Banglore - Mysore Trip

Beloved Pinu,

I had been to Bangalore 15 days back.. and had fantastic trip to Mysore. When I was at Mysore that day itself I decided to write travelogue. Ideally I should have written it immediately after coming back but some how it was delayed for almost by one month.

I visited Bangalore for official trip. There was meeting with our Corporate KM group sitting at Bangalore to discuss design, contents and distribution of info from proposed library and info portal. My colleague Nandeesha has sufficient skills and we just want to canalize all our efforts for better delivery / greater efficiency.

I started from Pune on Monday the 4^th Dec 06 by Sinhagad Express. This is my routine. This time I was looking for fantastic week at Bangalore. I was in office by 11.00. Cleared few urgent mails, set line for next week, and I was looking for fruitful trip. I had word with Nandeesha regarding work to be completed at Bangalore. Last time I had promised him that when I will shell out a day for him during my next visit to Bangalore and this time, I decided to keep my words. Fortunately, I was having week end connected to my conference, only I had to take permission from Rajashree. All my Bangalore colleagues + friends were happy to know that I am visiting Bangalore. In fact that day only I shared it with them, otherwise they were not aware about my visit. We all were looking forward to see each other there !!

Like any other corporate, till last moment we have some or other thing to finish in our hand and that is how I realize that its 3.00 (I had set alarm + reminder after another 10 minutes !) That push me out of office at 3.15 PM. Took a auto for domestic Air port. Last time when we had been to Kolkata we learnt that all Kingfisher flights depart from terminal 1A from Mumbai. Just before taking turn to air port I realized that I forgot to change my sports shoe in office. (I keep my official shoe in office and take sports shoe to home specially on Friday evenings and change it back on Monday morning). In my life, I touched Mumbai airport maximum times during my official travel. I am sure at least 50 times out of approx 100 flights were either started or ended at Mumbai. Mumbai airport is having cross runway. (Till date I could see parallel runway, but it was a service road parallel to runway for taking crafts to the beginning of runway and I used to think that its parallel runway !) I remember reading somewhere that using cross run ways is efficient model of architecture for handling maximum traffic and its been used some where in Europe where every 5 minute one flight is land/take off. Mumbai is also equally busy air port. This was the first time I could see air traffic control using both cross runways. All landing flights were touching runway from Powai - Kurla end. Once the craft is landed, by the time it reaches to other end of runway, there is craft taking off from cross run way heading towards Sion – New Bombay. Our flight was right time (I was told that Vijay Mallya arrival / departure of all Kingfisher flights. He gets SMS updates for every flights departure) Thanks to globalization, due to competition all passengers are benefited. Also different business models designed by various companies made air travel affordable to larger group of business travelers. Our flight also took off from cross run way straight heading towards BARC. I could see each and every department and more prominently Apsara reactor. I don’t know if you remember or not. We had picture of Apsara reactor on back cover of our science books during school. Since that time, I am having fascination of BARC. While working with Libsys, BARC was our client and I had a chance to seen the complete campus. I stayed at BARC guest house for 3 days and had fantastic time Manoj, Sannjay and other team members. My program @ BARC was scheduled by our Delhi office during my absence. I was @ Dhakka upgrading BCL Dhakka application, solving their problems, answering queries + training them for new updates. While coming back, my flight was delayed by 4 hrs at Dhakka and subsequently I missed my connected Mumbai flight. Next flight for Mumbai was early in morning departing 5.30 AM. I was putting up in hotel which was in heart of Kolkata. I kept on watching Izazat movie that day night and became home seek. Could sleep only for 2/3 hrs and had to get up to catch my Mumbai flight. Only on arrival to BARC, I came to know that my program there was for 4 days. After staying away from home for almost 15 days I wanted to visit Pune but had no other alternative as program was committed by our owner. So I decided to enjoy my stay there with all. I kept on taking in English and in Hindi with Sr’s who happened to be north Indians. And on my last day when I called my uncle from office, all staff was surprised to listen marathi from my mouth. They asked me how come I know Marathi, when I told that I am from Pune they told me that all of them were considering me as a north Indian as I was talking hindi in typical northern tone. !!! Anyway I went some where from my main subject. Having birds eye view of APSARA and BARC campus was long cherished desire. Normally flights are routed in such a way that passengers will not be able to take photos of BARC. Flight to Bangalore was fine.. enjoyed on board music + snacks served by beautiful girls. Landed at Bangalore dot on scheduled arrival. This time I was putting up very close to airport and Prakash (my boss) gave me right directions which help me to be at my guest house just in 20 minutes. The moment, I reached guest house, I contacted Nandeesha and Saraswathi. They told me that they will be there in another 1 to 1.5 hrs.. So I enjoyed Kannada TV in my room. When they arrived at my room, we all were excited and so happy that we did not noticed that its time for dinner. We decided to have dinner at, New Shanti Sagar which is suppose to be a better place there @ Indiaranagar. Jyoti, Nandeesha’s wife who normally have to work till late evening joined us there and we had fantastic dinner. Saraswathi’s house is very close to New Shati sagar (is that the reason you suggested that place Saras .. ?) Saraswathi put me in auto and scolded auto driver for asking more money but finally we had to pay him 25 bucks which was almost double the normal fair.

