Exploring Pune Day 3

Shankarwadi

Our third stop was Shankarwadi near to the Somatne Toll booth. I have heard from friends that it is a Cave temple having Lord Shiva as deity . I was curious to climb the hill and see the cave temple. 

We started the ascent around 5 in evening. It was a pleasant evening. The temperature was not really affecting us due to heavy winds that time. But I was exhausted and sat down after the first flight of steps. I drank some water and also washed face, which brought the energy back. 

Then a steady climb brought us to a junction like place at mid of the hill. When asked a person who seems to be Poojari over there, he gave directions. The way to left is for the Shiva temple and the right side way is leading to a Ram temple. We went staright to Shiva temple first. 

The temple / cave is carved out of  single rock. The entrance is made of cut rock pieces. The rooms are rectangular in shape. I prayed silently in the Shiva temple. There are few pond like holes in the rocks nearby, which are filled with water. People who visit there have made the pond dirty by throwing all sorts of waste in it.

In the second temple we saw a swami sitting and reading a book. On enquiring he said he resides inside that temple itself.  It was really cool inside the cave in contast to the heat outside.

 IPL stadium seen from the hill

We had taken few snaps around and was about to walk down. It was then we noticed two young guys climbing the hill above there. That prompted us also to follow them. There was no defined way to go to top. It was not a difficult terrain to climb but lack of a defined path made the climb slightly difficult.

A steep Climb

To our surprise midway of our climb we reached at a courtyard of a house. There were two old people sitting there. We asked them what is ahead to see and they said it’s a flat surface on top and nice to walk around. Most amazing thing we have seen was another big pond in that height with plenty of water inside.

Sumesh was feeling bit tired and was reluctant to climb further. My earlier tiredness has vanished and I was daring to venture as much as possible.  It took another 10 min climb for me to reach the top of hill. It was an amazing sight from there.

I could see Pune, Talegaon, Exp Highway, stadium, Dehu road Ayyappa temple, etc, etc… My binocular had come really handy. I walked around a bit and found that I had enough company on top of the hill. Sumesh also caught up with me without much delay.

The flag post is bend due to strong winds...

We both were in agreement that it would have been a great loss if had left without climbing to the top of the hill. We waited there itself till the sun set. My camera has captured all those images that could swallow by that time.

 It was almost dark by the time we reached down on plains.

Exploring Pune Day 3

Ganesha  statue near to Somatne Toll booth on High way

When one goes to Talegaon or Mumbai from Pune through the old highway, the most striking thing is the tall Ganesha statue on the right side of the road near to the toll booth. Every day when I travel to my factory I see Lord Ganesha  and move with a silent prayer. Its sight  has become a luring factor to climb the hill and see the statue from close range. Today the second spot to stop was this place.

I learned from different websites that this is the tallest Ganesha statue around Pune. This  copper plated RCC structure towers 54ft on top on the small hillock resting on a platform which is around 18 ft. tall. The statue is made by Birlas. In contrast to different Birla Mandirs that I had visited(Jaipur, Bhopal, Hyderabad) this does not have a temple like structure . This  massive will dwarf you due to its humongous size when you go near by.

 It’s a beautiful sight in the night when it is illuminated with good lighting system. A  lawn is made around the statue but the gate to that area is kept locked. The security was so strict that they did not allow me to go on the lawn  to take few snaps from there.

It may not have  big value in terms of tourism but being in Pune, its a must visit place.

Exploring Pune Day 3

Today I had a companion. My colleague Sumesh. As he came to Pune very recently, he was very curious to see places. His company has made the short trip more enjoyable. 

Parshwanath temple near Talegaon

I started from my home late today as it was really hot outside. Picked up Sumesh from his house and went to Parshwanath Temple, which is very near to Talegaon. It can be seen from the old Mumbai Pune Highway. It is temple complex of Jain community. The temple is yet to be completed fully.

The most striking elements in the temple are the pillars carved out of sand stone and the ceiling. Each pillar is different in design. The pillars are decorated with figures of different gods and goddesses.

Many of the gods are from Hindu Mythology. But there are lot of variations in compared to the knowledge that we had.

The floor is completed with exquisite marble inlay work.  As a whole it is really looking good but if we look from an angle of an expert in interior construction industry you can find lot of flaws. The center dome is marvelous.

