Bangalore to Gokarna - Indian Roadie Preferred Route

Indian Roadie Preferred Route - Bangalore to Gokarna.

It takes a maximum of 10 hours.

Ideal route suggested by Indian Roadie followers:
Bangalore - Tumkur ---- Chitradurga - Sira - Davanagare - Haveri -Sirsi - Kumta - Gokarna.

Google Maps usually show the same route. 

'India Padega toh Badega', a pan-India Indian Roadie Social Initiative

Most Indian Roadie fans/ followers/ members aren't aware that I as the founder of this fast growing niche and highly disciplined forum collect sample books given to premium schools by publishers throughout the year and also request those school authorities not to sell them off to 'kavariwalas' (scrap dealers).

My belief is that 'India Padega toh Badega' (India will grow if only its people reads more).
Therefore, as an #IndianRoadieSocialInitiative, whenever I drive long or short distances, I carry a carton of school books in my car. I distribute those absolutely free to truckers, cabbies, dhaba workers, junior level policemen, low paid municipal workers, road construction workers and anybody who might need those books for their own school going children, siblings, nephews, nieces or whoever.

I as an Indian Roadie have even donated books to libraries in schools which don't have enough funds to buy books.

To spearhead this initiative pan-India, Indian Roadie would love to invite brands/ companies to come forward to  lend a helping hand and the much needed support and encouragement.
Please revert to Deep Banerjee at roadieindian@gmail.com. 

Road trip to Spiti, Kaza, Chandratal, Manali starting in June 2018 by Sukla Chaki

Travelogue of a road trip in early June 2018 by Indian Roadie Sukla Chaki and five other male friends and a driver in a rented Toyota Innova.

The route was as follows:
New Delhi - Chandigarh - Shimla - Narkanda - Sangla - Chitkul - Kalpa - Mud - Kaza - Kibber - Komik - Hikkim - Langza - Chicham Bridge - Chandratal - Batal - Gramphoo - Rohtang Pass - Manali - Chandigarh - New Delhi.

The itinerary .......
Day 1:
Vadodara 7.10am to Delhi 8.00am by flight.
By rented full-time Toyota Innova, Delhi (3pm) to Chandigarh (9pm), 6 hrs including one lunch break for 45 minutes and a short tea break.

Day 2:
Chandigarh to Sangla (312 km/ 10 hrs including breaks for breakfast, lunch, 4 tea breaks) via Shimla, Narkanda, Rampur.
Stayed in Hotel Madhu in Sangla.

Day 3:
Sangla to Kalpa (47 kms) via Chitkul.
Stayed in Chini Bungalow, Kalpa.

Day 4:
Kalpa to Tabo (159 km/ 7 hrs, including breaks for lunch and tea) via Geu Village.
Stay in Namsy Homestay in Tabo.

Day 5:
Tabo to Mud via  Dhankar Monastery and Dhankar Lake.
Visit to the Monastery and back involved a 2 kms trek.

Day 6:
Mud to Kibber (46 kms/ 5 hrs) via Kaza, Tashiganj, Gette.
The highest fuel filling station, an IOC outlet is in Kaza.
Stay in Kibber homestay.

Day 7:
Kibber to Langza (approx 42 kms/ 6 hrs) via Komic Village and Hikkim.
Stayed in PhanDhey Homestay in Hikkim, Komic.
Langza is famous for the huge statue of Buddha.
Hikkim is famous for world's highest Post Office. 

Day 8:
Langza to Chandratal (approx 51 kms) via Chicham Bridge.
Stayed in Tenzing Camp (tent).
Trekked Tenzing Camp to Chandratal (3 kms each way or 6 kms in total).

Day 9:
Stayed in Chandratal.

Day 10:
Chandra Tal to Manali (approx 50 kms) via Pagla Dhara (left early morning at 6am to avoid wide and deep water-crossings, Batal (famous for Chacha Chachi's Dhaba),  Gramphoo, Rohtang Pass.
Stayed in Crazy Pad Hostel in Old Manali.

Day 11:
Stayed in Manali.

Day 12:
Manali to Delhi Airport (578 kms) via Chandigarh.
Checked out of Crazy Pad Hostel in Old Manali at 9am. Exited Manali city limits after lunch at 1pm. 

Day 13
Delhi - Vadodara by flight in the evening. 

Sister of bro killed in crash instrumental in the framing of strict motor law in India in mid 2019

Stiff motor law passed by the Indian Parliament in mid-2019 owes a lot to sister who lost brother in crash in 2016.

