Kaas Bamnoli - Useful Travel Information

Summary:

1. Maharashtra's Valley of Flowers. Millions of tiny flowers blossom after the monsoon.

2. Shivajisagar Lake - An enormous lake with boating.

Click here for detailed Travelogue

Routes:

When you reach the tunnel at the base of the Ajinkyatara mountain in Satara, do not cross the tunnel and take a right turn before that. You are on your way to Kaas. The road from Satara till the end is in good condition.

Place Km Time

Satara - 000 - 10:15
Kaas plateu - 022 - 11:10
Bamnoli - 037 - 15:23
NH4 Highhway - 079 - 17:15
Pune - 184 - 19:00 

View Kaas - Bamnoli in a larger map

© Paras Doshi, 2009.

Sajjangadh: Useful travel information

Useful Travel Information about Sajjangadh:

1. Samadhi of Swami Samarth Ramdas

2. Spectacular view of the mountains around and Urmodi Dam.

3. The gates to the fort close after Sunset and open after Sunrise. So, it will be better to reach there accordingly.

Detailed travelogue on Sajjangadh

Routes:

When you reach the tunnel at the base of the Ajinkyatara mountain, cross the tunnel and take a right turn after that. You are on your way to Sajjangadh and Thoseghar. The road from Satara till Sajjangadh is narrow and typical village roads, but motorable.

Place Km Time

Pune    000  14:10
Sajjangadh   128 17:15
Sajjangadh   128 18:35
Satara  144 19:30

Map:

View Sajjangadh in a larger map

Links:

http://www.shrisamarthsevamandal.org

© Paras Doshi, 2009.

Mapro garden at Panchgani

This is a very famous company based in Panchgani/Mahabaleshwar. Their products include Syrups, Squashes, Candies, Jams and Crushes. More information is on their website here http://www.maprofoods.com/.

The best part about going to mapro garden is that they have a separate counter for tasting their products. You can try out all their products here. They make a small glass of everything for you to taste. We tried out a few and found the new custard apple syrup delicious. We also liked their "kacchi keri" Falero candies.

Click here for the map of Mapro Garden.


© Paras Doshi, 2009.

OnWheelz Amusement Park at Panchgani

This is a new amusement park opened at Panchgani. It has about 15 rides for all ages. However, we found that the size and speed of the rides, the elders would find it very simple. But, for the kids upto teen age group will enjoy all the rides a lot.

There are two packages:

1. Unlimited - For Rs. 350 for adults (above height 4.4 ft.), the passholder can use any ride as many time as required. The price for kids is Rs. 200.

2. Entry - For Rs. 100 for adults and Rs. 50 for kids, this pass gives the entry and two rides free for one time. For additional rides there is a charge of Rs. 50 per ride for adults and Rs. 30 per ride for Kids.

Some of the rides are:

Ferries Wheel, Free fall, Rainbow, Octopus, Striking car (Dashing car), Break Dance, Sun-n-Moon, Tsunami, Monotrain.

This is a must do if you are travelling with kids.

Click here for its video.

Address & Contact Nos:

Survey No. 7, Taighat, Panchagani-Kundal Road, Behind Sanjeevan School, Panchagani.

Ph. No. (02168) 242012/13/14.

The location of the park is superb with excellent view of the valley. For the exact location, refer to the map here.

View OnWheelz in a larger map

Lake near Wanawadi

It is always a pleasure to have guests at our home. We always look for places that can be visited within the city limits. There are the usual places like museums, temples, shopping streets (M.G. road and Laxmi Road in Pune) and the new funky malls. However, these are places that are found in all the cities and probably the guests want something better. We are lucky to have this nice park very close to our home. We have not only taken our guests but also friends who live in Pune but are not aware of this park.



Within a five minutes drive from our home, we reach the park that we have visited many times now and always enjoy going back again. The main attraction is boating. Instead of going all the way to Lonavala or Mahabaleshwar for boating, we can enjoy some nice time boating right next to our home. The park has both peddle boats and row boats.


Another attraction is a hanging bridge over the lake. It gives some anxious moments as one goes over it. The kids enjoy going again and again over it once they get a hang of it. There are quite a number of ducks floating on the lake at any time. There are lots of fishes found in some parts of the lake. Many people come over to feed them early in the morning. There are many different varieties of birds found around the lake. I am not into serious bird watching, else I could have indentified the species of the birds. But, it could be a paradise for any bird watcher. There is an open space where people can just sit around and enjoy the cool environment while the kids play around. There is a play area for kids with some slides and swings, but is not in very good condition.