Next day I woke up early and walked to bus stop from where we got our TCS staff bus. Before that Saras got beautiful flowers for her desk flowerpot. Saras had taken prior permission for me using staff bus that day, as they are very much particular about buss pass and security checked buss pass of all others except Me.. !! Iranna my other colleague was there waiting for us.. and before we open library, we decided to have break fast. I do enjoy south Indian food and idli sambar at Mumbai / pune too.. so for me trip to bagaloer was a treat..

***

All our office premises are unique and we had chance to see your new office which is ready and waiting for govt clearance. Every thing is ready and we can start working from that place immediately. We do have space problem at Bangalore too.. and we could not use that space just because of few govt officials who do not do their work otherwise.. !! If it would have happened with Reliance, I am sure they would have paid bribe and get the necessary sanction, which will never happen in any TATA group company. Though company is paying huge rent, loosing business, no compromise with TATA group’s principles. Day in office was fruitful and we had important meeting with our internal KM team. Our colleague who is of my age only (+ - 2/3 years) handling very big project successfully. Many such examples give me confidence that yes, this is a place where every one has equal chances to grow. Other factors like age, sex, language, cast etc never comes in to picture in our career. Person is judged by skills / abilities s/he is having. Evening we were invited to Nandeesha’s place for dinner. As it is I did not had any other appointment and we left office around 7.15. Nandeesha stays not very far from our office but that place is not connected by public transport. As usual in any of our metros, autowala will demand double the fare which is not at all fair. So Nandeesha made two trips on his bike. First he dropped me to his place and then Saraswathi. His father is retired hindi teacher where as mother is housewife. I had fantastic time with him father. Mother was having language problem and I remember my mother as situation is same. We discussed many common subjects of interest starting from our family backgrounds, parents, how many brothers and sisters, where and what they are doing, farmland at our native place, office etc. I am sure from those discussions uncle knows me better than Nandeesha. I purposely switched off TV and spent maximum time having chit chat with them. Jyoti and Nandeesha’s two brothers came back from office meanwhile. Rarely do we get to see that people maintaining joint family in city now a days. I am sure it is due to Sanskar and values cultivated by his parents. There are lot of similarities which I could notice between nandeesha and myself. It is because we both coming from same family background. All teachers children’s make difference either good or bad way !! We had fantastic Sambar / Curd Rice cooked by mother and served with love. After having dinner, we worked out optimum route which saved our money as well as time. Nandeesha dropped us to nearest stop from where we got bus. We had first class walk from bus stop till Saraswathi’s hostel. I found a note of Rs 500 on a road while walking. (Same note I did not spent and was lost from my pocket when I went to Lohagad trek after 3 weeks !!)

Next day onwards I was busy in IEEE conference which was main agenda of my Bangalore visit. It was first ever International conference organized by Christ college. Contents was very good but organisation was very bad. Infrastructure was excellent. I felt that we should send our college management there just to to see how infrastructure should be. Three parallel sessions were going on and we wanted to attend few from each.. but few of the presentors sent only papers and did not came for actual conference so time line planned was totally collapsed. One third of the sessions were dropped as there were no presentors. Organisors should have confirmed who is coming and who is not coming. First day evening we had fantastic cocktail dinner hosted by Director of Public Libraries, Govt of Karnataka. Then I came to know another way where the govt money goes. We could connect few new friends. One is from Library of Alexandria who presented paper from which we learnt simple thing that PDF documents can be searched only for Roman script.. search facility for other languages is not supported. Wed / Thu I stayed with Kiran / Deepak Bhole. Thursday night was very good as I learnt many interesting things on how mobile network works and what is role of our people there.. IT has really changed employment scenario in last 10 years and another good thing is our younger generation like you and Bhole brothers still have good old values.. and hospitality. All of you did not forgot the past and contributed lot for family development. Most important is we all are still having our feet on ground.

