Visit To Khandala, Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar, Ganapatipule & Mumbai - Travelogue Maharashtra @ Content Writer

By Mr. Debashis Bose, Contributing Traveller

We reached Mahabaleshwar at 05.20 PM. for night halt and stay.

30-10-06 : Today's programme for local sightseeing is by Govt. Tourist bus leaving at 09.30 AM. One after the other, we had been to Handicraft Centre, where there were lots of handicrafts mostly of wood made by local artisans. There were Chikkies also. Next, we went  to Pratapgarh, a fort built by Shivaji. Inside the fort there is a temple known as Bhowani temple, named after the goddess, whom Shivaji worshipped. Here, Afjal Khan, representing the then Sultan, was murdered by Shivaji.

The story goes like this - it was decided through ambassadors of both, that they shall meet at a place with the condition that both of them will be without arms and with an open mind. But, none of them kept their word. Afjal Khan tried to hit Shivaji with a weapon that was hidden within his robe. Shivaji killed Afjal Khan with the help of a nail of a tiger. There are cemetries of Afjal Khan and his body guard, and a tower under which lies the head of Afjal Khan. There is a big statue of Shivaji also.

Next, we went to Loadwick Point, on top of a hill, named after the first British General of Mahabaleshwar, there is a monument built in his memory. There are Needle-hole point, which looks like the head of an elephant. An Echo point is also there. Then, we went to visit a strawberry farm. There we found strawberry flowers in full bloom and some fruits also. There's one stall for strawberry juice and ice cream with strawberry.

1-11-06 : We left for the beach before sunrise, to witness the sunrise but there were clouds on the east. We had Darshan of Ganapatiji and went round the temple, known as 'Porikroma,' - the road goes round a hill and the hill has taken the shape of Ganapatiji, by nature itself at the base over which the temple has been constructed.

2-11-06 : Some of us went to the temple to worship at 05.00 AM. We had our breakfast, and left Ganapatipule by a Tata Sumo at 11.05 AM, and reached Ratnagiri at 11.40 AM. By the same vehicle, we visited Potit Pawan Mondir, Temple of Bishnuji and Lakshmiji, the birth place and residence of Tilak, Bhagawati temple and Fort built by Shivaji. We also visited a museum, that was a palace of King Shiva – Raja, who was exiled from Burma (now known as Myanamar). We reached Ratnagiri Railway Station at 02.45 PM, and took rest at the waiting room.

Arabian Sea Through The Fort Wall, Ratnagiri

4-11-06 From Gateway of India, we started by a launch for Elephanta Caves at 12.15 PM. There at the cave no. 1, the statue of Lord Shiva was very nicely carved. In other Caves, carved statues were beautiful. The sculptures of the Elephanta Caves were built between 450 to 750 AD, on an area of 5000 square metres, and there are 28 pillars. We returned to the Gateway of India by launch and then we went to our lodge, picked up our luggage and headed for Lokmanya Tilak station. Our train for Howrah, Jnaneshwari Express started at 08.35 PM.

5-11-06 : Whole day and night was spent in the train, discussing our experiences.

6-11-06 ; We arrived at Howrah station, one and half hours late, at 4.15 AM. We were back at our Home, Sweet Home.

About Contributing Traveller: Mr. Debashis Bose is a 72 year old retired Railway employee whose hobbies include travelling & tourism, photography and amateur radio. He is a nature lover and prefers to visit little known places as opposed to big cities with the aim of enjoying nature in abundance. Before going on his regular tours with family and friends, Debashis spends time in studying different places and collecting information about them. On returning from the visit, he prepares a travelogue, with sketch map & photos, so that he can inspire others to visit these places and enjoy nature. vu2dba@gmail.com

Trip Continues From - Shirdi, Nasik, Matheran & Lonavala, Maharashtra

Contact Us - Send us your travelogues, interesting travel articles about your favorite holiday destination in India, a city of India you live in, what you like and dislike about it as well as pictures to support your article (optional).

Other Travel Destinations, India

Looking for Research Based Travel Writing Services, India - contact@contentwriter.in

Common Job Profiles - Writing Industry
Web Content Writer	Website Copywriter	Creative Writer	Article Writers
Travel Writers	Research Writer	Copy Editor	Technical Writer
Ghost Writer	Translator	Proof Reader	Content Writer Blog

 

Search Jobs, Articles & More : Contentwriter.in Site Search