Day 1 :
Waking up at 2 AM to catch
early morning flight to Pune wasn't easy though i'm a morning person. Drowsy
eyes did not stop me from clicking some beautiful sunrise pics from the
airplane window which was a fresh start.
It was a 15 min auto ride from Airport to Railway station.Luckily could manage myself with poori baaji in the station and took an express train ticket to Lonavala.Pragati Express was crowded at it's best.That was a tiresome 1 hr ride in the train with some amazing views from the window.
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| Pic from the flght |
It was a 15 min auto ride from Airport to Railway station.Luckily could manage myself with poori baaji in the station and took an express train ticket to Lonavala.Pragati Express was crowded at it's best.That was a tiresome 1 hr ride in the train with some amazing views from the window.
Lonavala station was quite and calm .It was
9.30 AM and i could feel the heat already ! GPS tracked my hotel which was 2 km
away.Walked for a while when i realized that it was no worth and decided to
rest my feet by taking an auto.The driver offered me a ride to some of the
famous places around which i thought was a feasible idea for the day and
reached him after an hour . The first place we decided to go around was the
famous Karla caves .To reach there one has to climb up the hill for about half
an hour..
Butter milk and lime juice sellers were on our side all along the way helping us reach the spot with their smile. Carved into a rocky hillside, Karla caves are among the oldest Buddhist cave shrines in India. It is located on the Pune-Mumbai highway at Karla and if sources are to be believed, these are only a few among scores of other caves unearthed in Sahyadri Hills. Carved almost 2000 years ago around the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD, this place constitutes a large collection of beautiful Chaityas (halls) and Viharas (monasteries) reflecting upon a journey of the past, narrating some amusing stories. A temple made of pillars from the Buddhist period has also been built recently at the entrance of the caves.
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| Karla Caves |
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| Karla Caves |
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| Karla Caves |
Butter milk and lime juice sellers were on our side all along the way helping us reach the spot with their smile. Carved into a rocky hillside, Karla caves are among the oldest Buddhist cave shrines in India. It is located on the Pune-Mumbai highway at Karla and if sources are to be believed, these are only a few among scores of other caves unearthed in Sahyadri Hills. Carved almost 2000 years ago around the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD, this place constitutes a large collection of beautiful Chaityas (halls) and Viharas (monasteries) reflecting upon a journey of the past, narrating some amusing stories. A temple made of pillars from the Buddhist period has also been built recently at the entrance of the caves.
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| Karla Caves |
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| Karla Caves |
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| Karla Caves |
If ancient sources are to be believed, the caves were of great
importance to the Mahasamghika sect of Buddhism before they became relevant to
Hinduism. The caves house a Buddhist monastery which is believed to have
been built there around 2nd century BC. Also known as Veluraka in the
olden times, the caves house a humongous 15 - meter pillar along with a temple
dedicated to Goddess Ekveera. One can spot a major ancient trade route near the
caves running towards east from the Arabian Sea into the Deccan. It is so
because the early Buddhists used to settle the monasteries close to the major
trading routes in order to provide shelters to the travelling traders. Karla
Caves are a reflection of the mesmerizing beauty of the past carved and
decorated with great details. Owing to its historic significance, the cave
complex is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.
By the time i reached the base it was 11.30 AM and
we decided to visit Bhaje caves.There was no one until i managed to climb
another hill and reach the cave. The Bhaja Caves share
architectural design with the Karla Caves.
The most impressive monument is the large shrine — chaityagriha —
with an open, horseshoe-arched entrance; according to the Archaeological Survey of India,
the chaityagrha is
the most prominent aspect of the caves, and one of the earliest of the type.
The chaitrya has unique reliefs from Indian mythology. Other caves have a nave and aisle, with an apse containing a solid tupa and the aisle circling round the apse, providing the circumambulation path.
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| Bhaje Caves |
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| Bhaje Caves |
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| Bhaje Caves |
The chaitrya has unique reliefs from Indian mythology. Other caves have a nave and aisle, with an apse containing a solid tupa and the aisle circling round the apse, providing the circumambulation path.
Chaitygraha
has some Buddha images.
A cistern inscription shows the name of a donor, Maharathi Kosikiputa Vihnudata, from the 2nd century AD. A
wooden beam records two more inscriptions datable to the 2nd century B.C.,
which indicates caves have been there for at least 2200 years. Eight
inscriptions are found in the caves, some giving the name of the donors.
