Places visited: Kolhapur, Siddhagiri, Panhala, Chinmay Ganadhish, Audumbar
Date: 8/11/2011 to 11/11/2011
Purpose: Anniversary Celebration
Persons: Harshal, Juilee.
It was a long awaited trip.
1KM Before the Tasgav toll plaza, at "Warade" gaav ( 134 KM from pune) we halted for tea at around 3:30 PM, at Ganesh Hotel. There is a huge field of cauliflowers at the backyard of this hotel. We decided to buy some cauliflowers while returning back to pune (but forgot this plan later).
As we reached near Kolhapur, Juilee called a few hotels to enquire about the rates. Most of them had Veg-non-veg combined kitchen. Only Hotel Rajat had veg kitchen, so we decided to go to Rajat. We entered in Kolhapur at around 6:00 PM. As we entered, we arrived at station road (Kavla naka), where we saw many lodging and boarding hotels on both the sides. This place is called as Tararani park, which also has Tarabai Putala. We saw Hotel Panchashil there with veg kitchen. So we decided to stay over there and booked the deluxe room non ac. rate 1450. This hotel has checkout time 12 noon.
It was total 217 KM from my home.
9/11/2011:
We woke up early in the morning. Before that I woke up at 4:00 AM, it was very calm and quiet outside. I slept again and woke up finally at 7:00 AM. Then we had breakfast in the Bagicha restaurant,This breakfast was an excellent one. Garma-garam Idli, sambar, chatni, sabu khichadi and toast. We took all the items - ekdum paisa-vasul. After breakfast, we took bath and got ready to go the Mahalakshmi temple. We went by car. The parking is 500 meters ahead of the mandir after, the Bhavani Mandap. The mandir premises is huge and one can easily gets lost, if don't know the roads. The temple is about 3 KM away from Panchasheel. We had to ask to too many people until we reach the parking lot.
We parked the car in Bhavani Mandap Parking, and then walked for couple of minutes and reached to the chappal stand (its free). We entered in the Mandir. Right now, the main door of the mandir is closed and hence we need to go from some other door which is not near to the gabhara. There are two lines in the mandir - one to go to the top and one to go inside gabhara. Some people by mistake stood in the line to go upstairs and then came out of that line as one of the local person shouted and told us. We entered in the gabhara and waited in the queue for 15 minutes. Devi chya murti cha changla darshan zala. Oti pan bharli. Tithe thoda vel baslo. Shivay LakshmiYantra cha pan darshan ghetla. Then we went to the other queue and went upstairs. Upstairs there is a Ganapati mandir. Then we sat for a while. We also purchased "Dorla" = Mangalsutra, Kunku, etc from the shops. From here, we took a riksha and went to Phadtare misal. There was crowd even at 12:00 PM, but we stood for 5 minutes and then got place to seat. Its a very small tapri with 10 benches and tables. Not only mass but upper-middle class people also come here to enjoy the misal pav. They put some curd in the misal. (Next time I will ask them not to put dahi in my misal). This was a tasty misal. But Juilee could not eat all, because it was little spicy for her. We came back to Bhavani Mandap and at a snack-center ate puri bhaji - which was equally spicy - with mirchi thecha in theb bhaji. Juilee also wanted to purchase bangdya but she did not have the measurements, so we decided to come back to the mandir in the evening.
We returned to the hotel at around 2:00 PM and decided to take little rest. Later in the day, the hotel manager called us and informed that he is giving us 10% discount on the bill. That was a nice surprise.
