Mauli - Pandharpur Yatra Day 1

After hearing from the Gyaneshwar Maharaj Wari group at our housing society about Pandharpur and the celebration, we planned our trip to Pandharpur on one of a long week ends in Feb. Pandharpur is around 220km from Pune and 360km from Mumbai. We started Friday morning, took the Pune-Sholapur Highway, the 4 lane road is too good and till around an hour before Pandharpur. You take a deviation from the highway to drive an hour more to reach Pandharpur, this road too is maintained very well. 

A Wari on the way to Pandharpur

Paduka(foot print) of the saint

Statue of Lord Vittal at Tukarambaba Ashram

As we neared Pandharpur, we were blessed with may waris on the way, and we were happy to have planned our trip the day before Ekadashi. Just few minutes before Pandharpur town is Saint Tukarambaba Ashram, a huge status of Lord Vittal catches your eye, showing its all about Mauli, the mother, the caring mother, Vithoba, Lord Vitthala for the next 2 days of your trip. We reached our hotel, freshened up and left for the visit to Vitthala Rukamai Temple. The temple town is full of devotees, especially if you plan near Ekadashi. The road to the temple has shops selling, idols of Vittal Rukmai, Haldi Kumkum, Brass and copperwears, they really make great souvenirs. We didn't have prior booking for temple darshan, so all we could go for was the Mukh Darshan, were you get the glimpse of the Lord from a distance, charan sparsh darshan takes you to the foot of the idol, were you can touch the idol, but the queue for the charan sparsh darshan takes more than 6 to 7 hours, so we had to settle with Mukh Darshan, which took us half an hour. We were told at the temple information centre there is prior online booking for darshan, which offers you with VIP entry directly. Like in any other temples were Vitthala(Lord Krishna) and Rukumani idols stand next to each other, here there are two separate shrines in the temple complex with the idols of Vitthala and Rukumai

The rare entrance of the temple with the view of shikara of Rukumai temple at left and Vitthala temple in the right

Shops selling idols of Vitthala Rukumai

After the visit to the temple, we had our dinner at Durvankar Dining Hall and called for the day. Durvankar is opposite to MTDC near Pandharpur railway station, ambience is no fancy, but they serve very tasty authentic Maharashtrian Thali.

About Pandharpur: Pandharpur is a pilgrime place in Maharashtra. About the place, tales goes back to the loyal son Pundalik, who after realising his mistake of ill treating his parents, serves his parents with great devotion that lord Vitthala come to earth and knocks his doors to give him darshan. Pundalik who was serving his parents throws a stone at the door asking the lord to stand on the brick to avoid the wet muddy rainy floor. He visit the lord after serving his parents, begs for pardon for making him wait and requests him to stay back on earth to bless his devotees. The lord stays back and a temple was built at the place, so is the lord depicted standing on a brick. A temple for Rukumai, Lord Vishu's wife in this incarnation as Krishna was also built next to Vitthala temple.

To read more about Pandharpur, please visit the complete posts here

Shaniwar Wada and the Saga of Bajirao Mastani to Narayanrao's Death

Every time I passed the fort during my visit to Tulsibagh market, I imaged a magnificent Palace inside the wall with  beautiful rich carving and many art-crafts for display, like in any other palace. But what showed me in there was a big surprise, all it had was just the stone foundation of a historical structure, which was once a biggest mansion of Pune city. So I wanted to know the history before I could get to know about the place, and the best thing I could do was watch Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani. I watched the movie and visited the palace again on a heritage walk as part of Pune Heritage Festival. This time I could feel all the characters and structure of the movie come live,  Mastani Mahal, Aarse Mahal, Ganesh Mahal and more.

