Day 209 | Salem to Dharmapuri – Riding Through the Heat, Hills, and Hospitality

Vande Mataram!

Namaskar, dear readers!
By: Prasanjit Das (Jojo Dada)

Yesterday, I rolled into the historic city of Salem — or as it’s truly pronounced, Saalem. Like many places in India, its English spelling doesn’t do justice to its original identity. Colonial influences left behind many such mismatches. If your hometown has a name like that — where the local and English names don’t quite match — I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

🏠 A Warm Welcome in Salem

My stopover in Salem was made possible by Chintu Bhaiya, a relative of my dear friend Abhishek Jain from Kolkata. Thanks to his help, I stayed at a peaceful Jain Dharamshala, where I spent a lovely evening sharing laughter, stories, and my journey with new friends. Their amazement at my travels filled me with happiness and energy.

☀ A Slow Start, A Hot Day

Today, I began my ride a little later than usual — soaking in some extra time in Salem before moving on. After thanking Chintu Bhaiya and seeking blessings from Lord Mahavir, I packed up and pedaled ahead.

Breakfast was simple yet satisfying — dosa and tea at a roadside stall. With the sun already blazing, I loaded up on hydration: one copper bottle of water and one steel bottle filled with glucose water — a small trick I’ve learned to survive long, hot rides.

☕ Tea, Kindness, and Conversations

About an hour in, I stopped for another tea break. Just a few kilometers later, I met Arjunji, a kind-hearted man from Gujarat. We connected instantly. He not only offered me tea but also insisted on sponsoring my lunch. Over our conversation, we discussed the contrasts and commonalities between Tamil Nadu and Gujarat — two diverse yet deeply cultural states. These human connections on the road? They’re priceless.

🏞 Facing the Ghats

Following Arjunji’s advice, I took a rest break before tackling the Thoppur Ghat section — a stretch of winding hills. But before that, I stopped at a roadside restaurant. Once I finished eating, the owner abruptly turned off the fan. A subtle reminder that hospitality isn’t always universal. I noticed others being treated similarly. It didn’t bother me deeply, but it stayed with me — a small contrast to the warmth I often receive.

By 3 PM, I was back on the road — and almost immediately, the ghat roads began. Not very steep, but the scorching sun made every pedal stroke challenging. Massive trucks groaned up the hill beside me, and at times, I was moving faster than them!

🌬️ Windmills and Wonders

In the distance, I spotted giant windmills, looking small against the sky. But up close, they stood like sentinels — easily 70 to 80 meters tall. A stunning blend of nature and technology — moments like this make me pause and smile.

🗣️ Lost in Translation, Found in Humanity

After descending the ghats, I reached a toll plaza, just beyond which I paused for tea. The vendor spoke only Tamil, and I was struggling to communicate. Just then, a savior appeared — Samaya Bhai, a passerby and YouTube vlogger, stepped in. He helped translate, shared some encouraging words, and even expressed interest in featuring my journey on his channel. It’s amazing how often strangers become friends in the blink of an eye.

🚗 Unexpected Acts of Kindness

A little while later, a car pulled up beside me. A kind gentleman handed me a bottle of cold water — a small gesture that felt like gold. He even tried arranging accommodation in Dharmapuri, but had to travel 300 km that evening. His effort still meant a lot.

🌆 Dharmapuri Arrival – Searching for Shelter

By 5:30 PM, I reached Dharmapuri, a small but busy town. I considered continuing to Krishnagiri, just 40 km away, but nightfall was approaching and safety came first.

I asked around for an ashram or dharamshala, but found none. I even approached the local police, but again hit a language barrier. It felt like I’d hit a dead end…

Then, like a sign from the universe, a man noticed the Indian flag on my cycle and came over. His name was Pankaj Rawal, and without hesitation, he helped me find a place to stay — SV Lodge, just nearby. Another stranger-turned-savior. Another reminder that goodness is never far away.

🚴 Looking Ahead: Bengaluru Bound!

Next stop — Bengaluru, Karnataka, which I hope to reach by Sunday. If you’re there, or know someone who might host or support me, please get in touch!

I also need to replace my rear tire and tube, and pick up some essentials. If you’d like to support my mission — in any way, big or small — feel free to reach out at +91 9563630665.

🙏 This Journey Is Powered by You

What keeps me going isn’t just the wheels beneath me, but the kindness, love, and encouragement I receive from people like you. Together, we’re proving that purposeful travel can plant seeds of change.

Let’s continue this journey — one pedal at a time.