I Want To Travel The World With You, Oh My Curvaceous Companion, The Fab Road! ~ My Own Line 🙂
My eternal love affair with roads to continue!!
After completing the Epic Road Trip To Spiti Valley in October 2015, itch in the driving feet, adrenalines rush in veins and my ever wandering, ever dreaming soul took me on another long distance road tripping to the centre of India i.e. States of Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh. While Madhya Pradesh is famous as the Heart of Incredible India and Chhattisgarh is the Land of Surprises.
As I always say, India is best seen through road trips exploring wide and varied nuances of vast geographies in all directions. During this 2500 KM road trip to Chhattisgarh via Bhedaghat in Madhya Pradesh, we travelled through 5 Indian states namely Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. We crossed many important rivers systems of India such as Yamuna, Chambal, Betwa and Narmada. We tripped down to fabulous landscapes of Central India while driving through Vindhyachal, Mekal and Satpura mountain ranges laden with Saguan wood.
The road trip took us through numerous stunning views and diverse landscapes before we reach our native place Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh to have a blast during most important Indian festivals for Hindus – Diwali, The Festival of Light.
This road trip again confirmed my belief that there is no better way than road tripping to explore and discover the awesome places on every stretch and bend. Even after having traveled in Madhya Pradesh umpteen times, I never expected that this road trip would present so many surprises and so many wall paper moments to cherish forever.
Exploring Stunning and Exotic Landcapes through Road Tripping!
Let’s take a quick view of this exhilarating road trip which took me to My Chhattisgarh second time in 4 month.
Day One: We started at 4 PM from Delhi’s suburbs Gurgaon towards Agra via Yamuna Express Way and finally landed at Gwalior after enjoying street food at Agra’s famous Sadar Market . We covered 340KM this day to reach Gwalior.
First pit stop of our road trip: The Sadar Bazar in Agra which is always my favourite place to savour street food in Agra
Day Two: Gwalior to Jhansi to Sagar which is my ancestral and also my wife’s and thanks to this road tripping experiences she could visit this place first time in life. After spending some time in Sagar, we moved to Bhedaghat near Jabalpur on the banks of Narmada River. Narmada River is considered holier than Ganga by many Hindus and in Bhedaghat it creates one of the most incredible water fall of India amidst natural marble rocks. We covered 520KM on day two.
Golden Hour Sunrise Photograph shot on Gwalior-Jhansi Road.
Incredible morning hour shot. It really took my heart away. Fabulous!
Incredibly smooth roads in Madhya Pradesh on NH 26.
Rural Landscape from India: Green Pea Farms on our road to Bhedaghat.
Dhuandhar Water Fall in Bhedaghat, Near Jabalpur. Most incredible water fall in India formed by River Narmada on Marble Rocks.
Narmada meandering through Marble Rocks in Bhedaghat also famous as Indian Version of Grand Canyon in Marbles.
Marvellous Marble rock formation in Bhedaghat where the depth of Narmada River is unfathomable. These white marble rocks change color every hour presenting most stunning colorful landscapes.
Day Three: We started our day with morning hour photography of Dhuandhar Water Fall from the other side of Narmada River. And then we started our journey from Bhedaghat towards my Chhattisgarh crossing the teak wood jungles of Vindhya and Satpura Ranges and finally reached Bilaspur after covering 370 KM on road.
We stayed on the other side of the water fall known as New Bhedaghat. This other side offers majestic view of Dhuandhar Fall and rarely people go to that side to capture the grand beauty of this fall.
Golden Hour Shot of Dhuandhar Fall in Bhedaghat.
Indian Coffee House at Jabalpur. This is a fabulous chain of restaurents in Madhya Pradesh preceeding Mcdoanls or Pizza Huts of the world. This place has an important part of teenage memories of every kid of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh where every teenager of 1990s had his/her first out of home birthday celeberation with friends. I made a point to visit this place and cherish my childhood memories.
Meandering through Sagaun Jungle or teak Wood Jungles. Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have most dense teak wood forest in the world.
