Am back home, tired and weary
So has it travelled miles, the coffee berry
Seeds of coffee, blended, mixed, & filtered
Aroma of which, makes my mind careen unfettered
Swirl a little storm, dark & brown
And leaving behind a smile, is my frown
Monday, October 30, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
[Verse] For I Am 'Me'
U may…
Think not like me
Don’t say….
How it is supposed to be
Please,
Try not to judge me
Pray…
Set your thoughts free
Let me be
For I am ‘Me’
Think not like me
Don’t say….
How it is supposed to be
Please,
Try not to judge me
Pray…
Set your thoughts free
Let me be
For I am ‘Me’
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
All you need to know to take a trip to Pondicherry
Visited this awesome place called Pondicherry about a month or so ago. It was a memorable trip indeed and it had all to do with the place. Won't rave more about Pondy as there are umpteen websites & blogs which do the same. Will instead give all details need to take a drive to Pondy.
Destination: Bangalore-Pondicherry Route
Bangalore-Hosur-Krishnagiri- Chengam-Tiruvannamalai-Gingee-Tindivanam-Pondicherry
Distance 340 km
At Krishnagiri take a left leading towards Chennai and within about half a km you got to take an immediate right. Keep a lookout for the sign else you can miss it.
Why drive?:
The roads are fantastic, well maintained and not much of traffic. Better than going via Chennai.
Enroute Stopovers
Tiruvanamalai is a holy town replete with ashrams, temples & holy mountains. The gigantic Arunachalam Mountain makes an awesome view. Chenji Fort falls between Tiruvannamalai & Tindivanam and is worth a brief stopover.
Fuel Stations
Hosur, Krishnagiri, Chengam, Tiruvannamalai, Tindivanam
Hotels & Restrooms
The drive is not very long nor very tedious hence one stop for lunch/breakfast should suffice. No hotels or eateries like Kamat's Yatri Nivas are available but a number of small time restaurants within these townships will do. HP petrol pumps have clean restrooms.
**********************************************
Places to stay in Pondy
St. James court Beach Resort
This is a pleasant and peaceful beach resort located along the coastal line of bay of Bengal on the East Coast Road 9 km. out side Pondicherry Town. St. James court is an ideal Place for Holidaying peacefully. Situated on the seashore in a sprawling land space of 3.5 acres. St. James court Beach resort has spacious, Exotic twin Luxurious cottages with Air conditioner, Colour TV, Refrigerator, Telephones and all comforts for the maximum luxury. Trained personnel engaged to express the synonym of extreme hospitality and give personalized service for complete satisfaction.
Location
Situated 9 kms from Pondicherry City on the New East Coast Road leading Chennai, 11 kms from Pondicherry Bus stand and Railway Station, 4 kms from Auriville an International Town ship, 136 kms from Chennai.
Accommodation and Facilities
Air conditioned twin cottages, Money Changer, Telephones, Safety Deposit Lockers, Satellite channels, 24 hours Hot Water, Round the Clock Room Service, In House Laundry, Children play area, Games, Beach Sports & other Entertainment, Banquet Hall for Conferences & Parties Travel Agent.
Dining
Multicusine Restaurant serving Indian, Chinese and French Foods. Open air Restaurant for Tandoori & Mughulai Foods. Cosy Bar.
Price: Luxury cottages at Rs. 1000 (single), Rs. 1195 (double). Others at Rs. 900 (single), Rs. 1150 (double).
Tel: 0413 - 655174, 655275
Deluxe Room - 1250 - - Tax As app.
Mini Suite - 1800 - - Tax As app.
********************************************
HOTEL JAYARAM is a decent and economic hotel
Adyar ananda bhavan hotel(named A2B) offers tasty food at attractive prices
Park Guest House has 80 rooms, with each a distinctive name (”Harmony”, “Surrender”, etc.) Most rooms with balcony are facing directly the sea, overlooking a beautiful garden.
Breakfast and lunch available. Laundry service and bicycles for rent.