After that, as Juilee had some more hunger left, we went to Rajabhau Bhel. It is just opposite to Khasbag misal, on the side of the road. It is Khaugalli. I was afraid to give Juilee oli-bhel (chinche cha pani changla nasta kadhi kadhi), so I advised her to eat sandwitch. She ordered one from a sandwich wala and I went to Rajabhau bhel to get kordi-bhel. He is an amazing person. There were 50 people standing in front of his stall and ordering many different varieties like oli bhel, suki bhel, bhevda ( = bhel + chivda), etc. He was so used to prepare the things, that no one had to wait for more than 2 minutes. There were 3 assistants with him. It was much organized process. He was also dancing little bit on his legs while preparing the bhel - I think that was keeping him in the flow and smoothness of the process. The bhel was excellent. There is Khasbag Kusti cha Maidan behind his stall. Khasbag cha misal dukan 7:30 la band hota.
After stomach got full, we started walking on the road, and I saw "Binkhambi Ganesh" pati on the road. It reminded me of this picnic spot on my to-do list. So after asking to few people, we finally reached there. This mandir does not have any pillars. But, the gabhara inside has 4 pillars. We did not get any more history of this mandir. We were also searching for kulfi karan Juilee la kulfi che dohale lagle hote. pan kuthe milali nahi mhanun mag riksha keli ani room var gelo. We were too much tired because of all the bhramanti that we did on this day. On the room, we ordered ice creams.
We slept like Kumbhakarna.
10/11/2011:
We have already planned how we are going to spend this day. We woke up at 7:00, had the breakfast in Bagicha - Idli sambar, pohe, toast. Then after getting ready, we have packed all the bags. We then took rickshaw and asked him to drop us at mirchi market in shahupuri. As we got down in the mirchi market, we searched for Shrikant Trading, but could not find it. There were all read red chillies everywere. We enterd in "Aswale Bandhu" shop. We bought Lavangi mirchi, Javari mirchi and byadgi mirchi as per the dukandar's advise.
The project is a dream village of Mahatma Gandhi, visually and symbolically created through the vision and efforts of present 27th Mathadhipati H.H. Adrushya Kadsiddheshwar Swamiji.
The main objective of the Project is to refresh the history of self sufficient village life before the invasion of Mughals in Maharashtra. There were 12 BALUTEDARS (12 main profession based casts i.e. Professions performed by generation by family members) and 18 ALUTEDARS, who provided equipments to all villagers useful in their day-to-day necessities of domestic as well as Agricultural life.
No photos are allowed, wtill I took some with mobile. When we came out of all the caves, (Yaah!, there are caves and once you enter, you can not exit), we ate Matka Kulfi. Juilee che dohale purna zale!. Kulfi was excellent. It was 1:00 PM, when we exited from this and then got cought in a huge traffic jam on the highway while returning back. The policeman told us to go through an alternate way which was very dusty and bumpy. I was really worring about Juilee. So I drove much slow and very carefully. Finally after 1 hour of drive, we arrived in Kolhapur city, and then went on the Bavda Road towards Panhala. On the way to Panhala, we were searching for Veg hotela but all were veg+nonveg, so we compromisd and stopped at a hotel on the way in Panhala ghat. It served us good pithla and a veg thali. We finished our lunch till 3:30 PM and headed to Panhala. Near the entrance, there is a guard and you have to pay Nagarparishad tax. (Do not pay Parking fee, if you are staying at a hotel - I think so). After entering, go straight and you will arrive at Bajiprabhu Deshpande putala, and hotel Hill-Top is just behind it. We checked-in and then lagech cot var aadwe pasarlo. Suryasta baghaycha hota, so we did not sleep. The room location was good - valley view - west facing. Andhar-bavdi ani Teen darwaja samor ch hota balcony chya. There is no elavtor and our room was on 2nd floor.
At 5:00 PM, we started from room and went to andhar-bawdi. We sat on a wall and were waiting for sunset. Sunset was not that exciting as it is on sea-shore. After sunset, we visited andhar-bawdi and Teen darwaja. Then we came back to room and chatted. We were not interested to see other spots, as everywhere there will be valley and mountains and I wanted Juilee to take rest.
