Quick ride to Neelkantheshwar Temple, Pune

Neelkantheshwar temple was on my list to visit from a long time. The distance between the  Neelkantheshwar temple and my place is around 40km. I decided to visit the place on my Cycle. This was my Solo monsoon trip to Temple.

Ashtavinayank Ganapati, Lord Shiva

About Neelkantheshwar temple:

             Neelkantheshwar temple is located near Panshet and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Tempe is situated on the hill and you can see the statue expressing the Indian Mythology.

To reach the Temple from Pune is, Pune - Warje - Uttam Nagar - Kudje - Katawadi - Take a left at Katawadi - Cross the bridge on River -  Take a left on T Junction - Jambhali Village - Take right (Welcome arch) for Neelkantheshwar - Neelkantheshwar Parking.

Another route is Pune - Sinhagad Road - Khadakvasala Dam - Take right just before Dam - Take left after crossing bridge - Kudje - Katawadi - Take a left at Katawadi - Cross the bridge on River -  Take a left on T Junction - Jambhali Village - Take right (Welcome arch) for Neelkantheshwar - Neelkantheshwar Parking.

You can reach the temple (Longer route) as Pune - Sinhagad Road - Khadakvasala Dam - Khanapur Village - Panshet Dam - Neelkantheshwar temple.

GPS Location:

Neelkantheshwar Temple: 18.405920, 73.644622

Neelkantheshwar temple Parking: 18.401923, 73.651120

July 2018: Pune - Neelkantheshwar Temple - Pune (82 km)

             I woke up early and left home at 6AM on my MTB Cycle. I'm a regular cyclist hence 80km was easy to achieve for me. Soon I crossed Khadakvasala area and the hilly region began. I was carrying energy bars and puncture kit. Road condition towards temple is not good for Road bike Cycle (Type of Cycle) but manageable for MTB or Hybrid Cycles. I reached the river bridge which is after Katawadi. I took my first break for some pictures.

               After a few km of paddling, I reach the welcome arch. Temple is 3km from the welcome arch whereas car parking is at 1.5km. The road from this point is pretty steep and tested my stamina on the climb. The road is also not in a condition to ride the Cycle. somehow I manage to reach the parking area. you can park your vehicle (Bike/Car/Bus) at some nominal charges. The small restaurant is available in the parking where you can get basic snacks items and tea/coffee. From this point, you need to do a small hike. 

               I decided to take Cycle on the top. First, 700-800 meters patch was very steep and I was unable to ride it. After that, I enjoyed off-roading ride till the entrance of the temple gate. Heavy rain started hence I went inside the temple and took the Lord Shiva's Darshan. After some rest, I started exploring the temple area.

               Lord Shiva Temple is mainly famous for statue spread across the temple area. These statues or group of statues share a story from Indian Mythology. You can view stories from Lord Krishna life, Ramayana, Mahabharata from the group of statues. Apart from Mythology stories, you can see giant statues of Indian god and goddess. The statues of Navaratna grah, Ashtvinayank Ganapati, famous god/goddess idol from Pune, Maharastra's Sant etc can be seen in the temple area.

Lord Hanuman - Goddess Sita visit

Navagrah

Vastraharan from Mahabharata

               I left the beautiful temple and came down till parking area without riding cycle. My return journey began and I decided to fallow the same pictures route. I had Tasty spicy Misal Pav near Kudje village. Reached home safely by 1 PM after riding 80-82km.

Misal Pav

Expenses:

• Coffee: INR 20/-
• Misal Pav: INR 60/-
• Water bottle: INR 20/-
• Parking charges: Not for Cycles (INR 10/20/30 for Bike/Car/Bus)

Nearby Places to Visit

Sihagad Bird Valley and Fort

Sinhagad Bird Valley

Panshet Dam

Madhe Ghat

Thanks for reading this Travel Blog. Happy traveling.

Pritesh Kulkarni

Pune

Read More

First 5 honoured Ganapati (Marathi: Manache Ganapati) of Pune

I have started writing small blogs on places to visit from Pune city. This Blog is to give a fair idea on Honoured Ganapati from Pune city.
Here is a small virtual trip to Pune’s First 5 honored Ganapati with some basic information.

             Ganesh Chaturthi was being celebrated as a public event in Pune since the times of Shivaji (1630–1680), the founder of the Maratha Empire. In 1893, Ganesh Festival on large public scale was started by Bal Gangadhar Tilak (first leader of the Indian Independence Movement) from Pune city. He transformed the household worshipping of Ganesha into a grand public event.
             The intention behind Ganesh festival was to bridge the gap between Brahmins and 'non-Brahmins' and find a context in which to build a new grassroots unity between all cast. Also, intention was to gather people sharing similar ideas and exchange thoughts to deal with the British ruler.

Kasaba Ganapati

Among the thousands of Lord Ganapati Pandals in Pune city, Kasaba Ganapati, Tambdi Jogeshwari, Guruji Talim, Tulshi bag and Keshariwada Ganapati are on top places as first five holds the honors of Pune city. Shrimant Dagadushet Halwai Ganapati is richest and famous Ganapati in Pune.

Photos of First 5 honored Ganapati clicked in the year 2015-2016.

1. First Ganpati of Honor in Pune - Kasaba Ganapati
              The Kasba Ganapati is the presiding deity (Gramadevata - Its Sanskrit term for the presiding deity or guardian deity in Hindu villages, towns, and cities. It is derived from the words grāma “village” and devatā “deity”) of Pune. The temple was commissioned by Jijabai, Mother of Shivaji Maharaj (founder of the Maratha Empire).

