Green side of Jamshedpur...

So many times I have been to Jamshedpur that I had memorized every turn of the road from Ranchi to Jamshedpur. Hard luck was that every time I was coming for official work. You guessed right I was getting sick of not getting any time for sightseeing. Enough was enough, finally I asked Tata Steels' personnels to let me know a few places to enjoy my Sunday. What they told me were not exactly inspiring as the first one was a dam and the second was a zoological garden. Nonetheless "Something is better than nothing", provided me with solace.

I picked my friend Jean-Luc from his hotel and started our exploration of what we called as the "other face of Jamshedpur". First in line was a dam, the approach to the dam was not totally out of the world but was enough to stir up the spirits. Does this steel city has any other face too.








Enchanted by the greenery around, we soon reached at the top of the dam. The reservoir lake had an amazingly terrific view from the top.

Moments make life memorable, some of them are like a quiet evening in the woods, a walk with your friends.  We both were having a jolly good time.

No matter how many problems we have; one thing is sure that we Indians still know how to laugh and enjoy. Check out the young boys taking diving lessons...

If you are not a game for diving, try a long walk...

The other side is also too exuberant:

The place is so well maintained and clean that I was unable to stop myself from thinking again and again that how come this place is so well managed. Just by seeing at the below board all of my doubts evaporated.

No points to guess..this place is managed by TATA Steels. Thankfully not by Indian government

By this time we both were a bit rejuvenated and started for our next destination, THE ZOOLOGICAL Gardens. Any doubts about the garden, it is indeed a garden; that was the first thought came to my mind when I was treated to such a beautiful portrait.

and large number of ducks to welcome us...

Mesmerized by the awesome greenery, I have forgotten for a moment that there are other commitments waiting for both of us.

DO not dare to mess with them...

Seeing the king of jungle in the cage, reminded me one famous dialogue of hindi movies:

पिंजरे में कैद शेर को तो छोटे छोटे बच्चे भी पत्थर मारते हैं,,, (actor needs no introduction)
(even small children can throw pebbles at caged tigers)

You might take your luck for granted with these tigers. However if you have it in you, try with him.

I am too adventurous, but this time I could not get any closer to the royal king of the jungle.

Innovation is not a patent of anyone, check out this simple yet effective way devised by this intelligent monkey to keep himself cool in this scorching heat:

It was the first time I had been to a zoo, but nonetheless I was cherishing the every moment of it. For the first time in my life I met with the following:

NEELGAI

BEARS

Looks like they were also delighted on meeting with me. Don't you all feel that these lives will be better off in their original homes, i.e. the forests. 

While returning back, I was thinking that God has given me another venue to travel. This might be a humble beginning, who knows next time I will get a chance to go to Gir Forests or Ranthambore or Kaziranga Parks.

On one hand humans are destroying their dwellings to showcase their growth and later on to oblige these animals we are setting up sanctuaries, parks and zoological gardens. Whom are we trying to please or cheat..? We need to wake up in time, else when nature will seek back its due, human race will found itself too helpless and small.

"Preserve our Forests, our existence will be in jeopardy without them"

Stopover at Baba Ramdev Ashram and Haridwar..

This is in continuation to my previous article on Rishikesh Trip. Rishikesh trip is not complete without a stop at Baba Ramdev Ashram and prayers at Ganges at Haridwar.

We passed Haridwar at night, while going to Rishikesh. Rishikesh is only 23 km. from Haridwar and in between, just on the outskirts of Rishikesh is situated "Patanjali Yog Peeth", ashram of Baba Ramdev

Baba Ramdev is championing the cause of holy healing and YOGA. Ayurveda, Yoga, Surgery and one of the oldest treatise on Medical treatment for Human Body "Charak Sanhita" have originated in India.

Reconnection with the legacy is on the cards as soon as we enter, check out..

The ashram is self sustained with Yoga centres, Hospital and a canteen.

Whatever is consumed in the ashram from medicines to food is produced and processed in the Ashram farms only.

All the preparations in the Canteen is done by the Cow Milk. No worries of any sorts, Happy Eating. We both enjoyed our breakfast, however Min was still on fasting. Now we were afraid, that he might die of starvation...he he he...His tears are real..

Canteen not only serve food, but also healthy eating tips. Very simple but effective.

After breakfast, we started again for Delhi, 15 minutes drive we were in Haridwar. The giant  statue of "Lord Shiva" is the landmark of Haridwar.

Ganges is the holy river. You will see a number of devotees taking a holy dip in the sacred waters of river Ganges.

Min too dipped his feet in the river...

Few minutes at haridwar and we again started our return journey. Nothing much after Haridwar, only a stop at local Dhaba/ restaurant for a cup of Tea...Road side Dhabas have their own charm, do try but be careful while taking a halt at night.

Rishikesh+Haridwar makes an ideal weekend getaway from the hustles of Delhi. Only 240 Km., one can leave on Friday night and get back by Sunday. Keep on travelling guys..

While I was travelling_2

We have been to a lot of historical places, forts and museums. Its very common in India to come across the statues of Maharana Pratap, Rani Laxmi Bai and other legendary warriors on HORSE. But the horses for all the warriors are different, some have got both of the legs in air, some have only one leg in air and others have all the legs resting on the ground.  I used to wonder if this has got some significance or just imagination of craftsmen? Well the answer is simple:

• If a statue of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. 
• If the horse has one front leg in the air the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. 
• If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

Indeed very simple and logical. I have myself cross checked it for number of statues and it fits perfectly. You can cross check too...