Behind the wheel & Contributor

Vinod Kumar...know more about me

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Travelogue - A Quick Trip to Nahan

Day - 1 - Drove to Jamta. Visit Fossil Park, Paudiwala Shiv temple

Day - 2 - Renukaji

Day - 3 - Ponta Sahib, Asan Barrage, Simbalbara Sanctuary,

Day - 4 - Return Drive to Delhi.

Day 1 - Reach Nahan, Fossil Park and Paudiwala Temple

We booked our stay in - Grand view resort which is in a good location, with enough parking, food is ok, staff is very hospitable. Activities, movies, games parlor, swimming pool keeps kids engaged.







After the sweltering heat in Delhi in May, Nahan was pleasant with a slight chilly wind in the evenings. Jamta and Nahan is a safe bet if you are looking for less crowded hill stations. On our way we stop at Siwalik Fossil Park - Saketi : Its around 5 kms from Kala Amb on Saketi Road.











Roads are in very bad shape. No signage. The fossil park is ill maintained due to lack of funds. Life size models lie in a damaged condition. Only the models of 4 horned Giraffe, sabre tooth tiger and gharial are intact. Its a huge area to roam and explore. The museum has quiet a good well explained collection of fossils. The vertebrate fossils of Siwalik hills like skulls, jaws, teeth, bones etc of fishes, crocodiles, camels, elephants etc are displayed here. The oldest tools used by the Early Paleolithic man over 2.5 million years ago are kept here. Its open daily expect Tuesday from 9am to 5pm.









Paudiwala Shiv temple

The temple was about 15 kms from our resort. The track after the gate of the temple is too narrow and descending. It is a challenge to take your SUV down and the gradient of slope is too steep. We parked our vehicle a little above and took to foot to descent the final steep slopes. 4x4 recommended.

The narrow path to Paudiwala temple










It is believed that Lord Shiv Shankar placed a condition in providing immortality to this bhakt Ravan that, he has to make 5 separate stairs to reach heaven in five different places. in a day. So the first was 'Har Ki Pauri' at Haridwar, the second swarg ki seedhi was known as 'Pauri Wala' and the third was 'Chooreshwar Mahadev' and the 4th 'Kinnar Kailash'. After this he slept and could not complete the fifth on the same day and remained deprived of Immortality.

Day-2 - Renukaji ( Lake & Temple) - 45 kms from Jamta and 60 from Nahan - 1 hr drive.

Road condition is average and winding. Very beautiful, calm n quit place.

Renuka lake has giant sized fishes and turtles too. Boating can be done. There are separate ghats for men and women if you want to have a bath. The entry has Hotel Renuka (HPTDC hotel) where snacks and food are available.

Hotel Renuka








The forested area around the lake has been developed into a zoo with a few animals. The entry charge for your vehicle is Rs 50/- and you got to make it before 1645hrs. The drive gives you a parikrama of Renuka lake and we also get to see these wild animals in captivity like the bears, a pair odd lions, a leopard, a few deers and lots of monkeys and bats.

entry
















We had our lunch in Hotel Renuka, the rush was practically nil so enjoyed walking around the lake and temple, while the kids were busy feeding fishes.







Day-3 Gurudwara Paonta Sahib around 55 kms away.

1 hr drive on Ambala - Dehradoon highway. Loved the drive with marginal traffic. Dhaula kuan is the town midway which is famous for kinnau fruit.



First we visited the Gurudwara. Spent aound 2 hrs there. It was very humid and hot on that day as we reached by 11.30. After paying respects we headed for Asan barrage which is around 10kms from Ponta. Again a beautiful drive along the canal. Photography is prohibited here, didn't take photos of landscape. IMO best time to visit will be Oct - Jan with lots of migratory birds around.

Paonta Sahib






Assan barrage


Fresh Strawberries were on sale. So we had these plus buttas as our lunch. After spending around hour and half , we moved on our third destination Simbalwara Sanctuary.



Simbalwara Sanctuary
There is also Kalesar Sanctuary on NH 73 (going to Jagadhri). Since Simbalwara was on our return route itself , hence decided to explore it.

Simbalwara Sanctuary is a sleepy place with no visitors. Didnt even find any birds too. Drove around 7 - 8 kms and finally decided to return back.









Must say we enjoyed the drive inside the Sanctuary. Dense forest. You can drive in around 11 - 12 kms till the other end. Reached our resort by 5. Evening went for a small trekking trip to nearby village.

Day - 4 - Checked out by 11 and reached Delhi by 5. Had lunch at Sukhdev Dhaba, Murthal.