Omkareshwar

Omkareshwar, Dec 29, 2011.

81 km

My old guidebook talks about the road between Indore and Omkareshwar as "atrocious". Fortunately it is no longer so. It is in fact a terrific road, parts of it winding downhill serpentine style. It passes through several villages and at least one good size town. I stop for lunch at a roadside restaurant were I get fine Dal Fry and superb Roti. Again several guys on motorbikes slow down alongside me to hear where I am from etc. I really like Madhya Pradesh.

Coming closer to Omkareshwar I stop to check again what the guidebook says about accomodation. It says that there is only one real hotel and otherwise a few squalid guest houses. When I am overtaken by several automobiles packed with Indians I start to worry a bit about not finding a decent place to stay. From what I have heard many Indians these days have two weeks holiday around X-mas and New Years. With more money and more people having their own wheels there is in many places a shortage of accomodation.

But not to worry. I cycle into town and down to the main bazaar. There I am accosted by two different guys offering me room. I go with one of them and get a good room for 600 Rs. He had a card with the guest house name in Roman script that I immediately forgot. And the sign outside is in Hindi only. So I can not give you any name. But it is in a narrow alley leading up to Krishna (something) Resort. There is a balcony where I can have my bike and sit reading. Very soon I feel that Omkareshwar has a good vibe and decide that I will stay here for a few days.

It is right by The Narmada River, and there is an island where the main temples are. There are also bathing ghats and it is reminiscent of Varanasi, albeit much smaller. Some Indians I talk to say they are here on a pilgrimage. And there are many Babas and Sadhus around.


Omkareshwar




Possible Muslim goat?