My TripAdvisor Review No.352: Pandavleni Caves, Nashik.

Ancient Buddhist Caves With Beautiful Stone Carvings.

The Pandavleni Caves are located besides the Mumbai – Nashik Freeway and it is in the Buddha Vihar Complex on the right side of the Freeway, 3 km before reaching Pathardi Phata, and 8 km before Nashik. The Dada Saheb Phalke Smarak and the Trirashmi Buddha Smarak are also located in this compound. There is sufficient free parking space nearby.

We had a stiff climb of about 200 hundred steps, and had to pay an entry fee of Rs.15 per person. The historic archaeological site is managed by the ASI. There are 24 caves cut into the hillside, with carvings of various Buddhist monks, although the carvings of the Buddha himself were later additions by the devotees of the Mahayana faith between 4th to 6th centuries CE. The original cave excavations date back to between the 1st to 4th century CE. The interior of the caves have simple carvings whereas the exteriors are more elaborately and intricately carved. Cave numbers 3, 8, 10, and 23 are bigger, more well planned and better than the rest of them.

The beauty of these caves lies in their dignified façade. These caves are not at all connected to the five Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata, as the name may imply.

Visiting hours are from 8 am to 5.30 pm. It is a good place to visit for history and archaeology buffs. Situated about 300 feet above the ground level we got an excellent bird’s eye view of the entire city of Nashik. It will look even better in the months of July and August after some more rains helping to cover the land with a carpet of emerald green.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.351: Brahmagiri Hill, Trimbakeshwar, Nashik.

Huge Form Of Lord Shiva.

The Brahmagiri Hill is located in the temple town of Trimbak, just 1 km west of the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple. It dominates the landscape even as you are approaching Trimbak from Nashik, about30 km away.

People regard the hill as a huge form of Lord Shiva. But then why is it called Brahmagiri? Legend has it that Lord Shiva was very pleased with Lord Brahma when he meditated here and told him that “I shall be known by your name”. Hence it came to be known as the Brahmagiri Hill.

There are a series of about 500 steps which we have to climb to reach the top of the hill. The uphill trek started just outside the back gate of the MTDC Sanskruti Resort where we were staying. We trekked up for about half an hour. The gradient of the steps was very steep. Half way up we decided to abandon the expedition as we learnt that it would take another hour to reach the top. But it is certainly a good trek for enthusiastic young trekkers, and we saw many youngsters trudging up the stone steps which was lined with small refreshment stalls along part of the way.

The Godavari River originates from the top of the hills and disappears underground for some distance. It then reappears at Gangadwar which is nearby, and can be approached by another route. It then vanishes again into the mountain and emerges again at the Kushavarta Kund in the Trimbakeshwar temple compound, and flows onward towards Eastern India to the Bay of Bengal.

We would certainly like to do the full trek to the top of the Brahmagiri hill the next time we visit. It requires at least 3 hours to reach the top and enjoy the beautiful scenery, which is exceptionally beautiful during the monsoon season.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.350: Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, Nashik.

One Of The Twelve Jyotirlingas Of India.

The Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple is located about 30 km from Nashik city. It has one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of India, one which became manifest after a bolt of lightening thrown by the Lord Shiva, as the legend goes.

Trimbak itself is an overcrowded and not so clean temple town. We had to pay an entry tax for the car parking which is a 5 minute walking distance from the temple. Cameras, cell phones, large handbags and even coconuts are not allowed inside. We deposited our phones for a Rs.10 fee at the stall outside.

We stood in a long queue to enter the temple, as we did not want to pay the Rs.200 donation fee for the express darshan. We waited patiently in the orderly queue outside, but were finally pushed in by the surging crowd at the temple door. We got a quick darshan of the underground lingam which is dedicated to the holy trinity; Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Ladies are not allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum. There is a TV screen where we can watch the lingam from outside the sanctum. We were pushed aside by the security guard after barely a minute, to make way for the incoming rush of pilgrims.

I would not say that we had a peaceful darshan. It would be better to visit early in the morning, or pay the exorbitant donation fee to have a special worship. One can also engage a priest if one wants to perform certain specific pujas.

The temple structure, however, is very good and the architectural black stone design is very imposing. The temple is located at the base of three hills; Brahmagiri, Nilagiri and Kalagiri. The River Godavari originates in the Brahmagiri hill and trickles down to a sacred tank in the temple premises, called the Kushawarta Kund, before flowing onwards to Nashik and emptying out in the Bay of Bengal in Eastern India.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.349: Shree Laxmanji Temple, Nashik.