Overall its a little paradise in the middle of all the hustle bustle of the city.




Useful Information on visiting the park.

Route:

Click here to see the exact location of the lake.

Since this park is within the complex of S R P F, you will need to go through one of the main gates of the complex. The guard at the gate will ask you about where you want to go. You can ask him a permit to visit the lake. If convinced, you will be permitted to enter the complex.

Charges:

Entry for the park is Rs. 5 per person. The boating charges are Rs. 15 per person. There is sufficient parking available for 4 wheelers and 2 wheelers.

Trivia:

Aamir Khan's Mangal Pandey was partly shot here !!

Details and maps of all the Jain Temples in and near Pune

Below is the list and addresses of all the Shwetambar Jain Derasars/Temples in Pune. See the Google Map with locations of more than 25 derasars.

1	Akurdi	Shree Sambhavnath Jain Mandir, Vitthalwadi, Akurdi, Pune.	020-27656983
2	Akurdi	Shree Vasupujya Jain Shwetambar Trust, Akurdi, Pune.
3	Alandi	Shree Shankheshwar Parshwanath tirth, Devachi Alandi, Pune.
4	Alandi	Shree Nakoda Parshwanath Jain Temple Trust, Alandi, Pune.
5	Balaji Nagar	Shree Vimalnath Swami Jain Mandir, Rajkiram Bunglow, Opp. Pawar Hospital, Balaji Nagar
6	Balaji Nagar	Shree Sheetalnath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Balaji Nagar, Pune - 43.	020-24476742
7	Bhawani Peth	Shree Shankheshwar Parshwanath Shwetambar Jain Mandir Trust, 1201, Bhawani Peth, Pune - 42	020-26351756
8	Bhawani Peth	Shree Kesariya Parshwanath Jain Temple Trust, 382/2, Bhawani Peth, Kumar Galaxy, Pune - 42.
9	Bhawani Peth	Shree Satavisa Jain City Group, 113, Kalpataru Plaza, Bhawani Peth, Pune - 42.
10	Bhopla Chowk	Shree Jain Shwetambar Rajasthani Samaj Trust, 1690, Bhopla Chowk, Camp, Pune - 1
11	Bhosari	Shree Shantinath Jain Mandir (Ghar Derasar), Alandi Road, Bhosari, Pune.	020-27122147
12	Bibwewadi	Shree Lake Town Jain Sangh, Lake Town, Bibwewadi, Pune.
13	Bibwewadi	Shree Vimalnath Swami Jain Shwetambar Temple Trust, Opp. Bibwewadi Police Station, Bibwewadi, Pune - 37.
14	Bopodi	Shree Sambhavnath Jain Mandir, Bopodi, Pune
15	Budhwar Peth	Shree Sudharma Swami Jain Shwetambar Murtipujak Sangh, 508 B, Budhwar Peth, Pune - 2	020-56025960
16	Budhwar Peth	Shree Chintamani Parshwanath Jain Mandir, 338, Budhwar Peth, Pune - 2.
17	Chinchwad	Shree Adeshwar Temple Trust, Chinchwad, Pune
18	Dapodi	Shree Shantinath Jain Shwetambar Mandir Trust, Dapodi Gaon, Pune.
19	Dehu Road	Shree Vimalnath Jain Mandir, Dehu gaon, Pune.	020-27692682/3.
20	Erandwane	Shree Vasupujya Swami Jain Temple Trust, 5/9, Erandwane, Near Nal Stop, Pune - 4.
21	Fatima Nagar	Shree Munisuvrat Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Plot No. 20, Fatima Nagar, Pune - 13.	020-26821420
22	Ghorpadi	Shree Mahavir Jain Mandir, Gorpadi Bazaar, Near Bus Stand, Pune.	020-26372745
23	Golibar Maidan	Shree Sambhavnath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Maniwal Bunglow, Near Golibar Maidan, Camp, Pune - 1.
24	Guruwar Peth	Shree Godi Parshwanathji Temple Trust, 110 B/111, Guruwar Peth, Pune - 42	020-24474767
25	Guruwar Peth	Shree Shantinath Bhagwan Temple Trust, 321, M. Phule Peth, Shanti Nagar Society, Pune - 42.
26	Guruwar Peth	Shree Adinath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Rushabh Jain Group, Porwal Bhavan, Guruwar Peth, Pune - 2.
27	Hadapsar	Shree Sheetalnath Bhagwan Jain Mandir, Trimurti Colony, Nr. Sadhna Society Gate, Akashwani Kendra, Hadapsar.
	Hadapsar	Shree Sheetalnath Bhagwan Jain Ghar Mandir, Kothari's Home, Sadhna Society, Hadapsar.
	Hadapsar Phursungi	Shree Sheetalnath Bhagwan Jain Mandir, Phursungi Gaon, 1km. away from IBM office, Phursungi.
28	Juna Pulgate	Shree Sheetalnath Shwetambar Jain Derasar
29	Kalyani Nagar	Shree Munisuvrat Swami Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Near HSBC, West Ave., Along the river side, Kalyani Nagar, Pune.
29	Kasarwadi	Shree Naminath Shwetambar Jain Sangh, Kasarwadi, Pune.
30	Katraj	Shree Agamodhaarak Devarshi Jain Agam Mandir Trust, Agam Hill, Katraj, Pune - 46.	020-24318654
31	Katraj	Shree Viralayam Shwetambar Jain Derasar,	020-24319057,24317874
32	Katraj	Shree Shatrunjay Temple Trust, S.No. 94, Katraj Kondhwa Road, Pune.	020-26962144
33	Khadki	Shree Mahavir Swami Temple Trust, Juna Bazaar, Khadki, Pune - 3.
