Day 4 – Junagadh and Gir Jungle
It’s Wednesday morning 6 am and my alarm buzzes. Neither Khyati nor I are in any mood to listen to that. We continue to snooze a few times and lo behold! The time now reads 7:30 am. We needed to leave to tour Junagadh city in 45 minutes. Hurriedly, we get ready and go to eat breakfast at our Bhojanshala.
It’s 8:15 am and we are heading for breakfast. The rickshaw wallah is patiently waiting outside and doesn’t seem to be in any hurry. Obviously, we had our meter running and wanted to spend maximum time touring places. At a similar time, in the breakfast hall – Khyati and I were impressed with the wide spread of food on the plate. Obviously, there was some VIP guest for which this 7 course menu was laid, we thought. We filled our stomachs choc-a-bloc and I burrp!
It’s 9 am and we leave with Vijay bhai (our rickshaw wallah) onto our first destination. Here’s a list of places we visited –
1. Jain temple in Junagadh
2. Akshardham (Swaminarayan mandir)
3. Willingdon Dam
4. Uparkot no killo (fort)
5. Narshinh Mehta chowk (chowk meaning square)
Akshardham temples are a piece of wonder at any location and Junagadh is no different. It’s built in many acres of land.
Akshardham
Willingdon Dam was in the midst of Gir Jungle and we had to pass forest security to get to that area. The lake picture you see in my previous post is where this dam is built. The water in the lake is very clear and you can see lots of small fishes swimming. We take a long walk along the entire dam and admire Mother Nature in the midst of all this.
Gir Lake and forest
air jumping
Air walking, er! running
It’s 1 pm and the sun is blazing hot. Khyati and I remind each other about soaking in Vitamin D. We both break in a giggle because there is an unlimited supply of sun heat in India. The struggle was in UK when as soon as we saw the sun, we reminded each other to soak in Vitamin D as much as possible because as Jains, we don’t eat other animal sources containing Vitamin D.
We inform Vijay Bhai to take us indoors now as we couldn’t bear the heat. Next up was lunch. I was still full from breakfast but how can you resist a Gujarati invitation for lunch? People serve so warmly and continue to insist, a habit that has been instigated in every Indian. When we pressurize you for eating more, it’s our way of showing love. At this note, I remember my mother’s advice – ocho khaija, pet aay ane pataro nay. (eat less – it’s your stomach, not a drum).
We leave to see the fort now. The fort is not well maintained and has grass grown all over. It was one of the most important forts overlooking Junagadh city so the king then could protect its boundaries. It’s a free entry and we take a stroll in this place. Good thing about it being covered by grass, there was some shade and it was a good walk post lunch.
Junagadh city
Last up was Narsinh Mehta chowk and there was a small museum of him. He was a devotee of Lord Krishna and spent his years in his duty. Junagadh was his Karmabhoomi (work place).
It’s 2 pm and by the end of it, we are tired and feel the need for a nap. Vijay Bhai drops us back to the Dharamshala and we rest again. It’s been a daily habit now to sleep for an hour or so in the afternoon.
It’s 5 pm and I receive a call from my friend asking if I could book a stay at this Dharamshala for their visit during Christmas time. I enquired but Dharamshala’s here don’t do pre bookings for peak periods. They give rooms on a first come first serve basis so you stand the risk to not get a room. Eventually, we managed to book a guest house for our friend’s family and felt happy to have helped someone sitting 1000 kms away.
It’s 8 pm and we are back to our room. We pack our belongings. Tomorrow, we take the train to Ahmedabad, the city of joy.
We call it a night at 10 pm.
My goal with this blog is that you (yes! You the person sitting in your chair) to empower you in your goals and dreams. Khyati and I feel privileged to be a living a life we love and dream about. Please tell me if there is anything particular you would like me to write about?
I read each and every comment. Thank you for your time.
-Paras