Malshej Ghat, Maharashtra

 Hill station - Malshej Ghat
District - Pune
State - Maharashtra
Elevation - 2296 feet ( 700 m )
Distance from Mumbai - 154 km
Distance from Pune - 130 km
Nearest railway stations - Kalyan and Karjat
Time to visit - June to January ( Monsoon and Winter seasons )
How to reach by road - Private vehicles, State transport buses from various points including right outside the Kalyan and Karjat railway stations,  cabs, two - wheelers etc.
Best place to stay - MTDC Resort

Without a doubt, come Monsoon,  Malshej Ghat is the go - to place for thousands of tourists from.the surrounding towns and cities like Mumbai, Pune and the districts of Pune, Thane and Suburban Mumbai.

Malshej Ghat is a mountain pass and a hill station in the Western Ghats , Sahyadri ranges in the state of Maharashtra. They lie at the border of Thane and Pune district.

The Ghats are a winding road and a mountain pass of about 13 km that provide a wonderful view of the valleys, villages, dense forests, high mountains and numerous Waterfalls.

It can be safely claimed that the driving factor of many tourists that bring them to the ghats in the monsoons are the innumerable and most wonderful waterfalls. Even more tempting are the waterfalls directly falling on the highways. Some roar down, some trickle, some are gentle and some form huge canopies through which the vehicles can pass. 

Such places turn into tourist spots with families and youngsters frolicking  in the falls and then enjoying piping hot tea and masaledar Corn Cobs from the roadside stalls. Roadside dhabas also provide yummy food choices.

Many people make it a one day trip just to enjoy the rains and the waterfalls, while quite a few prefer it as a weekend getaway. 

The ghats as well as the hill station is covered with mist, rain clouds and rain in the months from June to September. The clouds come so low as to be able to touch and pass through them.

Another USP of this picturesque region is the presence of a wide variety of flora and fauna, with such birds like the pink flamingo, cuckoos, whistling thrush, purple moorhen, peacocks, crakes, quails, rails to name just a few. The surrounding forests are home to many wild animals like tigers, rabbits, leopards etc. 

The region is quite popular for numerous trekking trails as well.

Accordingly, the tourists here include a wide range that includes youngsters, couples, families, monsoon - lovers, nature - enthusiasts, trekkers, people looking for a break from their busy lives in a place that is calm, peaceful, beautiful, pleasant yet having all modern amenities for a comfortable stay. 

The environmentalists and bird watchers are attracted to see the pink flamingo that migrate here from the freezing Siberian winter in the month of June to September. The sight of hundreds of such graceful and colourful birds is mesmerizing. They can mostly be found in Dongarwadi and Khireshwar, both close to Malshej. 

Places to visit - 

• Ajoba hill fort

• Harishchandragad

• Buddhist caves

• Pushpawati river

• Pimpalgaon Dam

• Nageshwar temple

• Khireshwar temple 

• Trekking trails and rock climbing sites

• Shivneri fort 

Events -

Aadrai Jungle Trek ( Related post )

Magical Sunsets 

Picture source - thane.nic.in

Pune Tribal Museum

Pune Tribal Museum is located in the city of Pune, State Maharashtra. This museum is dedicated to the various tribes in the State and helps in promoting awareness about them. 

Location - Tribal Research and Training Institute Campus

City - Pune

District - Pune

State - Maharashtra

Address -

28, Queen's Garden

Near Old Circuit House

Bund Garden Road

Pune - 411 001

Maharashtra

Nearest Railway Station - Pune, 1 km

Nearest Airport - Lohegaon, 5 km

Contact Number - 020 26330854

Fax Number - 020 26330854

Email address - mus.tri-mh@nic.in and trti.mah@nic.in

Museum Curator - Santosh Nanaware

Established - In the year 1962 

Management - Tribal Research and Training Institute, Pune 

Motto - A place committed to preserve the artistic and poetic impulses of tribals in the state of Maharashtra

Timing - 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Entry Fees - 

Indian child - ₹ 5

Indian Adult - ₹ 10

Foreign Student - ₹ 50

Foreign Child - ₹ 100

Foreign Adult - ₹ 200

Closed - Sundays and Government Holidays

The State of Maharashtra has the second highest tribal population of 10,510,000 as per the 2011 Census. There are hundreds of tribes in the State of which around 45 tribes are well known for their unique style of Arts and Artefacts. 

Some of these tribes are Bhils, Thakars, Thotis, Kola, Warlis,  Madias, Halbi, Mavchis, Korkus, Bohada, Kawar, Kokanas, Gonds, Kokna. 

The Tribal Research and Training Institute, Pune aims at conducting research and running various schemes and programmes for their financial, educational and social upliftment.

As an extension of this cause they established Pune Tribal Museum in 1962 with the aim to exhibit the cultural heritage of the tribes of Maharashtra. The Museum opened to the public in 1965. The Institute works continuously to update and exhibit the tribal works to showcase and preserve their culture, lifestyle, art and heritage in the Museum. 