Rural Landscapes of India: Sparsely populated hamlets in Rural Madhya Pradesh. On Our way to Chhattisgarh
Day Four, Five and Six: We reached my native place for Diwali celeberations and stayed there for three days before starting our journey back to Delhi on day 7th. However, on day 6th i.e. last day of my stay at Bilaspur, I visited Mahamaya Temple which is one of the most revered Goddess of Chhattisgarh and located 25KM from Bilaspur.
Mahamaya Temple near Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.
Day Seven: We started our day early at 5 AM and reached 11th century Bhoram Deo Temple which is famous as Khujuraho of Chhattisgarh due to its Khujuraho style architecture. After paying our reverence to the God of destruction, The Shiva, we started our journey and reached Jhansi at 7:30 PM after covering 770KM in 14+ hours. This was one of the best and most scenic drive that I experienced in a non-himalayan terrain. It may be ranked close to my road tripping across Rajasthan to Jaiselmer.
Golden hour capture amidst Teak Wood Forest of Bhoram Deo Wildllife Santuary on the way to Bhoram Deo Temple.
Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh: Bhoram Deo Temple. It was built in 11th century during the reign of Ramchandra Deo of the Nagavanshi dynasty and has a unique Shiva Linga erected over 16 pillars.
Sanctum Sanctorum of Bhoram Deo Temple: A Rare Picture.
Rural Landscape of Chhattisgarh, India.
Fisherman near Jabalpur on our way to Jhansi.
Rural Landscape from the heart of Incredible India i.e. Madhya Pradesh.
NH26 to Jhansi!
Day Eight: This was an easy day as we pushed hard on previous day and thus only needed to cover 460KM to reach back our home at Gurgaon, in National Capital Region of Delhi. Route we took was Jhansi to Gwalior to Agra to Delhi-Gurgaon. Near Gwalior on Madhya Pradesh – Rajasthan Border we passed through Notorius Chambal Valley and near Dholpur clicked some awesome clicks of Chambal River which is famous for Gangatic Dolfin and Indian Alligator.
Tough and rugged terrain of Chambal Valley which once upon a time gave hide out to most notorious decoits of India.
Bridge on Chambal River: This river is the natural Border between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan state.
Landscape from the bank of Chambal River: Capturinng the vastness of the Chambal Valley.
Rural Landscape from Rajasthan: Early winter misty evening!
In this one trip we experienced much more and went to the places closest to our hearts such as our ancestral place and few more places which have been close to my soul since childhood. I had the most sumptous street food at places where I used to visit as child & savoured food at places my parents talk aboutwith nostalgis. It was really an awesome and splendid road trip which gave me many opportunities to celeberate and cherish my childhood and teenage. All this could be make possible only because i did this my way i.e. self drive road tripping.
Another Road Trip on my fabulous Ford Figo! Many more to come!
I strongly feel you would badly like to get behind the wheel and zoom off to explore the world my way, i.e. long distance self drive road tripping. What say!!!
********
Read more about my earlier road trips across India:
Road Trip to Chhitkul in Kinnaur Valley: The Last Inhabited Village on Indo-Tibet Border
Quick View: Self Drive road trip to Rajasthan covering Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Thar Desert
Quick View: Self Drive Road Trip to Naggar in Kullu Valley near Manali
Quick View: A Road trip to Bastar in Chhattisgarh – The Tribal Planet
Quick View: Self Drive Road Trip to Spiti Valley, Himachal, India
********
Stunning post.
Thank u so so much. It means alot and you know it :).
Excellent post and pictures. I agree with you that India is best explored through road trips as we get to see and experience the beauty of the varied landscapes including hills, river, falls, fields and temples.
Absolutely. And thats why you find me more on road trips. 🙂
Hi, really nice pictures! I’ve never been to India but it really looks like a great place to take road trips, judging from your posts. I have yet to go through them all, but your pictures and descriptions are really giving me an adrenaline rush. 🙂
Love the comment. Please do plan your India trip again and see it again.