34	Khadki	Shree Munisuvrat Swamiji Maharaj Temple Trust, 24 Juna Bazaar, Khadki, Pune - 3.	020-25817266
35	Market Yard	Shree Adinath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Isha Emerald Society, Ganga Dham Chowk, Market Yard, Pune.
36	Market Yard	Shree Vasupujya Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Murad Society, Market Yard, Pune - 37.
37	Market Yard	Shree Parshwanath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Siddhachal Society, Gul tekdi, Market Yard, Pune - 37.
38	Market Yard	Shree Ruturaj Jain Sangh, Ruturaj Society, Pune
39	Market Yard	Hyde Park Parisar Jain Sangh, Hyde Park, Gultekdi, Market Yard, Pune
40	Market Yard	Shree Suparshwanath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Suparshwanath Society, Market Yard, Pune - 37.
41	MG Road	Shree Vasupujya Shwetambar Jain Derasar, 553, Center Street, Sachapir Street, Off. M.G. Road, Pune - 1.
42	Mira Society	Shree Vasupujya swami Mira Anand Jain Sangh, Sheetal Society, Behind Mira Society, Pune - 6.
43	Mukund Nagar	Shree Shantinath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, DSK Chandradeep Society, Mukund Nagar, Pune - 37.
44	Mukund Nagar	Shree Naminath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Chandanbala Apartment, Mukund Nagar, Pune - 37.
45	Padmavati	Shree Bhagyavardhak Jain Shwetambar Derasar, S.No. 13, Padmavati Nagar, Pune Satara Road, Pune - 43.	020-24362696
46	Paud Road	Shree Suvidhinath Jain Sangh, Paud Road, Pune
47	Pulgate	Shree Shantinath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, 209, Solapur Bazaar, Pulgate, Pune - 1
48	Rasta Peth	Shree Adishwar (Indraprasth) Jain Shwetambar Temple Trust, Indraprastha Complex, Rasta Peth, Pune - 11.
49	Raviwar Peth	Shree Rajrajendrasuri Jain Gyan Mandir, 1137, Ravivar Peth, Govind Halwai Chowk, Pune - 2.
50	Sadashiv Peth	Shree Vardhaman Swami Jain Charitable Trust, Gai Ali, Sadashiv Peth, Pune - 30.
51	Sahakar Nagar	Shree Parshwanath Shwetambar Jain Mandir Trust, 411, Mahavir Society, Sahakar Nagar No.1, Pune - 9.
52	Sahakar Nagar	Shree Mahavir swami Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Trupti Apartment, Sahakar Nagar No. 2, Pune - 9.
53	Salisbury Park	Shree Sambhavnath Jain Mandir, Salisbury Park, Gultekdi, Pune - 37.
54	Sangavi	Shree Kunthunath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Dhore Nagar, Sangavi, Pune - 27.	020- 27280016, 9371006817
55	Shivaji Nagar	Shree Jain Shwetambar Kunthunath Trust, 372, Shivaji Nagar, Pune - 5.
56	Shukrawar Peth	Shree Adinath Maharaj Mandir (Gotiwala Ghada), 1415, Shukrawar Peth, Pune - 2.	020-24471162
57	Shukrawar Peth	Shree Sheetalnath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Shree Panchdasha Oswal Jain Sangh, Shukrawar Peth, Pune.
58	Shukrawar Peth	Shree Adeshwar Visa Porwal Sirohiya Temple Trust, 995, New Shukrawar Peth, Pune - 2.	020-24482509
59	Shukrawar Peth	Shree Godwad Jain Shwetambar Mutipujak Sangh, Shukrawar Peth, Gadikhana, Pune - 2.
60	Sinhgadh Road	Shree Kunthunath Jain Sangh, Manikbaug, Sinhgadh Road, Pune - 51.
61	Somwar Peth	Shree Adinath Bhagwan Jain Derasar, 28, Somwar Peth, Pune - 11	020-26129403
62	Sukhsagar Nagar	Shree Sukhsagar Parshwa Jain Murtipujak Sangh, S.No. 10/11, Sukh Sagar Nagar, Pune
63	Swargate	Shatrunjay Darshan Society, Shankarsheth Road, Pune - 42.
64	Swargate	Shree Dadawadi Jain Shwetambar Temple trust, 984/85, Shukrawar Peth, Near Saras Baug, Pune - 2.	020-24441221
65	Swargate	Shree Adinath Society Jain Temple Trust, Adinath Society, Pune-Satara Road, Near Swargate, Pune - 37.	020-24267590
66	Swargate	Shree Neminath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Kalyan Society, Shankar Sheth Road, Pune - 37.
67	Swargate	Shree Shankheshwar Parshwanath Jain Derasar, Ghar Derasar, Himgiri, 322/11/ Shankar Sheth Road, Pune - 37.
68	Timber Market	Shree Parshwanath Jain Shwetambar Mandir Trust (Manmohan Parshwanath), 267/2, Timber Market, Pune - 42.
69	Vadgaon Sheri	Shree Sambhavnath Jain Shwetambar Murtipujak Sangh, Vadgaon Sheri, Pune.
70	Vishrantwadi	Shree Vishrantwadi Jain Sangh, Vishrantwadi, Pune.
71	Wanawadi	Shree Adinath Shwetambar Jain Derasar, Wanawadi gaon, Wanawadi, Pune - 40.
72	Yerwada	Shree Suvidhinath Maharaj Temple Trust, 31, Yerwada Bazaar, Pune - 6.	020-26685938
73	Bhopla Chowk	Shree Adinath Ghar derasar, Center Street, Pune - 1.
74	Bhopla Chowk/td>	Shree Shantinath Jain Derasar, Bhopla Chowk, Pune - 1.

