TREKKING TO TIN JHANDA TEMPLE VIEWPOINT AT BIRUBARI HILLS, GUWAHATI

Photo Travelogue :
Read first part - Here!

This 1300+ ft hill is right in the middle of the city. But finding the right track to its top was quite tricky for me and seemed like an impossible task. I went to all the wrong entry points and almost gave up. Asking here and there, in the end, I found that the main entry point was right under my nose. One has to take the very common Arya Vidyapeeth college road and go straight. Ignore the initial right turn that goes towards kahilipara, or the first left which goes to GMCH. Instead, take the second right thats a little further ahead straight and you enter a place called Sankarpur. And you are in the right place. From here on there was no looking back. Here's my trip in pics. Enjoy :-)


the temple on the top of that hill is actually visible from the plains...


and I start climbing my scooty straightaway...its too steep...


the view of surrounding rolling hills will mesmerise for sure...


this area is quite populated, inspite of being at such height...


eventually, I have to leave my scooty and walk uphill...


till I reach the steps of the temple...its a 300+ steps climb...whoa!


I'm in a dilemma, to climb them or not to climb..., they're intimidating for sure...




as I halt gasping for breath...I get these gorgeous views...


full cardio workout ho gayi aaj toh......


reached the top alas...with idol of ganesh greeting you...


I was not there for religious purpose, so, I simply say 'hi' to lord shiva n his nandi bull...


and, my main purpose was this...



one of the best viewpoints of guwahati city...the climb was so worth it...

three dstinct flags fly in the hill all the time near the temple, hence, its name...

sat on top for a whie enjoying the peace and serenity...a recommended place for hill lovers...


Address : Tin Jhanda Temple, Sathgaon, Sankarpur, Birubari Hills, Birubari, Guwahati-781032
Read next part - Here! Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
( Images - ©Mine. All rights reserved. )
Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕◕◕ - It was Awesome!

---

OFF-ROADING TO KARGIL VIEW POINT ( KAMALPUR ) AT BIRUBARI HILLS, GUWAHATI

Photo Travelogue :
Read first part - Here!


Whenever I'm in my native house I see this hill everday. Its covered in trees and looks like some huge elongated 'brocollis' all clubbed together. The hill runs from east to west ( 3-4 kms ) in the middle of the city ( towards south ), splitting it into two. These days during evenings I see flickering lights from it, suggesting that there have been many encroachments...which is sad as this is literally the lungs of the city. I hate it when trees are cut to make way for illegal human settlements. And its a common sight here. However, I decided to go up close and explore what lies inside before the tress disappear altogether. Lets see what still remains of it. With that in mind I set forth to explore the hills of Birubari right in middle of Guwahati city. There are multiple ways to access and I chose the GMCH route for this particular adventure. Early morning, I rode uptil GMCH and went past it. One has to go the road that goes towards Kahilipara. Its a slope ...but midway, there is small path that one has to take. The landmark to keep in mind is the 'Maha Mritunjoy' temple that lies in corner of a fork.


take the right road from the fork...
and almost immediately we are climbing up...





trees touching the skies... felt so tiny...
We are greeted by the large leafy trees. Although it was a sunny day, The trees almost didn't let the sun rays in. So..it was sort of dark and so much cooler. riding up..stopping here and there. There's said to be a leopards area in this hill, so, kept looking back anxiously not wanting to become its lunch.


these forests are army area...oh..why do they always have the best places?




practicing some tree-pointings...


the ride continues for a while...



stopping the scooty every now and then to take in the magnificent views...
Was bit disappointing to see the human settlements at the top, yes there exists a place called 'kamalpur/kamalnagar' and lots of people live there. A little town in itself For now the trees are covering them, but, for how long I wonder. It'll be sad if the forest vanishes. there are already several muddy off-road patches suggesting many trees have been already butchered to satiate men's nefarious greed. With a sigh, we take the directions that says 'view point' and move on...


until we reach a clearing at the top...
and the city of guwahati is smiling at us from below...




WOW! The views are simply breathtaking...can you spot the river brahmaputra?




trying to touch it...somewhere down below is my home...yes, yes...I see it..



Alas, the trip comes to an end, but, not the memories :-)

'beware of leopards' sign in the area...




