On 10th July 2011, we started trip from Baishnodevi temple to back to Mahendranagar. We planned to reach Haridwar. Whole day, Banbarilal kept on driving.
On the way we stopped at Hariyana for food. Sharmila was interested to taste some typical Indian food. We went to one restaurant. Banbarilal went to ask about foods first. He them come with smiling that there are four Nepalese boys working. He told us that he said to the boys that he brought some friends from Nepal. We talked to the boys. They were from mid and far western Nepal. It is very common practice to go to India for work from Nepal.
We tasted tasty and spicy Indian foods. When I went to the cash counter to pay bills, the restaurant owner asked me are you from Nepal? I said, yes I am. I asked him, how you know? He said, one of the boys told him that there are Nepalese guests from Nepal. The boys were working hard from 6:00 AM to later10:00 PM but get nominal salary. Two of them left home during civil war in Nepal because the Maoists forced him to join their army but he fused and came to India where other two came because of poor financial condition. They could not continue their study and have to go to India in search of jobs to feed their parents. I had fellow feeling to those Nepalese boys. I gave 50 Indian rupees to each of them as a pocket money. First they refused but later they kept it. When we sat in the jeep they were looking towards us until we hide in the crowd.We reached Saharanpur at about 11:15 PM and decided to have rest there. It was about one more hour drive to reach to Haridwar but we were so, tired as we had not slept last night too. We decided to stop at Saharanpur. Finally we found a hotel for one night.
Next day, 11th July 2011, we left for Haridwar at 07:00 AM. We were little bit fresh after having good sleep. On the way we stopped at Baba Ramdev’s Asharam where we had breakfast. After that we reached Haridwar temple. We decided not to go to the main temple as it will be time consuming because we plan to reach Mahendanagar today. So, we had a distance bath in a holly river and filled one bottle with water from the river. This water is regarded as the holiest in Nepal. People have a belief that when they keep this water in their homes, they get rid from problems. Large number of Nepalese use to visit this area and this is one of the main destinations (Dham) for Hindu pilgrims which they have to visit before they die. We had bath in holly river and distance worship to the goddess. Sharmila had Mehandi in her hand. It was already 11:15 AM, and then we started our trip. Nearly at 18:30 we reached Nepal-India boarder. The boarder use to open from 18:00 to 19:00. So, it was crowded with people passing through this boarded towards both the countries.
People have to walk for nearly half an hour to cross the boarder until and unless you are travelling with private car. Those people who walk get much trouble by the army from India and by police in Nepal. Especially in Indian boarder side, the Indian army uses to ask money from them and poor workers have to pay as much as they demand. But we who are using a private vehicle from India were never asked for money. One Indian army came to search our jeep and asked where we have been. We told we are from Kashmir. He said oh Kashmir, have you been to Gulmarg? I said yes. He said he is from Gulmarg. I told oh Gulmarg is the most beautiful place. He felt very happy to hear that.
Next day, 11th July 2011, we left for Haridwar at 07:00 AM. We were little bit fresh after having good sleep. On the way we stopped at Baba Ramdev’s Asharam where we had breakfast. After that we reached Haridwar temple. We decided not to go to the main temple as it will be time consuming because we plan to reach Mahendanagar today. So, we had a distance bath in a holly river and filled one bottle with water from the river. This water is regarded as the holiest in Nepal. People have a belief that when they keep this water in their homes, they get rid from problems. Large number of Nepalese use to visit this area and this is one of the main destinations (Dham) for Hindu pilgrims which they have to visit before they die. We had bath in holly river and distance worship to the goddess. Sharmila had Mehandi in her hand. It was already 11:15 AM, and then we started our trip. Nearly at 18:30 we reached Nepal-India boarder. The boarder use to open from 18:00 to 19:00. So, it was crowded with people passing through this boarded towards both the countries.
People have to walk for nearly half an hour to cross the boarder until and unless you are travelling with private car. Those people who walk get much trouble by the army from India and by police in Nepal. Especially in Indian boarder side, the Indian army uses to ask money from them and poor workers have to pay as much as they demand. But we who are using a private vehicle from India were never asked for money. One Indian army came to search our jeep and asked where we have been. We told we are from Kashmir. He said oh Kashmir, have you been to Gulmarg? I said yes. He said he is from Gulmarg. I told oh Gulmarg is the most beautiful place. He felt very happy to hear that.
Finally we reached Mahendranagar at 20:05. On the way back I told uncle to book ticket for Dhangadi – Kathamndu for tomorrow and luckily he found cheap tickets for us.
I made payment to Banbarilal. He is thankful for wonderful driving and guiding us during the trip about what we have to do and what we don’t especially when we are going to have food. He is very good driver I saw until now.
We left for Kathmandu on 12th July 2011. Although, I could not do what I targeted, I have a nice trip to Kashmir. It became more ritual tour rather than sampling.
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