Cycling on the footsteps of Shri Rama: Part-3: Chhattisgarh

I started my cycling journey on the footsteps of Lord Rama on 20 Feb’24 from Ayodhya (UP) and reached Maihar (MP) on 4 march’24 before taking a break. The details of my this journey is elaborated in part-1 & 2 of my blogs on the same subject. 

For restarting my journey, I boarded Ambikapur SF Express (22408) on 15 October’24 at 11 PM from Nizamuddin railway station (Delhi) and got down at Shahdol (MP) next day at 2 PM. This time, I had lots of difficulties with my cycle transportation. In spite of timely booking,  my cycle was not loaded in the train (which I realised after reaching the station). I had to run between the parcel office and parcel van and beg to the concern persons to help me. Somehow, they loaded it at the last moment with some extra money. Had I not physically verified, my cycle would not have loaded for sure. 

Next problem was at Shahdol station, my cycle could not be unloaded as parcel van was fully loaded and there was no space to remove my cycle. So, the cycle went to the last station (Ambikapur) and returned back to Shahdol next day in the same train. I had to take a room at a hotel (Hotel Shivam- 7415521379, Rs 800). Lesson learned: Avoid booking cycle for any in-between station unless there is no alternative. 

Mr. Shakti Pada Jauhri (my new friend at Shahdol) helped me a lot during my anxious moments at Shahdol. He also offered me dinner at his home. 

Day-1: 17 October’24: Shahdol (MP) to Jaisinghnagar: 50 km.

In the morning, Jauhriji came to my hotel and we went to visit ancient Virateshwar temple. The temple was built by Kalchuri ruler in 950 CE and now preserved by ASI. Jauhriji introduced me with few more nice people (Dr. GD Singh and others). After meeting those divine souls, I forgot the pain of not receiving the cycle in time. Then we again went to his home for breakfast.

I collected my cycle at 11 am from Shahdol station. I checked out from the hotel and loaded my cycle with pannier bags and went to meet Jauhri at his office (post office). We had lunch together at Indian coffee house (courtesy to him again). Finally, at 2 PM, saying good bye to my beloved friend, I started cycling towards Jaisinghnagar (via Shahdol Rewa marg).  

Road towards Jaisinghnagar was very good and I reached there at 6 PM and took a room at Kiran Lodge (a good AC room at a concessional rate of Rs 500 only). They arranged a home made tiffin also for dinner. This way, I ended my first day of cycling and rested well.

Day-2: 18 October’24: Jaisinghnagar to Janakpur (Chhattisgarh): 60 km

After finishing my breakfast at room (protein powder, 2 left over roti, dry fruits, etc.), I started cycling at 10 am and reached Sita marhi, Gandhiya (15 km) at 12 noon. Lord Rama stayed one night at this place Although, Pujariji (Mr. Vishnu Shukla) was away but his wife welcomed me in the ashram. She offered me snacks and tea. I rested for 1 hr and when I was ready to move, she offered me lunch also. 

I again started paddling towards Janakpur (Chhattisgarh) via SH-10. My AOL friend from Ambikapur Mr. Ajoy Tiwari suggested a hotel at Janakpur (Shivam Hotel- 9770714844) and I took a good AC room there (Rs 1000). There I met new friends (Mr Ajay Chowdhury and Dileep Mouriya) and they were very happy with my cycling trip and agreed to arrange my visit to Harchoka & Ghaghra on their motor bike. I took dinner at a dhaba (Krishna bhojnalaya) near bus stand and slept in my hotel room.

Day-3: 19 October’24: Janakpur to surajpur (180 km, bus):

In the morning, as planned, Ajay chowdhury picked me up from my hotel. He is a very social person and very popular amongst the younger generation. As he was pre-occupied, he requested Dileep to show me all places. So, Dileep drove me to Sita Marhi, Harchoka (25 km). Harchoka is a very important place in 'Shri Ram Van Gaman Path'. It is locate on the bank of Mavai river. There are 17 caves where Lord Rama, his wife Sita and brother Laxmana stayed during their exile. Each cave has shivalinga installed. Recently, a big statue of Lord Rama has also been installed. 

