Top View of Nuwakot Durbar |
Kathmandu was just waking up when
I was packing up to leave Kathmandu. I was supposed to be on the road by 5:15
where my friend Babin Karki was supposed to pick me up. As per our phone
conversation, he had told me that he would be 101 percent sure that he would be
on time and he was 1 minute earlier. The road was clear but there were much
more traffic than expected. It just took us 15 minute to reach Kalanki –
junction point where all of us were supposed to meet. No one had arrived and we
had to wait. While waiting, the aroma of tea arrived from nearby and we could
not resist. Sipping local milk tea, we waited for others to arrive. By 6:00 am,
the team was complete with all the bikes and scooter filled with full tank of
petrol. We were riding to Nuwakot Durbar.
Author enjoying the scenic view |
The journey began. In order to
avoid traffic caused by night buses entering into the valley, the bikes entered
the alternative road of Kalikasthan. It took us around 45 minute to reach
nagdhunga. Those on bikes reached their faster and waiting for our scooter to
arrive. After arrival of all team members, the bike went downhill – out of
valley at 6:50 with a plan to meet at Galchhi bachhar. The road was empty and
the bikes were flying. It was 8: 30 when all the riders met up at the break
point.
Now, the road was narrow with
construction going on. Also, were sand trucks all over the highway hence
requested the bikers to limit their speed and drive carefully. We would meet up
in Devghat bazaar for breakfast. Nearly after an hour ride through muddy and
slippery road and over taking hundreds of sand truck, it was time for
breakfast. The riders galloped whatever was available and headed towards Bidur –
the district headquarter of Nuwakot.
After overtaking more sand trucks
with wheels slipping every now and often in the slushy road and passing major
towns like ratmate, jilling and battar; we arrived Bidur at around 11:00 am.
Right from the district police headquarter of Nuwakot, there goes the road to
Nuwakot Durbar. All the bikes headed up occasionally stopping for photographs. By
11:30; we were at Durbar located at the top of the hill.
Rider Ashim climbing uphill |
The seven storey Durbar from
where the founder of modern Nepal – late King Prithivi Narayan Shah ruled his
kingdom was awaiting renovation from the damaged caused by the earthquake of
2015. The palace was locked and was not allowed to enter. There were no signs
of palace renovating soon. The wooden beams used to structure the palace were
lying piled up in the courtyard where once the army of late king Shah carried
out marched pass. When the tour was complete, now we headed towards the view
tower which was located in greater height than Durbar.
It was the most fun filled time
of the ride. The scooted could not climb up and the bikes were slipping
continuously. There were instances when the bike completely made a U turn after
tires slipping in the mud. More than 12 centimeters of the land was dug by the
tires being trapped in the land. All these were worthy when we reached the
tower. The view soothed our eyes and mesmerized our mind. The whole valley of
Nuwakot was visible. There were greenery all around.
After spending an hour, the bike
went downhill with a motive to get back home. On the way, we were caught in
rain and the ride became more adventurous.
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