11/11/2011:
We were not able to decide whether we would be going to Audumbar or not, but for sure, our next destination was "Chinmaya Ganadhish". From Panhala, we descended from the ghat rasta and took the Top-Sambhapoor phata. Once you reach near the NH4 highway, turn to the left on service road and climb on NH4. Keep going towards Pune for 1 or 2 Kilometers, and if you have really good eye-sight, then you can see a big Ganapati idol on the right hand side, with five-headed snake on the top. There is also a board of "Kent Club" on the left, where you need to go on the service road again and then below the bridge, turn to right. There there are directions of "Chinmaya Ashram", that will lead you to the idol. This idol is really big - 85 feet - tallest Ganesh idol in the world. The name of the village is Top-Sambhapur. There is also a resort (Gandharva resort) behind the idol (it is costly - I think Rs. 355 per person). You need to climb approx. 40 steps to reach to the feet of the Ganapati. Entire surrounding is neat and clean. No kuda-kachra at all.
While returning back, we took the service road again, which was not having any place to join on NH4, so we stopped there for a while, where Juilee asked a passer-by about the way to "Audumbar". He told us the way and on the fly we decided to go there.
We again headed back to Top-Sambhapur, then we went to Peth-Wadgav (The village of my friend Yogesh), Then we went to Ashta which is 22 KM from Peth-Wadgav. From Ashta we took fata for Ankal-khop and then to Audumbar. You need to ask the villagers for the way, else you will reach somewhere else, because the boards kept by MSRTC are not showing correct directions, sometimes. If you do not ask for Audumbar phata on the way, you will surely reach Bhilavdi.
At Audumbar we parked our car and went for Darshan. Tithe mi Juilee var ragavlo. So we did not stopped there. After Darshan, we immediately started the return journey. 10 minita koni ch konashi bolat navhta.
After Shirval, when you cross the river bridge, some 3-4KM ahead, come the Kamat. We halted there and had batatewada and sandwich. Adhi sabudana wada magavla hota to ekdum vadri hota mhnun mag batatawada magavla. Batatewada khoooop tikhat hota. Idli muddam khalli nahi karan ghari pan idli ch hoti. Ani mag filter coffee. Tyani sabudana wada bill madhye laavla te pahun amhala lai raag ala.
We reached home safely at 7:00 PM.
This was really a relaxing and energizing trip. Thanks to JD's policy of taking 5 days mandatory leave. I could really feel recharged after coming to home, and so Juilee.
Expenses:
Panchashil dinner = Rs. 487
Mahalakshmi Parking = Rs. 40
Haar = Rs. 40
Phadtare (misal = 25 X 2, Solkadhi = 10, Paav = 4) = Rs. 64
Riksha Mahalakshmi to Phadtare = Rs. 20
Riksha Phadtare to Mahalakshmi = Rs. 20
Dorla = Rs. 150
Mirinda + Pooribhaji = Rs. 54
Khasbag misal = Rs. 39
Bhel = Rs. 13
Bisleri = Rs. 25
Sandwich = Rs. 25
Bisleri = Rs. 45
Rikshaw from Khasbag to Hotel = Rs. 50
Mirchi = (Lavangi = Rs. 100 + Javari = Rs. 100 + Byadgi = Rs. 40) = Rs. 240
Panchashil Hotel (Room no. 108) 2 days + 4 tea + ice cream = Rs. 3795
Siddhagiri Parking = Rs. 10
Siddhagiri Museum = Rs. 40 X 2 = Rs. 80
Panhala road hotel jevan = Rs. 144
Panhala Hotel Hilltop (room no. 305) 1day = Rs. 1497
Toll:
Khed-Shivapur and Anewadi = Rs. 100
Taswade and next toll = Rs. 115
Entry fee at Panhala = Rs. 5
Parking fee at Panhala = Rs. 5
Taswade = Rs. 58Anewadi = Rs. 45
Khed-Shivapur = Rs. 65
Total Expense = Rs.