Very doable, this place is a hidden gem and one must go there just to see the city views below once. Its so worth it. I enjoyed my trip. Hope the forests are not destroyed further. Do not go after dark as leopards prowl in the entire area. Not sure why its called 'kargil' though :s

Address : Kargil View Point, Kamalnagar, Birubari Hills, near TV Tower, Guwahati, Assam
Read next part - Here! Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
( Images - ©Mine. All rights reserved. )
Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕◕◕ - It was Awesome!

---

RIDE UPTO THE AMAZING KHARGULI VIEW POINT, GUWAHATI

Photo Travelogue :
Read first part - Here!


With the mighty Brahmaputra river flowing the entire northern stretch of Guwahati city, there are multiple view points to admire its sheer majestic beauty especially from the various hills that dot the surrounding areas. Over the years, I've explored many of these hilltops and have realised that the more you experience these breathtaking views, better it gets. One gets better than the other. Its surprising to find people residing in these steep hills as well. It must be such a struggle to go up and down doing their daily activities, but, once you sit down to relax with your morning or evening cup of 'chai' such amazing views in front of your dwelling would be so peaceful. I explored the Kharguli area which has long stretches of hillocks overlooking the Brahmaputra. Here's one such trail ( of many ) I decided to go up. It was quite steep but the end result was so worth it.


the road is good but quite steep at certain sections...


patches of greenery is unmissable, although, its quite a populated area...


breathtaking view of the river brahmaputra...


the area surrounded by trees makes it a spot to relax and take in the beauty of nature...


there are many more such points further up the hill, but, for today...I'm lapping this one up...


finally, reluctantly, its time to go...







Kharghuli is a locality in northern part of Guwahati, Assam, India. Situated on the south bank of the Brahmaputra river, it is a residential area. Some parts of this locality has hilly terrain ( wiki ).
Address : Kharguli View Point, Kharguli, Guwahati
Read next part - Here! Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
( Images - ©Mine. All rights reserved. )
Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ***** - It was Awesome!

TREKKING THE NARAKASUR HILL TOP VIA GMCH ROAD, GUWAHATI

Photo Travelogue :

Guwahati is surrounded by green hills on all sides ( within city limits ). And your life is incomplete if you haven't climb one of those. Some of these hills are Nilachal ( Kamakya ), Nijorapar, Kharguli ( Nabagraha ), Sarania hill ( Gandhi Mandap/Iskcon ) etc. These are not large mountain-type hills, but of average height ( 400-600 ft ), where in most ~ people reside as well. In some hills where inhabitants are few or none, wildlife exists and occasionally we get news of elephants trampling over some house or appearance of tiger and leopard in some locality. These ( wildlife ) hills are located mainly to the south of the city, nearer the Meghalaya border. One such is the Narakasur Hill. Its quite a big hill, in length and also height, and I trekked only 3 kms on the safer side of it i.e the road that goes to Guwahati Medical College Hospital ( GMCH ) via Bhangaharh. Here people reside, but most of the hill is filled with tall trees ( sal & teak, along with other varieties of foliage ). The area especially the entire stretch near the college is all green, with sunlight barely able to penetrate, making the place quite cool throughout the year. Very few vehicles ply too here, hence, it is quiet and smoke-emission free. With some observation decks, it also gives panoramic views of the city below. The place also has a spook quotient attached to it, as the whole trail look quite spooky and with numerous deaths occurring in the hospital above, there might be spirits lurking around too. I found the stretch that goes to the girl's nursing college and hostel particularly spooky. Even in broad day-light, the place looks dark and eerie ( thanks to the tall trees ) and it is far ~ in a remote corner of the hill. One has to pass the main college, take left and then go down a bit. The grounds of the G.M.C boys hostel are rumored to be haunted as well. This place used to be a dumping ground for dead bodies before the hostel was built. Not a place to go alone at night.



loved walking the entire stretch ~ from base to GMCH...



guwahati city view from top...


there is a short-cut trekking route which is quite steep with hair-pin curves...




since, the one way trek to GMCH is 3km, coming down same way makes it a 6kms trek...
( I didn't go the Kalapahar trail which is opposite the college, and far longer, till Birubari )


doordarshan TV tower perched atop the hill near the GMCH complex...

A hill, to the south of Guwahati is named after Narakasur, also known as Kalapahar ( wiki )

Address : Narakasur Hill, Gauhati Medical College Hill-Top Rd ( GMCH Rd ), Bhangagarh, Indrapur 781032, Guwahati, Assam, India
Read next part - Here!Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
( Images - ©Mine. All rights reserved. )
Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕◕◕ - It was Awesome!

---