Place Where Laxman Cut Off Surpanakha's Nose.

This is a very good temple in the Tapovan area of Nashik. It is the place where Laxman, brother of Lord Rama cut off the demon Surpanakha’s nose. Surpanakha was Ravana’s sister.

Tapovan itself is a mesmerising area covered with lush greenery and dense forest, much of which have been converted to municipal gardens and parks. It is believed that Tapovan was part of the holy Dandakaranaya forest with the Godavari River flowing nearby. This place has close association with the epic Ramayana. Long years ago the forest was meant for meditation by the great sages, hence the name Tapo-van (meditate-forest).

Inside the Laxman Temple we saw an idol of Laxman in a meditation pose. There was also a life size model of Laxman in action, cutting off Surpanakha’s nose. There were also idols of Lord Ganesh and Hanuman. In the backyard of the temple there is a gaushala (cow shed), where we saw a new-born calf being taken care of by the pujaris.

It is a temple worth visiting and gives a divine feeling. The holy city of Nashik gets its name from this action of Laxman cutting off the demon’s nose (nakh).

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My TripAdvisor Review No.348: Anjneri Hill, Nashik.

Temple Dedicated to Bal Hanuman and Mata Anjani.

On the road from Nashik to Trimbakeshwar there is a tall pointed hill which is called the Anjneri Hill. Many believe this place to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, the monkey god of the epic Ramayana.

We took our vehicle half way up the hill and parked it in the compound of the small temple dedicated to baby Hanuman and his mother Anjani Mata. It is a beautiful temple and the idol of mother and baby is very good. We paid our respects and took some snaps of the surroundings.

We found out that we have to trek another hour or two to reach the top of the conical peak, as the motorable road stops at the temple. It is an arduous trek up but young trekking enthusiasts can easily accomplish it.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.347: Regiment of Artillery Museum, Nashik.

Museum of Our Brave Soldiers.

This museum is located in the Deolali Cantonment area, which is about 4 km off the Pune – Nashik highway. We had to leave our identity card at the entrance gate before proceeding inside to visit the museum. There is a huge parking lot just outside the museum. There is an entry fee of Rs.25.

We were overawed by the neatly laid out gardens and flower beds surrounding the museum building. There was an army of gardeners and orderlies working in groups to maintain the gardens and surroundings clean. The building itself has six wings on the ground and first floors showcasing the evolution of artillery, rockets and ammunition, mountain artillery, counter insurgency and miscellaneous equipment, a photo gallery, a projection hall and a victory hall.

They had showcased the evolution of the artillery guns, right from the ancient sling-shots to the modern Bofors and Howitzer guns. A lot of different types of ammunition shells and miscellaneous equipment were also on display. There were a lot of models and photo frames showing how the many wars between our neighboring countries were fought and won, as well as photos of the many war heroes.

There was a huge display model of Tiger Hill at Kargil and how the army deployed the notorious Bofors guns to help win the war in conjunction with the Air Force. It made us feel proud of the brave soldiers guarding our borders.

Outside in the compound were two battle tanks, one of which was a Pakistani tank which had been disabled and captured by our army. There are also many big artillery guns and an armored vehicle on display outside. There is also a small canteen in a tent, where one can have a cup of tea or coffee, alongside the Jawans.

This museum is a must visit for all patriotic citizens of India. The museum is closed on a Thursdays and public holidays, and also closed between 1 pm to 4.30 pm for lunch. Normal open timings are 10 am to 1 pm and 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm, including Sunday. Photography is not allowed inside the halls. There is a Light and Sound show on Saturdays and Sundays between 6 and 6.45 pm.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.346: Kapaleshwar Temple, Nashik.

Rare Shiva Temple Without a Nandi.

This is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, located opposite Ramkund and Ganga Ghat on the River Godavari in Nashik. It is situated at a higher level from the street and we had to climb a steep flight of steps to enter.

The uniqueness of this temple is that it has no Nandi bull statue as you enter, as in other Shiva temples. Legend has it that Lord Shiva accidentally killed a cow, whereupon Nandi asked him to take a bath in Ramkund and perform penance to atone his sin. This is probably the reason for the absence of a Nandi idol.

The temple has a solid stone structure and an aura of divinity around it, and it is worth a visit. It also is an important pilgrimage spot in the Nashik temple circuit. It is generally more crowded on Mondays, the weekly darshan day for Lord Shiva. Photography is not allowed inside the sanctum.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.345: Sita Gumpha, Nashik.

Sita's Hideout During Exile.

