I have been traveling with my daughter ever since she crossed the 3 month mark which is just when they are officially allowed to get out of the house. Dont know if its a global rule, dont think so!
Anyways we have done train journeys before but this one is what we were excited about. She is now 3 and therefore understands a lot more so obviously I was also excited for the travel. When I was packing a thought that crossed my mind was, is it easier to travel by train when they are about a year old or when they are old enough. Think both have their pros and cons.
We were visiting a religious place called Sreenathji/Nathdwara where life is not very luxurious and streets are narrow, dust filled, with just too many people and cows. Was it a decision to take the daughter there where hygiene is the last thing on everybody’s list? Nope. This is India and she needs to experience it. Here is how you can make it easy:
1. Travel: Choose trains which obviously have a night journey and day time travel is very less. You could alternatively fly to Udaipur & take road drive from there which is about 1.5 hours. We chose Udaipur Express that takes off from Bandra Terminus at #.45 p.m. and reaches Mavli, closest station to Shreenathji at 7.00 a.m.
2. Dinner: Please take something that is extremely non messy, more like Theplas(Indian bread) with lots of veggies included in the dough.
3. To carry: Wipes, Santizer, Toilet Roll, 2 pairs of clothing, extra pair of slippers/enough boiled water to last till you reach the destination where you can get reliable bottled water, some biscuits, dry fruits, fruits that could be snacked on and can serve as breakfast too. We also carried some cereal like honey loops & chocos that serve the dual purpose. Activity books, crayons, a blanket, napkin, medicines tahts prescribed by your pediatrician.
4. Hotel: Sreenathji does not have any luxurious hotels but rooms at Bombaywalla, Hotel Vrinda are decent and you can make do with it.
5. Food: Food is never a problem as you can get a full wholesome hygienic meal at Maharaja restaurant next to Hotel Vrinda. Hotel Vrinda also has a good dining restaurant and kids meal is available on request. Maharaja serves a full Gujarati thali and hence a good, healthy, warm wholesome meal is guaranteed. Expect only Indian food and continental food is not available. No meat is also available in the town. However rice with a curry is a staple along with some Indian bread.
Places to see:
1. The Cowshed/Gowshalla: This is a must visit for the kids and its not like they will not see enough of them on the streets but visiting the Cowshed here is a different experience where over 2000 cows take shelter and are fed over 10 quintals every day. You can either take the autorickshaw there or a horse cart we chose the latter. You can then choos eyour donation amount and they will order food accordingly and place them in feeding lanes for the cows. once enough food is placed the gates are opened and the cows come charging in and assemble in a single line and begin their meal. The shed also houses nandi cow who belong sto the cow family whom Krishna use to take grazing. Passing between the cows legs is considered auspicious. Yes we did it!
2. Vallabh Ashram: a place where they showcase how Sreenathji was built and its relevance.
3. Shopping through the streets for some traditional Indian wear and lots of jewelery.
Notes:
1. Do not serve anything that is not cooked to the kids
2. Tetra Pack milk is not available but a lot of places have warm milk which has been boiling for over 30 minutes and could be tried. We tried it
3. Mineral water is the way to go. Do not try any other water.
Do write to me should you have any other queries. Hope you have fun traveling!
Tarun Sakhrani
KSP Team
Rushita Sheth
