Visit to Mahabaleshwar on 17 and 18 Sep, 2017

Mahabaleshwar in rainy season shows very different flavor and nature's mood changing every 10 minutes. For the third time, very pleasant tour of Mahabaleshwar covering Old Mahabaleshwar, Author Seat, Needle Hole Point / Elephant Point, Venna lake, etc.

Scenic View of Panchganga Valey from Panchganga Temple

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 Shivthar Ghal as on 15-Sep-2017

Shivthar Ghal also known as Sundarmath i.e. Beautiful Monastery is a cave. Samarth Ramdas dictated Dasbodh to Kalyan Swami. Samarth Ramdas lived here for about 22 years. It is believed that this is where the first meeting between Shivaji Maharaj and Samarth Ramdas took place.

Ramdas and Kalyan statues in Shivtar Ghal

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 Savargaon as on 05-Jul-2017

Visited the Ashram of Savargaon with Kulkanris third time. A remote place in the district of Jalna but very sacred place of Priyototamanand Maharaj where in one can spent peaceful and serene moments.

Visit to Khandoba Temple, Andur near Naldurg on 06-Jun-2017

A quick visit to the temple with Dnyanumama, Shashimausi, Savitamami Sadhana and myself on the way to Solapur to Omerga.

 

Visit to Khopali on 12-May-2017

Visited Gagangiri Maharaj Ashram, Khopoli in the heat of May-2017 on my Royal Enfield with Sadhana. 

The ashram is quite beautiful, clean and resided in a beautiful greenery Khopali surrounding of Sanhyandri range of Western Ghats. The garden is also developed with a lot of variety of species of flowers and trees. Best thing is the continuous flow of water stream originated from the Tata Power Plant.

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 Kullu-Manali on 25-27 Mar-2017

The tour started with River Rafting at Kullu just before reaching Manali. First time experience and some fun in the chilled water.  

Pathaks and Kelkars in full gear for river-rafting