The Great Wall of India 36 kms in length ( kumbhalghar )

 36 Kms wall around Fort Kumbhalgarh in Rajasthan. The 2nd longest wall after the Great Wall of China.

Kumbhalgarh Fort is a Mewar fortress in the Rajsamand District of Rajasthan state in western India. It is an World Heritage Site included in Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Built during the course of the 15th century by Rana Kumbha and enlarged through the 19th century, Kumbhalgarh is also the birthplace of Maharana Pratap, the great king and warrior of Mewar. Occupied until the late 19th century, the fort is now open to the public and is spectacularly lit for a few minutes each evening. Kumbalgarh is situated 82 km northwest of Udaipur by road. It is the most important fort in Mewar after Chittaurgarh.

Built on a hilltop 1100 metres above sea level, the fort of Kumbhalgarh has perimeter walls that extend 36 kilometres. The frontal walls are fifteen feet thick. Kumbhalgarh has seven fortified gateways. There are over 360 temples within the fort, 300 ancient Jain and the rest Hindu. From the palace top, it is possible to look tens of kilometers into the Aravalli Range. The sand dunes of the Thar desert can be seen from the fort walls.

According to legend, in 1443, the Maharana of Kumbhalgarh, Rana Kumbha, was initially repeatedly unsuccessful in attempts to build the fort wall. A spiritual preceptor was consulted about the construction problems and advised the ruler that a voluntary human sacrifice would solve whatever was causing the impediment. The spiritual advisor advised building a temple where the head should fall and building the wall and the fort where the rest of his body lay. As can be expected, for some time no one volunteered, but one day, a pilgrim (some versions suggest a soldier, and some, that the spiritual preceptor and the pilgrim were one and the same) volunteered and was ritually decapitated. Today the main gate of the fortress, Hanuman Pol, contains a shrine and a temple to commemorate the great sacrifice.

According to popular folklore, Maharana Kumbha used to burn massive lamps that consumed fifty kilograms of ghee and a hundred kilograms of cotton to provide light for the farmers who worked during the nights in the valley.

Its wall is the second largest wall in Asia.

Bhrigu Lake

Bhrigu Lake is a lake located at an elevation of around 4,300 metres (14,100 ft) in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh, India. It is located to the east of Rohtang Pass and is around 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from Gulaba village. It can be reached by trekking either from the Vashishth temple, which is famous for its hot water springs, which is close to the town of Manali or from Gulaba village. Actually there is no settlement in Gulaba and is actually an area of the Pir Panjal mountain range. It is named after Maharishi Bhrigu.

Legend has it that the sage used to mediate near the lake and hence it has been rendered sacred; the locals believe that due to this the lake never freezes completely.

Dashaur Lake

Dashaur Lake, lies near Rohtang pass in Manali-Kullu region.  Rohtang pass is at an altitude of 13500 ft and it divides the Kullu and Lahoul valley.  Once you cross Rohtang pass on way to Keylong, you into Lahoul valley.  You come across a completely different landscape and vegetation with towering mountains and a deep valley with Chandra-Bhaga river (Chenab) flowing dangerously.

Dashaur lake is also known by several other names vi Dashir, Sarkund and Sheela Sar.  It is situated at an altitude of 15000 ft approx and remains covered in a sheet of ice most of the time during the year except for a few months in summer.  The lake provides a panoramic view of the snow clad peaks of the Lahoul Mountains. 

The lake has a depth of 3 to 4 meters.  It is believed that waters of Dashaur Lake have curative and healing powers and a dip will cure you of many illnesses.  The lake draws scores of local pilgrims during the months of August and September.  The place is also ideal for a base camp to explore the beautiful and enchanting mountains/regions nearby.

To reach the lake, one can take a bus/taxi from Manali to Marhi, which is 1 ½ hours journey, passing on the way through some mesmerising landscapes and villages.  From Marhi the distance to the lake is approx 7 kms which has to be trekked on foot.   It is advisable to hire a guide as one can lose one’s way in the mountains.   

Another way to reach Dashaur is to trek from Beas Kund, which would be a bit longer.  Dashaur forms part of the “3 Lakes Trek”, covering Beas Kund, Dashaur and Brighu Lake.