Contacts:
Hotel Panchashil:
517 A/2 Shivaji Park, Kavla naka, Kolhapur - 416001
http://www.hotelpanchshilkolhapur.com/
Siddhagiri Museum:
http://www.siddhagirimuseum.org/
Main Centre:
Shree Kshtra Sidhdhagiri Math,
At post Kaneri,
Taluka Karvir,
Kolhapur -416001.
Tel 0231 2672380
Mathadhipati:
H.H. Adrishya Kadsiddheshwar Swamiji.
Mailing contact: adrishya.kad@gmail.com
Hotel Hill Top:
Near Baji Prabhu statue, Panhala 416201
Phone: 02328-235054 / 235154
http://www.hotelhilltop.com/
Chinmaya Ganadish:
http://www.chinmayaganadhish.com/
Kilometers:
Pune = 0 KM
Kolhapur = 217 KM
to and from Mahalakshmi Mandir - Hotel = 223 KM
Siddhagiri = 237 KM
Panhala = 272 KM
Total running: 542 Km. (from my sinhagad road home).
I did not plan too much for this trip. I did neither booked any hotel nor any specific travel plans for specific dates. It was much un-planned. Even we did not pack the bags till the morning.
8/11/2011:
It was our 3rd marriage anniversary. Last year, we missed it, as I was in U.S. This time I wanted to be with Juilee.
We started packing our bags in the morning. We decided to leave on 9th, but the day before, we decided to leave on 8th. So was the hurry in bag packing.
We had a light lunch. Juilee's bag is already ready. I packed my bag after the lunch in hurry. Somehow we manage to leave the home at 1:30 PM. We have also packed "oticha saman" like tandul, khan, udbatti with us (because we do not like to purchase it from near any temple, as they sell the used materials there, sometimes).
It was a sunny afternoon and the NH4 highway was clear and empty. Though I decided not to go over 60 KMPH, I could not resist myself and touched 100 KMPH many a times.
8/11/2011:
It was our 3rd marriage anniversary. Last year, we missed it, as I was in U.S. This time I wanted to be with Juilee.
We started packing our bags in the morning. We decided to leave on 9th, but the day before, we decided to leave on 8th. So was the hurry in bag packing.
We had a light lunch. Juilee's bag is already ready. I packed my bag after the lunch in hurry. Somehow we manage to leave the home at 1:30 PM. We have also packed "oticha saman" like tandul, khan, udbatti with us (because we do not like to purchase it from near any temple, as they sell the used materials there, sometimes).
It was a sunny afternoon and the NH4 highway was clear and empty. Though I decided not to go over 60 KMPH, I could not resist myself and touched 100 KMPH many a times.
1KM Before the Tasgav toll plaza, at "Warade" gaav ( 134 KM from pune) we halted for tea at around 3:30 PM, at Ganesh Hotel. There is a huge field of cauliflowers at the backyard of this hotel. We decided to buy some cauliflowers while returning back to pune (but forgot this plan later).
We again headed towards Kolhapur. Now-a-days, At Shivapur toll plaza you can pay the toll for next plaza (Anewadi), too. So you can quickly pass the second toll plaza.
As we reached near Kolhapur, Juilee called a few hotels to enquire about the rates. Most of them had Veg-non-veg combined kitchen. Only Hotel Rajat had veg kitchen, so we decided to go to Rajat. We entered in Kolhapur at around 6:00 PM. As we entered, we arrived at station road (Kavla naka), where we saw many lodging and boarding hotels on both the sides. This place is called as Tararani park, which also has Tarabai Putala. We saw Hotel Panchashil there with veg kitchen. So we decided to stay over there and booked the deluxe room non ac. rate 1450. This hotel has checkout time 12 noon.
