02 Feb

Enchanting Sikkim, Disappointing Darjeeling

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The next day, we visited the main market of Gangtok, M.G. Road. The market is pedestrian friendly, as no vehicles are allowed to ply on this road. Being at this place gave us a feeling of being somewhere in Singapore or Malaysia. The best of brands, right from Bata to Adidas and Lee Cooper to Louis Vitton dominated the signboards. The shops displayed not only the brands, but also the local stuff, especially, trendy woolens and shoes. The locals are well and fashionably dressed to the extent that the tourists from the metros appear to have outdated knowledge of fashion.

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Andaman & Nicobar – Middle & North Andaman

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Andaman & Nicobar islands are inhabited by various tribes which flourished untouched by rest of the world till British reached there and setup major initial settlement in 1858. A number of tribes have been decimated by diseases or killed by British and outsiders.

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Road Travel Reminiscences – Delhi to Ajmer via Jaipur

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So, we moved ahead and found the third jewel of this marvelous city, i.e., Hawa Mahal. Standing tall and illuminated, this Mahal had seen off the day of crowded markets and polluted vehicles. The Hawa Mahal told me… “O Traveller! I was built for providing cool air and shelter. My structure was befitting the queens. Pollution is that I am smoking everyday and night, days after days, years after years and generations after generations.” I consoled him in my mind and said “O worthy Palace! Soils made you and soils you would become….The respect you get is the respect you deserve. Stand tall till your strength permits”.

After meeting with the three jewels of this great city, we drove ahead towards the new township. The Janpath of Jaipur leads to the mighty building of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, the seat of power in democracy. It was almost 11 pm and we had to take rest for the journey next day. Still, I stopped in the middle of the Janpath. The building was trying to say something. It told me… “O Travellor! I am the power today. Don’t you agree? Or, dare not disagree.” I smiled in my mind and replied “O worthy building! Come to me after 150 years. I will see you with pride and anoint you with my tears, if your power still remained intact”.

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घुमक्कड़ की दिल्ली : राष्ट्रीय रेल संग्रहालय (National Rail Museum, New Delhi)

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सन 1907 में निर्मित एक अनोखा मोनोरेल इंजन (Patiala State Monorail System). इस Monorail System की विशेषता है कि इसका एक पहिया पटरी पर और दूसरा (आकर में बड़ा) पहिया सड़क पर चलता है. दूर से देखने पर यह एक पहिये वाली ट्रैन दिखायी देती है.

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आइए ले चलें आपको नए पटना से पटना साहेब के सफ़र पर

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गुरुद्वारे के सामने की सड़क तो उतनी ही संकरी है पर राहत की बात ये हे कि गुरुद्वारे के प्रांगण में गाड़ी रखने की विशाल जगह है। गुरुद्वारे के ठीक सामने रुमालों की दुकान है इसलिए अगर सर पर साफा बाँधने के लिए गर कोई कपड़ा ना भी लाएँ हों तो कोई बात नहीं।

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जीवदानी माता का मंदिर और अरनाला द्वीप के क़िले का परिचय

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किले के उत्तरी द्वार पर किले का मुख्य दरवाज़ा जो, समुद्र की तरफ़ खुलता था. किसी जमाने में उस समुद्री तट पर पुर्तगाली और ब्रिटिश नौसेना तैनात रही होगी. उस दिशा में समुद्र दूर-दूर तक फैला दिखाई देता था और यह साफ़ दिख रहा था कि सामरिक दृष्टि से अर्नाले के किले का महत्त्व कितना था. इसी दरवाज़े के ऊपर मराठों की पुर्तगालियों पर विजय के बारे में एक शिलालेख भी अंकित था. साथ ही किले की दीवारों पर शेर और हाथी जैसे प्रतीक चिन्ह भी उकृत थे.

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Andaman & Nicobar – Port Blair

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There were some water sports facilities like scooter which I tried. There is a small rocky island a little inside the water which our driver told is frequented by sea snakes so it is also called as Snake island. From there we went to most prominent attraction of the island which is Cellular jail. The road from Corbyn’s to Cellular jail hugs the coast and gives magnificent views of the sea.

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What we did at Aravali Resorts near Dharuhera

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robably, resort people could identify our intentions of sitting there. They managed to arrange some comfortable chairs for us & also offered Hukka. Some of us enjoyed Hukka, sitting below the crystal clear sky with lot of stars visible. It is not possible for we Delhites to witness such a beauty of stars now in our city, as Delhi atmosphere is too polluted.

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वज्रेश्वरी के गर्म पानी के स्रोतों का आश्चर्य

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एक-दूसरे पर जल के छीटें फेंकना, हंसी-मज़ाक करना, पानी के बीच अपनी फोटो खिंचवाना इत्यादि जल-क्रियाओं से लोग खुशियाँ मना रहे थे. तैरना जानने वाले लोग तो उस नदी के बीचो-बीच तैर रहे थे. कुछ स्त्रीयां नदी के तट पर बैठ कर अपनी-अपनी अंजुलियों में किनारे पर आई हुईं छोटी-छोटी मछलियों को पकड़ने की चेष्टा कर रहीं थीं.

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