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... :-)