Friday afternoon, I skipped last session and visited our other office at Indira Nagar. Nandeesha came to that office with his bike. We checked out from our guest house. Kept our luggage and vehicle at our another office which is close to bus stand and left for Mysore. Bangalore Mysore is just like Mumbai Pune. There is bus every 15 minutes and road is also good. We picked up packet of ground nuts and Nippattu on the way.. and managed to get window seat in bus. Bangalore Mysore is approx 140 KM connected by 4 lane road. But it takes one hour to come out of city traffic, which makes 3.5 hrs journey. That was the first road block I saw without any toll !! In Maharashtra we would have easily paid toll of min Rs 50 for this distance. We reached Mysore around 10:30 PM. There are two bus stands one is for city bus and other is for buses going out of Mysore. Prepaid auto service is having different business model at Mysore. Booth will give you receipt mentioning your destination and approx distance and will charge only Rs 1 for that. We have to pay specified amount to autowalla as against paying full amount at the origin only. City bus stand is next to famous Mysore palace. We reached bus stand around 10:40 and palace was decorated with beautiful lights.. Its beautiful view., and I could not resist temptation of calling my better half to tell how beautiful it is .. Our bus started at 11.00 and by 11.20 we were at Jyoti’s place. It’s a beautiful area located in outskirts of Mysore. By the time we got freshen; aunty served us hot cooked food. Though I was not hungry, due to taste and love with which it was served I had double the food than my capacity. Aunty started baking Chapati’s when we reached there. I had nice chat chat with Jyoti’s father and brother who is doing engineering @ Mandya. Both the dinners (one served by Nandeesha’s mother and this one by mother in law) were marvelous and for me who hardly get food cooked by mother it was just like Amrut. By staying away from family and having food outside in last 8 years I learnt value of food cooked by mother and served with love. I am sure if I will get a chance to taste Amrut, it will not be better than the food we had at Bangalore and Mysore. After dinner we had Rasbale (special type of banana which is also used as medicine) Morning I got up around 6.00 had bath and round of house. Aunty prepared a special tea for me. Normally people make coffee at Mysore but I am sure they must have prepared tea only for me.. Before we woke up, uncle aunty had bath and there was fantastic ragoli in front of house. These are the things which we miss in city. I had been to terrace and had birds eye view of area. I did not had feelings that I am staying at my friends in-laws place. But I was feeling as if I am staying at my own uncles place. There are very few people who knows where to stop in life for materialistic things. Jyoti’s father was in US for 5 years.. and I am sure he could have become Sr Consultant in any of IT company today. But he decided to spend his time with family and other activity than running behind money. (* Another example I saw is my father in law who was making very good money from Share Market and just by doing valuation / supervision of few projects *) Around 7.00 we left for a day and walked to house of Nandeesha’s friend “Naveen”, who work for Infosys Mysore. Though Naveen had office that day, he gave his bike (hero Honda) to us. Naveen and his family seem to be family friend of Nandeesha, everybody enquired about Jyoti. May be they are not used to see Nandeesha alone !!! After having coffee there we started from Naveen’s place. On our way we exchanged word with other friends Umesh and Guruprasad and Rajshekhar. Breakfast @ mysore was marvelous. I would visit Mysore again just to have dinner at Jyoti’s place and breakfast at this hotel GTR (Gayathri Tiffin Room). This is hotel older than 50 years having fantastic taste of all items. We tested Dosa, Sheera, Idli. We happen to meet Jyoti’s uncle there. With this Brunch we were ready for the day. I was having full of positive energy since morning.. I am sure its due to food and company which I had there. I strongly believe that food which we have, inculcates its sanskars on us. It was lovely food cooked and served with love by mother. That is the reason few sadhu’s do not have food from any place. They will cook their own food or will have it only from a person known to them.

First we marched towards petrol pump where group of young girls who are suppose to be in school / college were working. I am sure they are doing both earn and learn.. We marched towards Chamudi hill. It was fantastic drive.. We took a road suggested by Naveen which does not have any traffic.. Weather was fantastic.. we parked our vehicle and went to temple. When we entered temple that time only there was morning pooja being performed, we had very close darshan of Chamundi.. I was full of positive energy.. there were many others who were going to Shabarimalay subramanya swami. It reminded me our Varkari of Pandharpur. When we came out there was devi stotra being played. It was one which I was looking for since long time. When we came to Pune we got one cassette from Nashirabad (my home town) which had that stotra. Subhas, Nilesh and myself used to play that cassette everyday. Now that cassette is in bad condition and I can not play it. I had an opportunity to listen same stotra in a taxi when I came back from IIM Kozhikode to airport. We bought that CD. Its fantastic collection of 7 stotra and I play it regularly on my computer. I was happy to see 2/3 school trips there. This is the season of school trips. Due to some unfortunate events, teachers in our area are afraid to take lead in arranging school trips. But I feel every school should organize one trip. Its fun and we learn many things from trips.