As we entered the room, we felt relaxed and we did the same for a while. After changing the cloths and getting refreshed, we came down to hotel's food court. The hotel has 4 
floors and the kitchen is in the basement. The "Bagicha" restaurant is neat and clean with good ambiance. The menu was good, but with very few marathi items. So we ate just cheese canopy (like cheese sandwich), papad, kadhi khichadi and soups. Kadhi was excellent. But all the items were expensive and not worth. So we decided not to have any food here next time.
floors and the kitchen is in the basement. The "Bagicha" restaurant is neat and clean with good ambiance. The menu was good, but with very few marathi items. So we ate just cheese canopy (like cheese sandwich), papad, kadhi khichadi and soups. Kadhi was excellent. But all the items were expensive and not worth. So we decided not to have any food here next time.
After the dinner, we went out on the station road for a walk. We walked for around 1 KM and realized that its getting much more darker so we returned. We went up to the railway station.
After returning, we slept like hell. I was also little bit tired because of driving, so I too slept immediately.It was total 217 KM from my home.
9/11/2011:
We woke up early in the morning. Before that I woke up at 4:00 AM, it was very calm and quiet outside. I slept again and woke up finally at 7:00 AM. Then we had breakfast in the Bagicha restaurant,This breakfast was an excellent one. Garma-garam Idli, sambar, chatni, sabu khichadi and toast. We took all the items - ekdum paisa-vasul. After breakfast, we took bath and got ready to go the Mahalakshmi temple. We went by car. The parking is 500 meters ahead of the mandir after, the Bhavani Mandap. The mandir premises is huge and one can easily gets lost, if don't know the roads. The temple is about 3 KM away from Panchasheel. We had to ask to too many people until we reach the parking lot.
We parked the car in Bhavani Mandap Parking, and then walked for couple of minutes and reached to the chappal stand (its free). We entered in the Mandir. Right now, the main door of the mandir is closed and hence we need to go from some other door which is not near to the gabhara. There are two lines in the mandir - one to go to the top and one to go inside gabhara. Some people by mistake stood in the line to go upstairs and then came out of that line as one of the local person shouted and told us. We entered in the gabhara and waited in the queue for 15 minutes. Devi chya murti cha changla darshan zala. Oti pan bharli. Tithe thoda vel baslo. Shivay LakshmiYantra cha pan darshan ghetla. Then we went to the other queue and went upstairs. Upstairs there is a Ganapati mandir. Then we sat for a while. We also purchased "Dorla" = Mangalsutra, Kunku, etc from the shops. From here, we took a riksha and went to Phadtare misal. There was crowd even at 12:00 PM, but we stood for 5 minutes and then got place to seat. Its a very small tapri with 10 benches and tables. Not only mass but upper-middle class people also come here to enjoy the misal pav. They put some curd in the misal. (Next time I will ask them not to put dahi in my misal). This was a tasty misal. But Juilee could not eat all, because it was little spicy for her. We came back to Bhavani Mandap and at a snack-center ate puri bhaji - which was equally spicy - with mirchi thecha in theb bhaji. Juilee also wanted to purchase bangdya but she did not have the measurements, so we decided to come back to the mandir in the evening.
At 4:00 PM, we again got ready and this time used riksha to reach the mandir. At mandir we purchased bangdya. There was a lot of crowd, because of "Kiranotsav". On Nov 9, 10 and 11, at the time of sunset, the sun touches the feet, chest and head of the idol of Mahalkshmi respectively. Because of the big buldings in the premises, now-a-days, this is not happening to the extent it used to happen few years back. Now only for few minutes, the sun touches the feet. I could not see it happen, but I could see just the sun shine reaching inside gabhara. There were many people standing inside and I was outside the mandir, so missed it. (Anyway, I would not have gone inside the mandir when it was that crowded.)
