Our 45 days
south India explorer is one amazing trip that we are very proud of
http://overlandingindia.com/camping_browse_tours.php?pid=27&tour=45%20DAYS%20SOUTH%20INDIA%20EXPLORER
http://overlandingindia.com/camping_browse_tours.php?pid=27&tour=45%20DAYS%20SOUTH%20INDIA%20EXPLORER
The sheer
variety of experiences that it offers is very unique and our travellers love
it. Well it was October and it was time to start another season of overland
adventures.
After anxious and long days of preparation the day of departure was
finally there. This trip starts from the central Indian city of Bhopal and
gradually moves towards southern India covering numerous wildlife, cultural and
historical destinations.
Tourism map of Madhya pradesh
With our
expedition vehicle fully equipped and topped with gas we started our journey
from our base near pench national park towards Bhopal.
Filling diesel
Tamia ghat(valley)
We consider it to be one
of the most beautiful drives in India. Just 40kms away and we were driving
through the stunning Satpura valley landscape. The tarmac is very well
maintained and is always a pleasure to drive on. The first breath taking view
is when you hit the Tamia valley. Its a massive gorge in the middle of dense
forest. The sheer size and the view around will blow your mind away. We stopped
for a few pictures.
Vultures nesting point
Tamia
Another
important thing about this drive is that it goes through the very rich Pench –
Satpura corridor. It is home to a variety of animal life. Every now and then we
hear about tiger,
Tyger tyger burning bright!!
leopard and bear encounters on this road. This time we saw
some bluebulls, spotted deer, wild boar, mongoose, langur monkey and rhesus
macaque. Off-course birdlife was plentiful as usual. The ledges on the gorges
here form an important vulture nesting spots. Many endangered vulture species
have found refuge here. Continuing our drive we reach a spot where the highway
gets really narrow and a sign greets you saying, ‘’drive slow, area of Satpura
tiger reserve”. From here on there are continuous signboards reminding you of
the presence of wildlife around.
1st gate of satpura tiger reserve close to Pachmadi(hills station) range
The road
sign says Bhopal – 50 km and the forest slowly gives way to small villages and
towns. It was the start of the festive season in India and that day India was
celebrating two big festivals together, Dussehera for Hindus and Muharram for Muslims.
For both the festivals a big part is the precession on road. We encountered numerous
groups all performing on the road taking the dussehera procession to the local
rivers for idol immersion. Beautifully decorated idols, pumping music and the
dancing men and women. For Muslims the processions are a bit quieter but
equally colourful and festive.
Taking durga idol to the river
locals are taking durga idol to the river, dancing and enjoying
locals full of mood
Muharram procession
muharram procession
people are dancing and enjoying festival
street is full of dance and music
20 km away
from Bhopal and the nightmare began. First you drive through the industrial
belt which is extremely polluting and there are hundreds of trucks making the
traffic slow. It was almost dark when we entered Bhopal. Another part of
dussehera festival for Hindus is the burning of huge effigies of the demon
Ravana.
The crowd had starting gathering near the celebration grounds further
clogging the roads.
Dussehra ground and people came to celebrate it
Effigies of the demon Ravana.
Well negotiating all the hurdles and enjoying Bhopal’s
festive mood, we finally reached our hotel. Knackered after the beautiful but
long drive, we retired to our rooms. The next day was an exciting one as we had
to receive our travellers from the airport and Mr. Modi (Prime minister of
India) was also on his way to the city. Can you guess the fun and challenges
the next day posed for us? More in the next post....
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