In life, sometimes, it is not the destination that matters, but the journey. The uneven roads, the hurdles that come in your path, the moments you experience, the people whom you meet on your way, the uncertainties that you feel; all encompass a beautiful journey which transforms you, rebuilds you and fills the empty spaces of your life, telling you how different life has turned out to be from what you had imagined.

Some of us plan our journey ahead in life with things that matter to us, while some leave onto the road, experiencing life as it comes, each day different from the other.

Two young boys Bhishma Choudhary and Deepak Kumar Chauhan chose the road less traveled and that has made all the difference to them.

Both graduates from IIT Dhanbad found white collar jobs in different locations. After their monthly short trips to the nearby locations, they had a greater calling that led them on the roads of India on a single bike, with two backpacks, and a clean slate to be filled with colors of India.

Presently 4 months on the road now, these lads have covered more than 13,000 Km; 8,500 Km of South India, hiked the highest peaks of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, camped at vast plateaus of the Deccan region, hogged street food, spent nights conversing with strangers and experienced India what we mostly see on our computer screens.

Here is an excerpt of the interview I took of them during their stay in Udaipur.

Q. What has been a challenge for you in this journey?

Nothing! In fact, wherever we have traveled, every person that we have met has been an experience worth remembering. With one bike for the travel, at first we thought it might be a challenge but it wasn’t. We were welcomed, given food and people offered help voluntarily.

Only once, in the entire journey, was when we met with an accident at Gokarna that comes at Goa-Karnataka border. We went past it and since then, it has been a smooth ride.

We spend Rs. 15,000 per head per month in this journey inclusive of everything- petrol, accommodation, food. If a challenge met us, we always found help from people.

Q. Which place in your travel has been the most beautiful experience?

Every place down South is beautiful. If we had to choose one, it would have to be Varkala in Kerala. Next is Rameshwaram which transcends you to somewhere else with its ancient beauty and religious fervor.

We camped at Hampi on a plateau and it was one of the most beautiful experiences for us. Likewise, Ooty had beautiful landscapes and we enjoyed our stay there.

Q. Did you do anything in this trip beyond imaginable?

Yes, we traveled 500 Kms at a stretch in a single day, which was quite unimaginable for us. Also, I (Bhishma) actually learnt riding a bike in this trip on the route of Mumbai-Goa.

Q. You traveled in the interiors of India, in the villages. How has that experience been?

Through our travel, we learnt our culture, the roots of our traditions and also learnt the system of education that is prevailing in the country. Everything that we learn in our textbooks is from the western perspective. What we see is just the tip of the iceberg. There is more to India and once we understand that, we will understand the real life, real culture and traditions.

Q. Has this realization made any impact on you?

Yes, in fact I (Bhishma) am learning Sanskrit while I travel and read Hindi poems that are a part of our rich literature and they are fulfilling. One poet whose works I am reading presently is humorist and satirist Kaka Hathrasi. His poems speak so much, in few words.

Also, one thing we noticed is that there is so much commercialization everywhere, in everything that we are losing our grip over so many fantastic things!

Q. What is your next destination from Udaipur? Do you plan your journey well before?

From Udaipur, we are thinking of heading to Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner and from there to Delhi. Besides, this is a journey, we have some things in our mind and we end up somewhere else. But it is all worth it.

The days that we have spent here in beautiful Udaipur will always remain intact in our hearts. We begin our ride from here and hope to see this place again, on a different journey for a different reason.

……….

Following is a short video of their South India Journey. If you like their travel story, follow them on their Facebook page: Lonely India.