Kalka to Shimla By Train - A UNESCO World Heritage

We took the Shatabdi Express from New Delhi Railway Station and headed for Kalka while passing through country side Wheat crops all  the way. As we reached Kalka Railway Station, to our good luck the Shimla-Kalka Train narrow gauge train was about to leave for Shimla. The coolie helped us to get tickets and we upgraded them for this special Train and at the first opportunity jumped in to the Car. The Coolie deserved a generous tip which we were more than glad to offer.

The Kalka–Shimla Railway was built to connect Shimla, the summer capital of India during the British Raj, with the Indian rail system. On a spell bound journey from Kalka at 656 meters above Sea level, You are gauranteed to witness breathtaking views and spectacular scenery along the whole route and also experience the marvels of its construction. The railway enters the foothills and immediately commences its climb.  The 96.54 km (59.99 mi) line was opened for traffic November 9, 1903.

The route offers a panoramic feast of the picturesque Himalayas from the Shivalik foot hills at Kalka to several important points such as Dharampur, Solan, Kandaghat, Taradevi, Barog, Salogra, Totu (Jutogh), Summerhill and Shimla at an altitude of 2,076 meters. Interestingly, all the 20 intermediate stations are located right next to bridges.

My only regret is that we could not enjoy the Motor Rail Car which is at the moment under restoration for the last six months owing to wear and tear of the wheels and is scheduled to be back on the tracks by the end of January 2013.

Hustle and Bustle at New Delhi Railway Station

                                                          With Colonial Looks 

Self Portrait in side the Train

Breakfast Tea

                                                      Meals on Wheels

Yummy Utpam and Badha

Cutlets

Quick meals for Rs 60 from a Platform Vender icluded all this and two Paronthas at Kalka Station

In the company of Honeymooning couples

Some of the curves were at 48 degrees and it was nice to snap the Engine and front bogies 

"Arch Gallery"

The line has 864 bridges, one of which is a 18.29 metre (60 ft) plate girder span and steel truss. The others are viaducts with multi-arched galleries like the ancient Roman aqueducts. Bridge No. 493, historically known as the "Arch Gallery", situated between Kandaghat and Kanoh stations, is an arch bridge in three stages, constructed with stone masonry. Bridge No. 226; between Sonwara and Dharampur is an arch gallery bridge having 5 tier galleries of multiple spans, constructed with stone masonry and bridging a deep valley surrounded by high peaks.

Enjoying the Panaromic Views all along

At Dharampura Station, we had first snacks

Travelling by this train is full of fun and relaxation

Well kept retaining wall

Walk on a Platform

Blue and white panited Barog Station

The 1.2 Km Barog Tunnel # 33 is the longest of the operational 103 tunnels between Kalka-Shimla

Getting a View

Platform 2

The Tunnel and Barog Station. The 1.2 Km tunnel is the longest at Barog, and is associated with local tales and legends. As per a famous story of Colonel Barog, the engineer of this tunnel, had committed suicide here. He started digging the tunnel from both ends and could not align them. So he was fined 1 rupee. He could not stomach up that stigma so shot himself in the incomplete tunnel along with his pet dog. Chief Engineer H.S. Herlington completed it after the way for constructing this was earmarked by Bhalku, a local sadhu (monk), during 1900- 1903. This is the Straightest tunnel in the world

During the British days, The trains will halt at this station for sufficient time and the passengers will have their meals on the station itself.

Wooden Buildings painted Blue and White

Solan Town as seen from the train

Another view of the Town Solan

On our Journey back, the neat and clean Shimla Railway Station

The Station Master Room and the glittering floor

Today this line is operated with class ZDM-3 diesel-hydraulic locomotives (522 kW, 50 km/h), built 1970 to 1982 by Chittaranjan Locomotive Works with a single cab road switcher body. Six locomotives of the same class were built in 2008/2009 by Central Railway Loco Workshop Parel with updated components and a dual cab body providing better visibility of the track. This locomotive will haul our train cars back to Kalka

The golden peaks of Shivalak Hills

 Bye to Shimla but determined to visit Shimla again

The golden Sunset from the Shimla Railway Station

Texting the last message from Shimla



How Fortunate We Are!