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#IndianRoadieNews

Tata Nexon, the safest car - accidents do happen

Accidents do happen if your entire concentration is on the mobile. Drive carefully 😄
The way the point has been communicated is pretty humorous and should strike a chord with the target audience.
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#TataNexon
#TataMotorsLtd

(#EducationAndCareerPundit, #MarketingGyanology, #MarketingPundit, #GoodAdBadAd, #IndianRoadie are virtual space identities of Marketing Strategist and B-school faculty, Deep  Banerjee)

Lavato, an initiative by Clean Quest Services Pvt Ltd

Lavato is an initiative to build high quality public lavatory service, predominantly on Indian highways and within cities. Our aim at Lavato is to improve hygiene standards for travelers. That’s why we bring to you a superior quality of high-end public lavatories with added amenities at each premise. Unhygienic sanitation issues are a major concern in the country. Clean Quest Services Pvt. Ltd. has come up with a sustainable model to create better quality public lavatory service with high standards of cleanliness, modern toilet designs and travel convenience stores. 

The first Lavato retail outlet is dedicated to public service at NH 44 near Krishnagiri city (Tamil Nadu), 3 km away from the National Highway Toll Plaza. The Lavato retail outlet is thoughtfully and strategically located at a Highway complex which is a perfect location for travelers to take a rest stop. At Lavato, you will find Lavatory Block, Toiletries and Travel Convenience store, Relaxation Centre, Quick nap room. All Lavato retail outlets will function 24×7, 365 days a year to give travelers a comfortable and convenient rest stop. 

Lavato is on a mission to construct 2,020 number of outlets by or before the year 2020. 

To make world class, clean, hygienic, safe and affordable lavatories available for public access across India.

Spiti circuit in early August 2019

I have recently completed the Spiti circuit along with my husband ( Aug 10-Aug 20). We came back to Manali on Aug 17, 2019 at 2.50 pm from Chandrataal. Had we been lagging little behind the time, we could have stuck in somewhere between Chhatru and Gramphu. When we had been crossing those areas, we were guessing the places would overflow in sometime as it was raining continuously. I am writing this to share my observation hoping it would help in minimizing chances of few mishaps.

1. We always made a time schedule about departure from all the halts. And kept an estimated arrival time on mind.
2. We left Chandrataal at 4am so that we can cross Pagal Nala and Chhota Dhara at the earliest possible.
3. We assumed that we could get stuck because of bad weather so we were carrying 15 litres of water and a lot of dry food, sufficient for 2 days.
4. We had sleeping bags, mats, tent and even a light weight blanket in case we need a temporary shelter.
5. We always carry trekking poles and shoes for this kind of trips as it's helpful in case we need to walk.
6. We used our Ecosport for this trip, the 200mm ground clearance and 205/60 R 16 tyres surely helped us a lot.
7. We watched numerous videos which showed the risky areas between Batal and Gramphu to have an idea about what we are getting into and do's and don'ts while driving.
8. Going to Spiti via Narkanda/Shimla is recommended due to gradual increase in Altitude.
9. A lot people ignore AMS or don't know about it. AMS could be fatal so please take precautions about it.
10. Keeping 1 or 2 buffer days at hand to avoid time crunches.
11. Please share the map, the name of the places and the car number with your family before starting your trip. It will help in tracking in worst scenario and your loved ones won't be in dark. Also keep on updating your family/friends wherever there is network.
12. There was a couple with a baby around 1 year old at Chandrataal. Requesting to avoid bringing so little babies. AMS could be a big trouble otherwise as babies can't express in words.
13. People don't have knowledge about the places they are going to. Please keep in mind this is not a leisurely vacation.

PS- Carrying few extra things was possible due to own vehicle and two occupants. If anyone has any question or if I have missed to mention anything, please let me know through your comments.

Courtesy: Sarita Santa Gomes. 

Aripara Waterfall near Kozhikode is a must visit, must see

A new hanging bridge is being constructed for a better view of the Aripara Waterfalls, Kerala.
Aripara Falls (alternate spelling: Arippara Falls) is a tourist spot in Anakkampoyil near Thiruvambady Town in Kozhikode district, Kerala. It is located on the Thiruvambady – Anakkampoyil route, 15 km from Thiruvambadi. The waterfall is a tributary of Iruvanjippuzha River.
The waterfall is about 45 kms from Kozhikode (Calicut) airport and railway station alike.
There is a proposal for implementing a hydro power project on the Aripara Waterfall.
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#KeralaConquered
#GodsOwnCountry
#Kerala
#KozhikodeAndSurroundings
#AriparaWaterfall
#MustSee
#MustVisit
#OnlyWhileTravelingByRoadInIndia

Aadhar is valid for Indians above 65 and below 15 to enter Nepal, Bhutan

Aadhar Card valid document for Indian nationals only above 65 and below 15 years of age to enter Nepal, Bhutan.