From Chamundi hill we headed towards Nanjangud which is just 20 KM. Nandeesha and saraswathi both are from Nanjangud. There is beautiful temple of Shiva – Nanjundeshwar. After drinking poison which came out of Samudra Manthan lord shiva became Nanjundeshwar. Its lovely place one MUST VISIT during Mysore trip. There too special pooja was being performed when we were there in temple. We had fantastic round on bank of river Kapila.. which flows almost 10 months a year.. !!! Now a days except in western Maharashtra all our rivers flow only for 6 months. We visited Nandeesha’s place and had snacks + coffee there too. While coming back to Mysore we had invitation from 2/3 places for lunch but there was no place in stomach. Next spot we visited is St Philomena’s church. Beautiful structure which I visited earlier but again wanted to see. There I though of extending my stay by one more day and called Prakash. But could not get him online. Meanwhile Nandeesha enquired about postponement of my flight. Bina studied in a school which is next to Church. We left for Srirangapattanam and visited another fantastic place on way Rangana Thittu. It’s a bird sanctuary having natural water resource. There is natural water canal flowing forming an Iceland of dense forest. We could see crocodiles on rocks. Boating facility is available which takes you very close to those lazy crocodiles. This is the first time I saw crocodiles in their natural form. I was remembering my son who was asking many questions about crocodiles. I decided that one day I will bring him to this place. Thousand times thanks to Nandeesha for taking me to this place. From this place onwards Nandeesha drove m/cycle with much better confidence than he had earlier. Nimishamba temple is the next place we visited. Here too we had to wait in a queue for 10 minutes as pooja was being performed.. and we had special Prasad. Its lovely place on the bank of river. Where water is singing song in natural rhythm. Water is not deep, so we went and sat on rock in middle of river. Enjoyed Chiku and called Jyoti as she too love places with water. While going back we picked fresh vegetables. Gosai ghat is next place we visited. This too is equally good and famous for movie recordings. Few hundred films must have been shot at this place.. There we happen to meet friend of Jyoti with her parents.. who scolded Nandeesha for not visiting their place. I remember all my close friends from hometown and their scolding for not visiting their places. After spending some time here we left for RanganathSwami temple.

Though Nandeesha is from Nanjangud, I was surprised to know that he never had been to Ranganatha Swami temple. For him it was first visit. When we came back we purchased one wall painting. Both of us were not having any experience of bargaining there we could do better than what we our self expected.

Level of my happiness and spiritual feelings were all time high through out the day.. I am sure its due to food and stay which we had at Jyoti’s place + company of friends from Mysore.  Rarely I have experienced in my life.. I had a feelings that we have been together since long time.. when I visited Naveens’ place, Guru Prasad and Umesh’s room and other places at Mysore.

I had been to Mysore few years back and visited other places of interest which normally any tourist will cover e.g. Tipu’s palace, tomb, KRS dam & Brindavan garden. This time we decided to visit places which are worth visiting and not covered by normal tourists.

We ended our picnic with Ranganatha swami temple and came back to Mysore. We were not hungry but had tasty food on similar very old place. Nandeesha arranged logistic in such a way that we parked Naveen’s bike at Umesh’s from where room (from where Kiran collected it) and left for Bangalore. We boarded 7.30 PM bus from Mysore and reached Bangalore around 11,00 PM. Nandeesha dropped to Bhole brothers place around 11.25 and left for his place which is at the other end of city.

This was the most memorable Saturday I had in Mysore. We have decided that next time we will plan a trip to mysore for 4/5 days.. One day for Infosys Campus @ Mysore and can club few more places from down south with the help of Nandeesha and other friends. Saraswathi, Beena, and Swapna is also from Mysore and we can plan next trip with them.

I missed visit to Saraswathi’s place at Nanjangud and Beena’s place at Mysore. Beena was also at Mysore that day about which we were not aware. Wherever I had been in my life, I came across good people and trip to Mysore strengthened my belief that there are good people everywhere in the world. 

And finally I am now looking forward to have fantastic family trip to Mysore. Friends like Nandeesha, Naveen, Umesh and Saraswathi, Beena, Swapna are there to help us in planning. Most probably I will drive from Pune to Bangalore. Now road condition is very good and we can drive @ 100 KM / hr. As it is I love driving.. + we can accommodate few other friends with us from Mysore. !!!

My Konkan Trip Travelogue

Hi,

We had fantastic trip to south konkan in last week. Its my friend Mr Ravi Kamat who had been to this area last year by Motorcycle and suggested me to go there. In addition to inputs received from him various web sites gave me enough information about Konkan. I had planned a family trip but was more keen to have friends with their families with me. As usual I was checking with my various friends, Jagadish was keen to come but family front was bit busy as they were to attend important functions. I was checking with other friends but almost everybody was busy. When checked with Deore, our another close friend, he said Yes.. we are coming !! I planned to start on Friday the 13th April, Deore said it will be bit difficult but he agreed to arrive at Pune on Friday morning. But Rajashree told me that we need to prepare for trip and will need a day. I also realized that we have other some work and decided to start on Saturday the 14th. Deore family arrived at Pune on 14th morning. Saturday morning I received a call from Suhas [my another friend, we were class mate for BCS] enquiring about Deore and our program. We invited him again with us. At 10.00 we received a call from Suhas he is also joining us with family and parents if we are ready to wait for him for 2 hrs. Happily we waited for him and finally we started from Pune around 12.30.

14th April  (Saturday)

From Pune we drove to Kolhapur. With 1 big break for Lunch before Satara and one small break for Sugar Cane juice after Satara, we reached Kolhapur around 7.30. Stayed in hotel nearer to Station. Had fantastic dinner at hotel……..

Suhas had few concerns as he experienced very hot summer at Goa last year and was expecting similar weather at places we had planned. He suggested to visit Ganpati Pule, Ratnagiri area instead of places we decided.