After visiting the historical Harchoka, we came back to Janakpur and then went to Sita Marhi, Ghaghara (16 km). On the way, we visited the Chang Mata temple at Bhagwanpur. Sita Marhi, Ghaghara is also a beautiful place on the bank of rapa river. There is ancient shiva temple in a cave. Lord Rama rested one night at this cave and Sita mata prepared food here. Hence, this place is called Sita marhi. 

After visiting this place, we came back to Janakpur. After finishing my bath and lunch, I boarded a bus for Manendragarh and my cycle was tied on the roof. I got down at kothiliya (9 km before Manendragarh) and took a connecting bus for Surajpur. I crossed Baikunthpur (a popular city for chirimiri coal mines) and reached Surajpur at 8 PM. Travelling this 180 km in a local buses was a unique experience as I could observe the locals very closely. 

Mr. Shravan Jain (another AOL friend referred by Ajoy Tiwari) came to welcome me at Surajpur bus stop and he guided me to Shankar lodge (9340628277) where he booked a room (at his cost) for my night stay. He also arranged my dinner at a dhaba. I also gave my insulin to Jain sab to keep in fridge at his home.

Day-4: 20 October’24: Surajpur to Udaipur: 55 km

In the morning, after I finished my yoga and kriya, Shravan ji came to my lodge. I packed up luggage and we went to visit Ram temple. It is a beautiful temple at the heart of the Surajpur town. Pujariji (Bablu Maharaj) performed puja for me and blessed me to complete my yatra. Then Shravan ji invited me to his home for breakfast (paratha & sabji). 

After an emotional farewell from Jain family, I started cycling towards Udaipur (district Surguja). On the way, I visited the Mahamaya temple (3 km). The road to Udaipur was gradual climb with forests on both sides. I reached Udaipur at 4 pm and based on the suggestion of local a police man, I reached to Mahendra Lodge (8225883025) and took a room for Rs. 1000 with complementary dinner and lunch. Stay was good. I was alone in that lodge.

Day-5: 21 October’24: Udaipur- Ramgarh- Lakhanpur: 45 km

Early morning (6 am), I rode on my cycle to reach Ramgarh hill (6 km). Last 3 km was stiff climb and I had to push my cycle upto the base. Finally, I kept my cycle at a stall and climbed 690 steps to reach the ancient Ram temple. I was the first person to reach there on that day. After some time, Pujariji also reached and performed puja. Then I visited Sita gufa and Chandan Mitti. It is believed the Lord Rama and Laxman mended their long hairs with the chikni mitti (sculpting clay) of this place and hence it is called Chandan Mitti. There is a long hole, it is believed that when Lord Rama lived here, this hole was used to keep a watch on invaders. 

Ramgarh is also believed to be place where Mahakavi Kalidas used to live. He used to climb this hill to enjoy the movement of clouds which inspired him to create ‘Maghadutam’. 

While returning, I visited the Sita Bengra caves and Jogimara caves. Lord Rama, Sita mata and Laxman lived in these caves for few days. Below these caves, there exits the oldest theatre stage of India where Mahakavi Kalidas staged his plays (Meghadutam, etc). If someone speaks in the theatre, his sound can be heard far away. 

After visiting these beautiful places, I returned to my room. After taking some rest, then bath and lunch, I again started cycling at 2.30 pm towards Lakhanpur. On the way, I visited Maheshpur village. There exits an ancient shiva temple and many architectural remains. As the road was not good, I thought, I should have skipped the spot. 

At Lakhanpur, I stayed at Shyam vatika (7000807006, Rs. 400). As there was no arrangement of food, I had dinner at a nearby dhaba. The same police man whom I met at Udaipur, provided me contacts of this lodge. Otherwise, there were no other hotel in that area.

Day-6: 22 October’24:  Lakhanpur- Mainpat: 60 km:

As the bathroom was not clean enough, I could not take bath. I started cycling towards Mainpat through a short cut road and reached Darima (new airport of Ambikapur) at 9.30 am. I met few school children here. They were very curious about journey. When they gathered, I conducted a ‘Youth Empowerment Session’ to motivate them to do something good in life. They were very happy. 