Sita Gufa (or Gumpha) is a small cave in the Panchavati area of Nashik where Sita, Lord Rama’s wife is supposed to have hidden, to escape the clutches of the demon King Ravana. Lord Rama’s brother Laxman found the cave and planted 5 banyan trees around it to mark the area, hence the place is known as Panchvati (five trees). The trees are still standing, and are very close to the Sita Gumpha.

It is located in a very narrow lane, made more so by the huge banyan trees with their dangling auxiliary roots. There is also a huge crowd of tourists and pilgrims thronging around. We kept our slippers in our auto-rickshaw and joined the queue to enter the small cave through a very narrow staircase and passage way. We had to wait about an hour in the queue. Photography is not allowed inside.

Just opposite the cave is a museum known as the Sita Haran and Marich Vadh Museum. This museum was more interesting than the cave, and we had to pay a full rupee as entrance fee. Inside we got to see the story of how Sita was kidnapped by the demon king in the form of statues and larger than life models and murals. It is also the place where the demon Marich was killed.

It is best to visit the cave and museum early by around 9.30 am on a weekday to avoid the crowd and a long queue. There is very little parking space as it is in a crowded narrow street so we have to walk a bit. There are many small shops in the street that sell sweets, bangles, imitation jewellery, trinkets and devotional items.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.344: Kalaram Temple, Nashik.

Ancient Temple Dedicated to Lord Rama.

This is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Rama, who lived in Nashik during his 14 years of exile. It is called Kalaram because the idols of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Laxman, who accompanied him during his exile, are all made of black (kala in Hindi) stone. There is also a black stone idol of Lord Hanuman, with folded hands, near the entrance.

It is a very prominent temple in the Panchavati area of Nashik and thousands of pilgrims visit it every day. Finding parking around the temple can be a problem. Luckily for us, we had decided to hire a local auto-rickshaw whose driver showed us all the nearby temple and pilgrimage sites. We even left our footwear in the rickshaw before entering the temple.

It is a beautiful temple within a large compound, with some very old trees surrounding it, and well worth a visit. It was built in the 18th century by Sardar Rangarao Odhekar, after he found the black stone idol in the River Gadavari, near Ramkund.

The temple is open for worshippers from 5 am to 10 pm.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.343: Ramkund, Nashik.

Wash Away Your Sins.

Ramkund is a sacred tank located next to Ganga Ghat in the Panchvati area of Nashik. It is on the banks of the River Godavari which passes through the centre of the holy town of Nashik in Maharashtra.

It is supposed to be a very holy place for the Hindus, where Lord Rama used to come to bathe during his exile of 14 years. There is also a Laxman Kund where his brother Laxman would bathe. Both the places are very sacred. One can make a wish by floating a diya (holy lamp) in a cup made of dry leaves and filled with flowers, which is sold by the street vendors sitting nearby.

Many Hindus come here to immerse the mortal remains of their loved ones, or to take a holy dip to wash off their sins, even though the waters are not very clean or clear.

The Gandhi Memorial, made out of white marble, where the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed, is also nearby.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.342: Tarsh Gastronomia, Hinjewadi, Pune.

Good Buffet, Better Starters.

Tarsh Gastronomia is located in Hinjewadi, Pune, just after the Wakad – Hinjewadi flyover, on the 8th floor of White Square building. There is sufficient parking in the basement, and in the compound. It is a fine dining restaurant, with a large seating area in the ac section as well as an outdoor section on the terrace. There is a mezzanine floor as well.

They serve ala carte dishes, as well as a buffet lunch. We were a group of 10 family members and decided to go for the Harvest Afternoon Buffet, which includes one complimentary drink. We were a bit disappointed when we learnt that beer was not available, that too on a Sunday. Anyway there were cocktails, mocktails and wine, so they were forgiven.

There was a huge variety in starters, both veg and non-veg. Some of the better non-veg starters were Prawns Schezwan, Fish Lasooni, Mutton Sheek and Jalandhari Murg Tikka. In the veg variety there was Paneer Tikka, Cheesy Potato Croquettes, and Dim Sums, amongst many more. There was Pepper Corn Pizza and Herb Chicken Pizza as well. In fact, most of us were full on the starters itself.

In the main buffet they served soups and salads to build up an appetite again. There were again three varieties of cuisines in the main dishes; European, Pan-Asian and Indian with two to four choices in each category.

To top it off, the desserts consisted of a variety of pastries, mousse, soufflé, ice-cream, gulab jamun, rossogolla, mung dal halwa, fruit, jalebi and some more.