For those between 15 and 65 years of age, Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) or Passport or a few other specific documents are only acceptable by the two countries.

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#IndianRoadieNews

Road closures because of flooding in Karnataka on 2019-08-07

It has been raining incessantly since end July or early August 2019 resulting in unprecedented flooding in parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra.

Here is a list of the roads closed in  Karnataka as on Wednesday, 2019-08-07:

Madikeri - Bhagmandal

Mysore - Mangalore,

Chikmaglur - Dharmastala(Charmadi ghat)

Yellapur-Ankola,

 Hubballi-Yellapur;

 Belagavi (Belgaum) - Panjim (Chorla Ghat)

Belgaum - Phonda (via Khanapur - Halsi),

Kukke subramanya  - Udupi,

Mundgod - Sirsi (Malgi),

Sirsi - Kumta (via Katgal),

Mirjan - Ankola,

Jamkandi - Vijayapur,

Belagavi - Gokak,

Belagavi -

Kagwad - Miraj,

Chikkodi - Ichalkaranji,

Nippani - Kolhapur,

 Gokak-Vijayapur,

 Nippani-Gadinglaj,

Nippani-Hupri,

Athani-Kudchi;

 Jamkandi-Savalagi,

Jamakandi-Guddapur,

Chikkapadsalgi barrage,

Kudachi barrage.

Raichur - Yadgiri,

Please postpone the traveling by these route.

Courtesy: Basavaraj Hiremath.
Source: Another group. 

Tapsi Pannu takes delivery of her new Jeep Compass in July 2019

Bollywood actress Tapsi Pannu walked in to take delivery of her new Jeep Compass at a Mumbai showroom in July 2019.
This is what she got to experience, an effort supposedly to create customer delight.
I have always stressed that the automobile companies in India, across brands have poor 'marketing' brains. If this is their level of innovativeness, it's not hard to predict why sales figure have touched a phenomenal low ever since mid 2018.
Just because songs and dance worked well for KFC and Pizza Hut, doesn't mean that similar stunts will work for automobiles.
Can't you'll guys be original and think harder? And why this selective treatment for one customer?
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P.S #Marketingpundit, #MarketingGyanology are the virtual space identities of the founder, Deep Banerjee.

Sach Pass to Killar on 2019-07-08 by Pankaj Rapria driving a Mahindra Thar

The treacherous mountain road from Sach Pass to Killar in Himachal Pradesh is breathtakingly beautiful and extremely dangerous.
Pankaj Rapria was on this route driving his Mahindra Thar on 2019-07-08.

Video credit: Pankaj Rapria.

Road trip to Sach Pass in July 2019 - by Ankur Rapria

Ankur Rapria from the NCR drove his Mahindra Thar to Sach Pass, Killar, etc in July 2019. Here's what he had to write to express his experience.

Sach Pass is called "Grand Daddy of all mountain passes" and sometimes the name is enough to give shivers down the spine. A trip to Sach Pass means that you will be driving on a narrow badly broken dirt road, with a steep ascent; through numerous water streams; some of which so deep that you might as well just swim across. Add to it the fact that there are several waterfalls on the way; falling right on the road.  Landslides and slush is way too common a thing.  Lose rocks are spread all across the way. If you are traveling early in the season; then 20 to 30 ft of snow walls will be on both sides of the road. Yes, this is Sach Pass. A dream journey for anyone who has interest in either adventure or off-roading. 

Noble initiative by Mukesh Sharma to send relief materials from Bangalore to flood affected people in Assam in July 2019

Glad to share that a truck carrying relief materials for flood-affected people in Assam left Bangalore on Tuesday, 2019-07-23 night. It is carrying a lot of food items like Rice, Dal, Milk packets, biscuits besides a lot of clothes. In the overall scheme of things, this is like a drop in the ocean. But it carries a lot of love and best wishes from many Bengalureans for the flood affected people of Assam. The message is we know you are going thru a lot of hardships and we hope you receive all the help that is required, be it from the Govt or others so that you can come out of this harsh tragedy and resume your normal life soon.

Noble initiative, photos and content credit: Mukesh Sharma.

Messy state of NH19 from Varanasi to Prayagraj in July 2019

Roadie, Shekhar Maurya drove #Varanasi_Prayagraj (erstwhile, #Allahabad), 120 Kms of messy stretch on NH19 (erstwhile, NH2) via Handia 2019-07-21 around 4.30pm.
Lots of infrastructure development work, viz. road widening and flyover construction were being carried out on the entire stretch of the GQ.
There were huge and frequent traffic snarls, too.
However, there was no respite from paying stiff toll plaza charges.