She literally lives in a drain pipe. But getting ready for school is still very important to them. This is humbling - be thankful for everything you have.

ViralNova Oct 6 2013
 

Tattapani And White River Rafting In The Sutlej

Himachal Pradesh has a chain of Hot Water Springs, like Tattapani near Shimla, Vashisht near Manali and Manikaran near Kullu, which surprisingly lie along the banks of some of the coldest rivers in the country. So we decided to travel a distance of about 50 KM from Shimla to visit Tattapani at an elevation of 650 M on the Bank of River Sutlej which incidently is the longest river (900 miles) among the five rivers of Punjab and merges with Chenab near Bahawalpur in Pakistan. The other three rivers being Beas, Jhelum, and Ravi.

The  December journey from an elevation of 2150 M on a sunny day was refreshing but not cold at all. At the river bed, it was like Califronian Spring weather. We passed extremely nice vegetation with fully grown trees like Pine, Oak, Cedar, Himalyan Deodar, Mapple and Chestnut. It was picturesque scenery with excellent ambience all round. I am told that Bollywood Shootings are oftenly happening in this part of the valley.

A series of hot sulphur springs pop up along the right bank of the Sutlej over an area of one square Kilometer. A dip in these streaming springs provides much needed relief not only to persons suffering from joint pains, fatigue or any skin disease, but also to the perfectly fit and fine too. Besides, bathing here can be a great fun.

Some of these springs gush into natural bathrooms, thanks to the unique rock formations here. The hot water ponds though, are different from springs. They simply vanish when the level of the river rises in June-July and reappear in November- December. As we checked up from our guide who was from Pokhra in Nepal, I exchanged with him in broken Nepali to know that the level of the water currently was about 30 ft deep which goes up by 8-10 times in the peak season of June/July. The Nepali leader of the team, who was guiding the rafting tour, was speaking fluent english though and had been on rafting teaching in various western countries including Canada.

Tattapani is also a pilgrimmage centre for Hindus, a dip in Megha(January-February) is considered very auspicious, when there is a Mini Kumbh at this time. There are Shiva Caves at a distance of 3 Km, a recent attraction, which we did not know and hence could not visit.

There is a big fear among the local people that these springs may vanish for good, once the construction of Kol Dam/ Hydro Power Station is completed in 2014.

A 3 Km walk to Mahakali Temple Naldehra from whispering Pines Resort at Mashobra, was thrilling. A very beautiful wooden carving on the Door and its Frame

Our starting point for our Rafting was a small town called Sunni, 6 kilometer upstream of Tattapani.

We are now fully ready with Protection gear

Harvinder sets up herself first,

Ready To Go

Watching both Front and Rear

Oh My God! We meet a sudden splash of rough waters and we are badly wet by the ice cold waters of Sacred Sutlej

                                                                                                                                                                    

Amazing View!

Gold Minning in Progress

School Kids having fun in the hot spring waters of 65 degrees C.

Feeling the touch of hot water which was merging with ice cold waters of the River Sutlej. You could easily smell sulphur all around

Harvinder is feeling relaxed.

A beautiful Statue!

The down stream

Just watching the water flow which will irrigate my fields in my village Badbar and will go onward to irrigate my earlier lands which we left after Partition in Bahawalpur in Pakistan.

Relaxing at Hot Spring Hotel, wher we used excellent washrooms and had a fresh and hot Pakoras and a cup of tea.

Enjoying the most beautiful  and spectacular View from the Hotel.

Harvinder and me snap each other with the river Sutlej in the background.

On the way back, we are attracted by clear and blue sunny skys with beautiful valley near Naldehra

At the Apple Research Institute, being a fag end of fall and peak winters, the merry gold flowers were all that could make Harvinder smile like them.