Peshwe Ganesh Temple

History of Peshwas - From Bajiarao 1 to Narayanrao

The history dates back to 18th century during the time of Bajirao I. Peshwas were the Prime Minister in the kingdom of Chatrapati Maharaj, the ruler who sat at Satara, then the capital of Maratha Kingdom. Bajirao 1 or Bajirao Ballal was the Peshwa during the period 1720 to 1740, and said to have not lost a single war during his regime. After the death of Bajirao, his eldest son Nansaheb became the Peshwa succeeded by his son Narayanrao. Its said, Narayanrao's uncle and Nanasaheb's brother Raghunathrao, killed Narayanrao to possess the kingdom. Raghunathrao sent letter to his guards to captivate Narayanrao, Raghunath's wife Anandibai cunningly changed the letter, commanding to kill Narayanrao. Narayanrao's body was chopped into pieces and taken out of the palace through the back entrance and cremated at the near by river banks. The palace is said to be haunted by Narayanrao's souls with Narayanrao's last words begging his uncle for help been heard at night even today, "Kaka Mala Vachwa"(Uncle save me).

The Palace Architecture and its demise 

Shaniwar Wada was one of the magnificent and stately mansion built ever in Pune. One of the buildings in Shaniwar wada was seven storied, with other important buildings Thoriya Rayacha Diwankhana(The Court Hall of Bajirao-1), Nachacha Diwankhana(Dancing Hall), Ganesh Mahal and Juna Aarse Mahal(Old Mirror Hall). The walls, arches and ceilings were said to be covered with intricate carvings, walls painted with stories of Ramayana and Mahabharta. The Palace is said to have got its name for all the important events of the building, laying the first stone to the opening ceremony took place on Saturdays. In 1818, Peshwas handed over the throne to British Government and moved to prison in Nagpur. Ten years later in 1820, whole palace was completely burnt down by a great fire which lasted for seven days and left only the heavy ramparts, strong gateways and buried foundations. 

All that's seen today

The present main entrance of the palace is Delhi Darwaza(facing today's Delhi), facing North. Adjoining to Delhi Darwaza is Mastani or Alibahadur Darwaza, which then led to Mastani Mahal, built for Mastani. Facing East are khidki Darwaza and Ganesh Darwaza. Even though Delhi Darwaza was big in construction, the main entrance was Ganesh Darwaza in use, with Peshwe Ganesh Temple at the entrance gate. Towards South is Narayan Darwaza, the door which was used to take the dead body of Narayan Rao out. The Delhi Darwaza, is a combination of Hindu and Islamic style with a cypress tree marking the addition of Christianity. The Nagarkhana on the top of Delhi Gate which once sang loudly glories of the great Peshwas survives even today and is a popular symbol of Pune city. The structure is under Archaeological Survey of India and the history and glory of the palace can be better experienced by the light and sound show conducted by the Archaeological department.

Delhi Darwaza with Cypress Tree in the front

As seen from Delhi Darwaza

 

So when you are in Pune's signature structure Shaniwar wada, just don't watch the ruined platforms but get deep into it and listen to the story every stone has to narrate, and don't forget to watch Bajirao Mastani movie before visiting this place.

Travel Tips:

Shaniwar Wada is in Shaniwar Peth in Pune city. Its around 3km from Swargate bus stand and Pune railway station and 11km from Lohgaon airport.
Timings: 9AM to 5:30PM
Entry Fee:
Indian Citizens - Rs. 15/-
Foreign Citizens - Rs. 200/-
Children below 15 years - Entry Free
Videography for personal use Rs. 25/-

Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav Celebrates its 125 years...

For this year's Ganesh Chaturthi we have story from Pune, the place where Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav(public celebration) originated. Its said Ganesh chaturthi had been celebrated publicly since the era of Shivaji in Pune, but during British rule, fearing public assemblies after the first war of Indian Independence, British had imposed rule against public gathering of more than 20 people for social or political purposes, but had exempted muslims from Friday mosque prayers. In 1892 Bhausaheb Laxman Javale installed the first Sarvajanik Ganesh in Pune. And in 1893, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak praised the celebration in his newspaper Kesari and chose to use the public gathering at the Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav under religious exemption for the fight against British rule.

Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapathi procession from Temple to Pandal.

Its 125th year of Sarvajanik Ganesh Uthsav this year and we were at the Shivaji Road on the early morning of Ganesh Chaturthi capturing the celebration, the grand welcome of Ganesha on his day. The roads were full, with the dhol groups presenting their rhythmic dhol, devotees, media everyone enjoying the celebration in rains.

Ladies Dhol at the procession

Watching the Ganesha procession was altogether a different view than watching in the pandals. The procession, the stapana(first worship in pandal), the devotion and ethnicity had so much positive vibe. I was comparing everything with the way Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in Mumbai, there is so much of ethnicity, faith and devotion here in Pune, while I always felt the celebration in Mumbai is more of colours, magnificence, dancing and publicity, sorry if that hurts any Mumbaikars ;)

Flowers been showered on Kasaba Ganapathi in Palki

While Dagadusheth Ganapathi proceeded in beautiful floral chariot, the Kasaba Ganapathi proceeded in palki(a carriage with two handles, carried by two or more people on their shoulders) with flowers been showered. I was told the Dagadusheth Halwai temple has two Ganesha idols, the main idol which is of silver and the uthsav murthi(procession idol), which is not immersed like in Mumbai, but its the same idol which is got to the pandal every year during Ganesh Chaturthi and kept back in the temple during rest of the year.

Another Ganesha procession which we came across on Shivaji Road.

Ganesha Pandals and celebration are everywhere around the city and more posts coming up on Ganesh in following posts.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!!! 

Skywatch Mysore Palace

You just can't pass by Mysore's Amba Vilas Palace without clicking a photograph. On one of my trips to Mysore, I didn't have enough time to visit the palace but just clicked few of these from my car, to be precise moving car, as the traffic police was rushing us not to stop in front of the palace.

Happy Skywatching..

Off the Beach Affair, Five things to do in Goa - A Collective By Holiday IQ!!!

Its been over a decade that I visited Goa. The last one too was on an official trip and hardly got to wander around the place. I am not a beach loving person and might be that was the reason I didn't plan my trip off late. Here is a guest post by Holiday IQ which proves there is much more to beaches in Goa and why I should think of planning one sooner.

Off the Beach Affair

If you thought Goa is just about the sun, sand and beaches, think again! There is much more to this tiny yet fashionable world within itself with diverse people from across the globe. Extensive range of globally recognized Goan cuisine or the international music festivals held here every year, Goa makes an ideal holiday destination for everyone. So be it a college trip with friends, family trip with your loved ones or a simple romantic getaway, Goa gives you all reasons to keep going back for more. After all, one can never have too much of Goa!  

How to reach, where to stay?

Reaching Goa is quite convenient from the major cities of India; the journey by train from Mumbai and Bangalore to Goa is just an overnight affair. When it comes to accommodation, you have a choice of it all, from luxury resorts and hotels in Goa, suites with poolside and private beach, guest houses and inns. However, to get a local taste of Goa in its true sense, you can opt for the much affordable beach huts or shacks. Imagine yourself relaxing in a hammock, watching the sunset right in front of you, in company of loved ones and a blissful evening. Heavenly isn't it?

What to do?

As they say “Everyone is happy in Goa” – happy streets, smiling faces, cheerful locals and satisfied tourists. So there are no second thoughts on getting a taste of Goa yourself! While you pack your bags, we help you to list out some of the suggested fun places to see in Goa.
1. Visit Old Goa: Old Goa is full of beautiful cathedrals and magnificent churches. A half-day visit is enough to admire the archaeological museums that display the fascinating history of Goa.

Old Goa by abcdz2000

2. Go on a cruise: With this, you have one more thing to strike off from your bucket list. Under the moonlit night, the Mandovi River yachts are beautifully lit up like shining jewels floating in the sea. Don't forget to try your luck at the casinos – after all, a bit of poker never harmed anybody. 