Top 10 Enjoyable Drives in India

National Highway 17, Drive from Mumbai to Goa

The 582 km stretch, Mumbai to Goa is a must trying trip. National Highway 17 connects Panvel, near Mumbai to Kochi, passing through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala and Karnataka. NH 17, also known as Mumbai-Goa Highway in Maharashtra, is the 7th longest highway in India with 1,296 km. The NH 17 passes through forests, hills, rivulets, rivers and streams generally flowing westwards towards Arabian Sea. Most of region is dotted with coconut trees along with paddy fields and arecanut gardens. The building of National Highway 17 has led to rapid development of towns and cities along the highway, which is the best part of NH17.

Mumbai Pune Expressway

Mumbai Pune Expressway connects Mumbai with Pune and is considered as a delight for the drivers. It’s a very enjoyable drive as the smooth road passes through the beautiful and spectacular Sahyadri mountain ranges via passes and tunnels. Apart form these the expressway has reduced the travel time between the cities of Mumbai and Pune to approximately two hours. The expressway starts at Kalamboli (near Panvel) and ends at Dehu Rd. (near Pune). During monsoon the drive becomes all the more pleasurable as this route becomes absolutely spectacular with abundant greenery and several waterfalls on the way. Vast number of tunnels adds to the excitement of driving through this 93 km expressway.

National Expressway 1, Drive from Vadodara to Ahmedabad

National Expressway 1, also known as The Ahmedabad Vadodara Expressway is a major artery of public transport connecting the cities of Ahmedabad and Vadodara. It is also one of the most enjoyable drives of India making you happy to be seated in the driver’s seat. The road is flat, fast and smooth. The 95 km long expressway reduces the travel time between the two cities and no wonder it is also one of the best roads in India.

Drive from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer through the Deserts

300 odd km drive from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer can be trip of the lifetime. Meandering through the difficult terrains and the sand dunes requires significant driving skills. You will be surprised to see the rapid changing sparse population on the way. You may get tempted to get off the highway and climb the sand dunes to get a feel of the deserts.

Chennai Pondicherry East Coast Road

The East Coast Road, a 113 km highway in Tamil Nadu, built along the coast of the Bay of Bengal, connects Chennai with Pondicherry. This is also one of the roads a driver will love to drive through and a hording on the way add up to the excitement which says “Sometimes the road becomes the destination”. The road wind its way along the Bay of Bengal on the left which glistens with the rays of sunlight. East Coast Road is dotted with series of luxury resorts, food joints, tourist spots and places on interest and adventure sport arenas. ECR has earned the reputation of a ‘potpourri highway’.

Leh – Manali Highway

The 475 km long Leh-Manali National Highway connects Leh and Manali. It is open only between June and mid-September when snow is cleared from the road. This spectacular though dangerous road passes some of the highest mountain passes in the world which includes Tanglang La, Lachulung La, Rohtang La, Baralacha La. You will notice a drastic change in the cesnaru as you head towards Ladakh from Himachal Pradesh. A drive in this road with barren lands and high terrain will give loads of enjoyment, bliss and excitement to individuals who love adventure. Driving through Leh Manali Highway is an experience of its kind. Leh-Manali Highway was designed, built, constructed and maintained by the Indian Army and is well capable of supporting heavy vehicles.

Drive from Tezpur to Tawang

A drive from Tezpur in Assam to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh takes around 350 km. This 12 hour journey is a delight for the eyes and blended with fear and adventure. High ranges, sharp bends, streams between the ridges, rivulets running alongside the road, dead ends, thick fog, all make the journey outstanding experience. On the way to Tawang the road passes through Bomdilla, Dhirang, with Sela Pass and an ancient dong fort. Just check out the hairy Yaks grazing on the lush green vegetation.

Drive from Chalakudy( Kerala) to Valparai( Tamil Nadu)

Probably, the most beautiful route in South India crossing the Western Ghats is the Chalakudy to Valpara route. It’s a narrow road through the thick evergreen, and deciduous forests, covering more than 100 attractive tourist spots, waterfalls, dams, lofty peaks, wild animals and much more. It’s a complete cross section traversal through the Western Ghats from west to east. The 110 km stretch passing via Athirapalli, Sholayar, Peringalkuthu and Malakkiparai, the highest tea estates in India, has some of the densest green jungles in India. Keep your eyes open for elephants and other wild life species as you can expect your drive to be one of the adventurous drives of your life. For most of us Athirapally waterfalls is the end of that road but further ahead you have many other places to visit.

Drive from Mysore to Ooty

Driving from Mysore to Ooty is another enjoyable drive as it will take you through some of the scenic and mesmerizing spots. After reaching the historic Shrirangapattana and then Gundlupet, another 10 km of the road takes you to the Bhandipur National Park, one of the famous wildlife sanctuaries of India. Spot elephants, deers, cats and some of the rare and exotic species of fauna here. Then as you ascent from Masinagudi Ghats heading towards the Nilgiris, the road with 36 sharp bends offer spectacular views.