Lot of discussions happened during dinner, we studied map, checked with few other people about route, alternate places of interest and finally we suggested him to take a different route for himself (Panhala, Jotiba, Narsinha Wadi, Mahabaleshwar, Pachgani) and told that we will stick to our plan. Though it was not good suggestion we stick to our plan.  

15th April (Sunday)

On 15th Morning, Suhas also decided to join us for rest of trip. We started with Mahalaxmi temple at Kolhapur. Original plan was to go via Kolhapur -- Radhanagari – Dajipur – Deogadh  But keeping in view feedback received we changed our original route Kolhapur – GaganBawda – Karul Ghat – Deogadh. We (all males with kids) enjoyed river bath at Ramling-Palsambe, a place before Gaganbawada while ladies were busy in shooting / photography. Beautiful panoramic view of Karul Ghat is simply amazing. Its almost 15 KM ghat section but with very good road conditions and very minimal traffic. Would love to drive from this route again and again. We touched Mumbai Goa highway at… and had first Malvani Fish Lunch. It was marriage anniversary of Deore and he hosted lunch !!. Soon after having lunch + Pan we moved towards Vijaydurg. The fort is beautiful and still almost all structures are intact. It is surrounded by water from 3 sides and only entrance side is connected to land. We were told there is water on fort we had complete round of fort but could not find single drop of drinking water there. But had beautiful view of sea from different points of fort. Kids were having more energy than we while having round of fort. Soon after coming back we had deal with local fisherman for boating and we could get a good deal. Rs 100 for big round in a sea. It was deal where every one was happy, fisherman was happy as he could earn almost 75-80 Rs in 30 minutes as a bonus. We were happy as we got a good boating trip for 100 bucks. Vijaydurga also called as Gibraltar of east is worth visiting once. On our way back we stopped on Tube well with handpump where we washed our hands and faces. Rameshwar temple a beautiful spot just 2 KM away (its on road only) from Vijaydurg is a place one MUST visit. Beautiful old konkani temple, difficult to maintain but still in a good shape. Had bread + butter + jam and lot of fun with parents and others. Second halt was suppose to be at Deogadh. Suhas enquired about BEST accommodation @ Deogadh which was fortunately not available. We were having few contacts from Deogadh, Aunty of our colleague Dhanashree + cousin of another friend Shirish (Warik Medical) . In consultation with Shirish’s brother we got a beautiful place to stay. Also with very competitive rates. This place (Jamsande) is actually a suburb of Deogad. Had Fish Thali in dinner. I am having another connection in my memory with Jamsande. Unseen colleague from Wockhardt was from this area and we (myself + Sharad Puranik) used to get some publications on his name. Beautiful letter received from one of editor is still in our collection. ( I remember Dipak Bhole taking its original with him)

16th April  (Monday)

Started around 8.00 in morning, had breakfast on way and visited Shirish’s brother, Mr Warik at his medical store in front of Deogad bus stand. Deogad port is bit away from residential area and had interview of all workers on small boat being used for survey of oils in sea. We got an opportunity to see/operate all communication + navigation equipments, boat engine, learnt more about life on sea. While kids enjoyed horn of boat, ladies enjoyed watching movements of crabs + fishes in water. Deogad fort is another place. Ganesh temple, light house are places of interest. This fort also gives beautiful view. Deore got 2/3 KAIRYA from tree when local girl told us not to take such risk as we may have to pay fine upto 500 / mango !! Person at temple were very kind and offered us Mangos. It was Sankashti Chaturthi. On way back got beautiful view of Wind Mills on a background of Deogad beach. Lunch was at Kunkeshwar another place one MUST visit. Lord Shiva’s temple on sea shore reminded me Sorti Somnath. We enjoyed this as we had good lunch before coming to temple. {Aadhi potoba mag shankar}Here is first time kids had an opportunity to play with sands. Journey towards Tarkarli was nice. We did not get accommodation at MTDC and did not had energy to look for better option. Stay at Manali Resort was like punishment. Only good things which we enjoyed fully were Rum which Suhas brought from US.

17th April (Tuesday)

I gave a ring to Deore on mobile at 5.45 and both of us were on beach by 6.00. We had interview of local fisherman to whom we helped in pulling his boat. Before we returned to hotel, had fixed a FISH lunch at his place cooked in special Malvani Style. There was big tortoise died in fisherman’s net on beach.

This was a great day in a trip, soon after breakfast we had been to Sangam Beach on an island almost 5 KM away in deep sea. 45 minutes boat ride was just like a Kerla back waters. We had maximum photographs on this route. This is a virgin island having only sea birds. Best place to enjoy sea bath / sun bath. It was experience as if we were in paradise. We also learnt that there are almost 40+ such places around Malvan. Marathi film SHWAS was shot in same place.

We enjoyed beer and left for lunch. Having lunch with ………was memorable event. Very simple people took lot of efforts in cooking and we were treated as special guest at their place. All family was waiting for us and we have not family friend at Tarkarli. !!! All of us enjoyed NAP after having Bangade.

After having lunch + nap we left for Malvan. Checked for alternate accommodations on our way back and realized that there were many and we should have explored it more before staying at Manali. It was good learning.