Price: Rs. 150 - 200 (non a/c) and 600-800 (a/c's)
Address: 1, Goubert Avenue, Pondicherry - 605001
Phone: 2334412
Fax: 2344412
Email: parkgh@sriaurobindoashram.org
Office Hours: 8.00 am - 12.00 noon, 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm
[We stayed at Park Guest House. Its a nice place & they have a canteen type facility too. But the place comes with its own reservations. No staying out longer than 10:30, no food available after 7:00 and they dont entertain telephone reservations nor emails. Take the A/c rooms, non-a/c's keep you awake all night fighting mosquitoes.]
* International Guest House with 50 rooms is centrally situated.
Serves breakfast, does laundry.
* Cottage Guest House has 35 mostly simple rooms.
Budget Hotels
Executive Inn (AC) 11-suite hotel
Diningroom available.
Price: Rs. 800.
Tel: 0413 - 224422, 330929
* Fillo Hotel (AC) has a vegetarian and non-vegetarian restaurant and a bar.
Price: Rs. 150 - 400.
Tel: 0413 - 339427
Hotel Jayarampondicherry tourism
* Hotel Jayaram with 55 satellite TV rooms and suites.
Price: Rs. 350 - 800.
Tel: 0413 - 227191
* Hotel Ram International with satellite TV rooms and suites.
Price: Rs.250 - 625
Tel: 0413 - 337230 (7 lines)
* Red Carpet Residence has furnished service appartments.
Price: Call them for price.
Tel: 0413 - 251253, 341812, 253321, 251207
* Sooriya International has 3 restaurants.
Price: Rs. 400 - 750.
Tel: 0413 - 336856, 227485 (9 lines)
* Surguru with Anugraha restaurant
Price: Rs. 410 - 770
Tel: 0413 - 339022 (5 lines), 227290 (7 lines)
Kasha Ki Aasha, 23 Surcouf Street near the French Lycee - Best Breakfast
*************************************************
What to see
1. Manakula vinayagar temple
2. Varadharaja perumal temple.
3. Vedhapureeswarar temple
4. City beach
5. Auroville beach
6. Auroville matrimandir
7. Chunnambar boat house(MUST SEE).
8. Port passage.
9. Sunday market
10. Folk Dance on the Beach Road Boulevard
*************************************************
Citibank ATM
L.B S Street
Pondicherry
Mon-Fri - 10:00 A.m - 6:00P.m
Satday - 10:00a.m - 2:00p.m
**************************************************
[Short Story] Wheels of Discovery
It had been a hot afternoon for August. The windows of the car had been rolled down to freely admit the cool breeze accompanying the dying sun. The campus was lush green amidst the glass buildings & rows of indicabs lined up neatly along the tarmac awaiting their first set of passengers.
“Nagappa, have you got a bottle there?” hollered Raju, walking up to him.
Nagappa sat upright inside his cab and readjusted the seat into an upright position. “Nann Magane, so soon you are looking for a bottle eh?” he smirked picking up the half filled Bisleri bottle from the back seat and handed it over to him.
Gulping down the warm water thirstily he fumed,“ They are going to be changing the routes once more. This new manager guy is no good. Ravi, our 895 (cab no.) was saying that security guards would soon be accompanying us in every trip we make. Baddi nann maga, one stray incident and they think we all are murderers.”
Nagappa digested this new piece of information without offering any comments. Tagging a security guard would mean no more adjustment of kilometers and that mean no more of extra income. He had a lot of thinking to do, especially since Chetan’s tuition fees were due for this month.
“Ae 4356, come here”
“Lo, there comes the call for you from that bloody idiot. Okay Maga, I got to pick up another brat from Tilak Nagar. Baap re, the pot holes over there! See you later” signed off Raju.
Nagappa, walked over towards the guy impatiently shuffling on his feet at the transport counter. Sharma the new transport manager briefed him - “You got to drop two girls now – one at RT Nagar & another at Yeshwantpur. They are new trainees so take a note of their places while dropping them today. This would be regular drop at 10 p.m. everyday now onwards. Any questions?” Muttering to himself he picked up the trip sheet assigned and walked back to his car. He noticed that the passenger seat had already been occupied.
