Exploring India on an autorickshaw

With a view to explore India and its myriad colours, a citizen of Australia has purchased an autorickshaw and is driving it to various parts of the country.

Arron James Attard from Penrith, New South Wales, arrived at Chennai and purchased an auto rickshaw to explore the country to the fullest. From Chennai, he travelled to Bengaluru and Mysuru and was in Mangaluru in three days, having crossed a distance of 750 km.

“I have visa for three months and will explore all parts of the country for the time, before heading to Chennai to leave for my country,” Attard told Deccan Herald.

“Instead of being a mere tourist, I want to be a traveller and want to experience everything. As a tourist one visits a particular place and then leaves the place. The travel in an autorickshaw is challenging; at the same time, it is the most reliable mode of transport. The hawkers, and the motorists were bewildered seeing a foreigner behind the wheels of a brightly painted autorickshaw and were questioning me on my journey,” he said.

Speaking on the travel from Chennai to Mangaluru, he said, “The three-day trip was unlike anything else I have experienced. The culture, tradition, language, food, dressing style varies in India from village to village and town to town. The North Indian culture is totally different from that of South India. I want to experience every aspect of the country,” he said with a smile on his face.

‘No problem’

Concurring that India is a land where different religions and caste co-exist, Arron said that, in Australia, the prominent religion is Christianity. “The people in India are friendly and are ready to help those who need of it. I did not face any problem anywhere during my travel. There is variety of food in vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, which are spicy to savour in India. Although I did not taste all the food, I am hopeful of tasting at least a few in the next three months in India.”

Attard also marvelled at the architectural magnificence of palaces, temples and historical structures, which were built several centuries ago and make us wonder over the craftsmanship of the artisans of those era. “Unless one experiences, one will not get a feel of these architectural wonders of India,” he insisted.

Asked to comment on his experience in Mangaluru, he said that city is “busy”, coupled with greenery and beaches. In Mangaluru, he visited Sulthan Battery, Kudroli Gokarnanatha Temple, Kadri Temple and Aloysius Chapel before leaving for Udupi.