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... :-)

Exploring Pune: Day 1

All the Sundays in Pune used to be aimless for me. Just wasting time by simply sitting at home. When my family came here, I realised that I am not aware of any places at Pune. This made me to think and I decided to explore Pune on all Sundays if am here.

So that's it. Today it is the first day of exploration. I scanned through various websites and finally choose three places to go and see. Aga Khan Palace, Shaniwar Wada and Parvati Temple Hills.

Aga Khan Palace

It is easy to reach this historical building. It is on Nagar Road. I reached there following the directions of Google Map. There is parking space inside the compound. There is a minimum amount of Rs. 5/- to enter the palace. No charges for still camera.

Aga Khan Palace

I was not knowing anything about this history till today. It has an important role in the life of Mahatma Gandhi. During the freedom struggle, many of the leaders stayed at this palace. Mahatama Gandhi's wife Kasturba and his secretary Mahadev Bhai Desai  died during their captivity at the Aga Khan Palace at Pune. The room where they have stayed is kept intact and well protected. I had a respectful feeling seeing that room and the simplicity of it.

Room which is used by Gandhiji and Kasturba Gandhi. She died in this room

The samadhi of both of them are kept with due respect and devotion. Its a good place for a history student to catch glimpses of incidents that took place during the freedom struggle.

Gandhiji's ashes are also kept nearby

The palace is surrounded by a sprawling garden. It is green and clean. The serene landscape will keep your mind calm and at tranquil. Its a good place for a half day get away at Pune.

 

 

Greenery around the palace

Shaniwar Wada

It is situated in the busiest part of the city. Pune Corporation has kept boards at many locations with directions to this place. Hence it is easy to locate. The parking can be done at stipulated parking spaces near to the fort entrance or on the side of the fort.  Here also a nominal entrance fees of Rs. 5/- is charged by Archaeological department to enter the fort.

 Inside view from top of main entrance

Shaniwar Wada is a magnificent fort built by Peshwa rulers of Maratha dynasty. It is a grand structure to look at. The base is constructed by rubble masonry and the high rising walls by brick masonry with some earthen mixture to hold the bricks together. The main entrance of the fort is armoured with sharp pointed spikes for the protection from enemies. There is a small door that can be opened to let a person go in.

There are steps leading to the top of the main gate structure. The wood work on the top level is still intact. The walk way on the top of wall is well maintained and it is possible to walk all around the fort through this. 

The windows / holes on the fort wall should have been made to accommodate cannons. 

One of the ponds inside the fort is really eye catching with its symmetry. I was curious to know its use but the board with its description was missing.

There are incomplete buildings inside the fort. From the information provided by Archaeological department it is understood that the buildings inside the fort is destroyed in a fire. There was even a seven storied building inside the fort. 

The statue of Bajirao Peshwa in front of the gate is really majestic. It depicts the royal power and his valour. 

Archaeological department has a sound and light show in the night. I decided to see that on another day as it starts only at 7PM and seats were fully booked for that day. 

There are lot of trees inside and it is giving good protection to the visitors from the scorching heat. It was a beautiful sight to see two “Kanikkonnas” with full flowers on.

Parvati Hills

I have heard about it from my colleagues and wanted to go there. It’s a nice place for a half a day outing. It’s near to Swargate and Saras Baug. You can see the hill from a long distance itself.  During summer its better to go there in evenings.  There are few Vada Pav centres at the foot hills. I had Vada Pav, Coffee and prepared to climb around 5.30PM. Took a bottle of water along as I was not certain about the availability of water on top. 

The climb was only 10min. But that made me exhausted. There is a place to keep your foot ware at the entrance to the temple. There is no prescribed charge for that. You can put any amount you wish in the hundi kept nearby. I sat down to remove my shoes and keep in the racks. That brought my breath back.

I was thinking that it is temple devoted to Devi Parvathy. But its main deity is Lord Shiva. Due to the heat, the floor was like frying pan. It was difficult for me to walk around the temple after removal of my shoes. I took the help of shadows and did a “pradakshinam”. Did my worship and started look around the temple.

Parvati Hills temple

They charge a token amount Rs. 5/- to go to the top of the building surrounding the main temple.  It’s worth going there, as you can see a good part of Pune from there. My binoculars, which I had carried along, had come handy there.  I think it should been a great sight after the dusk. I did not wait till then.

View of Pune City from top of temple

There is a museum nearby called Peshwa Museum. It’s a place nobody should miss, if happen to visit this place. It has big collection, which is kept cluttered in a small place. The vessels, ornaments, instruments, head gears, weapons etc.. of the Peshwa Era is displayed there. The most amusing collection is that of coins. It will be really a marvellous opportunity for any numismatics person.

 Peshwa Museum

As they do not allow photography, my camera was used only outside the temple and museum premises.

Recent trip to Lonavala...

Lonavala is a favourite  destination for those in Mumbai and Pune. I had made a short trip to there on April 7th.We started from Pune around 2PM. We choose to drive through Mumbai-Pune Express Highway to have a feel of it.

A section of Express highway

I knew that it is a wrong time to visit Lonavala. The nature is still green compared to Pune. We did small shopping (ofcourse CHIKKI). We drove with the help of a small map dowloaded from a website. Took off to see duke's nose. After driving for few kilometers we were getting frustrated due to heat and also lack of information about route. Some young guys on the way has told us about the place and immediately we abandoned that plan. Then it was decided to change the route to Bushi Dam and  Lion's point

Bushi dam was almost dry and we did not even get down from our car to see it. We drove on to Lion's point. It was a beautiful sight but the heat took all the josh from us. 

Lion's point

We continued to drive after lion's point. After almost 5KM enquired to locals about the way and attractions on the way and got to know that there in only Ambey Valley of Sahara is ahead. Hence decided to return and go to Karla Caves.

While passing through the town again visited a chikki shop and bought some more chikies and some fudge.

After filling diesel we set out to Karla caves. The building on the hill is visible from far away on the highway. 5KM fron town we reached the junction to turn to Karla. Kids were hungry. We decided to hit a small tea shop at the foothill. The tea shop owner advised us to climb and reach as fast as possible since the caves will be closed by 6PM.  IT took us around 15 min to reach as we climbed very slowly. It was an amazing sight

First sight of Karla caves

I was wondering about the effort those people took in that era. It was an awesome sight inside the cave

Inside the cave

 It was the symmetry of the structure that cathes the eye. It is a precision work. Really amazing.What might have been their techonological knowhow in this...?

There are other caves too in the same area. View from top is great. Our binocular has come handy there.

As informed by the teashop guy, the caves were closed promptly at 6PM. We came down by 6.15. There ia an Uduppi hotel at the foot hills. Misal Pav, Dosas and Vadas were found to be very tasty as we were famished by that time.

  Sun set seen from Karla

We were back to home at Pune by 8.30 PM through old Mumbai Pune highway.

Let me try to experiment with this blog

Am an amatuer in this... I would like to share with all my friends, what I find during my travels and thought about starting a blog. This is the result of it....