 

Dome 

 I have seen similar decorative domes at Akshardham Temple, Delhi (Strictly speaking this is incomparable with Akshardham).  The roof of all the structures are similar to that in Orissa.

 It has lot of resemblance to the roof of Puri and Konark. The surrounding complex with statues of different deities looks great with its pillars. 

There are lot of work going on in the complex. It will become a must visit place in Pune for all tourists.

Exploring Pune: Day 2

One more Sunday, 29th April…. I had an aim on this Sunday, ie; to explore more of Pune… I should say I was waiting for the Sunday. Along with different places, this time, I wanted to explore some good restaurants also.

Almost 5 years back, I had been to a restaurant near to M G Road along with my friend Sujit. They had served Rajasthan Thali. Thought about  tasting the same again. Hence I declared holiday for the kitchen and started slightly early. I parked the car in SGS mall parking lot and walked to Thali Restaurant. 

Nothing has really changed after all these years. They had welcomed me with courtesy. They served the full plate Thali. The rate is hiked from 100 to 180 in last 5 years. The unlimited supply was too much for me. But the food was tasty and delicious. 

Shinde Chhatri

After the sumptuous food, I started to see Shinde Chhatri. It is in the Camp area. There are no sign boards available to this place on road. Even though I consulted Google map, in the cantonment area I lost the way as almost all roads looks similar. Finally with the help of Autorickshaw drivers, I was able to reach there. I can give a tip for those who wants to visit the place. In the Camp area ask for Shinde school on Prince of Wales Road. Near to school and on the opposite side of road, there is a toll booth of Cantonment board. Take the cross road close to the toll booth you will find the monument within 100 meters on your right.

Incidently, I found that many people in Pune is unaware of this beautiful historical building.

It is a memorial (or temple?) constructed in the memory of Mahadji Shinde Commander in Chief of army of Peshwa's.

There was a guy at the gate who issues entry ticket to the place. I am sure that he would have cursed me to spoil his afternoon nap by asking for ticket. I was too surprised to find that I was alone in the whole complex. It gave me ample opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the monument. I had understood from net that the place is maintained by the family of Gwalior Kings, Scindias. It was confirmed when I found portraits of Late Rajamata Vijayraje Scindia and his son Late Madhav Rao Scindia along with Mahadji Shinde.

The most captivating feature of this monument is its exquisite architecture. I had a feeling that these details are similar to those palaces at Rajasthan.

Inside architecture beauty

Marble flooring 

In contrast to the colourful rectangular main structure the sanctum sanctorum is much simpler inside and its been made with black granite stones.

Statue of Mahadji Shinde inside the sanctum sanctorum

The sanctum sanctorum looks beautiful externally too. The scorching sun was making it difficult for me to look at the building from outside. I had to find shades to see the building thru camera and take few snaps.

 The architectural style of the sanctum sanctorum is similar to that of temples at Orissa even though the shape is slightly different.

After finishing a full round of the building I found some people - few children who came to play cricket in the compound.. :-)  Atleast few found some use for this place....

After completing the Shinde Chhatri, I had planned to visit David's Synagogue. But Alas it was closed with police protection outside. I asked the policeman outside why this blockade and he did not bother to answer me...


Dagdusheth Ganpati Temple

I differed my plan and decided to go to Dagdusheth Ganpati Temple at Budhwar Peth. I thought I can visit and take few photographs but could not do it. I removed my shoes and stood in queue to enter the temple. It took only 5 minutes in queue. I did not feel any devotion as the priests were shouting something in Marathi and grabbing (I felt so) things from devotees. The photography was not allowed inside.

The external door was covered with a transparent glass. Due to the intensity of light outside nothing was visible inside. That compelled me to take few snaps from outside.

By this time I had consumed almost one bottle of water due to the heat and left the place after walking around a bit in Lakshmy Road

 Pataleswar Cave Temple

It is rock cut cave temple in Shivaji Nagar, Junglee Maharaj Road. There is a temple for Junglee Maharaj and the entrance to the Pataleshwar Cave Temple is from there. The whole temple is cut and made out of a single rock formation. It is an incomplete temple. There is a marvellous statue of Nandi in the mandapam in centre court yard.

By evening Sun God has drained  my full energy and I was fully exhausted. As soon as I reached home there was no option for me other than to hit the bed and sleep like a log... :-)