[v&v]

SRI DURGIANA TEMPLE
Dedicated to godess Durga, and is a 16th century temple.














RAM BAGH - WITH MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH PANORAMA
it provides an insight of Punjab's history. [We could not vist inside as it was closed due to Grid Failure).

There is an entry fee of Rs 10 per person.









Both places ample parking is available.


Now our next target was Wagah Border at Attari.

[v&v]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

When I last visited the Golden Temple 2 years ago, they were refusing to allow out-of-state vehicles to the car parking next to the temple and restricting us some distance away, forcing us to park in other parking areas and walk the rest of the way.

Nothing of that sort this time with us the policeman at check post said the parking is full and better park at the market parking. It was actually true, inside parking was full.

I also saw a private parking too a sort of multi storied parking, which was relatively empty.

[v&v]

Wagah Border

The Retreat ceremony
Entry start by 4 pm. The ceremony starts at 4.30 pm last 30 to 40 minutes.
High voltage event with all shouting Vande Mataram , Bharat Mata ki Jai. Fantastic 30 minutes action.

Is around 30 kms, take 40 minutes drive. Roads are good.
The place gets crowded and queue is formed for entry , Separate queue for ladies and gents. Open mini stadium can easily accommodate 700 people.

Notes :
Only cameras are allowed. No bags, eatables allowed inside.
Even ladies hand bags not allowed.
Should reach there by 3-3.15 as to park the vehicle properly if travelling in own vehicle. Sufficient parking space around, but erratic parking.

[rrahul_2778]

Great pics V&V...what camera were you using?...keep posting more pictures

Amritsar is a really beautiful place and the Golden temple is a mind blowing experience . We went there last year. I found the sardars very warm and friendly people and big time foodies. Got lot of genuine advice and guidance at the golden temple, sadly quite unlike the temples down south where everyone is out to fleece people off their cash!!!!

Wagah - had terrible exp with the maddening crowds and the seperate seating of gents and ladies means cannot enjoy the ceremony together with family, infact can hardly see whats happening with the ceremony from the distance. I really wished I had taken some defence connection and sat in the VIP seating. The general seating is really pathetic. But yes the patriotic songs and all environment gets electrifying.

My trip plan had Dharamsala, but we had to skip for other reasons and went to Manali directly.

Good travelog, please continue....

[v&v]

Originally Posted by rrahul_2778

Great pics V&V...what camera were you using?...keep posting more pictures

Amritsar is a really beautiful place and the Golden temple is a mind blowing experience . We went there last year. I found the sardars very warm and friendly people and big time foodies. Got lot of genuine advice and guidance at the golden temple, sadly quite unlike the temples down south where everyone is out to fleece people off their cash!!!!

Wagah - had terrible exp with the maddening crowds and the seperate seating of gents and ladies means cannot enjoy the ceremony together with family, infact can hardly see whats happening with the ceremony from the distance. I really wished I had taken some defence connection and sat in the VIP seating. The general seating is really pathetic. But yes the patriotic songs and all environment gets electrifying.

My trip plan had Dharamsala, but we had to skip for other reasons and went to Manali directly.

Good travelog, please continue....

Thanks rrahul_2778. I use a Canon E0S 1000D DSLR.
Regarding Wagah we too had bad experience. The crowd had created a virtual stampede. But its worth the hassles for once.

v&v

[MX6]

Originally Posted by v&v

Nothing of that sort this time with us the policeman at check post said the parking is full and better park at the market parking. It was actually true, inside parking was full.

I also saw a private parking too a sort of multi storied parking, which was relatively empty.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

When I last visited the Golden Temple 2 years ago, they were refusing to allow out-of-state vehicles to the car parking next to the temple and restricting us some distance away, forcing us to park in other parking areas and walk the rest of the way.