Established in the year 1893, Mandal is gracing the first place in immersion procession since 1894

Kasaba Ganapati

2. Second Ganpati of Honor in Pune - Tambadi Jogeshwari
              Second Ganpati of Honor in Pune. It is famous and is situated in the heart of the city. The idol of Lord Ganesh has its uniqueness. From last so many years they are using the idol of the same kind which has resemblance of elephants of Africa. In the eleven days of puja, various kinds of events take place which are of social interest and are organized by keeping in mind the same aim that Late Lokmanya Tilak was having in his mind.

Tambadi Jogeshwari

Tambadi Jogeshwari

3. Third Ganpati of Honor in Pune - Guruji Talim
              Third Ganpati of Honor in Pune. This Mandal was established in 1887 even before Late Lokmanya Tilak started this festival. It was established as a symbol of Hindu Muslim unity. First mandal who celebrated its centenary in Pune.

Guruji Talim

4. Fourth Ganpati of Honor in Pune – Tulashi Bag Ganapati
              Fourth Ganpati of Honor in Pune. This is the old and famous Ganesh mandal in Pune. This mandal is known for the size of the Ganesh idol. This is the first mandal to make a fiberglass idol of Ganpati. This Ganapati is located in Tulasi Bag area which is the heart of the city. This area is known as Pune oldest market built by Peshwa (the year 1700-1761)

Tulasi Bag Ganapati

5. Fifth Ganpati of Honor in Pune – Kesariwada Ganapati
             Late Lokmanya Tilak established this idol in the year 1893. It is located in Kesari wada (wada means palace/big house where many families can stay together) which is a house of of Lokmanya Tilak . This Mandal vows to take up social and cultural undercurrents of the society. Organizes shows of renowned artists and speeches of great personalities during the festival.

Kesari Wada Ganapati

Kesari Wada Ganapati

Other Famous Ganapati of Pune city

Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati
             This Ganapati is not in consideration in honor Ganapati of Pune but very popular in Maharashtra and is visited by lakhs of pilgrims every year. This Ganapati temple trust holds the crown of the richest Ganapati of Pune city.

Dagadusheth Ganapati

Dagadusheth Ganapati

Akhil Mandai Ganapati Mandal
             This is one of the most important Ganesh Mandal in Pune. It has an idol of Lord Ganesha sitting on a swing with Goddess Sharada. It is located in biggest and oldest vegetable market in Pune City.

Akhil Mandai Ganapati

Pritesh Kulkarni

Pune

Read More

Aga Khan Palace: Pune

Friends were requested me to start writing on places from Pune city. So People visiting Pune can get An idea about it. This is my first attempt to write blog on places to visit in Pune
We went to Aga Khan Palace in evening.

Aga Khan Palace (Clicked from iPhone)

Location: Pune Nagar Road, Kalyani Nagar, Pune 41104
GPS Location: 18.552708, 73.901510

About Aga Khan Palace:
Aga Khan Palace was built by Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III in 1892. He built this palace to create jobs to poor people from nearby villages. During 1890s nearby area was not considered as part of Pune city and highly affected by Drought.
Muhammad Shah Aga Khan was born in Karachi (Now part of Pakistan) Nizari Ismaili community.
Palace came into limelight due to Indian freedom movement when It served as Prison for Mahatma Gandhi, Wife Kasturba Gandhi, Mahadev Desai and Sarojini Naidu.

Aga Khan Palace

Visit to Aga Khan Palace:
               We went to Aga Khan Palace by 3:30-4 PM. You can reach to Aga Khan palace by Public transport or by Auto or by Cab service. It is located on Nagar road highway which is easy to locate. This place is open from 9AM to 5:30PM. They stop selling entry tickets after 5PM. The place can be seen in less than Hour if you are not deeply interested in Indian History else it has potential to keep you busy for 2-3 hours. Photography is not allowed whereas you can click photos from Mobile Camera and no need to Pay for same.

Aga Khan Palace

             Construction of Palace began in the year 1887 and completed in 5 years. As I mentioned in the blog, construction of palace created jobs to Poor people from nearby Village. Few historical documents say that work employed 1000 people. It was built in Rs 12 Lakhs (in the year 1892). Total Area is 13 acres whereas palace was built on 7 acres of land. The rest area is well maintained Garden along with Small Canteen, Samadhi of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai.

Samadhi of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai

               Mahatma Gandhi, Wife Kasturba Gandhi, and secretary Mahadev Desai were captured and kept in Palace from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944 for Quit India Movement against British. Kasturba Gandhi and secretary Mahadev Desai died during the captivity. In 1969, Aga Khan Palace donated to Indian Government to open for all as a mark of respect to Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi's memorial where part of Ashes kept 

             The only ground floor of Palace is open for tourist. You can see a painting of Gandhi, Painting about there freedom journey and information. You can visit the rooms in which Mahadev Desai, Kasturba Gandhi were captured and kept. Their belongs are also kept for display. Last Room belongs to Mahatma Gandhi but it is closed and you can view through glass. Samadhi of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Gandhi is located in the Palace area. When Mahatma Gandhi died, part of his ashes was brought to the palace and built the memorial. The Palace has beautiful Garden to spend a good time.

Mahatma Gandhi's Room

Ticket rates:

Indian Nationality: INR 15/- per person

SAARC nation citizens (Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan): INR 15/- per person

BIMSTEC nation citizen (Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Bangladesh): INR 15/- per person

Foreign Nation: INR 200/- per person

Thanks for reading this travel Blog. Keep traveling.

Pritesh Kulkarni

Pune

Read More