Temple priests were very kind and co-operated well for my stay & food last night. Morning I started at 7am, it was a hilly terrain to reach Katra also forest region. Lots of monkeys. Huge traffic jam on this road as it is a single road, repair works, single tunnel access. With dust and pollution on this hilly terrain it took lot of energy to cycle. But I managed to reach Katra (40KM) at 11:30am, went to police station as per SSP suggestion for stay and keeping cycle. They said they can’t arrange, then I went to another 1 km top of the hill to find with CRPF, they do said same and advised me to go to dharmashala. When I went there immediately welcomed me to stay and keep all my luggage with cycle. Then I had good discussion with Matha ji there, then went to Vaishno devi, a 14km steep hill which I could manage to trek by foot in 3:30 hours. Talking cold water bath after going was a custom there, it was very nice. Later I had darshan of Vaisno devi at this hill temple called Trikoot. Concept which they were trying to promote there is God is Omni present & has no farm. They just ask devotees to concentrate on Goddess during darshan in Cave.
Another 2 km trek to Bhairav ji’s darshan. Later started walking down at 7pm. At 8:30pm reached to half distance, had dinner at temple arranged restaurant. So many people were walking up at night time. Some people who can’t climb this much, they use ponies to climb or some old people come thru helicopter too. Though some people they do this trekking with lot of devotion, many people were unable to walk due to lack of proper exercise. They do eat lot of junk foods on the way which also proves that their stamina was low due to wrong food habits.
9th Oct 2011:
Today at Katra, I have completed my routine at Dharmashala and discussed with the people who were curiously asking questions, shared some of the health / yoga tips to children over there.
Had my sprouts breakfast and then started cycling at 8:30am towards Srinagar. Hilly terrain, some places due to repair works and damages, road was very rough and stony. So I had to walk some distance. But it was a challenging one today with huge hilly terrain. After lunch I had to cycle 6 hours up hill to reach Kud. But its really a great experience and I could see the beauty of Kashmir valley. Wonderful hills, valleys and water falls etc on the way. Many people were wishing me on this way as it is a tough challenge and no one else cycling on this terrain. Some village, students tried to come with me for some distance with their curiosity.
I reached Kud at 6:30pm and it was getting dark, Pathnitop is another 7 KM uphill, so I thought I should stop now (& also I have completed 85km). I could quickly find accommodation here at J&K tourist bungalow. Next 2 days also very challenging to reach Srinagar
10th Oct 2011:
Started at 8:30am from Kud after strong sprout breakfast, had a nice interaction with people over there. I also met a family from Hyderabad. First 10km uphill, it was really nice views at Pathnitop region. Later 20km it was down hill in circular sprint road, I had to take extra care as this is a single road with both sides traffic, one side deep valley and other side big hills. Later again I had to cycle uphill 60km. People in between were calling me and wishing, offering tea etc. But I had stopped only at one place, there he was given good inputs on terrain. I also interacted with number of people in between, a Bengali team, Panjabi team and many other travellers and locals. They were quit surprised to see me cycling on this uphill. Even army people have also surprised to see this long cycling that to in this hilly region. Many people were telling me in jammu that it will take at least 15 days to reach Srinagar as it is too much hilly.
Interestingly I saw a Japanese cyclist who was cycling from Srinagar to Dharmashala, of course for him more down-hill in the opposite side. He also felt very happy to see me cycling on this road, and quite surprised to see CFH mission and long distance cycling. He said it is first time to see such a mission.
In between at traffic jams, many people were enquiring about CFH.
I observed many children on streets are doing some work and collecting plastics from the wastes on the road etc. Lot of poverty here.
I reached Banihal at 6pm and tried to find accommodation. Some one suggested me to stay in Gurudwara. I then proceeded to Gurudwara and person here enquired about me and cycle trip and then offered me place to sleep. Its very cold here at nights. So he also given me quilts with lot of hospitality.
11th Oct 2011:
It was very cold last night and this morning. I was waiting to start since 5am, but I could start only at 8am. First 30km uphill cycling. Reached up to 7500feet altitude. Yesterday and today I cycled some of the tallest mountains as part of the CFH. But cycling on Himalaya mountain range is really a nice experience with wonderful views, though its a tough challenge it is the best so far.
I was calling to Volunteers in between from STD centres to find out the status of the sessions. Many people were surprisingly looking at me as its first time for them to see such a long distance mission.
Last 30km it is flat road, I could reach Srinagar by 4:30pm and meet Mr. Bahri at Regal Chowk. Then he took me to his house for stay, he was so kind to make me to relax here after completion of cycle trip. We have discussed about tomorrows program at Kashmir University and press meet during dinner.