Sliding into the driver’s seat he customarily looked into the rear view mirror and was taken aback. Not a person given to subtleties, he turned around abruptly to confirm his vision. She seemed to be shell shocked too and both of them were just staring at each other. Before he could utter a word the other girl with a short crop sitting next to her spoke up “Driver, Go to R T Nagar first.” Her words jolted him back to reality, leaving him confounded. Swallowing hard he turned back & started the car. This was unexpected and completely unplanned for.
The car slithered down the driveway & joined the traffic while his mind was still trying to make up as to how he should be reacting. He looked at her once again through the rear view mirror. She was looking at him apprehensively like a wary deer ready to sprint at the first instance of a sound. The other girl chatted on oblivious to the tension in the air. “Hey isn’t the training room awesome. And the pantry looked like it’s a mini restaurant. I love the place.” She didn’t reply.
Sudden honking of vehicles behind made Nagappa jump and he noticed he had blocked a free left. The signal changed to green thankfully and he throttled the car angrily. “What is this? Some kind of a joke? How was one supposed to react when he had to chauffer his own daughter? He shot up an angry glance at the mirror again. “Sharma said this is to be a regular pickup. Of course this meant she has taken up a job here. Oh! Look at the cheek of her. Sitting smugly out there. This is all because of her mother’s lenience. If only I wasn’t fooled to allowing her to go to college. Wait till I get her home. She had it from me today.” Anger boiled inside him.
“Take a right here,” said the other girl. Ten minutes later they were in front of a well lit building that seemed to house a well to do family. His daughter’s friend scribbled a signature on the sheet he offered and jumped out of the car waving good-byes & with a promise to meet his daughter tomorrow. It unruffled him a little that his daughter should have befriended such a girl and was completely at ease about it. Without looking at her direction he started the engine.
“Appa,” it was almost a whisper. He didn’t answer nor look up but his anger flared immediately. Who ever thought this cheek of a girl would do this. “Appa, am sorry.” she reluctantly spoke again.
He ignored her. “If this had been Chetan instead?” wished his mind but that would have made me so proud! This girl did not even have a courtesy to tell me about her job. She has all the arrogant traits of her mother. Elders are absolutely right. Give these women a little space and they end up dancing over my head.
Almost reading his thoughts she continued “Appa, I wanted to give you the good news of me getting a job in the evening. I did tell you about my interview in the morning while I gave you coffee but I think you didn’t hear me.”
“Huh” Nagappa thought hard “Was it she who made the coffee? Anyway what difference does it make.”
There was an uncomfortable silence while the car negotiated its way through the evening traffic. “Appa, they have offered me a job as a junior financial analyst with a pay of 12000 p.m. but Appa I wouldn’t continue if you don’t like it. ” She hurriedly went on to complete the sentence.
“Twelve thousand rupees!” With a sharp involuntary intake of breath he looked at her again. “Why would they pay a girl that much?” he thought. “Twelve thousand rupees! Enough for Chetan’s three month fee’s and for the urgent repairs the house needed.” He immediately hated himself for banking on his daughter’s money.
“Oh! Chenna keshava what did I do for you to show me this day?” A silent lament escaped him.
They entered the familiar area of barely lit street, of row houses and of dingy shops. He slowed the car & drove without honking loudly as he usually did and finally came to a silent stop in front of their house. He mutely handed her the trip sheet and tried to look as indifferent as possible. Almost mentally alienating her far from his world as possible. She took it with trembling hands her head bent and slowly filled the form. He saw her writing her name in full – Chaitra H. Nagappa and signing it eloquently.
An intense indescribable feeling spread across him, blurring his eyes “Appa, won’t you come in?” she asked meekly. He looked up and saw a reflection of his eyes in his daughter’s face. Had I even noticed this before?
He smiled weakly and said, “ Neenu hogamma, I got two more trips to make.”
She got out and watched as the car reversed & the rear window with its gaudy sticker in bold white saying “Chetan” slowly fading its way out of the street.
“Nagappa, have you got a bottle there?” hollered Raju, walking up to him.
