Visit to Penns Caves PA and Center County Memorial Park, State College, PA on 07-Jul-2019

Penns Cave, PA is America's only all-water cavern & farm-nature-wildlife park. In 1885, Penn’s Cave opened as a commercial show cavern and the Penn’s Cave Hotel was built. Very fortunate to see this place and had very different experience. Nature takes it own course and the creation of the caves took millions  of years.

An astonishing and magnificent visit.... !!!! 

Day 16 - Visit to Sanchi, Tropic of Cancer, Ujjain, Saraf Galli on 30-Nov-2018

Sanchi  is a Buddhist complex, famous for its Great Stupa. The Great Stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stone structures in India, and an important monument of Indian Architecture.[1] It was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka in the 2nd century BCE.  In the 1st century BCE, four elaborately carved toranas (ornamental gateways) and a balustrade encircling the entire structure were added. The complex has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Day 05 - Visit to Humpi, Raichur as on 19-Nov-2019

Humpi-capital of Vijayanager empire is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It became the centre of the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire capital in the 14th century. Hampi was a prosperous, wealthy and grand city on the banks of Tungabhadra River, with temples, farms and trading markets.  The Vijayanagara Empire was defeated and destroyed by a coalition of Muslim sultanates of Bijapur, Golconda, Ahemednagar, Bidar in 1565. 

Read about prosperity Vijaynagar Empire and its destruction of Humpi in school and could visit this historical place. Realized both aspects of prosperity and massive destruction by the sultanates.

Visit to Golconda Fort as on 04-Nov-2018

Visited Golkonda Fort  second time after 1987 during the 2018 Diwali stay in Hyderabad. The four hours of round in the fort area with relatives was a good time spending and re-calling that a hand clap at a certain point below the dome at the entrance reverberates and can be heard clearly at the 'Bala Hisar' pavilion, the highest point almost a kilometer away. 

Cheerful Bhoskars, Kulkarnis, Joshis and Pathaks

A Trek to Naneghat on 04-Aug-2018

Trek to Naneghat-Route Map on 4th August with an energetic group 35 youngsters. A pass of 250 BC used for commercial purposes during Satvahan era. Naneghat, also referred to as Nanaghat or Nana Ghat, is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats range between the Konkan coast and the ancient town of Junnar in the Deccan plateau. 

With marathon runners Sharad, Vyankatesh and Suresh Nair

Visit to Sand Dunes, Kuldhara, Jaiselmer, Army Museum as on 21 and 22 Feb-2018

Visited Sam Sand Dunes near Jaiselmer the point which is famous in Thar desert for Desert Safari and camel riding. The safari rides are along the breathtaking crests and troughs. 


The Thar desert is a must place to visit as very different in nature. Best time is the winter only. Summer is very hot unbearable.

Warm Welcome at the resort

Visit to Jodhpur on 19-Feb-2018

Jodhpur Jodhpur's most notable attractions are Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jaswant Thada, and the Ghanta Ghar, or Clock Tower.

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur is one of the world's largest private residences. A part of the palace is managed by Taj Hotels. The palace is named after Maharaja Umaid Singh The palace has 347 rooms and is the principal residence of the former Jodhpur royal family. A part of the palace is a museum. The Palace was built to provide employment to thousands of people during the time of famine.

Visit to Pratapgad on 16-Sep-2017

This was my third visit to historical Pratapgad - first when I was in school with cousins and maternal uncles  and second one with Sadhana and Priyanka in 2000. 

This visit was marked with fantastic rainy season in the valley and the varied depiction of the nature's different flavours.

The Battle of Pratapgad between Shivaji and Afzal Khan was fought below the ramparts of this fort on 10 November 1659 and short but strong Shivaji killed monster Afzal Khan.

Visit to Konkan on 11 and 12 Aug-2017

A two-day visit to Nagaon Beach, Revdanda Fort, Birla's Ganapati Temple, Ganesh Temple, Nandgaon and Murud-Janjira with Joshi family

We have been enjoying the Alibag-Murud-Janjira track via Nagaon, Reavdanada, Kashid Beash and Nandgaon since 1990s and one of the best weekend destinations from Mumbai. One more trip to enjoy coconut trees, Konkani food, swimming Arabian sea and so on.

