Post visits to Somnath, Ahmedabad, Jharsuguda on radar.

Post visits to Somnath, Ahmedabad, Jharsuguda on radar

Nearing Jharsuguda by train to be followed by Bamra and other stations, the thoughts were on the probability of success in finding the requisite accommodation in a new place. It had been over three weeks since i left the national capital, with the overwhelming need to be in the requisite momentum. This has become repetitive over the years to shift base from the Capital and return to soon leave again. This time round, the journey to Maharashtra and beyond had been made possible by different train journeys across country.

It was 7.10 in the morning that the train inched towards Jharsuguda and somewhere around 7.45 Bamra was accessed. The bridge past Jharsuguda and the sight it offered was no less enriching. Somewhere during this time i sight two locomotives; 14921 number etched on one of them. Here the train is at its spontaneous best; speed is the barometer of its sucess and equally spontaneous is the teawallah who having sighted me courtesy the chain of command in operation offers tea that has no life to it as far as its quality goes. The second round is followed by tea bags sprinkled offering; and that one is a delight. That was the third day of Ahmedabad-Howrah ride coming against the backdrop of a ticket procured from Nathdwara in the tatkal category.

Just more than a week ago on a Friday, the Ahmedabad halt began after my return from Somnath via Rajkot. Rajkot was accessed on Thursday, Dec.1, late in the evening. Post Overnight stay not procceeding beyond 4 in the morning, i left for the station and took the Jamnagar-Bandra Intercity train. With a general ticket, the ride was more than an expected turnaround. Turnaround for the fact that a seat was procured and the rush was manageable to a point where people could move in the aisle despite some occupying it. Stoppages along the way included Surendranagar, Wankaner and Viramgram. Not moving an inch on either side, the seat-occupation was all on my mind and parting was once and for all when i reached Ahmedabad. Concern was over the state of disrepair the luggage had been reduced to and the shop near relief road from where the bag had been procured, the man was helpful enough to repair the same. At a charge of Rs 100, it was not an exorbitant one given the state the luggage was in, with its stand, chain and handle tearing apart beyond redemption.

With the stay in Ahmedabad for three days, the tummy got the time to be in shape, which too had been showing signs of eruption for over a week. On Sunday i left Ahmedabad for Ajmer and this train ride was a bit unsettling given the winter spell and the general coaches coming with no quilts. The coach appeared to be overused one, quite understandable given the load the railways carry. In Ajmer, i was entirely to be blamed for taking an accommodation that was far away from Khawaja's dargah. Possibly seeing the possible help coming from a rickshawallah, the possibility of taking accommodation on a second floor in Kohinoor Inn was a foolhardy decision. Neither it came dirt cheap nor the commute to Dargah from there was blemish free. THe staff was cooperative in the lodge and there was nothing else to boast. Having been to Ajmer for over 15 years i should have realised from where i can get lodges and yet on occasions don't exercise the power to be distinctive. Best lodges can be tried in the vicinity of Delhi gate and on the either side of the road leading to Khawaja's Dargah enough accommodation options are there.

After the visit to the Dargah, the next place on itinerary was Pushkar. And here both the bus ride and the stay was something to forget. The bus conductor had problems on my seating ; he himself had kept the machine from where tickets are issued on the seat i was occupying and all along was pestering me to sit straight or sit other way. Once i alighted, the two places i went to were Brahma temple and Shri Rama Vaikunth Temple. Here too, the tummy revolted and i used a room coming with a bathroom paying rs 150 for occupation not lasting minutes amounting to 30.