Nagappa sat upright inside his cab and readjusted the seat into an upright position. “Nann Magane, so soon you are looking for a bottle eh?” he smirked picking up the half filled Bisleri bottle from the back seat and handed it over to him.
Gulping down the warm water thirstily he fumed,“ They are going to be changing the routes once more. This new manager guy is no good. Ravi, our 895 (cab no.) was saying that security guards would soon be accompanying us in every trip we make. Baddi nann maga, one stray incident and they think we all are murderers.”
Nagappa digested this new piece of information without offering any comments. Tagging a security guard would mean no more adjustment of kilometers and that mean no more of extra income. He had a lot of thinking to do, especially since Chetan’s tuition fees were due for this month.
“Ae 4356, come here”
“Lo, there comes the call for you from that bloody idiot. Okay Maga, I got to pick up another brat from Tilak Nagar. Baap re, the pot holes over there! See you later” signed off Raju.
Nagappa, walked over towards the guy impatiently shuffling on his feet at the transport counter. Sharma the new transport manager briefed him - “You got to drop two girls now – one at RT Nagar & another at Yeshwantpur. They are new trainees so take a note of their places while dropping them today. This would be regular drop at 10 p.m. everyday now onwards. Any questions?” Muttering to himself he picked up the trip sheet assigned and walked back to his car. He noticed that the passenger seat had already been occupied.
Sliding into the driver’s seat he customarily looked into the rear view mirror and was taken aback. Not a person given to subtleties, he turned around abruptly to confirm his vision. She seemed to be shell shocked too and both of them were just staring at each other. Before he could utter a word the other girl with a short crop sitting next to her spoke up “Driver, Go to R T Nagar first.” Her words jolted him back to reality, leaving him confounded. Swallowing hard he turned back & started the car. This was unexpected and completely unplanned for.
The car slithered down the driveway & joined the traffic while his mind was still trying to make up as to how he should be reacting. He looked at her once again through the rear view mirror. She was looking at him apprehensively like a wary deer ready to sprint at the first instance of a sound. The other girl chatted on oblivious to the tension in the air. “Hey isn’t the training room awesome. And the pantry looked like it’s a mini restaurant. I love the place.” She didn’t reply.
Sudden honking of vehicles behind made Nagappa jump and he noticed he had blocked a free left. The signal changed to green thankfully and he throttled the car angrily. “What is this? Some kind of a joke? How was one supposed to react when he had to chauffer his own daughter? He shot up an angry glance at the mirror again. “Sharma said this is to be a regular pickup. Of course this meant she has taken up a job here. Oh! Look at the cheek of her. Sitting smugly out there. This is all because of her mother’s lenience. If only I wasn’t fooled to allowing her to go to college. Wait till I get her home. She had it from me today.” Anger boiled inside him.
“Take a right here,” said the other girl. Ten minutes later they were in front of a well lit building that seemed to house a well to do family. His daughter’s friend scribbled a signature on the sheet he offered and jumped out of the car waving good-byes & with a promise to meet his daughter tomorrow. It unruffled him a little that his daughter should have befriended such a girl and was completely at ease about it. Without looking at her direction he started the engine.
“Appa,” it was almost a whisper. He didn’t answer nor look up but his anger flared immediately. Who ever thought this cheek of a girl would do this. “Appa, am sorry.” she reluctantly spoke again.
He ignored her. “If this had been Chetan instead?” wished his mind but that would have made me so proud! This girl did not even have a courtesy to tell me about her job. She has all the arrogant traits of her mother. Elders are absolutely right. Give these women a little space and they end up dancing over my head.
Almost reading his thoughts she continued “Appa, I wanted to give you the good news of me getting a job in the evening. I did tell you about my interview in the morning while I gave you coffee but I think you didn’t hear me.”
“Huh” Nagappa thought hard “Was it she who made the coffee? Anyway what difference does it make.”
There was an uncomfortable silence while the car negotiated its way through the evening traffic. “Appa, they have offered me a job as a junior financial analyst with a pay of 12000 p.m. but Appa I wouldn’t continue if you don’t like it. ” She hurriedly went on to complete the sentence.