I continued my cycling and reached Nawanagar from where climbing starts for Mainpat. I boarded a local bus along with my cycle to reach Mainpat. My AOL friend Ajoy ji arranged my accommodation at a resort. The caretaker of the resort, Mr. Manoj Paswan came upto the bus stop to guide me to the resort which is located inside the agricultural fields. 

I took bath and got ready for sight visits. I took my lunch at a nearby restaurant  (Anmol hotel) and proceeded to visit the Tiger point (10 km) through the beautiful road with flower plants and long saal trees on both sides. Tiger point has a beautiful water fall nestled in the rush forests making it excellent spot to spent time. After spending the wonderful evening, I came back to the resort. Manoj bhai made few thick rotis for my dinner.

Day-7: 23 October’24: Mainpat stay: 20 km cycling

In the morning, I went for a walk through the fields where various millets are grown. Manoj also joined me. He guided me into the forest upto a small water fall and a small river. Excellent surroundings were very rejuvenating. He showed me many medicinal plants. I came back to room and finished my bath, yoga and kriya. 

I went to visit the old Buddhist temple. On the way, I saw the beautiful 'Dolma Tibetan Resort' where dormitory bed is available for Rs. 500. I thought to spend one night at this resort. Then I went to visit another spot called 'Jal Jala'. Here, if you jump on the wet soil, it bounces. There were many tourists experimenting by jumping on the soil. It was a fun.

After visiting these places, I came back and packed my luggage and shifted to Dolma Tibetan Resort (7987303077) and rested. In the evening, I again went to the old Buddhist temple, I meditated for 30 min and spent 1 hr with the lamas. It was excellent time I spent with them. I ate Tibetan thuppa at dinner. 

Mainpat is a charming picturesque place atop a jungle plateau (known as Shimla of Chhattisgarh). Temperature remains moderate throughout the year. Green fields are visible all around. People are very simple and kind. Mainpat is also known for Tibetan settlement. There are seven camps within a radius of 25 km where tibetan refugees were settled in 1970. It was nice experience to interact with the simple tibetan people.  

Day-8: 24 October’24: Mainpat to Ambikapur: 65 km

Art of Living Advance Meditation program (AMP) was scheduled at the same resort where I stayed yesterday. So I got up early and reached to the resort to attend the Long Sudarshan kriya. Here, I met my friend Ajoy Tiwari who has been helping me (over phone) to find routes & accommodations since I entered Chhattisgarh. Ajoyji is the assisting teacher for this AMP. He introduced me with the program  participants. I also had breakfast with them. 

I returned to Dolma Resort and packed my luggage and started moving towards Ambikapur. On the way, I visited another tourist spot, Ultapani (Bisarpani) where water flows in upward direction instead of downwards. It defies the laws of gravity and has become an intriguing attraction for visitors. I floated a paper boat to observe the phenomenon. 

I reached Ambikapur city and then to Ambikapur Railway Station at 6.30 pm. I had plan to travel in the night train (18242) to Uslapur. But the Railway Parcel office closed at 6 pm. So, I could not book my cycle and was forced to stay one night at Ambikapur. I took a room at a hotel (Hotel Subani- 7509611250, Rs.800) near station. My 2nd AC ticket done wasted and I booked another ticket for next day in the same train. 

Day-9: 25 October’24: Ambikapur stay: no cycling

I rested for the whole day which was very much required for me. May be circumstances was created by Him for my rest. I booked my cycle in the afternoon. In the evening, I went to visit the Mahamaya temple by hiring a auto rickshaw. At night, I boarded the Ambikapur Durg express (18242) for Uslapur (near Bilaspur).

During these nine days, I have cycled for 355 km and travelled 200 km in bus.  I visited the important places on 'Shri Ram Van Gaman Path' such as Sita Marhi (Gandhiya, Harchoka & Ghaghra), Surajpur, Ramgarh (Sita Bengra), Ambikapur and the excellent hill station Mainpat. 

Jai Sri Ram 

Jai Guru Dev

Anukul mandal (9818738602)

Email: anukul1962@gmail.com

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