Chandigarh-Kasauli trip (September-October 2024)

Chandigarh-Kasauli trip (September-October 2024)

I was desperately wanting for quite some time to spend some time in fresh air in the mountains. In end of September 2024, I got an opportunity for a quick trip to Kasauli in Himachal with my friend Amit Burman.

29.9.2024 Sunday

Me and Amit started in Innova crysta (driven by driver Manish of Shri Raja Bafna ji) from my home at 10.45 am to go to Chandigarh. On the way, we took lunch at Sagar Ratna restaurant, Karnal. 

At 4 pm, we reached Hotel JW Mariott, Chandigarh. We got room 669 which is adjoining the Executive Lounge on 6^th floor. After some rest, we went to the executive lounge at 5 pm. There we savoured snacks and drinks and gossiped and reminisced about our earlier trips. Amit tried all liquor drinks available with the Hotel including whisky, gin, rum, vodka, wine ! 

Mr. Sukhjinder Singh Behl, advocate joined us at 7.20 pm (he did not take drinks). We then moved to the room at 8.30 pm and sang some songs.

At 9.45 pm, we see off Mr. Behl and walked for about 20 minutes in the street outside the hotel.   We returned to the hotel and went asleep.

30.9.2024 Monday

We got up at 7.15 am. Me and Amit hit the gym and exercised for about 20 minutes. Then we visited the swimming pool but it was too hot and bright sunlight. We returned to the room at 9 am. I took bath and then we hit the café at Mezannine floor for the breakfast. 

After finishing breakfast, I left the hotel at 10.50 am to attend my court case at the High Court at Chandigarh, while Amit remained in the hotel to take bath and explore the hotel.

I reached High Court of Punjab & Haryana at Chandigarh at 11.10 am. Our matter was late. After observing proceedings in the court of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu in Court no.1, I went to Court 61 and met Mr. Behl there. Our matter was scheduled to be heard by Court 3 but the bench was on leave and it was therefore transferred to Court 10. The Court 10 was very slow and it had to first compete its own cases and then take up the cases of court 3. 

Me and Mr. Behl took tea in senior members club room in the High Court Bar Association block. 

Since there was no likelihood of our matter reaching today, I returned to the hotel at 1 pm.

Me and Amit packed our bags and after sipping cold coffee at executive lounge, we checked out of hotel JW Mariott at 2 pm and headed towards Shimla.

At 2.50 pm, we stopped at Timber Trail resort, Parwanoo . We boarded the ropeway (ticket Rs.1050/- per person) and reached the resort atop the hill (it took 7-8 min to take us to the top). 

It was such a mesmerizing view from here. It was at an altitude of 5000 ft above sea level. The weather here was good and we could feel air here cooler by at least 5 degrees ! The pleasant breeze was so fulfilling and refreshing. We took a round of various amenities / activities here. There is Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort here where tourists come and stay. We sat in an open deck restaurant called ‘Pines and Cones’ and took mushroom soup with garlic bread (Rs. 300+50). It was so delicious and tasty and the presentation was marvellous. I got good vibes here, with pleasant breeze flowing amidst sight and smell of chir / deodar trees and mountains, and restaurant music playing in the background. We could see 270⁰ view of the whole valley from here. We clicked pictures here.

At 4.45 pm, we came down via the ropeway, got into our car and headed towards Kasauli on Chandigarh-Shimla highway.

After about 30 min. drive from Timber trail, there is a left turn on the Chandigarh-Shimla highway, this point probably called Dharampur. From here, uphill road journey to Kasauli town start. On this uphill stretch to Kasauli are located many popular boarding schools like Lawrence School Sanawar, Pinegrove School, Kasauli Intl Public School etc. We got hold up in a traffic jam queue for about 20 min at a narrow point / intersection on this road at village Gadkhal. The traffic jam is usual at this point as people have heavily constructed houses / buildings with thin drains in front of building, leaving very less space for the vehicular traffic to move. Moreover, the Himachal roadways buses ply on this road, causing traffic blockades frequently. About 4 km before Kasauli main market, we tried hotel Lemon Tree situated on the road but we did not like it.