“Twelve thousand rupees!” With a sharp involuntary intake of breath he looked at her again. “Why would they pay a girl that much?” he thought. “Twelve thousand rupees! Enough for Chetan’s three month fee’s and for the urgent repairs the house needed.” He immediately hated himself for banking on his daughter’s money.
“Oh! Chenna keshava what did I do for you to show me this day?” A silent lament escaped him.
They entered the familiar area of barely lit street, of row houses and of dingy shops. He slowed the car & drove without honking loudly as he usually did and finally came to a silent stop in front of their house. He mutely handed her the trip sheet and tried to look as indifferent as possible. Almost mentally alienating her far from his world as possible. She took it with trembling hands her head bent and slowly filled the form. He saw her writing her name in full – Chaitra H. Nagappa and signing it eloquently.
An intense indescribable feeling spread across him, blurring his eyes “Appa, won’t you come in?” she asked meekly. He looked up and saw a reflection of his eyes in his daughter’s face. Had I even noticed this before?
He smiled weakly and said, “ Neenu hogamma, I got two more trips to make.”
She got out and watched as the car reversed & the rear window with its gaudy sticker in bold white saying “Chetan” slowly fading its way out of the street.
Friday, October 20, 2006
[Short Story] A Time to Confess
Madhavi was born during the week she had viral fever. Left alone at home by her working parents, with only the maid for company, she made the PC her best friend. Madhavi was the online persona she had created to amuse herself till she could get better and go back to her hostel & friends. As a joke she sketched Madhavi as complete anti-thesis of herself. So was born Madhavi a shy introvert with long hair, dark eyed & with a dimpled smile. Getting on to a popular chat room she was deluged with chat offers from various people and she felt on top of the world.
Soon she found herself chatting with a captain from the Indian Army who was extremely charming with a great sense of humor. He rarely seemed to cross step the line of decency yet regaled her with interesting anecdotes and soon completely encroached on her attention. His subtle sense of humor made her laugh while his worldly intelligence had her awed. She told him stories of her college life & friends without revealing much of herself while he confessed later that he was no captain but was a manager with an MNC.
He requested to see her picture. Continuing the fun she was having she found an old picture of herself which she modified to match her description with the help of Photoshop. Sending this picture she asked the Captain (She still referred him as captain) to return the favour.
Their growing intimacy of friendship made him confess that he was actually very ill and that he was keeping his illness a secret from his family. He loved his family a lot and could not bear to destroy their lives by disclosing that he was HIV positive. It was just a week since she had known Captain and she was completely devastated to hear this piece of news. She pleaded with him to see his photo, which he had reluctantly sent. Opening the jpg picture she was stunned to see the smiling face of her father. This had to be a cruel joke or some kind of a nightmare!
She did not know how to react to the knowledge she had just gained. Painfully she realized that her father was actually so cool and that she had never taken the time to get to know him. And now it was too late.
Her heart broke to think of all that could have been. But Madhavi had destroyed her completely. All that mattered to her in life had been snatched away in one cruel week. 'What do I have left?' she thought bitterly, as the tears wet her carefully manicured fingers.
But she soon knew there was something more. There was one thing yet to be done. It shocked her that she was even thinking of doing such a thing. 'I really can't do this,' she told herself. But she knew it was the only way... She had to do it, however painful it was.
She will confess to her dad tonight.
Soon she found herself chatting with a captain from the Indian Army who was extremely charming with a great sense of humor. He rarely seemed to cross step the line of decency yet regaled her with interesting anecdotes and soon completely encroached on her attention. His subtle sense of humor made her laugh while his worldly intelligence had her awed. She told him stories of her college life & friends without revealing much of herself while he confessed later that he was no captain but was a manager with an MNC.
He requested to see her picture. Continuing the fun she was having she found an old picture of herself which she modified to match her description with the help of Photoshop. Sending this picture she asked the Captain (She still referred him as captain) to return the favour.
Their growing intimacy of friendship made him confess that he was actually very ill and that he was keeping his illness a secret from his family. He loved his family a lot and could not bear to destroy their lives by disclosing that he was HIV positive. It was just a week since she had known Captain and she was completely devastated to hear this piece of news. She pleaded with him to see his photo, which he had reluctantly sent. Opening the jpg picture she was stunned to see the smiling face of her father. This had to be a cruel joke or some kind of a nightmare!
