Blogs from Junagadh, Gujarat, India, Asia

Harsidhi, Hathla, Porbandar, Somnath .... Driving through the unabated stream of pilgrims to Devbhoomi Dwarka, we touched the scenic coastal road towards Porbandar. The phoenix like imposing structure of Jagat Mandir was getting miniaturized with every passing minute. The coastal side of the road was lined with hundreds of gently rotating windmills. It turned out to be a futile attempt to count them, as the number seemed infinite. The endeavor to tap the unconventional energy was simply astonishing. The water bodies between the road and the Arabian Sea had numerous species of birds languishing in search of prey. A smallest of a provocation, would alert them to fly swiftly, as a reflex action, for safety… only to return in a short while. With limited exposure to aquatic avian species, it was an impossible task for us ... read more

Dwarka ha un problema: le vacche! queste bestie insolenti si aggirano altezzose per le sue vie minacciando gli ignari visitatori, bloccando il traffico e taglieggiando i suoi poveri commercianti; non è raro che uno o più di questi placidi animali decida di sdraiarsi nel bel mezzo di una delle già strette e congestionate vie attorno al tempio bloccando del tutto la circolazione e creando code interminabili di mezzi e persone, a cui non resta che attendere speranzose o compiere spericolate deviazioni per superare l'irremovibile ostacolo. E che dire poi delle sempre più sfrontate bande di giovani vitelli che prendono di mira gli indifesi venditori ambulanti di verdure costringendoli al pagamento di un "pizzo" sotto forrma di ortaggi freschi di giornata, pena l'imbrattamento della zona attorno al carretto; individui ancora più spregevoli si spingono fino al punto ... read more

We headed towards Somnath Jyotirlinga temple. Somnath temple one of most important Lord Shiva temple. The history of this temple is a true proof of the Glory of India in past. Before rise of west india was richest country in the world. Christopher Columbus landed in 1492 in West Indies when he tried to reach india from west. There where specialist persons who made maps in britain who were finding sea route to reach golden land of india. Richness of Indian land have attracted Mugals,portugese and britshers. How did india became worlds richest country then? This also raises questions as to how was journey of indian civilization from apes to worlds richest country.If the temples of india were so rich, how rich would be the citizens of india in those period. Somnath is the place which ... read more

We’re SO glad we stopped in Junagadh. First off it was 10 000 steps instead of the initially thought 7000 but what’s 3000 between fiancés?????? So we arrived in Junagadh, checked into a decent little hotel. Got some nice Thali - Vegetarian of course and then went to bed. Alarm set for 5am. We tried to sleep with all the madness outside resembling something like Swat Valley in Pakistan. Anyway, after being woken by the alarm and debating if we should sleep in and do it another day we decided to get up and get are arses into gear (with friendly persuasion from a screaming muslim man calling to pray). So rickshaw to the foot of the hill and start at step 1 we breeze up the first 1000. 1001 upwards is slowly getting painful coupled ... read more

The City:Junagadh is a maze of crowded allies and old buildings, atop a hill north of the city lies the Uperkot Fort, which is where Junagadh was first established. Riddled with secret passageways and underground caves the old city seems like something out of an Indiana Jones movie, some passageways are rumored to even lead to Pakistan! My Guide: As I was exploring the city I ran into an intoxicated guy among some bushes, which was surprising since Gujarat is a dry state(no alcohol). A local of Junagadh he enthusiastically showed me around, including the "punishment door" which is a doorway that leads to a 200 foot drop, where in earlier times outlaws were made to walk the plank. Aptly, I got a picture of the guy at the door.... read more