8. From Basanti Da Pattan to Katoch Garh (21st Oct, 2020).

#roadtrip #soloroadtrip #sleepingincar #jaisinghpur #basantidapattan #katochgarh #sujanpurtira 21th Oct, 2020, Wednesday…Day (8) Jaisinghpur-Basanti Da Pattan-Bijapur-Naguli Naag-Sujanpur Tira (49 km). Chasing The Turquoise Beas, Day (8)…Jaisinghpur-Sujanpur Tira. A beautiful 5 am morning at Jaisinghpur. Kadak chai, an early walk through the deserted Chaugan, temple bells in the distance, a quick check of Lalpari—and I was off in search of Basanti Da Pattan. After a couple of wrong turns, a few helpful locals finally led me down a rough wooded track to the Beas River. What a place! Calm waters, birds, cattle, a lone boatman and a few men warming themselves around a fire. I sat quietly on a rock, soaking it all in—until a little snake appeared from beneath another rock! 😄 Gian Chand, the boatman, soon returned and offered me a ride across the river. On the other side stood a mysterious little shrine, Khawaja Peer Mandir, hidden among tall grass. Walking through the narrow sandy path, with birds, insects and even another snake crossing my way, felt straight out of an old Bollywood thriller! Back at Jaisinghpur, Gian Chand suggested I visit Bijapur, birthplace of Raja Sansar Chand Katoch. That turned out to be another memorable encounter. Among the ruins of the old Katoch palace, I met Kultar Katoch, a descendant of the royal family. He showed me around the crumbling remains and the very place where Raja Sansar Chand was born. We later sat in his lawn over a cup of tea, chatting about the Katoch legacy. A visit to the old Sita Ram Temple, a quick detour to Naguli Naag, and then I followed the Beas towards Sujanpur Tira. I fell in love with the place instantly. Its huge Chaugan, lively bazaar and beautiful setting beside the Beas were irresistible. But the highlight was Katoch Garh, or Sujanpur Tira Fort. Perched above the town, the ruined fort offered breathtaking views of Sujanpur, Chaugan, the Beas, mountains and countless little villages. I stayed till sunset, watching the sun slowly disappear beyond the hills. By the time I returned, Sujanpur had come alive—children playing in Chaugan, couples and elders strolling, shops buzzing and dhabas doing brisk business. A simple dinner, a lazy walk through the bazaar… And then, once again, I slipped into MY HOME ON WHEELS for another night in another beautiful place. Another day. Another river. Another story. For more travel videos, search "Sunil Azaad".