality.

A sweet shop at Kud

On the way :- Kud To Patnitop , Wonderful Pine and Deodhar Trees

After Kud, It was time to enjoy around half an hour in Patnitop. As soon as we moved towards Patnitop series of great long green pine trees started on both the sides of the road. The temperature went down from 40 degree C to 17 – 18 . It was pleasantly cool, windy and thoroughly enjoyable. I had never seen this sort of beauty and greenery in my life.  I wanted to get down and told my driver that I wanted to stay in Patnitop for half an hour. He said me to wait. He then went ahead to the top most point in Patnitop where the development authority had made a ECO Park. The driver parked our rented vehicle and told us to enjoy in that park situated at top most point in Patnitop.

Some Information and half an hour at Patnitop 

Patnitop is highest city in Jammu Valley situated at the height of 2024 meters on Jammu Srinagar Highway in lower Himalayan range of Kashmir. It is situated at a distance of 47 kms from Udhampur and 112 kms from Jammu. In olden times there was a pond name “Patan da talab”( pond of princess) and hence Britishers having difficulties in pronouncing named it Patnitop. Still some part of that pond exists near youth hostel. The towns Kud and Batote are located 4-6 kms before and after Patnitop on Jammu Srinagar Highway . All the 3 towns are famous for climate, scenery, sweets , paragliding sports and kidney beans ( rajma). Patnitop is enveloped by thick numbers of deodhar pine trees, picnic spots, breadth taking views of hilly Chena Valley. Peaceful walks and pony rides will be the best way to entertain as wells as feel calmness in this beautiful place. There is a paragliding centre 2 kms away from Patnitop on Patnitop – Sanasar highway. Natha top is 14 kms away from Patnitop where you can find snow almost all times a year. Overall Patnitop is a good romantic and honeymoon destination for couples for good two days.

While in Eco park we took some pictures of this wonderful place.

ECO PARK ,Patnitop , Highest place :- A house in Eco Park, Patnitop.

Wonderful Green House

Wonderful Pine Trees and fresh Vegetation in Patnitop

We met a couple from Lucknow who wanted to take pictures but didn’t had camera. So I took their pics on my camera and mailed them. Just see the flowers.

A honeymoon couple in Patnitop

Myself clicking my family in Eco Park

Beautiful Patnitop

Hollow stem of one of the pine trees – a unique piece

Hotel Alpine – In the Eco park, highest place in Patnitop , Best place to stay here.

Beautiful Batote from Patnitop

Dear Friends ,

My intention was to write this post and next post till I find Pahalgam accomodation and dinner in one post. But when I started writing the post became too long , about 4800 words. So I had to divide it.

Next post we are going to start Amarnath Yatra’s first destination that is Pahalgam.Till then,

Jay Bhole.

To read post in the next series please click here.

About Vishal Rathod

Vishal Rathod has written 70 posts at Ghumakkar.

I am Vishal Rathod from Mumbai.I am a devotee, that is why I am a Ghumakkar. An Engineer, MBA by education, Sales Professional by profession and a small devotee by heart.I like to travel religious places. From past 3 years I have started travelling every three to four months.I am tired of excess materialism and have shifted my focus on spiritualism. My goal as a ghumakkar in life is to visit as many religious places as possible and do bhakti.The only reason to write in ghumakkar.com is to benefit fellow devotees to perform their pilgrimage smoother and easier.God bless all of you. aum namah shivaya . hare krishna hare ram.

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AMARNATH YATRA : Patnitop – Pahalgam (Most Beautiful town of my life) PAHALGAM : Hotels , KATRA : Pahalgam to Katra PAHALGAM : Aru Valley, Deer Park & Mamaleshwar Temple AMARNATH YATRA : Panchtarni – Sangam (Most horrifying moments of my life)