At about 5.50 pm, we reached the market of Kasauli which is the main hub of Kasauli. From here, our car took a narrow trail steep down for about 400 mtr to reach Hotel ‘The New Ros Common’, Kasauli which is run by HPTDC (Himachal tourism). Amit had stayed earlier with his parents at original Hotel Ros Common about 25 years back which hotel is of British era. The said hotel is still there nearby but it has only 6 rooms. The HPTDC constructed this new hotel having 32 rooms a few years back and gave it the name of ‘The New Ros Common’. One might be perplexed at this strange name of the hotel. Infact, Ros Common is a place in Ireland that remains green throughout the year. During British Era, Kasauli was the nearest hill station developed by British army between 1850-1880. An Irish gentleman developed this property as Ros common. 

We got a good deal. Today happened to be last day of discounted tariff. From tomorrow 1^st October, tariff would increase by 40%. We got the room for Rs.5500/- and the good thing was driver could also stay in their banquet at additional Rs.250/- including his meal. 

Kasauli town is at an altitude of about 6000 ft above sea level. Kasauli is basically a cantonment located in the Solan District of Himachal Pradesh. The cantonment was established by the British Government in 1842 as a colonial hill station. From here, Solan is 25 km, Shimla is 77 km, Chandigarh is 58 km and Ambala Cantt is 94 km. Places to visit in Kasauli are The Monkey Point (Hanuman mandir), Chirst and Baptist church, Kasauli market etc.

We got room 208 on the 1^st floor (there are only two floors : Ground and first). After freshened up, we enjoyed music and drinks in the room. The room had a balcony overseeing the dense forest / valley but we felt cold in the breeze. So, instead of sitting in balcony, we sat in the room with balcony door open. I do not enjoy the liquor drinks, and this task is left to Amit who loves drinking. We took dinner in the room and went to sleep at about 12 pm. 

1.10.2024 Tuesday

In the morning, we got up at 6.45 am. After freshening up, we decided to take a walk in the area. We started walk from the hotel at about 7.20 am. It was a little cold. We moved up towards the main market which is about 800 mtr walk. At about 400 mtr, there is a turn on the left side which is going to Manki point and sun rise point. We took this metalled trail. It was so serene, quiet and peaceful. On the way, we passed by the old colonial Hotel Ros Common. There are many huge  private properties / farms on this way. Most of these properties were colonial british, which slowly acquired by rich Indians. After walking for about 2 km, when someone told that manki point is still about 3 km away and its entry would open only after 10 am, we started return down to our hotel. /On the way back, we spent 15 min at the old hotel and took some pics here. We then walked to the main market / central point of Kasauli. There is a church here called Christ Church, Kasauli. It was closed at this hour at 8.20 am. Then we took left path which goes to Heritage Market. This is all cantonement area. 

There was a huge metal bust of Major Dhyanchand (the Hockey legend) on the intersection on way to Heritage market. The so called market is a narrow street with small shops and eateries on one side. The market was still in the process of opening up and the street was being broomed. 

   

                                                                                                                                                                        At 9.05 am, we returned to our hotel, took bath and then breakfast in the breakfast hall on ground floor.

At 11.25 am, we started from the hotel in our car and moved towards manki point.

At 11.45 am, we reached near gate of Air Force Station Kasauli (after travelling broken road uphill). We parked our car outside the said gate like others. From here, one has to go on foot. No mobile or camera is allowed beyond this gate as it is defence area. We showed our ID (like adhar card) at the counter here set up by Air Force who issued a badge which every visitor has to wear. Mobile can be deposited here on payment of Rs.15/- but we felt it safer to leave mobile with our driver in the car. From 1^st October, the entry opens at 10 am instead of 9.30 am and the entry passes / badges are made upto 4 pm.

We started walking from here to the Manki point, which is a temple of Hanuman ji atop a hill which was visible distantly from here. It seemed so far from here ! 

It is a self sustaining colony inside, probably of the Air Force station staff and their families. 

From the Gate, we walked about 300 mtr to a point from where the steps / stairs to Temple start. 

It was a steep incline and tough walk on stairs to reach the temple atop the hill (it reminded me of Vaishno Devi journey). My advice is that old inform persons should not try this as it is too strenuous. 

After about 20 minutes and about 600 mtr walk / climb, we reached Shree Sanjeevani Hanuman Temple, which is locally called Manki point (not Monkey). It is believed that while carrying sanjeevani booty from Jakhu parbat nearby in Himachal Pradesh, Hanuman ji’s left feet touched this hill. This is the highest point of Kasauli. Even Chandigarh is visible from here. We read hanuman chalisa in mandir’s hall. We spent about 15 min here. There is a small cafeteria here where one can get cold and hot drinks and some snacks. The quality was so so. From here, one can have good view of the entire city and beyond. The cold breeze here at the top was exciting. Suddenly, the area got filled with clouds and fog. It felt so refreshing. I felt that I was breathing purest form of oxygen.