Inconvenience caused by stay at Manali created lot of tension between we three friends. Halted at Daryasarang, another beautiful place suggested by Suhas at Malvan. Enjoyed Dinner with India Pakistan cricket match on background.

18th April (Wednesday)

After having heavy breakfast we left for Malvan Fort (Sindhudurg). It was very hot as we started around 10.00 but Malvan is a fort one must VISIT. Three wells having sweet water, BHUYAR from one well connecting to land is simply amazing. It must be first ever tunnel under sea. (Euro tunnel during Shivaji’s temple). Fort is also having one coconut tree with branch. Temple of Shivaji Maharaj and footprint + hand print of Shivaji Maharaj taken by Hiroji Indulkar are worth visiting.

On way back we visited Ozar a place where Saint… had taken Samadhi. Place reminded me a place called Kundeshwar at Beli from my place. Filled petrol from Narayan Rane’s petrol pump at Malvan. Heavy breakfast forced us to skip the lunch we arrived straight at Aravali next to Vengurla. On our way to Vengurla beautiful river view from 2 bridges made our day. Accommodation at Aravali again created tension, and we missed each other for almost 2 hours. Finally we arrived on amicable solution and decided to stay at place suggested by Suhas.

Room boy took 1 hr to prepare our room and hence we took more time to go down. Suhas and Deore arranged meanwhile for drinks program. We enjoyed local liquor called Khurak. It was just like Fenny. Open discussions + Khurak released all tension and we were again fresh.

19th April (Thursday)

The place where we were staying was in lavish green area… almost in a field.. like MALA we have there was concrete bunglow, ground floor occupied by owner and first floor is converted in few rooms. Fortunately, there were almost 5 rooms out of which 2 were occupied by my family and Deore’s family. Whole WAWAR WAS OUR..there was nice Varandah with BANGAI + lot of open space almost 500 + sq feet covered from top, open from 3 sides.. its little bit inside towards sea shore.. from road .. Sea shore was walk able from our hotel.. and took only 5 minutes.. we were able to hear GAJ of sea at our place.. We decided to start bit leisurely and started approx 9.30 to 10.00. As we came to main road, next village is having beautiful temple of VETOBA.. Vetal..like any other Konkani village there are lot of temples of ANDHAR DEVATA like Vetoba, Mhasoba, etc.. who are more famous for all BHUTATAKI and allied activities. But this VETOBA’s idol was so beautiful, complete black with UGRA MISHA but still loveble and I fall in love with him.. Nice DHOTAR + UPARANE.. also temple was well maintained.. lot of others mainly staying away from home (Mumbai + other places) donated some big amount for temple (From board I could see all names Salgavkar of Kalnirnay was one of them) and there seems to be facility of stay, puja for them. Beautiful paintings + puja saman.. we had nice darshan. I could capture VETOBA in my handycam from little bit away .. it is not allowed to take photo / video of VETOBA.. Hope he is not angry with me.. because I liked that GOD I took his photo..

After Vetoba, we drove to place called REDY .. its famous for GANESH TEMPLE.. The board outside temple was having story about it.. Once Ganesh came in dream of some local devote and told him to dig a specific place where they found this idol of Ganesh. Its big idol almost 5 feet high and 3 to 4 feet wide.. Location is fantastic.. its on hill, and sea shore at bottom of hill.. from there you get a beautiful birds eye view of sea shore and large area with coconut trees.. we had been to sea shore.. enjoyed for some time.. and came back.. There is another fort called YASHVANTGAD which is abandoned now .. which was owned by Great Shivaji.. during old time.. as usual.. not maintenance.. but very difficult to attach.. on road towards yashwantgad there is beach named PARADISE .. and as its name says.. its really beautiful beach.. but very dangerous deep sea just on 5 feet distance and vibrant currents.. by looking at it only we realized if some one falls in side then no hopes of life.. there were few big KHADAK made of sea shells .. you must have seen such rocks if visited Harihareshwar or Janjira.. all shells coming together forming rock.. and it has very sharp edges .. if you stand barefoot on that rock.. 101 % sure of having cut.. with salty water.. imagine how burning it would be.. one of our friend was to jump on that with bare foot.. fortunately I told not to do so.. by that time.. I had cut in my foot.. so we dropped idea of going on Yashwantgad and started for Terekhol fort..

Sea shells layer on Janjira fort made it impossible for others to climb on walls of fort using rope.. even leather foot wear will get cut by sea shells.. !!!