Then we started walking towards the Rankala Talav, as many people told us that it is just few minutes away. We walked for 10 minutes, but still we could not see it and then again a person told us that it is again few minutes away. So we again wakled for almost 20 minutes and then arrived at Rankala talav. It is near(!) to mahalakshmi mandir, but you should take riksha. Till we reach to Rankala, sun already sat and there were people taking a walk or seating and chatting. Rankala talavabhovti paar bandhla ahe. The water was not so clean. We sat for a while and ate little heart biscuits that Aai-Baba gave us as a gift on our anniversary. eka lahan mulala thithe khup mungya pan chavlya... hahahaha. We enquired to a local bai there about the shopping of mirchi and gool. She told us to go to the Shahupuri. So we decided to go shopping the next day.
Later we took rickshaw and asked rickshawwala to take us to Khasbag misal. He also told us about different spots in Kolhapur like Chandrakant Mandhre museum, Rajabhau bhel, etc. He dropped us at Khasbag misal. I ate misal and Juilee ate bhaji. Khasbag Misal was better than Phadtare Misal. More spicy and more tasty. We also aksed him about the mirchi shop. He told us Shrikan Trading company is good.After that, as Juilee had some more hunger left, we went to Rajabhau Bhel. It is just opposite to Khasbag misal, on the side of the road. It is Khaugalli. I was afraid to give Juilee oli-bhel (chinche cha pani changla nasta kadhi kadhi), so I advised her to eat sandwitch. She ordered one from a sandwich wala and I went to Rajabhau bhel to get kordi-bhel. He is an amazing person. There were 50 people standing in front of his stall and ordering many different varieties like oli bhel, suki bhel, bhevda ( = bhel + chivda), etc. He was so used to prepare the things, that no one had to wait for more than 2 minutes. There were 3 assistants with him. It was much organized process. He was also dancing little bit on his legs while preparing the bhel - I think that was keeping him in the flow and smoothness of the process. The bhel was excellent. There is Khasbag Kusti cha Maidan behind his stall. Khasbag cha misal dukan 7:30 la band hota.
After stomach got full, we started walking on the road, and I saw "Binkhambi Ganesh" pati on the road. It reminded me of this picnic spot on my to-do list. So after asking to few people, we finally reached there. This mandir does not have any pillars. But, the gabhara inside has 4 pillars. We did not get any more history of this mandir. We were also searching for kulfi karan Juilee la kulfi che dohale lagle hote. pan kuthe milali nahi mhanun mag riksha keli ani room var gelo. We were too much tired because of all the bhramanti that we did on this day. On the room, we ordered ice creams.
We slept like Kumbhakarna.
10/11/2011:
We have already planned how we are going to spend this day. We woke up at 7:00, had the breakfast in Bagicha - Idli sambar, pohe, toast. Then after getting ready, we have packed all the bags. We then took rickshaw and asked him to drop us at mirchi market in shahupuri. As we got down in the mirchi market, we searched for Shrikant Trading, but could not find it. There were all read red chillies everywere. We enterd in "Aswale Bandhu" shop. We bought Lavangi mirchi, Javari mirchi and byadgi mirchi as per the dukandar's advise.
There is also a Jaggery shop on the other side of the road. We bought Gool from it and then returned to room.
While paying the room charges, at the hotel reception, Mr. Shinde on the counter said that JohnDeere is its frequent customer.
At around 11:00 PM, we started from hotel Panchsheel and took the road of Shiroli MIDC and then to Begalore highway went to Siddhagiri Math. This is a unique project, perhaps the only project in India situated at Shri Kshetra Siddhagiri Math, Kaneri, Tal. Karveer, Dist. Kolhapur. The place is near Kolhapur city on Pune Banglore Highway. Shri Kshetra Siddhagiri Math has a history of more than 1000 years, and is a holy place of worship of Lord Mahadeva. The surrounding around the museum is very calm and quiet, a hilly place with a good collection of Flora and Fauna.
The project is a dream village of Mahatma Gandhi, visually and symbolically created through the vision and efforts of present 27th Mathadhipati H.H. Adrushya Kadsiddheshwar Swamiji.