 

We then started returning. 

At 12.50 pm, we started from the Air Force Station in our car to return to Delhi.

At 1.05 pm, we passed by the central point / market of Kasauli. There is a big stilt parking here run by some private persons. Do not fall prey to them. When you enter Kasauli, they will stop your car and will ask you to make payment for parking. They pretend as if they are some Government person and as if it is mandatory to pay parking fees. But once you confidently and boldly tell them that you have a booking in a hotel here, they would vanish.

At 1.25 pm, we passed by Pinegrove School, ShimlaHills, at 1.27 pm, passed by Kasauli International Public School.

At 1.32 pm. We hit Chandigarh-Shimla highway. This point is in Dharampur district. We drove towards Chandigarh.

At 1.38 pm, we crossed Toll. At 2 pm, we passed by Timber Trail. 

At 2.44 pm, we hit Chandigarh-Delhi highway. Google maps was showing Punjabi Bagh as 4 hours from here. 

At 3.45 pm, we stopped at Haldiram Ambala and took lunch. At 4.20, we resumed journey. 

At about 7.45 pm, we returned to my home in Punjabi Bagh. Amit Burman continued his journey to his house in Lajpat Nagar and the driver dropped him at his home.

[As I am writing the concluding part of this blog, my dearest friend and my partner in almost all treks, excursions and road trips in last 15 years, Amit Burman, is no more with us. He passed away in intervening night of 21^st and 22^nd December 2024 while asleep in a hotel in Sariska (Rajasthan) were he had gone with his friends and office colleagues for weekend outing. I never knew that this trip to Kasauli would turn out to be my last trip with him and I will not be able to meet him again in this life. We had planned so many trips in future. Infact, we were already planning to go on long trip to Europe in May-June 2025. He was so full of life and energy and was ever ready to go anywhere with me. Time and money was never a problem with him. He was very cheerful, polite, decent and well mannered. He was well read and very knowledgeable. You could discuss with him on any topic. I used to chat with him, during trips, about the mysteries of life. Being with him was always a meditative experience. He was fond of drinking. He was an avid photographer. Infact, I learnt the tricks of photography only from him by trial and error during our numerous trips. I always got good vibes when with him. I would really miss him]

AYODHYA Trip (25-27 May 2024)

AYODHYA Trip (25-27 May 2024)

Me and Meenu decided to join trip to Ayodhya organized by Rishab’s sasural members (1^st trip with them after Rishab got married to Dimple on 24^th April 2024). We were 15 members : Me, Meenu, Rishab, Dimple; Dimple’s father Pramod ji, mother Ranjana ji, sister Khushboo; Dimple’s sister Barkha and jeeju Arpit, Arpit’s father Anil ji and mother Dimple ji; Arpit’s sister Akshita and jeeju Uday, Uday’s father Pawan ji and mother Menaka ji. All arrangements were painstakingly made by Barkha and Arpit.

Day 1 : 25.5.2024 (Saturday) : Delhi to Ayodhya and darshan of Ram Janambhoomi Mandir

Today was voting day in Delhi for the 2024 General Elections (Lok Sabha). Me, Meenu and Rishab cast our vote early at 7.30 am in nearby school. It was hot and humid even at that hour ! At 8.30 a.m, we four (including Dimple) started from home in cab and reached airport at 9.10 am. Met Pawan ji and his family in the Boarding pass queue. After getting issued Boarding pass and clearing security, we met Pramod ji and others at a restaurant near the departure gate. Some took home cooked food here.

We all boarded Akasa Air’s 10.50 am flight from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal-2. It was about 45 min duration flight. 

At 12 o’clock, we landed at Ayodhya airport. It is called Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport. It has been newly built and has been operational ever since Ram Janambhoomi temple was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after a pran pratishtha (consecration) ceremony on 24^th January 2024 this year, constructed after Bhumi pujan on 5^th August 2020. The airport is still under development phase. Inside hall, there were beautiful large wall paintings and murals.

At 12.30 pm, we came out of the airport. Three Innova crysta cabs were waiting for us. 

At 12.45 pm, we started from the airport in scorching heat. The temperature must be about 45⁰C ! 