Drive from Chandigarh to Manali, NH21

National Highway 21 (NH 21) is a national highway in Northern India connecting Chandigarh with Manali in Himachal Pradesh. A drive from Chandigarh to Manali is an amazing stretch covering a distance of 320 km approximately. Heading out from Chandigarh you would be amidst the densely wooded Shivaliks. You will be enthralled with the view of the greenery from your car window. From midway start the wonderful rivers, curves and the spectacular streams. The Mandi to Manali leg of the drive is awesome as the road wanders along the River Beas up to Manali. Check out the apple orchards before Manali and you will find a delightful sight.

Leh-Manali Highway

The Leh-Manali Highway is a high mountain road situated in India. It spans over a length of 479 km (298 mi) among the Himalaya mountain range. It passes through some of the worlds highest mountain passes in the world, with a mean altitude in between 2 to 3 miles above sea level. The journey from Manali to Leh takes about one full day by jeep or two days by bus.

This dirt gravel road connects Leh in Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir state and Manali in Himachal Pradesh state. It’s accessible for cars and trucks during several months in summer only and ts highest elevation is 5,328 m (17,480 ft) at Tanglang La mountain pass. Because of the important position of Ladakh between China and Pakistan this Highway plays an important strategic role for India, which results in the maintenance of the road by the Indian army itself. In addition to the spectacular landscape the life on and next to the road is diversified because of a wide variety of people frequenting it. Construction workers from other parts of India are working for better road conditions during the summer.

This road is usually is open for only about four and a half months in a year in summer between May or June, when the snow is cleared by the Border Roads Organisation of Indian army, and mid-October when snowfall again blocks it. Avalanches and heavy snowfalls can sometimes block some sections of the road and can be extremely dangerous due to frequent patches of ice. Conditions can change quickly and be harsh. Road closures can be frequent, so check conditions before traveling to this area. Tourists from all over the world, as well as a growing number of Indian tourists use this road for the scenic impressions of the mountains. Truck drivers transport their cargo to Leh and back to other parts of India.

The trip on this road includes a lot of dangers. The road itself, with trucks and buses that sometimes travel only at 15 to 20 km/h due to the road condition. This is not the most comfortable drive in the world. This is not helped by the fact that some of the roads have drops to the side of a good few hundred metres. You can observe crashed and unlucky vehicles cover with rust down the slope somewhere...  And some of the passes are really spectacular, especially if you have to wait on the side of the road for a truck to pass... The road is one of the most complicated and challenging roads in the world, with snow, never ending traffic jams, landslides and terrain making the journey exceedingly difficult for anything other than a capable four wheel drive vehicle.

Due its climb in elevation over thousands of feet, and pass through remote areas, it is important when driving in these conditions to be prepared. Owing to the rarefied atmosphere (low air pressure) at high altitude, less oxygen is breathed in and many travellers experience altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness, causing acute mountain sickness: headache, nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Ladakh is a cold semi-arid desert. It is cold along the highway even in summer (June onwards); the days are warm in bright sunshine but the nights are very cold. Check weather forecasts before leaving home, and remember that it becomes cooler and often more prone to storms at higher elevations.

 

Watch out for sudden loose-gravel breaks. And that pavement can ripple like a roller coaster track in places where “frost heaves” are caused by seasonal freezing and thawing of the ground. It’s incredible what kind of vehicles are using the road - from tankers and goods lorrys, army trucks to whatever else comes along with a motor in it, or without the motor, as some cyclist do. The surface on this gravel road is often loose, especially along the sides of the road. It makes necessary to drive carefully and slow down whenever approaching an oncoming car.The road, built and maintained by the Indian Army, plays an important role in the movement of armed forces in Ladakh. It's cleared by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

Proper preparation is essential to having a safe, enjoyable trop on this road. Due to the remoteness of the area, take special care to ensure that your vehicle is ready for the trip: inspect all tires and make sure they are properly inflated, check all vehicle fluids, replace worn hoses and belts, empty your RV's holding tank and fill the water tank, purchase groceries and supplies. For the vehicle, bring at least two full-sized spare tires mounted on rims, tire jack and tools for flat tires, emergency flares, extra gasoline, motor oil, and wiper fluid and a radio. It is also advisable to carry chocolates, glucose or other high energy food on the journey and spend only a little time at the high mountain passes.