Woah! Awesome clicks and such a fab post 🙂 So agree. Road trips are memorable.
So true..Indian Coffee House surely has so many memories attached. Great post and beautiful pictures …and the picture of the golden hour capture amidst the forest on the way to Bhoram Deo Temple is a classic!
Thanks Arun! Good to know that u also ahve memories attached with ICH :))
Wonderful pictures!I had been to Bhedaghat and was stunned to see the Marble Rocks while having the boat trip! But, we visited with the family and of course, didn’t have the opportunity of having a road trip. A road-trip is always awesome if you have suitable companions. … 🙂
Thanks Maniparna. Road trips are my way of travel. More to come on Bhedaghat! 😉
What an epic journey (that ties your recent posts together).
Where did you stay along the way (that car looks a little small for sleeping comfortably for too long)?
Hey Chris, Thanks for dropping by.
During our road trips very rarely we sleep in our car. Usually spend nights in hotel rooms.:)
Excellent pictures and amazing trip!
Thanks!
What an adventurous road trip! Gorgeous pictures too! I saved this for reference!
Shaandar Posts….Incredible MP ! Road Trips are the best to explore,soak and absorb the beauty of region. Rural Houses, Rivers, Fishermen, Temples …you captured them all !Excellent Post Himanshu…Let me know if plan this trip again ! I m game for it
Thanks sirji…. Will certainly connect with you.
I have just this to add… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM_L4kmwc8k … this is the feeling you got while travelling na…? … I read just a bit…but from Delhi to Yamuna Express you went and I remembered the piku song… wish we all could do road tripping but anyway I will come back to read this fully(:
A rey no moderation done for my comment yet!! … anyway happy december.
Thanks for reminding… Its done. Thanks. I hope now you have complete post….how do you find it?
Please accept my apologies…. was tad busy with other stuff.
You are right…. road trips are really different. Thanks for visiting… c u again!
Looks like a great road trip. Amazing how so many wonderful places hidden away in India. Road trips get you there.
It was indeed a great trip. Hope to plan a trip with you also…. i know i am yet to revert to you on that front. Will connect soon. 🙂
So many beautiful waterfalls! I’ve not been to Infia, but can see there are many reasons why I should go.
There are really lots of places to see in India. I enjoy reading your adventures a lot!
So delighted that you like them. Such comments keep me motivated!
Those roads perfectly depict freedom. I would love to take those paths soon. For now, thank you for bringing me to those places 🙂
I need to do more road tripping, you cover such a large area with such variety!
Delighted that i could motivate for more road trips. India is well travelled thru road trippinng.
You seem to be on quite the adventure. Loving the pictures Himashu. Keep it going 🙂
Thanks Sanket…. Always look forward to your comments!
Wow! I’m really eyeing to visit India someday. Such an interesting country. Very diversified. 🙂
So true. Whenever you plan, u may connect with me!
What an awesome journey! Loved your pictures and quotes.
We’ve been looking into the best ways to see parts of India. You’ve given us a great insight and lots of ideas now 🙂 Brilliant post!
Your comment is very nccouraaging. If you need any support in planning…feel free to connect with me.
I’d love to experience Diwali there!
You are most welcome! Plan around October/November. Would love to host you 🙂
I Want To Travel The World With You, Oh My Curvaceous Companion, The Fab Road! I hope your wife is not jealous! 😉 Your site is such a great resource for this unknown part of India, keep them coming!
Ha ha… she is too happy as she always travels with me on these roads.
And thanks for the motivating words. It means alot.
Look forward to meet you someday!
Hey Himanshu! Did you get my e-mail? Thanks for another wonderful post!
Thanks.
ANd yes i have got the mail. WOuld revert before deadline! 🙂
Gorgeous post Himanshu. The pictures are ravishing.!
Yeeyyyyy ! Thanks for inspiring words.
Wonderful blog! This article is really interesting and helpful. Thank you for a detailed guide!. Very well described and the pictures are extremely beautiful.