At 1.10 pm, we reached our Hotel – The Ramayana. It was a small hotel compared to Delhi’s standard (but good from this small City’s standards) but charges were quite high. A big 3-parts set of Ramayana Books Box placed at the entry of the Hotel near reception caught my attention. 

While the check-in process was going on and rooms were getting allotted and cleaned, we took lunch in the hotel’s restaurant called Naivedyam. 

At 2.45 pm, we got into our rooms. I was given room 3109 on the 3^rd floor. We took rest in the room. 

At 4 pm, we all came down to lobby. Some ventured to click pics and selfies in scorching heat in the hotel’s lawn. We waited for one of the three cabs to come, which got late.

At 4.30 pm, we all started in three Innova Crysta from the hotel to go to Ram Janambhoomi temple. We had VIP access, thanks to my IAS friend Sunil V (he had already sent our names to Commissioner Ayodhya, with one Aadhar no. per 8 persons, as one VIP pass can accommodate max. 8 names). Our vehicles numbers were already flashed and therefore we did not face any problem at the three check points manned by UP police on the VIP darshan marg which takes one through the back side of the temple complex. (However, the so called VIP darshan marg is not that VIP as we have to pass through narrow lanes between local houses and get stuck at many places due to scooters, cycles, pedestrians, residents etc.)

We got down at a check point very near to the temple complex and walked for about 100 mtr to reach a point called “Crossing 2 (Rangmahal Barrier) / North Gate”. Our darshan slot was 5-7 pm (but due to super VIP access, the slot time was not an issue for us). The temple complex is situated in thickly populated area. 

The temple complex has been built by acquiring land in the vicinity of the site which is believed to be the actual birthplace of Lord Ram on which Babri masjid mosque was erected in 16^th Century which was demolished by some people in 1992. The temple complex was built recently after the Supreme Court brought the curtains down on the Mandir-Masjid dispute by its verdict in 2019 and declared that a temple existed at this site in earlier point of time than the mosque. This verdict gave the disputed land to Hindus for construction of a temple, while Muslims were given land nearby in Dhannipur in Ayodhya to construct a mosque. There is a lot of resentment in the local public due to their houses being demolished to construct this temple complex.

A UP Police constable named Avtar Singh, who was deputed to facilitate our darshan (one Pawan kumar from Commissioner office coordinated), met me at the said barrier. The police personnel at the said barrier allowed us to enter on seeing Avtar in uniform with us. Just after entry, there were self-operated lockers, on the side of our path. We put our mobiles in it and then locked these with the provided key (hanging with each locker) and kept key with us. We barely walked 50 ft and lo and behold ! the magnificent Ram mandir (also called Ramlala mandir) was in front of us. We deposited our slippers at a slipper stand erected there and took token. Then we walked with Avtar towards the main area of the temple where the main idol (childhood vigraha of Ramlala) is kept. We, as it appeared to me, were taking the same route which is meant for the physically challenged people who are wheelchair borne. We reached in front of the idol (closest distance allowed to the idol) and had good darshan. The idol of Rama placed here (in the sanctum sanctorum of Ram temple) is that of a 5 year old Rama as a child. The 51-inch idol (4ft 1/4 inches), carved from black stone, is dressed in a yellow dhoti with a golden crown, necklaces, holding a golden bow and arrow. The idol is heavily jewelled to show Rama's royal lineage. The idol was sculpted by the famous sculptor from Mysore, Arun Yogiraj. It is made from a three-billion-year-old metamorphic rock, known as "Krishna Shile" or black schist, which was excavated from Gujjegowdanapura in H.D. Kote Taluk, Mysore. 

We entered from one door and came out of the other door on the side parapet / podium of the temple complex. From the podium, we could see construction activities like cutting, excavating, crushing, chisling of stones (to carve out idols) going on in the temple complex. There was lot of dust in the environment. The temple complex, presently, is only partially constructed. Taking photos was strictly prohibited.

After the darshan, we collected our slippers and our mobiles and came out of Barrier no.2. I and Anil ji collected our VIP pass from the nearby office of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust https://srjbtkshetra.org/ , also called Ram Kacherhi (Ghanshyam at the counter, who was already informed by Mr. Pawan from Commissioner office, took out the print out of VIP pass and gave to me). The names of we all 15 were printed on these 2 VIP passes. This VIP pass was no longer needed (as we already done darshan through UP police constable) but I kept this pass as souvenir. This Trust is supervising the construction of the Ram Janmbhoomi temple complex.