She did not know how to react to the knowledge she had just gained. Painfully she realized that her father was actually so cool and that she had never taken the time to get to know him. And now it was too late.
Her heart broke to think of all that could have been. But Madhavi had destroyed her completely. All that mattered to her in life had been snatched away in one cruel week. 'What do I have left?' she thought bitterly, as the tears wet her carefully manicured fingers.
But she soon knew there was something more. There was one thing yet to be done. It shocked her that she was even thinking of doing such a thing. 'I really can't do this,' she told herself. But she knew it was the only way... She had to do it, however painful it was.
She will confess to her dad tonight.
[Travelogue] An Undiscovered Haven in Jammu
A travel article written by me gets published in Rediff.
*************
We continue our reader-driven getaway series.
Swetha Iyer suggests a trip to Sanasar in Jammu and Kashmir if you are looking for a quiet holiday.
When it is not casual travel, but a real vacation that you are looking for, try Sanasar, located just about 17 km away from the famous hill resort of Patnitop.
My husband and I decided to visit Sanasar in Jammu on the advice of a friend.
Jammu might evoke images of gun-toting policemen, riots amidst snow-topped mountains, but no place is more peaceful than Sanasar. Tall trees, cool breeze, scenic pastures stretching to the horizon -- it is heaven unexplored!
Sanasar is all about stretches of green meadows under clear blue skies, huge conifers and pines, sparkling brooks, locals grazing their cattle and horses... It is completely enchanting. So if you are looking for a quiet holiday, head to Sanasar.
This place also provides opportunities for paragliding and the area is being developed as a world class golf course.
How to get there
Sanasar is 119 km from Jammu and only 17 km from Patnitop.
There are several ways to reach Jammu and Patnitop, the fastest, of course, would be to fly to Jammu and hire a private cab from Jammu to Patnitop.
Jammu Tawi is a main railhead at Jammu and is well-connected with all the major cities.
You can reach Sanasar from Jammu Tawi via Kud and Patnitop by bus or taxi.
The taxi fares are pretty reasonable. You will have to negotiate, of course. Usually the driver will double up as a guide, and take you to the best hotel and also get you some good discounts.
En route
Kud
This small wayside township falls on the way to Sanasar from Patnitop. The patisa (a kind of sweet made out of flour and sugar) is a special delicacy here and a must try.
Patnitop
Patnitop is complete eye candy. If Sanasar basks in the glory of being unexplored, Patnitop can revel in being the jewel that has been polished from a coal piece.
It is a must-see place with its huge deodhar trees, waterfalls, picnic spots and the Nag temple. Pony rides, camping, trekking, golfing and paragliding are some of the activities you can indulge in.
They say Patnitop and Sanasar are best visited during the summer between May and July. From November to January, both places witness harsh winters with heavy snow. That too must be a treat to watch and is a good time for winter sports.
Where to stay
Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Development Corporation provides decent accommodation in both Sanasar as well as in Patnitop.
Patnitop is comparatively more expensive than Sanasar and people prefer to stay here as the amenities are better.
Moreover, since Sanasar is only about 17 km away, visitors usually make a day trip from Patnitop.
Sanasar has a row of cottages that you could stay at. Actually they are more like self-contained huts. The service is good but the power cuts and lack of telephone and mobile network makes tourists prefer Patnitop over Sanasar.
In Sanasar, double room accommodation would be between Rs 400 to Rs 1,000 for a couple per night. In Patnitop it comes to around Rs 600 to Rs 2,500 per night for a couple.
Quick travel tips
~ The clement weather (in the summers) will equal the temperatures at the early onset of winter in places like Bangalore. But be prepared and carry light woollens such as shawls and sweaters.
~ Sanasar doesn't really have fancy eateries or hotels, hence may not be accepting debit/ credit card. So, keep enough cash ready while travelling to such places.