The main objective of the Project is to refresh the history of self sufficient village life before the invasion of Mughals in Maharashtra. There were 12 BALUTEDARS (12 main profession based casts i.e. Professions performed by generation by family members) and 18 ALUTEDARS, who provided equipments to all villagers useful in their day-to-day necessities of domestic as well as Agricultural life.
No photos are allowed, wtill I took some with mobile. When we came out of all the caves, (Yaah!, there are caves and once you enter, you can not exit), we ate Matka Kulfi. Juilee che dohale purna zale!. Kulfi was excellent. It was 1:00 PM, when we exited from this and then got cought in a huge traffic jam on the highway while returning back. The policeman told us to go through an alternate way which was very dusty and bumpy. I was really worring about Juilee. So I drove much slow and very carefully. Finally after 1 hour of drive, we arrived in Kolhapur city, and then went on the Bavda Road towards Panhala. On the way to Panhala, we were searching for Veg hotela but all were veg+nonveg, so we compromisd and stopped at a hotel on the way in Panhala ghat. It served us good pithla and a veg thali. We finished our lunch till 3:30 PM and headed to Panhala. Near the entrance, there is a guard and you have to pay Nagarparishad tax. (Do not pay Parking fee, if you are staying at a hotel - I think so). After entering, go straight and you will arrive at Bajiprabhu Deshpande putala, and hotel Hill-Top is just behind it. We checked-in and then lagech cot var aadwe pasarlo. Suryasta baghaycha hota, so we did not sleep. The room location was good - valley view - west facing. Andhar-bavdi ani Teen darwaja samor ch hota balcony chya. There is no elavtor and our room was on 2nd floor.
At 5:00 PM, we started from room and went to andhar-bawdi. We sat on a wall and were waiting for sunset. Sunset was not that exciting as it is on sea-shore. After sunset, we visited andhar-bawdi and Teen darwaja. Then we came back to room and chatted. We were not interested to see other spots, as everywhere there will be valley and mountains and I wanted Juilee to take rest.
At 8:30 PM, we went downstairs and had dinner. We chose simple items like daal, kulcha, jeera rice and salad. It was little bit colder - like start of the winter. The day was a full relax day.
We woke up at 7:00 AM and went downstairs for the breakfast. It was said to us that it would be ready till then. But, it was not ready. So we just had the tea and went outside and wandered near the Teen Darvaja area. We were not intending to look at those points from the historical perspective. My aim of panhala was to just to relax. We came back to the canteen after half an hour, when he served us Idli-chutni. All the three mornings, we were eating Idli only. This breakfast was not so good compared to Panchashil hotel. We quickly returned to our rooms got ready till 9:30 AM and checked-out of the hotel.
We were not able to decide whether we would be going to Audumbar or not, but for sure, our next destination was "Chinmaya Ganadhish". From Panhala, we descended from the ghat rasta and took the Top-Sambhapoor phata. Once you reach near the NH4 highway, turn to the left on service road and climb on NH4. Keep going towards Pune for 1 or 2 Kilometers, and if you have really good eye-sight, then you can see a big Ganapati idol on the right hand side, with five-headed snake on the top. There is also a board of "Kent Club" on the left, where you need to go on the service road again and then below the bridge, turn to right. There there are directions of "Chinmaya Ashram", that will lead you to the idol. This idol is really big - 85 feet - tallest Ganesh idol in the world. The name of the village is Top-Sambhapur. There is also a resort (Gandharva resort) behind the idol (it is costly - I think Rs. 355 per person). You need to climb approx. 40 steps to reach to the feet of the Ganapati. Entire surrounding is neat and clean. No kuda-kachra at all.
While returning back, we took the service road again, which was not having any place to join on NH4, so we stopped there for a while, where Juilee asked a passer-by about the way to "Audumbar". He told us the way and on the fly we decided to go there.At Audumbar we parked our car and went for Darshan. Tithe mi Juilee var ragavlo. So we did not stopped there. After Darshan, we immediately started the return journey. 10 minita koni ch konashi bolat navhta.
