Hello fellow travelers. This time I really proved to myself that “I can do anything for traveling”. Because this time I traveled on the day of World Cup Final i.e. 2nd April 2011 to Bhopal. I thought if India wins, I’ll feel equally happy whether I witnessed it or not but if we proved unfortunate then at least I’ll not feel much pain because I’ll be at one of the most attractive and least visited UNESCO heritage site in India called Bhimbetka.
So, ladies and gentleman here goes my story;
As all of you must heard that “fortunes favors brave”, I experienced it at Habibganj station, Bhopal. After de-boarding Nizamuddin-Bhopal Express I started negotiating with autowalas to take me to Bhimbetka. They were asking 700-800 for a round trip with stay of maximum 2 hours. Suddenly a guy of my age came to me and offered me a ride to Bhimbetka and in around for 1000 bucks. Finally we settled for 500+all day expenses (like food, drink, cigarettes etc.). Here starts the enjoyment, I myself drove the bike (that was a passion pro) entire day. The guy Arun told me that most of the day he came to Railway station and pick someone like me on his bike and drove to Bhimbetka, Sanchi, Bhojpur or any nearby places. A true angle! What else I can ask for. Even if any of you want his number I can provide the same.
So, here we are, this is an ancient cave temple.
Wondering who wrote this? Is it Bhim himself given an autograph?
Only Bhim at site ?
Behind me you can see the vast landscape of Ratapani Forest, where recently 14 Tigers were located and soon it is going to be declared as Tiger reserve.
These are little information if you like to…
Now this is the gateway to history…
For a moment I am going to keep silent because an image is worth of 1000 words and if it is 5000 years old then you can multiply the result.
Don’t forget the caves…
Looks like Dinosaur to me…
This one is like turtle…
And it looks like frog …
Now little rest
Back to work
After taking lunch we decided to go Bhojpur. The landscape was just great. Arun told me that Sunny Deol starrer Dacoit was filmed here.
This was Arun’s bike behind me.
I am not going to bore you with history stuff, if you wish you can read it yourself.
I haven’t seen such a massive Shivling any where else. The priest is used to pour water to make the lord calm I guess.
This is for lord Shiva that when I’ll visit him on Mount Kailash (my utmost desire) he will recognize me.
Still some time was there and my train was@9 pm so we visited Birla temple from where whole Bhopal including Bada Talab can be seen.
Finally we went for dinner @ New Hakim restaurant in Bhopal which was pathetic. Sorry Bhopali’s but you people must visit to Karim in old Delhi then you will know what the authentic non-vegetarian food is all about. Even the Tandoori roti they offered was worst I ever had, and Arun told me that it is like this in most of the Bhopal, I really feel good about Delhi where muglai food is out of the world. Before going to Bhopal I had seen NDTV’s famous program “Zaika India ka” video about Bhopal in which Vinod dua said that Bhopal doesn’t have its own food culture. And every ruler who came here bring his own way of eating. But nothing seems to work.
So this is how I spent my day, quite hectic but rewarding.
Statistics :
Hazrat Nizamuddin to Bhopal – 700km – 234 rs in sleeper class one way
Bhopal (Habibganj) to Bhimbetka – 45 km
Bhimbetka to Bhojpur – 40 km approx
Habibganj to Birla Temple – 15 km round trip
Lunch – 178 (Vegetarian)
Dinner – 200 (Non-Vegetarian)
Guide Arun Charged – 500 Rs.
Bhimbetka entry fees – 30 or 40 Rs/vehicle (I don’t remember exactly)
Total 200 Rs petrol was used.
Dear Amit,
Very interesting and informative post with beautiful pictures. This time pics size is fine. Bhojpur shivling is great. Is there any village nereby?
Thanks.
Thanks. There was some village area near the temple around 5-6 km back. Overall the landscape was great. I also haven’t seen such a massive shivling before.
You are true inspiration for me.
very well narrated post with awesome pics. cheers.
Thanks Vinay. Last weekend I been to Sattal. That was awesome place. You can checkout my personal blog for details. Visit there sometime, you will quite like it. I have seen your personal blog and I guess you too like god’s most fascinating creations i.e. mountains. So, you will appreciate this place too. Less crowded and beautifully nestled in the lap of Himalayas.
You have two beautiful logos on your homepage, have you designed it?
I didn’t design them, those are available on Ghumakkar.
https://www.ghumakkar.com/tools/
Just copy the given script in java gadget on your blog. Ask me if help needed.
Hey great travell story about Sattal. Post that on ghaumakkar also.
Which camera you used there?
Thanks Vinay. I have already posted it in Ghumakkar. It is scheduled and will publish soon. I have two camera and one binocular right now. One is SLR Nikkon F75 with wide angle 22-80 Nikkor lens and other is 70-300 Telephoto Nikkor lens. and another one is Kodak 10.3 mp digital camera. Most of the images in my posts are from this normal digital camera only. In Sattal I used Binocular lens for that effect. I have yet to develop my SLR roll.
Thanks I’ll.
Hi A
Hi Amit,
Interesting Post. Never heard of this place before.
Nice pics…
Thanks. You’ll surprise to know that earlier around 100-150 caves were open and one of my friend visited at that time. But due to its closeness no Ratapani forest most of the caves were used to occupied by wild animals. That is why government decided to close most of them. And now only 15-20 caves are open to visit.
Very interesting post. I knew about Bhimbetka but never thought the caves are so mystifying. Very well shot. I wonder except Goa why don’t we have two-wheeler “taxis” when they are so convenient.
You are write about it Roopesh. Even MP Govt. just do advertisement to promote their state tourism. On ground level they have no facilities. There are no direct buses to Bhimbetka. Only option is Taxi which costs heavily. Even there are no local tour or sight seeing buses are available from Bhopal to nearby places like Sanchi, Bhimbetka, Bhojpur etc. let alone the two wheeler taxi.
Nice post … Nice pics.
It is interesting to read and know about about less traveled locations.
Thanks Virag. I just love to travel unknown places, mainly because of one reason that they are less crowded and more scenic. You’ll always find Mussoorie crowded but Dhanulti peaceful, Shimla crowded but Fagu, Shoghi etc more peaceful.