Dwaraka Trip: from Ahmedabad to Jamnagar (Chapter 2 of 5)

Dwaraka Trip:  from Ahmedabad to Jamnagar

(Chapter 2 of 5)

The train from Muzaffarpur (Bihar) to Porbandar in which we had booked, was late by two hours. That gave us time to have breakfast at the station. Siva and Prashanti did a hurried pre-investment survey, and returned identifying one stall, and sent us in batches, so that someone would guard our earthly belongings.

A word about Ahmedabad. Visiting the place after a gap of more than15 years, we saw ample evidence of the much acclaimed “Vibrant” Gujarat. It was just not vibrant, a mild earthquake. We stayed in Hotel Ginger, a Tata enterprise. By international standards it would be a grade above any budget hotel and, by Indian standards, an entry-level luxury hotel. It was unanimously agreed that we would book in the same hotel on our way back.

A few minutes before the train was to arrive we heard an unclear announcement in the public address system that raised our doubts if it was arriving in another platform. The duo porters who earlier transported our suitcases from car to the platform, felt happy at an additional income, and hastened to tell us of the change in platform. We engaged them to help us with loading and unloading once again. The train had already arrived in the platform before the porters reached with luggage, adding to our anxiety. 

Then it was the usual hullabaloo one witnesses in any mid-way station – passengers trying to alight, others to board, and the cleaning staff surging ahead of both to finish their task, all at the same time. We saw Siva composed that most of us were devoid of.

Everything was settled and a mutual arrangement was made with co-passengers for us all to sit together in one cubicle, and offering equally the other small family seats close to one other in one row. Comfortably seated, say it with sweets, everyone said. Thus we set about our six-hour travel stuffed with sweets that each group had brought into the already full stomach. But then train journeys are occasions to break free from normal eating regimen.

Prashanti unearthed two sets of playing cards from her luggage, as Siva converted the well between the seats into a table with suitcases. Siva announced that the winner would treat everyone with breakfast the next morning. “In that case no one would be keen to win,” I quipped.

What started off as ‘time-pass’ acquired world championship characteristics with each racing against the other. In between, an order was placed on the vendor for special masala tea with tender ginger, elaichi, and what have you. To go with it someone opened the knick-knack that she had brought. Hardly had the game finished, when we realized that Jamnagar was only a station away.

You must be wondering who in the end was the winner and the loser. Handsdown Siva was the winner when I touched first the prescribed 200 negative points to be declared the loser. Siva modified his statement slightly to say that the loser should offer breakfast to the others. With voice decible gaining upper hand, I had to give in. Fortunately the next morning’s breakfast was complimentary in the hotel we stayed. Escaped unhurt.

On arrival in Jamnagar, Dr Seth, an old colleague of Dr Murali Krishna, Prashanti’s father, received us. Decades ago, the two had worked together as food technologists in a firm in Panipat until they parted ways. He had brought two cars to transport us to the hotel, and invited us for dinner. Barring Prashanti’s parents, the rest of us excused ourselves to permit us visit temples and do some shopping.

Jamnagar has certain distinct features. It is the nerve centre of Bandhini sarees. For ages the Birlas have their famous Digjam suiting factory. Dhirubhai Ambani had set up Asia’s largest petroleum refinery. The Essar group also has their refinery side by side. Consequently, the city has two types of hotels – the high-end or the low end ones – nothing in between. So we had booked the high-end one. More than enjoying the luxury, we were busy watching India-Pakistan nail-biting T20 that night.

The next morning, after a sumptuous breakfast, we got ready to leave for Nageswara – the 12^th of the 12 Jyotir linga temples. The beginning of the pilgrimage.

(To be continued…)