It all started with a dream to skateboard from the northern mountains of Manali to the southern tip of India.
On January 1st, I set out on an ambitious adventure to cover approximately 4,000 kilometers from Leh to
Kanyakumari. The journey took 90 days, and I reached my destination on March 30th, just 10 days ahead of my
initial target. After completing that, I even skated from Leh back to Manali, finishing a total of 100 days
on the road.
Skateboarding wasn’t something I did professionally, but it had always been a part of my daily routine
growing up in the hilly region of Manali. I would skate 5 kilometers to school and back every day, and over
time, it became something I truly enjoyed. This sparked the idea for a larger journey—a dream to challenge
myself and skateboard across the country. I thought, “Why not Kanyakumari?” and from there, the plan began
to take shape.
The idea of skateboarding across India wasn’t easy to explain, especially to my family. At first, they
didn’t take it seriously, assuming I’d return within a day or two. It wasn’t until I had been on the road
for over a week that they began to realize how serious I was. Once I left, I made it clear that I wasn’t
turning back.
Like any long-distance adventure, packing was a learning curve. Initially, I left with a heavy load—two or
three pairs of clothes, my camera, and other gear. But by the time I reached Kullu, I realized that carrying
so much was weighing me down. I decided to send most of my things back home, keeping just the essentials. I
continued doing this throughout the trip, picking up new clothes when needed and shipping back whatever I
didn’t need. My goal was to cover 40 kilometers every day. However, in rural areas, particularly in
Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, where accommodation was sparse, I had to push myself further, sometimes
skating 60 to 70 kilometers in a single day.
Safety was always a priority. I carried a collapsible stick for protection, especially against stray dogs
that would often chase me on the road. I avoided showing off my camera in areas that felt risky, and in more
deserted regions, I made sure to be cautious. While I was warned about potential dangers in certain states,
I found that most people I encountered were helpful and kind, and none of my belongings were ever stolen.
One of the most rewarding parts of my journey was meeting people along the way. From cops who invited me to
share meals with them to locals who offered me a place to stay, I made friends in many towns and cities.
Madhya Pradesh, where I spent 18 days, became a highlight of the trip despite initial warnings about safety.
The warmth and generosity of the people I met there left a lasting impression on me, proving that the
kindness of strangers can make even the most challenging journeys worthwhile.
This journey reshaped my view of India and its people. What I had expected to be a risky and difficult
adventure turned into a testament to the kindness and hospitality that exists in the most unexpected places.
Despite hearing negative stories in the news, I learned that the majority of people I met were genuine,
helpful, and eager to make my journey smoother.