Wonderful  Joshis

Visit to Golden Temple, Jalianwals Bagh and Attari Border on 30-31 -Mar-2017

On the last day of the tour, we visited three important places - one  of historical importance  and one the place of pride for every Indian.  Wanted to visit these places right from the school days as learn  about them in the history book and was attached sentimentally to these places. During the day, we went through the different states of mind - very satisfied after the darshan in the Golden Temple, irritated and anguished after visiting Jalianwala Bagh and filled with enthusiasm and national pride after the Attari Parade by Border Security Force .

Myself in front of a 360-foot high flag post

Visit to Dharamshala, Kangra Fort, Jwalamukhi, Chamundadevi on 28-30 Mar 2017

With two days of stay in Dharamshala we visited Chamundadevi Temple, Jwalamukhi, Kangra Fort, Jain Temple, McLeod Ganj and HPCA Cricket Stadium. Also could see a tea garden on the way from Manali to Dharamshala.

With Sadhana in the background of tea garden near Dharamshala

Visit to Narkhand, Jakhoo Temple, Army Museum, Shimala from 22-Mar-2017 to 24-Mar-2017

Visited Shimla second time and could move around more in Toyota Crysta with Sadhna and Kelkars. Very scenic and nice place and worth more than two visits due to a lot of scenic places and fantastic climate. 

Panoramic Scene of Himalaya Range on the way to Narkand

Visit to Wadi and Khidrapur as on 18-Feb-17

Visited Narsobawadiand Khidrapur Temple on 18-Feb-2019 enroute to a marraige in Miraj. 

Very lucky to Khidrapur which an odd place to reach and not very known place but worth visiting to see the typical Kopeshwar Temple was built in the 12th century by Shilahara King Gandaraditya between 1109 and 1178 CE.

Visit to Sinhgad Fort near Pune on 01-Jan-2017

Sinhgad Fort  is a hill fortress located at around 36 km southwest of the city of Pune, India. Mind went into the school days and remembered the great warriors like Tanaji, Shelarmama after visiting this fort. Moved around in the fort for 4-5 hours and simple but delicious Maharashtrian food with mast curd.

Visit to Haldighati, Kumbalgarh Fort, Ranakpur Jain Temples on 12-Dec-2016

After spending two days in Nathdwara and started return journey to Navapur and Thane. Ankit and Priyanka suddenly changed the route to head towards the Haldighati, Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur Temple. All the three places where scenic and historical. The Kumbal Fort has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Ankit and Priyanka on their first voyage after marriage

Visit to Srirangpatanam as on 17-Jun-2016

Srirangapatna one of the most important Vaishnavite centers of pilgrimage in South India. The temple was built by the Ganga dynasty rulers of the area in the 9th century; the structure was strengthened and improved upon architecturally some three centuries later.

Srirangapatna became the de facto capital of Mysore under Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.  Various monuments that dot the town, such as Tipu Sultan's palaces, the Darya Daulat and the Jumma Masjid(Friday congregational mosque), date from this period.

Main Gate of Daria Daulat Bagh

Visit to Coorg, Madikeri on 14-15 Jun, 2016

Visited Raja's Seat, Madikeri, Elephant Camp, Dubare, Madikeri, Namdroling_Monastery, 

  Talakaveri, Nisargadhama, Madikeri, Abbey_Falls near Madikeri

Cheerful Group on the way to Coorg

Visit to Shravanbelagola, Halebidu on 13 Jun, 2016

Started the 5 days tour with Shravanabelagola, Belur and Halebidu from Bengaluru with Vijaumama, Mami, Sadhana and myself by car. Other places visited were Dharamashala, Coorg, Mysore and Srirangpatanam. The iterneary was well planned, the climate was nice and the places were something which I wanted to visit since school days. 

Visit to Gate of India on New Royal Field on 23-May-16

It was really exciting to ride on a brand new Royal Cassic 350 with Sadhana, a sumptuous dinner in Status at Nariman Point and after that return to Thane via Peddar Road, Siddhivinayak Temple. 

  

A short and sweet trip after finishing work in Dadar

Visit to Elephanta on 16-May-2016

Visited Elephanta Caves once again with Rajani Kaku, Sejal, Niharika, Sadhana and myself in very hot climate. The travel became some what comfortable with sea breeze . The place is my favorite and visited for the third time. The caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.They are located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri (literally "the city of caves") near Mumbai Harbour.