Patalpani Heritage Train

Patalpani Heritage Train

If you are a train and a nature enthusiast you must take the Patalpani Heritage train which leaves from Dr. Ambedkar Nagar (Mhow) at around 11am and takes you to the Patalpani waterfalls and then to Kalakund where you can spend good time having lunch at railway canteen serving delicious local cuisine and on the banks of the Choral river.

The Struggle: The problematic part is getting the tickets to the train as there is no online booking option and the booking counters open only 3 hrs in advance and apparently a queue starts at mid-night. The train has 6 coaches. 4 of them G1 to G4 are general coaches with no assigned seats and wooden benches. There are two reserved chair cars with assigned seats C1 and C2. 

In case you are unable to get the tickets on the counter talk to the Chief Ticket inspector and they should be able to help out.

Pit Stops:

Patalpani Waterfalls:

Patalpani Waterfalls

The stream before it plunges down the cliff

Patalpani Bridge: 

Second Pit Stop: Patalpani Bridge

Kalakund Heritage Station: This is the last stop before where we will have lunch before heading back to Mhow. The train stops here for around 2 hours. If you had ordered your lunch you can savour the local cuisines from the railway canteen. Alternatively, you could also buy some food from the local villagers or have your own lunch.

Kalakund Heritage Station

There is small railway museum (Interpretation Center) which has a number of vintage artifacts from the railways on display.

From the station you could descend to the river bed of the Choral river and drench your feet. Depending on the season the water levels may be quite different. Also exercise caution as the water levels in the falls and rivers can change at a very short notice (few minutes).

Kedarnath

Kedarnath

Kedarnath: is also considered as one of the char dhaam (the four holiest places) in India in the four directions. This one being in the north.

How to Reach:

Air: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun. Another option is to hire a helicopter.

Rail: The nearest rail head is at Rishikesh/Haridwar.

Road: is the most suitable option assuming mountainous journey goes well with you. The altitude is high and the roads are not very good due to frequent landslides. In the number of areas the roads are one way only and traffic is stopped in one direction.

Tips: There are good stay options. You can perform the puja inside the temple but it does tend to get very crowded.

Somnath Jyotirlinga

Somnath Jyotirlinga

Somnath Temple

Somnath: is arguably the most famous of all Jyotirlinga's given the number of references it gets in historical accounts. The temple has been reconstructed and located right at the sea shore which provides an amazing setting. The temple is constructed in the North Indian style with the Shikhara towering over the skyline of Somnath town.

The temple symbolized that "The Power of reconstruction is greater than the power of destruction."

How to Reach:

Airport: The nearest airport is at Diu.

Trains: The railway station is served by a number of trains and not located very far from the temples.

By Road: Gujarat has an amazing road infrastructure. We actually drove from Ahmadabad taking stops on the way and it was a good experience. You could take a taxi or buses.

Tips:

- Cannot touch the Jyotirling nor can any puja be performed.
- Plan your trip that you can see the Sound and Light show. It is AMAZING. The high beam lazers are used with the shikhara serving as the backdrop on which the entire history of Somnath is narrated by Mr. Amitabh Bachhan.

Somnath Temple: Night View

Nearby Attractions:

- Gir Lion Sanctuary: The lion sanctuary is major nearby attraction. Remember to book the SAFARI in advance as it tends to get full and there are limited slots only. In case you still miss it you can opt of a limited safari and will get to see a couple of lions. The shop also sells some really cool stuff.

Dwarka: Atlantis of the East is also not very far from Somnath and it is recommended to visit the same.

  

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling: Ujjain

Mahakaleshwar Jyotirling: Ujjain

Vikramaditya Memorial

Mahakaleshwar: is one of the 12 jyotirlinga located in the historical and ancient town of Ujjain also known as Ujjaini or Avantika. on the island between Narmada.

Omkarshwar: Within the temple complex there an Omkareshwar temple as well. In case you cannot visit Omkareshwar, visit this temple.

How to Reach: Ujjain is extremely well connected by trains which is arguably the best way to reach. Alternatively one could also go to Indore which is the nearest airport as well. It is just a 1.5 hr journey from Indore to Ujjain via road or train.

Stay: There are stay options for all class of travelers starting at Rs 20 in dormitories to a few thousand in private and Madhya Pradesh tourism hotels. I would recommend staying near the temple complex. We stayed at Hotel Shiv Sagar NX and had a good experience. There are a number of other hotels on the same road. Bhakt Niwas is also a good option but you will have book and check in advance.

Tips: The following website of the temple trust provides good information on the temple.

Key things to keep in mind:

- You WILL BE able to touch the Jyotirlinga without involving any priests. Just pick a slot when no arties are happening. 

- There is Abhishek hall outside the temple. This is where you could offer longer prayers if required.

-There is no specific dress code here unless you plan to attend the Bhasma Aarti. Just dress conservatively/appropriately.

- Mobile phones and bags are not allowed.

Mahakaleshwar Temple

Other Attractions:

Chandragupta Vikramaditya memorial: which is at a walking distance from the temple complex is worth visiting. You may have seen or heard of the folk tales of Sinhasan Batesse (Throne with 32 tales) . You can see the idols of the 32 maidens in the memorial and a grand statue of the Great ruler himself.

Maidens of the Throne

Chandragupta Vikramaditya

Bhairavnath Temple: is located slightly outside the city. You can easily hire an auto for visiting this temple or also hire an auto for visiting all the key points in Indore. Direct visit and back from the temple for a full auto should cost about Rs 200.

Triveni Museum: If you are interested in historical artifacts, visit the museum as well. It is decent.

Omkareshwar Jyotirling

Omkareshwar Jyotirling

Omkareshwar Temple

Omkarshwar: is one of the 12 jyotirlinga located on the island between Narmada.

Mamleshwar Temple

Mamleshwar: is another temple located on the south bank of Narmada. Simply walk through the Omkareshwar temple and then cross over the other foot over bridge on the Narmada. Look for the sign-boards.

How to Reach: Omkareshwar is a small town and therefore does not have any airport. The nearest airport is in Indore. 

Train: You could reach here by train via a meter gauge line from Dr. Ambedakar Nagar (Mhow). This would be picturesque journey so if you are fond of adventure and have time you should consider it. The train passes through the picturesque Patal-pani waterfalls and there are numerous tunnels on the way.

Patalpani waterfalls

Patalpani waterfalls

Patalpani waterfalls

You could also reach here by road by hiring taxi/ola etc from Indore. Buses are also available but not all of them come to the Omkareshwar bus stop rather drop at Sanwad.

Stay: There are stay options for all class of travelers starting at Rs 20 in dormitories to a few thousand in private and Madhya Pradesh tourism hotels.

Tips: The following website of the temple trust provides good information on the temple.

Key things to keep in mind:

- Unless you are inclined to taking a boat is not required. You simply need to park your car and then walk across the bridge to the island where the temple is located.

You will not be able to touch the Jyotirlinga as it is behind a glass pane. 

- Water is poured in a pine outside the pane and that flows to the linga. Any offerings are simply thrown over the pane. If any priest tells you anything else it is a lie. At best they will make you stand on the other side of the pane for a minute and chant some hymns.

- There is Abhishek hall outside the temple. This is where you could offer longer prayers if required.

- There is no specific dress code here. Just dress conservatively/appropriately.

- Mobile phone can be carried although photography is not allowed inside the sanctum.

Other Attractions:

Omkareshwar has something to offer to everyone. If you are fond of walking/hiking take the parikrama on the Mandhata island. There are a number of old temples along the path, some of them like the Siddheshwar temple are architectural gems.

You could also take a board ride around the island on the Narmada.