I am working on updating the list with all the Digambar, Sthanakvasi and other Jain temples.

Please put a comment if any of the information is incorrect, a new derasar needs to be added or if you wish to add to the Map of all the missing temples.

Jai Jinendra !!

Useful travel information to visit Morachi Chincholi

Click here for the detailed travelogue on Morachi Chincholi

Summary:

1. Peacocks, peacocks and lots of peacocks in natural habitat
2. Excellent tourist center with lots of activities for children
3. Friendly village people

Routes:

There are two good routes to reach there.

1. Via Shikrapur on Pune-Ahmednagar Highway (approx. 60 km)
2. Via Rajgurunagar(Khed)/Pabal on Pune-Nashik Highway (approx. 81 km)

Click here for the route map on Google Maps


We took the Route 2 via Pabal to reach and took Route 1 to come back to Pune.
The condition of the roads throughout was excellent except for about 5-10 kms between Rajgurunagar(Khed) and Pabal which wasn’t too bad either.

Place   Km  Time*
Pune    000  9:45
Pabal   068 11:45
Pabal   068 13:45
Morachi Chincholi  081 14:15
Morachi Chincholi  086 18:33
Pune    144 20:30

(*Time includes few breaks and traffic.)

Best time to visit:

It is best to visit between 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM and 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM as that is the time the peacocks would come out in open. Monsoon months from June to August are the best as Peacocks are at their best due to the rains. Their feathers fall during the months of September to November. So, the time after that you will find peacocks but without their feathers. The months of April and May are best to see them at the tourist center, as they get the food and water they need easily over here during these summer months.

Links:

www.morachichincholi.com - The tourist center at Morachi Chincholi
www.chincholimorachi.com - Another tourist center at Morachi Chincholi
An excellent blog entry on Morachi Chincholi.

Request:

Please respect local habitat including the peacocks, the village and the people who live there. Please protect this place as if you will protect your personal treasure.