The Museum is quite small and compact, But the displays that consist of articles like jewellery, masks, musical instruments, paintings, handicrafts, Wood and metal carvings to name a few provide the visitor a deep insight into the life and culture of these tribal communities using just the resources available to them in their natural surroundings. 

Their Art however, reflects their skills, talent, ingenuity, positive outlook towards life, resourcefulness overcoming obstacles and difficulties in their simple and hard lives. 

In Spite of being uneducated, away from modern and developed society, they do not succumb to negativity and despair with respect to their hardships and drawbacks. 

On the contrary, they become one with Nature, respecting and worshipping it and using inspiration from their surroundings, day to day life events, festivals and religious beliefs. 

For the convenience of the visitor, the Museum has been divided into the following sections -

1. Tribal Art and Craft

2. Tribal Material Culture

3. Tribes at a Glance

4. Glimpses of Tribal Craft

5. Ornaments, Tribal deities

6. Tribes at a glance 

7. Hut Section

Each section displays things relevant to its theme. Information on the displayed articles is concise and helpful. The Museum is worth a visit for the tourist interested in understanding the tribal culture of our State in particular and our Country in general. 

Warli, Gond and Bhil Art Pictures source - holidify

Aga Khan Palace, Pune

Location -  Yerwada

City - Pune

District - Pune

State - Maharashtra

Distance from Pune Railway Station - 7 km

Governing Body  - Mahatma Gandhi National Memorial Society

Year of Construction - 1892

Timing - 9 a.m to 5.30 p.m.

Closed on - National Holidays

Best time to visit -  All Seasons

Entry Fees - 

• ₹ 25 for Indians

• ₹ 100 for Non - Indians

Area -  19 acres

Built Up Area - 7 acres

Address - 

Nagar Road,

Samrat Ashok Road,

Pune - 411 006

Phone number - 020 - 26680250

Distance from Pune Railway Station - 7 km

How to reach - Via Road 

Festivals / Ocassions celebrated -

• 26 January - Republic Day

• 30 January - Martyrs Day

• February or March - Mahashivratri

• 8 March - Women's Day

• 15 August - Independence Day

• 2 October - Gandhi Jayanti

• 14 November - Children's Day 

• 22 February ( Kasturba Gandhi Death Anniversary ) - Mother's Day

Pic - Nilesh Shinde

The Great Famine of 1876 - 1878 had devastated much of India, killing millions and crippling the economy completely. The Deccan Plateau was one such region affected severely. To help the famine affected people of Pune, Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, the spiritual leader of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims embarked upon the task of building a huge, sprawling palace in Pune so as to give employment to thousands of poor workers in those tough times. The massive palace was built on an area of 7 acres, took five years to complete and cost ₹ 12,00,000. 

                 Pic by Suraj Patil

The Aga Khan Palace is located in a serene, quaint neighborhood of Yerwada in Pune city in the state of Maharashtra. It is a 3 - storeyed building with a wide corridor going all around it. 

Pic by Pravin Gaikwad

During the 1942 Quit India Movement the imprisoned Mahatma Gandhi's health began to deteriorate and he along with his wife Kasturba Gandhi, his assistant Mahadev Desai, Sarojini Naidu, Miraben, Pyarelal Nayar and Dr. Sushila Nayar was detained in the palace. They were held here from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944. Unfortunately, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai both died while in captivity. The place where they were cremated today have Tulsi plants in their eternal memory. The same way some of the Mahatma's ashes were scattered here and a memorial built for both Ba and Bapu. 

The grandson of Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan, Prince Karim Aga Khan donated the palace to the Gandhi Samarak Samitee in 1972 in honour of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. 

The palace is beautifully built with Italian arches, spacious, well manicured green lawns, plenty of trees, flowering shrubs, bushes, water fountains, a pretty grey and  red tiled roof, Islamic style architecture. The grandeur and splendor of the palace is breathtaking. 

The ground floor has been turned into a museum displaying the life of the seven inmates in those two years of imprisonment. The rooms are maintained as they were with the furniture kept in the same style, and the  personal belongings of the Mahatma like slippers, clothes, utensils, books, letters etc on display.

Pic by Adi Patil

In the grand entrance hall there is a massive statue of both Bapu and Ba. Various freedom moment photographs, black and white pictures, sculptures and statues depicting India's freedom struggle are arranged. The dining room where the seven would sit and eat is maintained and kept as it was. No changes in their rooms, decor etc have been carried out. It seems as if they have been captured in eternal timelessness. The artefacts and all personal items etc on display are cordoned off and cannot be touched. 

Pic by Dipa Roy 

The  Palace complex has the following attractions for the visitors - 

• Library

•  Children's Film Club

• A Khadi Gram Udyog Sales Outlet

• Book Stall for selling Gandhian Literature

• UNHCR Office

Trivia - The rest of the floors are not open for the public. 