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| Bhaje Caves |
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| Bhaje Caves |
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| Bhaje Caves |
This cave seemed to be
more interesting than the Karla caves.After peeping into every nook and corner
, it was time for Lohagad fort.I was already hungry before the start but
thought of completing the circuit fast and then fill in my tummy.
It took about 45 min to climb gazing at the fantastic views from every corner that fort offered.Those steps were testing my stamina until I reached the top.Hurray ! I made it and the cool breeze took away my fatigue. There was a small temple and after moving few steps further , the Lohagad peak point ! There were only few who made it till the end but I doubt if they saw the cliff.Time for selfies ! Came back all the way sweating hard and finally drank lime juice and headed further to a hotel to have my late lunch.The day was all worth it . Reaching hotel at 4.30 PM was quite early but rest was much needed after such heavy rounds .
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| From Lohagad fort |
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| Near the cliff |
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| A temple at the top |
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| At the top |
It took about 45 min to climb gazing at the fantastic views from every corner that fort offered.Those steps were testing my stamina until I reached the top.Hurray ! I made it and the cool breeze took away my fatigue. There was a small temple and after moving few steps further , the Lohagad peak point ! There were only few who made it till the end but I doubt if they saw the cliff.Time for selfies ! Came back all the way sweating hard and finally drank lime juice and headed further to a hotel to have my late lunch.The day was all worth it . Reaching hotel at 4.30 PM was quite early but rest was much needed after such heavy rounds .
Day 2 :
Reaching Karjat from
Lonavala was a 1 hr train journey.
Kondane Buddhist caves looked stunning in the internet which made me rush to
Karjat.It was 9.30 AM and there was a small mess near the railway stsion where
I tried my luck on onion dosa and vada pav, I had to wait for an hour to catch
the train.It was 12 PM and super hot day . Luckily an auto driver helped me
reach the base which was 12 kms from the station.There were 7 other girls
waiting to get back to the station. I had no partners to go along ! Alas. Some
locals who lived in a small hut said that I need to just follow the arrow marks
on the trees and it would be an half an hour climb to reach the caves . Me in
my mind : “ Should I really do this ? No . Buy why ? I have travelled all the
way .
This would be adventurous .Let me do it ! “ reached half way in the thick dry forest.I was drained out like hell ! Sipping water slowly, had to push myself No one around and no sound either. Me in mind again : “ What if I get lost ? What if I don’t reach the spot ? What if an animal kills me ? I have reached half way.Let’s go ! “ Only thing I could hear was the sound of my own breath and footsteps.I literally dragged my mind and finally reached Kondane caves . Kondana Caves situated in Karjat offers the ancient lifestyle of Buddhist followers. Ancient rock-cut caves, Kondana Caves are very famous Buddhist caves. These caves enclose sculptures, vihara, cahitya and stupa. Sculptures and stupas are specimens of the ancient period Buddhist architecture. There was a natural disaster in the form of an earth quake in early 1900 by which many stupas, front entrance and floor of the caves were damaged. These ancient caves attract lots of tourists and Buddhist devotees all through the year.
Kondana Caves is around 15 KM from Karjat.It was a beautiful place.I could find few locals looking around and a govt official who took care of the cave and it’s surroundings.Spoke to all of them for a while with some stunning pics.Then decided to reach back with the official who took a short cut and helped me reach the base back.I had no other option but to call the same auto guy to reach the station.From Karjat station , took a trian and reached Lonavala by 5 PM.
It was a day filled with adventure and all kinds of scary emotions. A super challenging day where my will power was tested to the core.
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| Kondane Caves |
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| Kondane Caves |
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| Kondane Caves |
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| Kondane Caves |
This would be adventurous .Let me do it ! “ reached half way in the thick dry forest.I was drained out like hell ! Sipping water slowly, had to push myself No one around and no sound either. Me in mind again : “ What if I get lost ? What if I don’t reach the spot ? What if an animal kills me ? I have reached half way.Let’s go ! “ Only thing I could hear was the sound of my own breath and footsteps.I literally dragged my mind and finally reached Kondane caves . Kondana Caves situated in Karjat offers the ancient lifestyle of Buddhist followers. Ancient rock-cut caves, Kondana Caves are very famous Buddhist caves. These caves enclose sculptures, vihara, cahitya and stupa. Sculptures and stupas are specimens of the ancient period Buddhist architecture. There was a natural disaster in the form of an earth quake in early 1900 by which many stupas, front entrance and floor of the caves were damaged. These ancient caves attract lots of tourists and Buddhist devotees all through the year.