Cruise in Goa by David

3. Saturday night market (Arpora): Indulge in some retail therapy, which offers a range of Indian handicrafts, silver jewelery, paintings, trendy apparels, wrap-arounds, scarves, leather products and the list is never ending (a tip: do bargain before buying). This market gets livelier with restaurants playing live music late into night and serving an eclectic range of food.

Night Market in Goa by Ipshita B

4. Indulge in water sports: The adventure freak within you cannot resist the number of water sports that Goa has to offer. The endless beaches of Goa make it a great spot for all kinds of water sports. Choose from banana tube boat rides, parasailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, scuba diving, speed boats, snorkeling and lots more.

5. Dolphin cruise: As you cruise along the Arabian Sea, be prepared to catch a glimpse of dolphins perform aerobatics in front of you. To add to the adventure, you may also get a chance to dip in the sea and maybe swim with the dolphins! Brightly coloured kingfishers can be spotted. So make sure you have your camera ready, so you can take back some spectacular photographs with you.

Dolphin cruise, Goa by Tyrone Adams

Every day’s a party in Goa and it’s a party you wouldn't want to miss. So take a break, pack your bags, as life in Goa awaits. Go Goa, 365 days on a holiday!

This post is part of a promotional campaign by Holiday IQ. I do not own the photographs, they have been used with due credit to the owners.

Skywatch Friday - Silver Jubilee Clock Tower, Mysore

At the northen gate of Amba Vilas Palace, stands the Dodda Gadiayara(meaning the Big Clock). When I heard one of my friends asking me about Silver Jubilee Clock Tower, I wondered where it was, only to find out the clock tower or Dodda Gadiyara at Chamaraja Circle was called Silver Jubilee Clock Tower. 

Standing near the Town Hall, the clock is said to be built by palace staff in 1927 to commemorate Silver Jubilee of rule of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. Built in Indo-Saracenic style, the 75feet tall tower has 4 clocks on its four sides with the numbers embed in Kannada. All clocks are functional even after 90 years from their construction.

 

Statue of Chamaraja Wodeyar, with the Palace North gate at the back

Chamaraja Circle has great architectural treasure with Amba Vilas Palace, Town Hall, Silver Jubilee Clock tower and the statue of Chamaraja Wodeyar at the round about of the circle.

St. Philomena's Church Mysore..

Been studied in Kendriya Vidyalaya, we always had odd vacation pattern. Our summer vacation would start half way till our cousins would have finished their vacation and would end after their schools would be long re-opened. I used to spend most of my vacations in Mysore or Bangalore at cousin's places. My cousin at Mysore studied at St Mary's school at the campus of St Philomena Church and I visited the church almost everyday with my aunt during the visit to his school. As kids the church was well liked by us for the narrow tunnel which connected the church's underground to the playground outside.
 

St Philomena church is a well known land mark in Mysore and can be sighted from anywhere around Mysore for its 187ft tall twin spires. Built between 1933-1941 under the patronage of His Highness Sri Nalvadi Krishanaraja Wodeyar, the Maharaja of Mysore and Dr. Rene Feuga, the first Bishop of Mysore. Built in Gothic style of architecture, the church is 187ft high and 165ft long. The spires and the outer walls have beautiful carvings, with stained glass windows.

 

Many new structures have been added recently in the campus. This white statue of St Philomena with the backdrop of the stunning church makes a great view.

Travel Info: 

St Philomena's Church is in Lashkar Mohalla, on Ashoka Road, Mysore. Its around 1km from Suburban bus stand, and 1.5km from City Bus stand. Around 2.5km from Railway station and 12km from Mysore airport.

The Epic story of Jakhoo Hill of Shimla!!!!

Himalaya has always been a holy mountain range and is associated with many of the Hindu Mythology. Be the Char Dhams which are associated with Lord Shiva or Lakhamandal associated with Pandhavas or Sanjeevani with Ramayan. Jakhoo Hills in Shimla share the same Mythological significance of Ramayan, Hanuman's search for Sanjeevani. Recently I have been watching EPIC channel, a channel all about Indian History, which showcased an Episode on Jakhoo hills on their Kahi Suni series. So when in Shimla, I wanted to visit this hill.