The restaurant was full on a Sunday afternoon, but luckily we had reserved a table. The crowd seemed to be mostly young techies, who work in and around the Hinjewadi IT Park. With the loud music, and two TVs blaring sports channels in the background, we had a hard time making conversation. And though the service for the starters would get slow at times, we quite enjoyed the wide variety of tasty dishes at Tarsh.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.341: Ganga Ghat, Nashik.

Ganga Ghat is situated in the Panchvati area of Nashik. It is actually on the banks of the River Godavari which passes through the centre of the holy town of Nashik in Maharashtra, but the local people refer to it as their Ganga (Mother Goddess).

Holy River Bank.

It is supposed to be a very holy place for the Hindus, where many come to immerse the ashes of their loved ones for the onward journey to ‘Moksha’. Others take a dip or swim in the river to wash off their sins.

There are many temples on the banks and nearby, namely the Shree Ganga Godavari temple, the Kapaleshwar Mahadev temple, the Goraram temple, the Varad Vinayak Ganpati temple, the Vyankatesh Balaji temple, and many other smaller temples. The Ramkund and the Laxman kund, where Lord Ram and Laxman used to bathe, are also nearby.

There is a huge two sided statue of Lord Hanuman (Dutondya Maruti Mandir) on the banks of Ganga Ghat. As you walk a little further downstream you will come to the ‘Gangewarchya Bhaji Bazar’ which is the local vegetable market. There are many shops selling local products like agarbattis, kishmis (raisins) and fresh flowers, et al.

It was a good experience to walk along the paved pathway from the Ganga Godavari temple down to the local market, taking in the sights and sounds of the holy city.

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My TripAdvisor Review No.340: Khimji Bhagwandas Arogyabhavan, Nashik.

Pilgrim's Inn In The Heart of Holy City Nashik.

We were pleasantly surprised with the facilities available for the pilgrims at Khimji Bhagwandas Arogyabhavan. It is run by a Trust formed by the Gujarati Lohana community, but is open to all tourists who visit Nashik for a pilgrimage, or otherwise. It was more like a 4 star hotel, and not at all like a ‘bhakta bhavan’ which you see at most of the pilgrimage places.

Though it is located at the centre of Nashik, bang opposite the Ramkund ghat in the Panchavati area of Nashik, once you are inside the hotel you feel insulated from the crowds and noise below. They have a secure basement parking which can accommodate about 10 cars. The parking is chargeable at Rs.100 per night.

All the rooms are ac and have a large LCD TV with cable connection. The room is well furnished and can accommodate an extra adult or two kids. There is a large cupboard with an electronic safe, and a separate dressing room. The washroom was also good with an enclosed bathing area, and a wash basin with a granite platform. Clean towels, soap, shampoo sachets and toilet paper were provided.

The room tariff, which was quite reasonable for the facilities provided, included all meals, breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening tea. The Gujarati thali was simple and tasty, quite like home food, and we enjoyed being served like royalty, in the small and clean dining hall.

Our room was on the third floor, and the balcony attached to our room provided an excellent view of the holy city and the Godavari River. We would definitely like to stay here if we visit Nashik again.

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• Stayed: June 2018, travelled as a couple
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My TripAdvisor Review No.339: Chitrakoot Hill Resort, Saputara.

Excellent Gujarati Thali.

As you travel towards Saputara you will see the sign boards of ‘Chitrakoot Hill Resort’ by the roadside, and the directions of how to reach there. It is on the main road very near to Sunset Point. We decided to try out their Gujarati Thali which they advertise for Rs.139.

We parked outside their gate. It is actually a decent sized hotel with a very well planned campus and layout at different levels. As we entered we noticed the gardens with lots of trees and green foliage, with life size replicas of animals like elephant, deer and chital. There was a nice playground for kids, and they have a swimming pool as well.

Their dining room was on the first floor next to the reception. It was well laid out, neat and clean though not air conditioned. We got a corner table next to the open windows overlooking the gardens and the hills beyond.

Their simple Gujarati thali had two vegetables, dal, chapatti, rice, papad and pickle. We decided to have their special thali with additional farsan and sweet dish, which costs slightly more. Punjabi Thali and ala carte dishes were also available. The food was good, without extra oil and spices, and tasted like home food. The service was also very prompt and friendly. We quite enjoyed our meal.

Although we did not spend the night here, we liked the ambience and surroundings of the hotel, and made a mental note to stay at Chitrakoot Hill Resort on our next visit to Saputara.

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• Stayed: June 2018, travelled as a couple
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