Entry for female visitors is free on the occasion of Women's Day. 

Tribal Art and Craft - Pune Tribal Museum ( Part 3 )

 Tribal Art and Craft is a section in the Pune Tribal Museum, located in Pune, State Maharashtra.

Location - Tribal Research and Training Institute Campus

City - Pune

District - Pune

State - Maharashtra

Address -

28, Queen's Garden

Near Old Circuit House

Bund Garden Road

Pune - 411 001

Maharashtra

Of the seven sections in the Pune Tribal Museum, Tribal Art and Crafts primarily showcases paintings and handicrafts of the featured tribes in the state of Maharashtra.

The Warli tribe based in the coastal areas of Maharashtra have their typical style of painting that has become increasingly popular due to exposure to the outside world. The Warli paintings are primarily done by the womenfolk inside their hut walls and that also on special occasions like a wedding or harvest season. They prepare the walls by applying a mixture of red earth and cow dung as a base and the drawing material is made of rice paste mixed with water and a binding glue. The paintings are very simplistic in the sense that they make use of geometrical figures like the circle, triangles, squares and   lines to convey the theme which consist of their religious beliefs, simple nomadic lifestyle, natural events, everyday tasks like hunting, farming, fishing, trees, animals, dances, festivals and harvests. The Museum does them sufficient justice with the display of the paintings in an attractive manner. 

Next artefacts are the Bohada masks made by the tribal people from the districts of Thane, Nashik and Khandesh. These paper mache masks depict 52 Gods, Goddesses, animals, ancestral spirits, Demons, Clan Gods, characters from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Bohada is the festival arranged by the tribals in honour of their village deity, signifying victory of good over evil. 

This festival is arranged either on the festival of Holi, or around / after festivals of Hanuman Jayanti, Gudi Padwa, Nag Panchmi, Ram Navami etc.

Dance and drama shows are performed by the actors wearing these colourful, elaborate and detailed masks. The masks are treated with utmost respect and are worshipped before the festival begins. 

Other handicrafts on display are various tribal  Bamboo baskets and craft pieces. 

All in all, this section is fascinating to say the least.

Picture of Warli painting source - dollsofindia.com

Bohada masks pictures - indianculture.gov.in

Please refer to the main post

Pune Tribal Museum for more details. 

Bhuleshwar Temple - Pune

 

City - Pune

State - Maharashtra

Distance from Pune - 45 km

Timing - 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

How to reach - 

• Buses from Pune Swargate to Malshiras

• Private vehicle via Pune - Solapur Highway. 10 km on the road take the diversion towards Yawat

Bhuleshwar Temple is a very popular Hindu temple of Lord Shiv. It has many theories as to its construction none of which have yet been verified completely.

Believed to have been built by the Pandava princes, it appears to have been restored by the Marathas after it was defiled by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. However the style of architecture is resonant with the Yadava style also known as the Deccan style due to it being seen in many temples in this region. 

It is situated atop a hill where a fort named Daulatmangal / Mangalgad used to be.

It is a protected site by the Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI )

From the outer view it appears like a mosque due to its circular minarets and domes.

However ,once inside the temple numerous classical carvings of Hindu gods are visible all around the walls, pillars etc. 

It has 5 Shivlings along with idols of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu and Mahadev.

One of its most unique features is the idol of Lord Ganesh in a female attire. This form of the Lord is called Ganeshyeni, Ganeshwari and / or Lambodari.

The temple has four sections - Nandi Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Antarala and Garbhagriha.

The light composition at a particular point is very interesting and a photographer's delight. 

It is created by an aisle with the ornamental scriptures on the walls of the Antarala and Garbhagriha on one side and Devkulikas built for the other deities on the other side.

The temple is constructed with black basalt rock instead of the commonly available brown one in this region. This makes the interior of the temple remain pleasantly cool even in the hot summer months. 

There is a belief among the devotees that this is the place where Goddess Parvati had danced to please Lord Shiva before their marriage and subsequent settling down on Mount Kailash.

Another miraculous belief / observation has been that out of the 5 pedhas offered to the Shivling, one disappears.

The event celebrated here with great pomp and ceremony is Mahashivaratri. The temple is beautifully decorated and devotees throng for a darshan of the Shivling on this auspicious day.

Also, it is quite busy during the month of Shravan.

The temple is a delight to visit not only for its history, architecture but also for the wonderful and peaceful ambience that calms the mind. The surrounding natural beauty is lovely to gaze at.

History and nature lovers, religious tourists and photography enthusiasts are sure to enjoy a visit here.

Simultaneously, at a distance of about 15 km from the temple, there is a place called Narayanpet that is home to many migratory birds in the months of May and September. It is much visited by bird watchers, environmentalists and nature photographers. 

This place can be included in the trip to the Bhuleshwar temple due to proximity to each other. 

Pictures - wikipedia