24 hours in Karnal City

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Yesterday morning, Saturday morning, my cell phone rang at 9:30 a.m., waking me out of a sound sleep only to hear Sanjay's voice. Calling from his brother's house across the street, he said, "Come with me to Karnal. I'm leaving in 15 minutes."

Sanjay and I talked about me coming with him to visit his hometown -- which was only a village when he was growing up there -- months ago, back in Canada. I was very excited to have the chance to visit a small town in India with someone who could show me what it's really like to live there. Not as a tourist. But I need more than 15 mintues from sound sleep to on the road! "It takes more than 15 mintues for the geezer to heat up the hot water!" I protested. And I have to eat. So I negotiated one hour.

We left at 10:30 and drove about 2-3 hours north to get to Karnal City. Half the time was spent getting out of Delhi, which is a huge city, very spread out. The city limit is marked by literally mountains of garbage, which is being turned into landfill. Luckily for me, it was not a very hot morning. Apparently, in summer it REALLY stinks driving past this area.

We drove past farmland, villages, large industies and one very large town (or small city), before reaching Karnal City. Sanjay explained a lot to me about various industries and developments we passed. The area seems to be booming, economically. What I noticed was that everything is a uniform dusty beige-brown colour. Even the trees seem to be dust-coloured. Also, the air was very dry -- I could feel the moisture leaching out of my skin! As usual, our car shared the road with horses, cows, camels, ox-carts, autorickshaws, all manner of trucks and the occasional sheep or goat crossing. (Sanjay booked a car and driver for the trip.)

He was also taking me on a trip into his past, as he showed me places where he worked ... but mostly places he went with former girlfriends, which of course is typical ...

Karnal City itself is not beautiful -- sorry Sanjay -- but it is filled with happy memories for Sanjay and warm people. I met many friends and cousins, visited his parents and stayed over night at his sister Varsha's place. He also showed me some sights, such as a beautiful, green park that is home to Asia's largest dairy producer. We bought sweet lassi at a company store and it was fresh and delicious.

He also took me to the famous Karna Lake, and unfortunately my expectations were quite high. Being Canadian, and from Ontario, land of one million lakes, Karna Lake was disappointing, I'm afraid. I said to his brother-in-law that I thought it was more of a pond, and he burst out laughing and totally agreed with me.

Aside from meeting so many lovely people, the highlight of the trip for me was going to a huge restaurant complex on the highway called Haveli Punjabi for dinner with Sanjay, his sister and his brother-in-law. They are originally a Punjab family (as is Ajay and his family), so they were right at home. I thought the place was great, and the food fantastic. It was like a Punjabi theme park. Drummers plaued Bhangra music (Punjabi dance music) and Sanjay went crazy dancing. Of course we ate very late, and then went straight home to sleep afterwards, Indian style.

We came back this morning, Sunday morning, and in the afternoon, Ajay and I drove to Lotus Temple, which is not far away. It's not actually called Lotus Temple, but that is what everyone refers to it as, because it is in the shape of a white lotus blossom. It is very famous and very beautiful, built by the Bahai faith, but open to everyone. There was a huge crowd of people streaming in so we didn't stay. I want to go back when it's not so busy.

And now I am just about to get Ajay's mother's help to get into my glorious pink-and-orange silk saree -- there's a party at Sanjay's brother's house tonight!

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Photos

my Bollywood moment
Sanjay took this at Karna Pond, er, Lake

Sanjay and Varsha
We had tea in Varsha's garden when we first arrived in Karnal City

Sanjay and his father
Sanjay's parents still live in the modest, traditional home they have inhabited since Sanjay was a boy.

Sanjay visiting his old friend
A rare action shot! These guys are obviously happy to see one another.

a pensive moment
Perhaps Sanjay is thinking about the past?

Karnal market
Sanjay and I went shopping in Karnal, and bought some amazing paintings, made by Indian folk artists. Here is a picture of one of the market squares.

the Bhangra effect
Sanjay is completely incapable of staying still when he hears this music playing.

tiny dancer
This little boy dances to Bhangra music to make a living. While the others I was with thought he was adorable, I thought he was a bit strange ... see the drawn-on mustache ...

Lotus Temple
I took this from a distance, across the lawns -- and minus the crowd.

sunset and birds
I am forever trying to get picturesque photos of birds. I took this one on the terrace here in Panscheel Park just a couple of hours ago.

Comments

[Rohan Jayasekera]

Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is an incredibly beautiful building. Like the Sydney Opera House but much better! I'd never heard of it before and now I want to see it "live". Thanks so much for taking that photo!

[Gosia]

…didn’t have enough time to read your “road reports” thoroughly till now – today was the day I could savor them…truly fantastic stories. Pictures also make the text alive!! I am beginning to “work” on Stan to do ayurvedic 2 week treatments at Shinshiva this summer. One question – when is the monsoon season over in Karala, and how hot is it there July/August (the best 2 weeks time), is it at all possible to survive the heat. Can you find out from all your local contacts, please. Keep those reports rolling!!!

[Shelly]

Hey Mariellen Your blog is lots of fun to look at. It's my favourite way to procrastinate in the morning before I start work.

[drprem]

inspired
dear meriellen i am inspired to see the quality. can you give me some tips pl. thanks prem

[gaurav]

wonderful pics of karnal
hi mariellen u have been to karnal..which place in karnal u find most attractive?

[jaswinder]

is a good city

[monty kamboj]

karnal di jaan hai ye market
hie this market is so beautiful

[jsingh]

Back in 60 and until 70 Karnal,used to be a very clean , uncrowded and a, laid back town, the only posh area back then was a Model town ,where planned houses were built ahead of their time, my dad also used to own a house in the area, sadly he sold it in the 90 when we moved to overseas. we used to take a Rickshaw, to the city when ever the new movies came to the 2 theaters, there were not many cars on the roads. and the air was clean, Sadly today like many towns or the hills stations in India, its has all become dirty.

[jsingh]

Back in 60 and until 70 Karnal,used to be a very clean , uncrowded and a, laid back town, the only posh area back then was a Model town ,where planned houses were built ahead of their time, my dad also used to own a house in the area, sadly he sold it in the 90 when we moved to overseas. we used to take a Rickshaw, to the city when ever the new movies came to the 2 theaters, there were not many cars on the roads. and the air was clean, Sadly today like many towns or the hills stations in India, its has all become dirty.