While we were traveling towards Terekhol fort, we saw 2/3 iron mines.. one was very huge.. and JCB at work was looking like a toy .. it was supplying iron ore to factory nearby now owned by Tata.. it was owned by some other company earlier.. being  bankrupt.. sold to Tata Metalics and operational since last 2/3 months.. We thought of entering there but me being in drive like dress, they would not have belived that I am tata employee.. so dropped idea.. One beautiful curve and there was hotel on left side.. having beautiful view of KHADI with small + big launches + usual green view of konkan.. It was owned by some christen family staying there.. We decided to have a lunch there.. AS we parked our cars there.. I saw a JAMUN Tree full of jamuns.. I went on top.. and first time saw these many jamuns under any tree.. I could not see the roof, it was completely covered by all jamuns.. and being sweet lot of MUNGALE ../ MAKODE.. without disturbing them I collected almost 250 gm.. and gave it to my son / wife and went back on roof …. Had fantastic feast.. I must have ate at least 500 to 700 gms of Jamuns.. remembered my loving friend Kishore Patil and our plans which we had when staying together at Dombivali..

When we came down we saw lot of KAJU’s fallen on road.. and no body was bothered. Natural Kaju need to be processed before they come in a form what we eat !! There is bhatti in which they are rosted.. then comes oil out of it.. which is like BHILAWA’s oil also having some medicinal use.. then only it takes a form which you and me are used to see.. these KAJU generate employment for poor people at Konkan.. they collect all kajus from road or from fields.. Kaju what we eat are at end.. but before that there is big fruit.. like small apple or PERU and it tests some time sweet or like TEMBHURN.. after taking kaju out that fruit is crushed in a thresher like machine liquid + what ever solid comes out of that is fermented and then used for distillation… liquor coming out of this is called FENNY .. on opposite site of hotel, there was old lady (Aunty) having that Bhatti.. we visited bhatti.. and had 3 pegs mixed with Limca.. Purchased 2 bottle fresh fenny for future use.. By the time food was ready.. once started, we finished all CHAPATI’s and hotel wala said NO, now only rice can be served.. not to mention we asked for more rice..

As we had fantastic lunch.. Suhas my friend said, now drivers would like to slip under tree where there is water nearby.. Deore made a joke by suggesting him to look for a ATTACHED tree.. he was always insisting for rooms having attached toiled and bathroom.. and everyone of us busted laughing.

Just 500 meters from that place was TEREKHOL fort.. it was built by Portugese.. as VAKHAR ..Other bank of KHADI was GOA.. rather people from that area consider that they are GOAN though staying in Maharashtra.. Fantastic location and beautiful sculptures.. there is church inside.. its not very big.. but at very important location from where one can keep a watch on much more larger area.. and also difficult to attack.. !! Now its converted in 5 star hotel.. tea costing approx 300 !!! Suhas wanted to have but I apposed the proposal.. as its not worth.. (My experience says.. that.. I could never understand reason of having such high rates in 5 * hotel.. more over why people go there.. !!!)

That was the end of our Paryatan.. as per plan.. we returned home.. played hollyball.. we carried foot ball with us for kids.. but did not had an opportunity to enjoy it there.. so took a chance.. there was net and time too.. after playing.. we went on sea shore.. it was trip of only MENs, had lot of interesting discussions on subjects varying from wife to carrier, life to money, college to friendship.. and we all 3, myself, Suhas and Deore agreed that we had fantastic trip.. all were happy.. while coming back we lost the road.. there were no lights.. and we had to seek help for locating our hotel.. Before dinner again enjoyed khurak.. I am sure it was fenny sold to us by different name.. with plans for return journey we went to bed..

20th April (Friday)

Next day we were not in hurry.. as usual we were open for change in our travel plan.. Original plan was to go via Kolhapur ..we wanted to avoid Mumbai Goa highway due to its unsafe traffic and wanted to go to Kolhapur.. one option was to return by same way.. which would have been long distance.. but then planned to drive cautiously on Mumbai Goa highway till we get diversion for Kolhapur.. when discussed with hotel person who happen to be from that area only, he suggested us to go Via Sawantwadi – and suggested that we can even visit Narsobachi Wadi.. as per his guidelines.. we started for Sawantwadi.. beautiful road.. first class mood.. we came to Sawantwadi and decided to do some shopping.. Mango’s were on shopping list.. plus sawantwadi is famous for wooden toys.. ladies took full freedom and spent almost 2/3 hrs in shopping.. We also purchased MANGOS from Sawantwadi.. and had our lunch there itself.. there are few places worth visiting near Sawantwadi but all of us were very happy with our trip and did not had any more desire to see other places.. full of joy.. and satisfaction of trip.. after lunch we drove from Amboli Ghat.. one of fantastic place.. one should visit this area and that too by road.. ideal season is Shravan.. I remember my goa visit when I was studying at Pune.. by bus.. with my friend from Jamner.. who managed to get ST concessions for both of us from Pune to Banda.. which was maximum possible for us.. to save some money !! From Amboli after some time we touched Mumbai Bangalore highway.. as per distance chart from one location Narsobachi wadi and Kolhapur was equidistance.. almost 45 KM.. If we were to go to Kolhapur again another 50 KM for Narsobachi wadi.. so decided to use short cut.. some one told us that road is not that good.. but its very short distance.. We took a turn.. and it was like a punishment given to us.. complete 40 KM road was horrible.. I will never call it as road.. Even road to BHAGPUR from BELI (these are places nearer to my hometown) must be better than this.. and by the time we reached Narsobachi wadi.. we were completely exhausted.. and realized that it was wrong decision to take this route.. any way on arrival we checked for accommodation arrangement.. everyone was tired due to last 40 KM which took almost 3 to 4 hrs..Thought came in mind.. before you can meet god, there is hard way.. long tapasya.. so we were not an exception to that.. While we were finalizing lodge Deore visited one place called SOMAN Yanche Hotel.. he was about to close it and Deore said, can we have dinner here.. ? Hotel owner was bit hesitate to provide dinner for 8 of us + 4 kids.. but agree to server after 45 minutes.. when we came there.. we had Garmagarm dinner.. and had chit chat with hotel wala.. lot of interesting things / people we came across.. Mr Soman was one of them.. its hotel having water tap on every table.. just to avoid water service and provide clean water he arranged.. there were few photos of Mr Soman from different places.. once we started talking came to know he loves driving.. and though he him self is having own cars + other vehicles, just he gets an opportunity to drive different kind of vehicles, he worked as drive for 25 + years.. he had been to Nepal on motor bike.. from Narsobachi wadi.. and returned in 15 days.. He told that he had driven every vehicle to maximum of its speedometer.. that too on normal road.. not on express way like Mumbai pune.. open challenge for any one that he will start after one hr from Narsobachi wadi and reach with you at Pune.. knows all distances by heart.. AJAB VALLI.. hotel is being managed by wife and won with one helper.. we had fantastic time with him… and there was news that Pramod Mahajan was shot by his brother..