Then we walked to the nearby Hanuman Garhi temple. It was about 15 min walk. We entered through the exit gate (at the back side) of the Hanuman Garhi temple, which exit is on an incline. Pramod ji spoke to some pandit (9828529807) of the said temple who told us to come this way. There was huge rush of devotees in front, but some of us managed to have a glimpse of the Lord Hanuman ji. After coming out of the temple, we purchased besan laddu prashad from a shop there. 

Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya is believed to date back to 10^th Century AD. Legend is that when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana and conquering Lanka, then his supreme bhakt Hanuman ji started living here and this place thus started being referred to as Hanuman Garhi or Hanuman Kot. Hanuman ji used to protect Ram Kot from here. In this temple, a 6-inch deity of Hanuman, depicted in his youthful (Bal) form, is positioned on the lap of his mother Anjani. It is believed that Lord Hanuman (Pavan Putra) lives here and guard Ayodhya. 

We then walked (for about 10-15 min) to the point where our vehicles were parked alongwith other vehicles and boarded the same at about 7.15 pm. We passed through Ram path and Lata Mangeshkar chowk. The whole Ayodhya nagri on both sides of the road was well lit ! 

Some of us ventured to see 3-D Laser show and so reached Suraj kund at about 7.45 pm but the 8 pm show (last show) was cancelled due to some technical glitch, so we had to return.

At about 8.30 pm, we reached back our hotel and relaxed. 

Several of us went to restaurant in a nearby hotel called Narayana and took dinner.

At about 10.40 pm, we returned to our hotel and went to room 2101 of Akshita where all remaining had assembled. Anil ji and Pawan ji were enjoying drinks. I also joined them for a while. All sang songs and danced and made merry.

At 12 pm, we retired to our rooms.

Day 2 : 26.5.2024 (Sunday) : Ayodhya (relaxed in hotel and laser show in evening)

We got up late after a hectic day yesterday (some ventured to go for bath in Saryu river at the Saryu ghat by e-Rickshaw in the morning at 6.30 am !).

At 9.30, me and Meenu went down to have breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant. Some were already sitting and some joined later. 

After breakfast, I and Meenu walked and sat in the lobby of the hotel as it was very hot outside. We all decided to rest in the hotel during the day as hot air wind was blowing outside. 

At about 12 o’clock, we assembled in the room of Rishab Dimple and played cards 3-patti and then ludo. We ordered lunch in the room through room service and had the lunch while playing ludo. Thereafter, we all watched video clips of wedding and other functions of Barkha, Akshita, Dimple by cast/mirroring through mobile on the room tv.

At 6.45 pm, some of us (I, Meenu, Dimple, Dimple’s mother, Khushboo, Dimple ji) started in a Innova crysta cab (charged 2500/-, too high !) and reached Suraj kund at about 7.10 pm, bought tickets for the laser show (Rs.30/- per head) and entered the complex. It was beautifully laid out. We walked to the constructed ghat inside where Saryu mata aarti was going on. We participated in the same. Thereafter, the 3-D Laser show started. It showed the history of Suraj kund in Ayodhya and the legend associated with it. It was about 25 min show. It was so beautiful and mesmerizing. The show was shown using the fountain water as the backdrop screen ! We then roamed in this complex. Did darshan of Surya bhagwan temple. Clicked pics.

The rulers of Ayodhya were descendants of Surya bhagwan, that is why they are called suryavanshi. Lord Ram was also a suryavanshi. They worshipped surya (sun). It is believed that this kund and mandir was got constructed by suryavanshi rulers. It is believed that by taking bath in this Surya kund and doing darshan pujan in adjoining Surya mandir, all wishes come true. This complex was renovated recently just before pran pratishtha of Ram Mandir in January 2024.

At 8.20 pm, we started from there and returned to hotel at about 8.45 pm. After freshening up, we gathered in the room of Akshita. Joined in drinks with Anil ji and Pawan ji. We called food in the room itself through room service. Kids also ordered pizza and Giani ice cream from outside. All danced and performed. 

At about 11.30 pm, we retired to our rooms.

Day 3 : 27.5.2024 (Monday) : last day in Ayodhya 

We got up early. 

At 6.30 am, me, Meenu, Rishab, Dimple and Ranjana ji took an e-rickshaw from the nearby chowki and started for sightseeing.