WBTDC Bakhkhali Sea Beach - Indian Roadie Preferred Hotel

Bakkhali WBTDC hotel is one of the best. Rooms are big with a balcony attached. Rooms are well maintained. This hotel is at the best location and nearest to the beach.

In July 2019, renovation is in progress. One can only go for spot booking.

Only deluxe double bedrooms are available and all the rooms  same decor and size.

AC double bedroom Tariff includes complementary breakfast-  Rs 2240/day (Friday-Sunday)
Rs 1560/day (Monday -Thursday)

Food:  In my opinion, food is a bit expensive and taste is average compared to the price. One word of caution, don't go for thalis, the quantity is not good enough even for 1 person.
Complementary breakfast:  You have to chose between bread/omlette or Puri/sabzi.

There are plenty of eatouts beside the hotel, you can give a shot at one of those for some good hilsa dishes.

Overall Rooms are very good compared to WBTDC hotels but food needs improvement.

Photo and text courtesy: Malobika Malkhandi. 

Road trip to Annapurna Temple, Barrackpore has an uncanny resemblance with the temple in Dakshineshwar

ব্যারাকপুরে অন্নপূর্ণা মন্দির। দক্ষিণেশ্বর মন্দিরের আদল, সমসাময়িক। নিরালা, অপার শান্তির পরিবেশ।
পূজারী খুব যত্ন করে দুপুরে অন্নভোগ খাওয়ান। কিন্তু আগে থেকে জানাতে হবে।
রানি রাসমনি কর্তৃক দক্ষিনেশ্বর মন্দির নির্মিত হবার কিছুকাল পরে তঁার ছোটো কন্যা জগদম্বা এই মন্দিরটি তৈরি করেন।
ব্যারাকপুরে যারা শুধুমাত্র গান্ধী ঘাট ঘুরেই ফিরে আসেন, তাদের উদ্দেশ্যে-- গান্ধী ঘাট থেকে টিটাগড়ের দিকে রানী রাসমণি ঘাটের পথে মিনিট সাতেক হাঁটলেই এই মন্দির। তাই এই মন্দির দেখার চান্স মিস করবেন না।
Content and photo credit: Prof. Arunava Das. 

Jaleshwar Inn, Jaleshwar, Odisha - Indian Roadie Preferred Hotel

A roadie from Krishnanagar (WB) owning a a Maruti Swift Dzire stayed at Hotel Jaleshwar Inn, Jaleshwar, Odisha for one night in July 2019.
They don't have arrangements for food. There are other food joints nearby. The review was just ok.
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#IndianRoadiePreferredHotel

Saju Chacko, Greenridge Hotel, Munnar drove to Kolkata for TTF 2019 in July 2019

 

Friend and IndianRoadie  Saju Chacko is a hotelier by profession and  Director, Greenridge Hotel in the beautiful hill station of Munnar in Kerala. He has been driving to Kolkata from Munnar around July/ August every year for work at the Travel and Tourism Fair (TTF) ever since 2015. 

In 2019, he was booked at Hotel Ivory Towers on Shakespeare Sarani, near Park Circus crossing in Kolkata. 

Met him on Sunday, 2019-07-14 evening and again on Thursday, 2019-07-18 evening. 

He reached Kolkata on Saturday, 2019-07-13 afternoon driving his XUV500 all alone via Bangalore, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Chandipur-on-Sea. 

He left Kolkata early on Friday, 2019-07-19 for the return drive back home via Barkul, Nellore, Naidupeta, Kolar, Bangalore, Mysore, Ooty. 

I am always happy to be his virtual companion on the road, guiding him all along. 

Thank you Saju for the beautiful authentic produces of Munnar as gifts. 

Eagerly awaiting your return to Kolkata in July 2020 again. 

P.S: Thanks to Saju for extending a warm invitation with special offers to IndianRoadie members/ followers from Kolkata and rest of WB, BR, JH, OD, AP to drive to Kerala and be his guests at his hotels in Munnar and Alleppey. 

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* TTF 2019 

* Greenridge Hotel 

* Munnar 

* Kerala Tourism 

Must see, must visit for 1st time visitors to Ladakh

Most popular places in Ladakh (for 1st time visitors)

1. Kargil War Memorial
2. Lamayuru monastery
3. Pather Saheb Gurudwara
4. Magnetic Hills
5. Likir/Hemis/Thiksey/Shey monasteries
6. Hall of Fame
7. Shanti Stupa
8. Leh Museum in leh market
9. Leh Palace
10.Khardungla
11. Diskit Monastery
12.Nubra/Hunder Sand dunes & Double hump camels
13.Turtuk Balti Heritage Museum
14. Panamik hot water spring
15. Pangong lake
16. Hanle observatory
17. Tso Moriri

Source: Dk Pandit