21st April (Saturday)

Morning was very pleasant.. wife was not happy as lodge was like any other lodge from small town.. so cleanliness + other amenities were not up to the mark / her level…. For us no problem.. we went to Datta Mandir….even during hot summer outside, Krishna.. river there was flowing like winter and many people enjoying swimming.. (Santha vahate Krishnamai…) I remember one lesson studied during my school days.. Aamachi Vardha May.. Even small kids having mastery in swimming .. thought came in mind I was not aware otherwise I would have come with Jay there only for ANGHOL.. Had darshan of guru dev data.. While Suhas and his wife were busy in performing special puja + abhishet, Deore, suhas’s father and my self were discussing what is god, what is ultimate aim of our life.. and ways to achieve it.. We concluded like ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROAM, all ways lead to same almighty.. kids were playing.. while our wives were silent observer.. I think that was most appropriate place to discuss such things.. we were sitting in Mandap next to temple..

Suhas completed (rather Bhataji completed and relieved him) Pooja + Abhishek and he joined with us with wife.. His wife is well read women and told us few things about Datta guru… and his life.. and why these places are holy places.. after some time we decided to make a move.. It was decided to have lunch with SOMAN again.. and we all checked out from hotel, parked our cars in front of SOMAN’s hotel.. he was very happy to see us there.. had fantastic lunch.. lot of discussions.. last year only that complete place was under water.. after 27^th July in Mumbai even worst condition was there .. it was also covered by TV and other media.. almost 2 floors were under water.. including Soman’s hotel.. and when water level came to normal, he was cleaning his hotel, he found very small kid of TORTOISE.. its so small that can easily sit on our palm.. kids as well as we all were excited to see it.. there.. finally we exchanged our addresses and contact details.. not to mention invited him to Pune.. he suggested us to visit Audumbar another Holi place which was on way only.. and also guided us about route..

We all were happy and left for Audumbar.. yet to calculate our final accounts for last 8/9 days.. Audumbar is another calm place where Guru Datta’s temple is again on bank of some river.. there was one boy and one old person swimming there.. Deore had a keen desire to have a bath there.. and I also had similar desire in morning.. and thought that god has listen to my desire and giving me an opportunity here which I missed in morning.. so both of us removed our cloths and enjoyed river bath, swimming.. Kids too were  excited and without paying any attention to their mothers (like fathers) they too removed their cloths and joined us.. There is beautiful GHAT build of proper square sones.. having steps in water.. kids were enjoying there.. After some time Suhas’s son who was sitting on bank jump directly into water which was shallow for us, but yes, for him it was dip water and we all were stunned.. immediately we run towards him and took him out.. and after another 5 minutes all have to come out..

Settled our accounts on paper.. now we knew how much we owe to each other.. and started for Pune.. stopped for tea + Vada Pav / Bhaji on highway where there is one way going to Satara (pune end) .. all were in good mood.. decided to have dinner of AAMRAS at Suhas’s place.. next day..

Arrived at Pune around 8.30.. We dropped Deore at his co-brothers place.. and relaxed..

22nd April (Sunday)

After complete rest, cleaned all our cloths in both washing machines.. (yes I have two washing machines at my place and many times we use both simultaneously.. ) We went to Deore’s co-brother place to receive him.. and had fantastic dinner at Suhas’s place.. while we were having dinner, handycam was connected to TV and had nice chit chat.. After dinner we dropped Deore again his co-brother’s place.. and next day we were in office and he left for Jalgaon..