While returning back, somehow, I went to the Islampur highway. This way is better then the Ashta highway. It is also closer to Pune. Just 1 KM before NH4, at Islampur road, we haulted at "Rajkamal" hotel. Tithe parat ekda misal khalli... ya misali madhye farsan hota.. very tasty (Tastier than Kolhapur misal). Juilee ate Amboli (same as Dosa).
As we touched NH4, Juilee asked me if she can drive for some time. I gave her the control and her driving was really smooth. She also touched 80 KM. She drove for almost 40 KMs. As Karad approached, I took over the control again. Mina called us and was insisting us to visit her home on the way. But I refused as we have to reach home before it becomes dark.After Shirval, when you cross the river bridge, some 3-4KM ahead, come the Kamat. We halted there and had batatewada and sandwich. Adhi sabudana wada magavla hota to ekdum vadri hota mhnun mag batatawada magavla. Batatewada khoooop tikhat hota. Idli muddam khalli nahi karan ghari pan idli ch hoti. Ani mag filter coffee. Tyani sabudana wada bill madhye laavla te pahun amhala lai raag ala.
We reached home safely at 7:00 PM.
This was really a relaxing and energizing trip. Thanks to JD's policy of taking 5 days mandatory leave. I could really feel recharged after coming to home, and so Juilee.
Expenses:
Panchashil dinner = Rs. 487
Mahalakshmi Parking = Rs. 40
Haar = Rs. 40
Phadtare (misal = 25 X 2, Solkadhi = 10, Paav = 4) = Rs. 64
Riksha Mahalakshmi to Phadtare = Rs. 20
Riksha Phadtare to Mahalakshmi = Rs. 20
Dorla = Rs. 150
Mirinda + Pooribhaji = Rs. 54
Khasbag misal = Rs. 39
Bhel = Rs. 13
Bisleri = Rs. 25
Sandwich = Rs. 25
Bisleri = Rs. 45
Rikshaw from Khasbag to Hotel = Rs. 50
Mirchi = (Lavangi = Rs. 100 + Javari = Rs. 100 + Byadgi = Rs. 40) = Rs. 240
Panchashil Hotel (Room no. 108) 2 days + 4 tea + ice cream = Rs. 3795
Siddhagiri Parking = Rs. 10
Siddhagiri Museum = Rs. 40 X 2 = Rs. 80
Panhala road hotel jevan = Rs. 144
Panhala Hotel Hilltop (room no. 305) 1day = Rs. 1497
Toll:
Khed-Shivapur and Anewadi = Rs. 100
Taswade and next toll = Rs. 115
Entry fee at Panhala = Rs. 5
Parking fee at Panhala = Rs. 5
Taswade = Rs. 58Anewadi = Rs. 45
Khed-Shivapur = Rs. 65
Total Expense = Rs.
Contacts:
Hotel Panchashil:
517 A/2 Shivaji Park, Kavla naka, Kolhapur - 416001
http://www.hotelpanchshilkolhapur.com/
Siddhagiri Museum:
http://www.siddhagirimuseum.org/
Main Centre:
Shree Kshtra Sidhdhagiri Math,
At post Kaneri,
Taluka Karvir,
Kolhapur -416001.
Tel 0231 2672380
Mathadhipati:
H.H. Adrishya Kadsiddheshwar Swamiji.
Mailing contact: adrishya.kad@gmail.com
Hotel Hill Top:
Near Baji Prabhu statue, Panhala 416201
Phone: 02328-235054 / 235154
http://www.hotelhilltop.com/
Chinmaya Ganadish:
http://www.chinmayaganadhish.com/
Kilometers:
Pune = 0 KM
Kolhapur = 217 KM
to and from Mahalakshmi Mandir - Hotel = 223 KM
Siddhagiri = 237 KM
Panhala = 272 KM
Total running: 542 Km. (from my sinhagad road home).
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