Saturday, January 3, 2015

MY Nashik Visit - 27th Dec. 2014

ON second day of Nashik, I decided to walk thru my memory lines and take round around Nashik where I used to stay or used to visit. My Nashik house was one of the place which is very very close to my heart. I cannot think of staying any other place other than this house.
 (Just to word of caution - I am going to use the names of places in Nashik. Many people may not know those and distances between those places, but without out such reference, my writing will be in complete. Request others to bear with it)
On 27th Dec., I left home as early as 6.45 am. It was chilled - may be temperature of around 8 degrees. My adventure started there only, I had decided not to take my vehicle but travel by city bus.When I reached Meher stop, conductor told that the bus will not go to Panchavati on normal rout as there is road work going on. Then I got down that bus and decided to walk down to Victoria Bridge. However, then realised that it will be too long to walk down there, hence took another bus but that bus dropped me at Nimani Bunglow bus stop and I had to walk to back to Victoria Bridge which took about 25 min- walking in such cold climate was fun - especially when now i am not used to such cold climate after staying 14 years in Mumbai and around 20 years away form Nashik. But i enjoyed it also.
MY first visit was VIctoria Bridge to see scene of Godawari river early morning. It was fantastic, rays of Sun shining golden with reflections of sun light on water. There were many devotees taking bath in river even  thought it was cold.




Then I went to old temple -Sundar Narayan temple. This temple is very old - may be around 250 years old. It was constructed in 1756. The building is temple is same as original. On particular day, first sun rays touched feet of Narayan statue in the morning. I do not remember which is that day.


Then I walked down to another old temple - Ek Mukhi Datta temple". The way to that temple was very small lane.

It is on the banks of river, hence next destination was naturally around riven between Victoria bridge and Ramsetu bridge and Ram Kund (holy place for asthivisarjan - inspite of years you cannot find any bone there, it i said that all bones are dissolved in that place)


I spent about 2 hours around this place. Remembered so many events and people.




Sa it was saturday, ny nest target was famous "Dutondya Maruti". It is called Dutonday because there are two different postures of Mahabali Hanuman on both sides. I prayed there for sme time. It is said that if there is flood in Godawari, there is no problem for Nashik till this Maroti statue does not completely under water. there are many people in Nashik to goes for Darshana every day here.



Then i was just roaming like mad, but i notices many temples which i never notices earlier. Few are shown below: -







There were few other interesting scenes I saw. Better to see that explain.




The shades on Sadhu is just a reflection of sun lng in water. But it looks beautiful.








Rhis person has lost his fingers in suger cane juice crusher ad hence cannot do any other work. But refused to beg, started selling flowers and started geting livelyhood.

I really feel very sad when I see such old people working for their livelihood. At this age and stage of life, if they are required to work, it is failure of their children and society as a whole. Same is case when I see children working on roads in stead of going to school. That photo shoot ad blog sometime later.


See the expression on the face of this lady - is she waiting for someone or expecting something from ALmighty? May be requesting GOD to free her from all pains??? Sometime later in life, I want to do something for such people. I always wanted to run orphanage of old age home and take care of such people and children. Even if I am able to bring smile or peace to few such people I will feel that I have lived my life.



Now coming out of sense of frustration back to normal life.

My next target was area of weekly vegetable market. Till the time, I was in Nashik, I used to go to market every week to by vegetables. That was my one of the Favorite job every week. Many times, I used to take my mother and later my wife to market. There are quite a few good clicks i got there. - Dry fruit shop, masala shop, some vegetable vendors, a child sitting with his Grand mother who was selling vegetables etc.

So many types and colours of Kishmish!!

There are two types of Kharik (I don't know english names). Soft is for eating and hard is for making laddus.



This is type of salt and alum, Some types of salt has medicinal properties.






I got one small young  friend there. His name is Pramod and others calls his as Modak. He is too cute!!



He was so innocent that after every photo he wanted to see each photo. I spent about 20 min just for ten photos becuase he wanted to see each photo immediately. I enjoyed it.



Now after food, let us eat Paan!! I am always amazed to see how these paans are arranged in the basket. Its one of the best symmetrical arrangements.




For any property, you need guards in any form. Some people use electronics some use security guards but some are natural protectors and they have their own style and elegance

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If you have intention and inclination, you can see innocence anywhere. 


Nashik has famous for its Brass utensils. there is one famous lane "Tambad Aali"Few photos of utensils and person who engraves name without any electric instrument.



Next stage of my journey was visiting some old places/buildings which has relation with my childhood memories. I may nto be able to put all photo, but will try to put some of important ones.

Naro Shankarachi Ghanta. It is very old brass bell. A symbol of Nashik


Sandhvyavarchi Devi - it is said that this si Devi from Devi form famous Vani temple and has came here at the request of one of the devotee.



This statue is of Bapu Gayadhani who has sacrificed his life in independence struggle of India. This is errected in 1937 on eh back ground of famouns Sarkar Wada.







My collage friend Hemant Pathak. Owner of Pathak MEdical and Book stores.


This is Chitramandir - movie theater where we have seen many matinees in collage days. So many sweet memories. AS ususal, after the era of multiplex, these cinema houses are getting closed. Some are still in operations like Vijayanand and Damodar. they can be seen below





Then I visited very old soda shop in Nashik - may be at least 60 years old. And famous sabudana wada centre "Sayantara" I could not eat sabudana wada because of huge crowd. But even smell was satisfying.


By this time, i was tired, it was about 12 50 pm and was hungry also, but still some places were to be visited, Bhadrakali temple, Khandve Ganpati, Dahipool, Kanade Maruti temple, a unique board of shop in Modi script ( may be now this language is extinguished)






After that to end my journey, I went to Hotel Shilpa for lunch. It was very simple thali. But i learnt a lesson of my life. I was alone and waiter asked me to share a table, which  i agreed. Then one more person came and sat in front of me. I had no shaved for tow days and was wearing only track pant and t shirt end wearing sports shoes. The person sitting in from of me was probably driver and he casually asked me which vehicle you are driving. Then I realised that he thought that I am also a driver. Then i realised irrespective of who you are, you must showcase yourself properly with clean shave and up-to-date cloths.