The statue of Hanuman as seen from Mall Road

Its said that when Hanuman came to Himalaya in search of Sanjeevani, he heard the sound of a saint chanting Shree Ram and landed on the hill. The hill is said to have got reduced by 3/4th by his foot step. He asks the saint for guidance to reach the Sanjeevani, which is the present day Dronagiri Parvat in Uttarakhand. The saint was the guardian of the hill, so called Yaksha. Yaksha guide Hanuman to Dronagiri Parvat and asks him to visit him again during his return. But hurry Hanuman, leaves without visiting Yaksha. Its said Hanuman gave his virtual appearance to the Yaksha at the present Jakhoo temple in Shimla. Yaksha, which later got changed to Yakhoo, finally got its present name Jakhoo.

The snow capped mountains from the road to Jakhoo hills, just before sunset

Even today Jakhoo hill stands tall with the Idol of Hanuman visible from most of Shimla. Its a 10km drive from Mall road to reach the Jakhoo Hills. The road is very narrow and the final stretch is very much steep and you need to trek or can take the local taxi for the last leap to reach the top of the hill. By the time we reached Jakhoo, it was already very late and was getting dark, we were told the temple was closed. We enjoyed the beautiful snow capped mountains from the highest peak of Shimla, drove back to Chandigarh the same night and took our train back to Mumbai the next morning.
This is my final post of our Punjab and Himachal Pradesh trip which we had been to in March this year. Do check out the complete series on this trip of mine here.

A Photo Tour of Mall Road, Shimla!!

Shimla the capital of Himachal Pradesh, has always been one of the top honeymoon destinations. What makes it more special is the Kalka - Shimla toy train. But you really need to plan your visit in ease to experience the toy train journey. All we had was a day's time to take a trip from Chandigarh to Shimla, and so did we book a taxi for the day. With only a days visit, we had to cut short our visit to Kufri and Chail, which we had planned earlier.

We reached Shimla by 12, had lunch and wandered around. It seems like every hill station in India has a Mall Road, and all share the same look. Automobiles are not allowed on Mall road, though there are prams to hire to carry your kids.

State Library and Christ Church

Once the summer capital of British, the place still preserves the colonial look, with its heritage buildings - Christ church, State Library, Municipal Corporation Building, Police Headquarters, Gaiety Theater, General Post Office. The shops on Mall Road sell beautiful handicraft and woolen cloths, they are quite reasonable as well.

Christ Church with Hanuman Statue of Jakhoo Hills

Municipal Corporation Building

General Post Office

Murals on the walls of Mall Road

 

 

The Lamp Post, a beauty in itself

Statue of Freedom Fighter Lala Lajpat Rai at the junction of Mall Road and Ridge Road

Rock models, representing Rock garden of Chandigarh

An arch from the heritage building

I liked this statue in front of Police Assistance Room, a Policeman with a kid, DUTY WITH LOVE, so meaningful.

One of the stores at the mall road, any ordinary building, but liked the structural design with bright colour.

Thats kiddo with her new muffler and ear muff, aren't they pretty?

Travel Tips:

Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh, around 115km from Chandigarh. 

By Road: Shimla is around 360km from National Capital Delhi and around 115km from Chandigarh and has regular PUNBUS and HRTC buses connecting Shimla with other places. There are over night Volvo buses as well playing between Delhi and Shimla.

By Train: Its the narrow gauge toy train which connects Shimla to Kalka. Chandigarh which is around 30km from Kalka, is connected to major cities of the country by train.

By Air: Shimla airport is 22km from Shimla city and well connected to Delhi, Mumbai and other major cities.

Best time to visit:

Winters, if you want to experience snow fall, summer to get of the heat from other parts of the country.

Do check out the complete series on this trip of mine here.