Now it's going to be the case with all vehicles from the 15th of March 2010.
The Hindu : Other States / Punjab News : No vehicles to be allowed near Golden Temple

[v&v]

Originally Posted by MX6

Now it's going to be the case with all vehicles from the 15th of March 2010.
The Hindu : Other States / Punjab News : No vehicles to be allowed near Golden Temple

I think the new multi-storied parking before the check post is going to be used.

[v&v]

Day 3

We started for Dharamshala by 10.30 am. It was still fogy. Road were single lane narrow and has relatively high traffic. Towns we crossed were

Batala at 11.20 am,
Dhariwal at 11.58 am
Gurdaspur at 12.15 pm
Pathankot at 1 pm
Chakki bridge at 1.30 pm
Nurpur at 1.50 pm
Kotla at 2.15 pm(Break for 30 minutes)
shahpur at 3.10 pm
Gaggal at 3.30 pm
Dharamshala at 4.10 pm

Distance travelled 206 Kms. Time take 5 hrs , 40 minutes.

Our reservation was with club mahindra kangra valley at yol road,dharamshala
Weather - Chilly, clear sky. Totally contrasting No fog at all.
News - Snowed a day before.

We checked in and planned our for Next 3 days.

Place we listed to see around Dharamshala
Baijnath Shiv Temple, Shobha Singh Art Gallery, Palampur Tea Garden, Neugal Cafe,Gopalpur Zoo, Chamunda Temple, Norbulingka Institute, Tapovan Chinmaya Mission, Aganzhar Temple, and Gyuto Trantric Monastery.

Towards Kangra
Kangra fort, Brajeshwari, Jain temple, Baanganga, Jwalamukhi, Chintapurni temple.

Towards Mcleodganj
St. Johns Church, Mcleodgang, Dalai Lama Temple, Bhagsunath Temple, Dal lake, Naddi View Point
War memorial.

Billing - 80 kms from Dharamshala - One day required

Also one can do Dalhousie & Khajjiar also from here @ 320 kms.

Quick stop over at Chakki Bridge







Near Kotla, we took a break.






First view of dhauladhar ranges while approaching Dharamshala.




View form hotel

[unoczar]

nice.. nice... keep going.. nice pics.

would you suggest going to amritsar/manali in may?

[LongDrive lover]

Nice adventurous journey, cool pics. Keep them coming. Is it really the first travelogue you have penned down! the way you have written it doesn't look the 1st one. Good narration!

[v&v]

Originally Posted by unoczar

nice.. nice... keep going.. nice pics.

would you suggest going to amritsar/manali in may?

Thanks unoczar. May Amritsar a strict no no. Go to hill station , Manali is the best destination. There is enough material to 7 days stay.

Originally Posted by LongDrive lover

Nice adventurous journey, cool pics. Keep them coming. Is it really the first travelogue you have penned down! the way you have written it doesn't look the 1st one. Good narration!

Thanks LongDrive lover. Yap first on TBHP. Requires lot of time and thats what i dont get. its only due to long weekend i ventured for it.

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by v&v

Requires lot of time and thats what i dont get. its only due to long weekend i ventured for it.

I hope you won't leave us hanging till the next weekend for the rest of the pics and narration!

[v&v]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

I hope you won't leave us hanging till the next weekend for the rest of the pics and narration!

Certainly not Doc. I am working overtime

[ampere]

Nice snaps. 5 years back we had been to these places. We had intentionally omitted Shimla and went to Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie. It was an awesome experience, though we were on public transport.

[tsk13]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

When I last visited the Golden Temple 2 years ago, they were refusing to allow out-of-state vehicles to the car parking next to the temple and restricting us some distance away, forcing us to park in other parking areas and walk the rest of the way.

Typical case of discrimination. Punjab Police is known for such things particularly against Delhi registered vehicles.

Originally Posted by rrahul_2778

Amritsar is a really beautiful place and the Golden temple is a mind blowing experience . We went there last year. I found the sardars very warm and friendly people and big time foodies. Got lot of genuine advice and guidance at the golden temple, sadly quite unlike the temples down south where everyone is out to fleece people off their cash!!!!

That's great.