We got down at the nearest rickshaw point to Hanumangarhi temple at about 7.05 pm. However, there were long queues, heavy rush, crowd and dhakka mukki in the que for darshan at the front entry of the said temple. So, we decided to see other places instead. We walked to nearby Kanak Bhawan, which was 10 min walk from there. Kanak Bhawan is to the north-east of Ram Janam Bhoomi, Ramkot, in Ayodhya. It is believed that this Bhawan was gifted to Devi Sita by Kaikei immediately after her marriage to Lord Ram. This is private palace of Devi Sita and Lord Rama. King Vikramaditya got it renovated. Later it was rebuilt/renovated by Vrish Bhanu Kunwari which exists even today. The main idols installed in the garbhgrih (sanctum), are of Lord Ram and Devi Sita.

After visiting Kanak Bhawan, we walked to Dashrath Mahal, which was just 3-4 min walk from there. The idols of all 4 brothers (Ram, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughan) with their respective wives are placed here. Dashrath Bhavan is the original residence of King Dashrath - the ruler of Ayodhya and father of Lord Shri Ram. It is said that Ram and his brothers used to play in this bhawan during their adolescent days. The Bhawan / Mahal is now in shambles and can hardly be said to be a palace.

At 8.15 am, we came out of Dashrath mahal. We then walked by the side of the queues of Hanumangarhi temple to reach the chowk, from where we took an e-rickshaw for Rs.20/- each to go to Nageshwar temple, near Lata Mangeshkar chowk. It was 5 min journey. The e-rick dropped us near Ram ki Paidi. From here, we walked to Nageshwar temple, which was 2-3 min walk. 

We did darshan of Nageshwar Nath temple and offered milk, water and flowers on the lingam. This temple is at Ram Ki Paidi in Ayodhya. This temple of Nageshwarnath is said to have been established by Kush, the younger son of Rama in Treta yug. Legend is that Kush lost his armlet, while bathing in the river Saryu, which was picked up by a Nag-Kanya named Kumudini. Angered by this, Kush killed nag-kanya. Her father, who was a devotee of Shiva, worshipped and prayed for protection. Lord Shiva became happy and asked Kush to forgive nagkanya’s father. On seeing Lord Shiva, Kush became normal and forgave nagkanya’s father and worshipped Shiva and said that since you came here after becoming happy on this naag, so this place may become famous by the name of Nageshwar dham. This temple has Lord shiva sitting in middle being surrounded by naags (snakes). Even till the times of King Vikramaditya, the temple was in good shape. The present temple was built in 1750 by the minister of Safdar Jung, named Naval Rai. The festival of Shivratri is celebrated here in a big way, and Shiv Barat procession is taken out during these celebrations. During the festival time of Mahashivratri, the temple receive thousands of devotees.

We then walked in the side lane of the temple to enter Shri Kale Ram temple. It’s a small temple (just one room), with not many aware about this temple and hence not much crowd here. The idols of Hanuman ji and Ram ji are overlooking each other. We sat and recited Hanuman chalisa here. It is believed to be the only temple that depicts the idol of Lord Rama along with his brothers Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. This temple also has idols of Lord Hanuman and Goddess Sita. It is believed that the original Ram murti which was found in Ayodhya at the disputed site is placed here.

We then came out of the Kale Ram temple, and walked to the Ram ki paidi (1 min walk). Here, I dipped my feet in the water of Saryu river. Some people were taking dip / bath in it. It is administration-made ghat. Ram ki Paidi is a series of ghats on the bank of River Saryu. The river front brings forth an outstanding Landscape especially in floodlit night. 

Then, we walked nearby to Lata Mangeshkar chowk which has iconic structure of a Veena/ sitar erected on the chowk. We clicked pictures here. 

At 9.25 am, we took an e-rickshaw for the hotel. We got stuck in traffic congestion on a road stretch at a point which was dug for laying sewers. Throughout Ayodhya, lot of development works are going on, leading to traffic snarls and congestion. 

At 9.55 am, we reached Hotel and took breakfast. We then changed clothes and came down with our luggages.

At about 11.10 am, we started from hotel in 3 Innova and reached airport at about 11.35 am.

We boarded 12.50 pm Akasa Air flight. 

At 2 pm, our flight landed at Indira Gandhi airport Terminal-1.

At 3.25 pm, we returned home, taking an ola cab (Ertiga).

A memorable trip came to an end.

* It costed us Rs.90k for the whole trip for 4 persons (incl air ticket 9k per person, Hotel, food, taxi)