Stage-2: Unplanned day trip to Manikaran and the decision

We were already a day behind the schedule and were really slow against our expected average speed. Both my friends had limited number of leaves. They had planned everything. But then the story of Manikaran amazed both of my co-riders. I dint have a fixed plan, I had whole month at my disposal. I agreed to their plan.

Next day morning we left around seven in the morning. It was cold. I was wearing three layers of clothing (including thermal) and a jacket. I realized it was not enough for November. Once we started riding cold started to hurt my skin around neck. So I had to shrug to reduce the expose.

But the route to Manikaran was beautiful. We forgot about everything started enjoy it. We were riding really slow. It took us one and half hours for 45kms.

Manikaran is located in the Parvati Valley and is located about 45 km from Kullu. The biggest tourist attraction of this small town is hot springs. It is also a pilgrimage centre for Hindus and Sikhs.

Both my friends took bath in hot water springs. I was scared to take out even my jacket :)

We visited both sikh and hindu temples. I really liked this statue of Shiva.

According to legend, when Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati were walking in the valley, Parvati dropped one of her earrings. The jewel was seized by Shesha, the serpent deity, who then disappeared into the earth with it. Shesha only surrendered the jewel when Shiva performed the cosmic dance, the Tandava and shot the jewel up through the water. Apparently, jewels continued to be thrown up in the waters at Manikaran until the earthquake of 1905

Wikipedia

Even now people throw coins into the well here.

By then I was really hungry. Other than two bananas early in the morning, I had not eaten anything else. May be that is why my body was not generating enough heat? We found this small restaurant next to the temple.

They made some really good parathas and tea. Which helped me a lot.

We took more pictures of temples and ourselves. Spent more time inside gurudwara which has warm heated rooms.

Then we rode back to Kullu. This time we were fast and I was warm.

We had to reach Manali before dark. Kullu - Manali is one of the most beautiful but dangerous one for the first time motor cyclists.

It was around two in the noon when I kicked the starter. Next destination was Manali.

We didn't stop even though the road was scenic with river on one side and mountains on the other side. We thought of taking pictures while returning. But I couldn't . I stopped and clicked few on my n8.

We reached earlier than we thought. We could catch evening sun and view of Himalayas.

That night after the dinner
Me: maga hogodu hogtivi, Kanyakumari tanka hogbidona. (bro, lets ride till kanyakumari instead of Bangalore.)
Boda: super idea. Adre raja illa. (Good idea. But dont have enough leaves)
Me: nanobbane hogla? enanthiya? (Shall I go alone? What do you think?)
Boda: hogu maga full India agutte (You should go. That way you will be covering India)
Me: Yochane madtini (I will think about it)
Boda: Yochane madbeda, work out agalla. Igle decide madu ( Dont think. It wont work. Decide now)
Me: hogtini maga, kanyakumarige (I am going to kanyakumari)

Now thats how it became ride from Rohtang to Kanyakumari. The decision I took that second forced me to ride 2000kms alone for the first time. I dont regret it. In fact that was one of my best decisions.