~ There are quite a few good hotels and resorts in Patnitop such as Green Top, Oasis Resorts, Hotel Jaishree etc Most of these would be around Rs 2,000 per day for a double room.
~ Though visiting the Nag temple may not figure prominently on your agenda, it is worth a visit, especially since it is said to be a few thousand years old!
~ Naughty tip: For all those from the south, make a trip in December. The fierce winters might scare you to stay indoors but the snow-covered outdoors will help make unforgettable memories.
Swetha Iyer is a product marketing analyst in Bangalore.
*************
We continue our reader-driven getaway series.
Swetha Iyer suggests a trip to Sanasar in Jammu and Kashmir if you are looking for a quiet holiday.
When it is not casual travel, but a real vacation that you are looking for, try Sanasar, located just about 17 km away from the famous hill resort of Patnitop.
My husband and I decided to visit Sanasar in Jammu on the advice of a friend.
Jammu might evoke images of gun-toting policemen, riots amidst snow-topped mountains, but no place is more peaceful than Sanasar. Tall trees, cool breeze, scenic pastures stretching to the horizon -- it is heaven unexplored!
Sanasar is all about stretches of green meadows under clear blue skies, huge conifers and pines, sparkling brooks, locals grazing their cattle and horses... It is completely enchanting. So if you are looking for a quiet holiday, head to Sanasar.
This place also provides opportunities for paragliding and the area is being developed as a world class golf course.
How to get there
Sanasar is 119 km from Jammu and only 17 km from Patnitop.
There are several ways to reach Jammu and Patnitop, the fastest, of course, would be to fly to Jammu and hire a private cab from Jammu to Patnitop.
Jammu Tawi is a main railhead at Jammu and is well-connected with all the major cities.
You can reach Sanasar from Jammu Tawi via Kud and Patnitop by bus or taxi.
The taxi fares are pretty reasonable. You will have to negotiate, of course. Usually the driver will double up as a guide, and take you to the best hotel and also get you some good discounts.
En route
Kud
This small wayside township falls on the way to Sanasar from Patnitop. The patisa (a kind of sweet made out of flour and sugar) is a special delicacy here and a must try.
Patnitop
Patnitop is complete eye candy. If Sanasar basks in the glory of being unexplored, Patnitop can revel in being the jewel that has been polished from a coal piece.
It is a must-see place with its huge deodhar trees, waterfalls, picnic spots and the Nag temple. Pony rides, camping, trekking, golfing and paragliding are some of the activities you can indulge in.
They say Patnitop and Sanasar are best visited during the summer between May and July. From November to January, both places witness harsh winters with heavy snow. That too must be a treat to watch and is a good time for winter sports.
Where to stay
Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Development Corporation provides decent accommodation in both Sanasar as well as in Patnitop.
Patnitop is comparatively more expensive than Sanasar and people prefer to stay here as the amenities are better.
Moreover, since Sanasar is only about 17 km away, visitors usually make a day trip from Patnitop.
Sanasar has a row of cottages that you could stay at. Actually they are more like self-contained huts. The service is good but the power cuts and lack of telephone and mobile network makes tourists prefer Patnitop over Sanasar.
In Sanasar, double room accommodation would be between Rs 400 to Rs 1,000 for a couple per night. In Patnitop it comes to around Rs 600 to Rs 2,500 per night for a couple.
Quick travel tips
~ The clement weather (in the summers) will equal the temperatures at the early onset of winter in places like Bangalore. But be prepared and carry light woollens such as shawls and sweaters.
~ Sanasar doesn't really have fancy eateries or hotels, hence may not be accepting debit/ credit card. So, keep enough cash ready while travelling to such places.
~ There are quite a few good hotels and resorts in Patnitop such as Green Top, Oasis Resorts, Hotel Jaishree etc Most of these would be around Rs 2,000 per day for a double room.
~ Though visiting the Nag temple may not figure prominently on your agenda, it is worth a visit, especially since it is said to be a few thousand years old!
~ Naughty tip: For all those from the south, make a trip in December. The fierce winters might scare you to stay indoors but the snow-covered outdoors will help make unforgettable memories.
Swetha Iyer is a product marketing analyst in Bangalore.
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