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| Kondane caves |
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| Kondane caves |
Kondana Caves is around 15 KM from Karjat.It was a beautiful place.I could find few locals looking around and a govt official who took care of the cave and it’s surroundings.Spoke to all of them for a while with some stunning pics.Then decided to reach back with the official who took a short cut and helped me reach the base back.I had no other option but to call the same auto guy to reach the station.From Karjat station , took a trian and reached Lonavala by 5 PM.
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| Karjat Station |
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| Waiting for the train |
It was a day filled with adventure and all kinds of scary emotions. A super challenging day where my will power was tested to the core.
Day 3 :
Time to say bye to
Lonavala and turn towards Murud.Had to enquire about Murud bus the previous day
in the bus station when I decided that hiring cab would make me bankrupt ..Had
breakfast at Annapoorna with chikkis by my side just in case I get hungry on
the way .Bus was half an hour late and arrived right at 10.30 AM.By the time
the bus reached Alibaugh, I was pissed off with the long journey all the way
with the bludy summer heat ! Finally landed in Murud at 3.00 PM at the SBI ATM
stop as per the hotel manager’s advice. I was hungry to the core and walked
right away to a hotel nearby and munched a heavy thali !
Checked into the room for a huge rest.By 5.30 PM I had a long walk near the sea shore just opposite to the room . It was a good evening ! Then at 7.30 took a stroll around the streets for yummy street food and had a tight sleep.
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| Thali |
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| Masala Papad |
Checked into the room for a huge rest.By 5.30 PM I had a long walk near the sea shore just opposite to the room . It was a good evening ! Then at 7.30 took a stroll around the streets for yummy street food and had a tight sleep.
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| Once a monkey, always a monkey :P |
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| Para sailing |
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| Beach rounds |
Day 4:
I had actually woke up at
5.30 AM with the huge excitement to reach Janjira fort as early as possible.Had
poha and omlet outside the hotel in a small van near the beach and took a walk
to some distance where I could find autos.From there reached the ticket counter
place.Me being the first one, had to wait for a while since boat carried 20
people at a time. Janjira
Fort or the Janjira Jal-durg is one of the most impressive structures located
in the Indian state of Maharashtra. You can site this fort in a small town
named Murud. The best thing about this fort is that it is surrounded by water
on all sides and that is why is also referred to as Island Fort. It is one of
the premier attractions of the town. Janjira Fort is one of its kinds in the
whole India. This amazing structure was built by Malik Ambar, who was an
Abssinian minister in the court of the Sultan of Ahmednagar.
Janjira Fort was built during the end of the 17th century and till date withstood the tests of time. It reflects the marvel of ancient engineering. There are several towers and turrets in the Janjira Fort, which are used for keeping guns and cannons. This fort had a total of 500 canons previously but now only a few of them exist. Inside the Janjira Fort, you can see the water tanks, beautiful tombs and stone sculptures. A special attraction of this fort are 3 gigantic cannons named Kalalbangdi, Chavri and Landa Kasam. These cannons were said to be feared for their shooting range.Another gate to the west is sea-facing, called 'Darya Darwaza'.It was a good half an hour ride in the boat listening to the boatman saying stories and facts about the Fort.
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| Fort view |
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| Fort view |
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| Fort complex |
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| Underground |
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| Sweet water pond in the complex |
Janjira Fort was built during the end of the 17th century and till date withstood the tests of time. It reflects the marvel of ancient engineering. There are several towers and turrets in the Janjira Fort, which are used for keeping guns and cannons. This fort had a total of 500 canons previously but now only a few of them exist. Inside the Janjira Fort, you can see the water tanks, beautiful tombs and stone sculptures. A special attraction of this fort are 3 gigantic cannons named Kalalbangdi, Chavri and Landa Kasam. These cannons were said to be feared for their shooting range.Another gate to the west is sea-facing, called 'Darya Darwaza'.It was a good half an hour ride in the boat listening to the boatman saying stories and facts about the Fort.
It was hard to guess the
entrance and all of us had to literally take a big jump from the water on to
the steps to get entered.We were strictly instructed to get back after 45 min
and the guide there took us all the major spots and described about the same.It
was 10.30 AM by the time I reached the hotel back.Had to pack off and leave to
Pune.
Took a bus and headed to
Alibaugh since direct bus was quite rare.Had a heavy lunch at Alibaugh station
and headed off to Lonavala at 2 PM .From there took a train to Pune which I
thought was a better option since bus journey so long was a bad idea and train
would reach early.My flight back was at 9.30 and landed happily to Bangalore
and also met my college friend Sreevidya in the airport who returned back from
Bhutan ! It was a great solo trip with only weather being the bad friend
throughout.
x
