Global Pagoda- Gorai

Manoj Shriyan (school friend) called me on 30th Jan 09 and told me about the PAGODA which in under construction at Gorai . He asked me whether we can make it on 31st Jan. I confirmed my acceptance to his idea. In the interim I asked Denzil Dsouza about the PAGODA, and he too agreed after making some adjustments with his guitar classes. Next day Denzil met me at 7.40 a.m. at Gokuldham gate and we started our journey. Manoj had asked us to meet at Raghuleela mall. Manoj was having loose motion problem since yesterday, however he still came.Thats the spirit of nature-lovers and travelers which binds together. So we were on 2 bikes and we reached the jetty. The link to the place where the jetty leaves is difficult for bikes as it skids a lot. We had taken a help of the helper who charges INR 20.00 per bike. The place where the jetty leaves is common transit for people going to Essel world. One can see the giant PAGODA clearly and was looking amazing in the morning. The morning environment was amazing and there were people waiting anxiously to be ferried to the other side of the city. Mostly we could see young couples since the place is known for couples. We loaded our bikes on the boat which is large enough to accommodate 4-5 bikes and roughly 30 persons. The boat left the bank and within 5-7 minutes we reached the other side. There is a checkpoint which charges INR 5.00 /person and INR 10.00/bike. The entry point has small shanties selling wafers, mineral waters, tea, and biscuits. There is a BEST bust stop too and autos which takes to the beach/essel world and the villages inside. We took our bike and started towards the PAGODA which is clearly visible on that island. After driving straight for roughly 10.00 minutes we came to a point where we took left. After driving for roughly 1.00 minutes we came to a security checking point. The security person enquired us of our visit, and I told him we had come to see the PAGODA. We drove straight and reached a place which was the bust stand and on the left side was the path to essel world. There is a security check point and after enquiry they allowed us to go inside and asked us to left right after reaching the petrol pump. The drive inside the gate was really amazing, since it was quiet, lonely path. Roughly after 7 minutes we reached the petrol pump and the magnificent PAGODA (Vipatsana center) was in front of us. We stopped and started taking the pictures of the giant structure. We were left speechless looking at the sheer size of the structure. The PAGODA was under construction and was buzzing with workers who were busy with chisels and other equipments. We parked our bike nearby and started taking pictures with our cell phones from all the angles. We stepped inside the PAGODA, and were left speechless. The place was such a huge structure and it looked like we were small dwarfs standing. It was very big and could easily accommodate 500 -700 persons. We took pictures from all the angles. We decided to climb on the PAGODA to have a much better view. Since the construction was still on, there were supporting structures, which we climbed to reach the level above. The island seems to come alive because of this structure as this was the tallest monument. On one side we were able to see Mumbai and the other side was mangroves as far as one can see. Adjoining the PAGODA was a tall pole kind of structure bearing ASHOKA emblem. Towards the left side was a small PAGODA. Adjoining to this was building which seemed to be the staying places for Monks. We were able to see few monks. The sun was becoming hotter and we decided to visit the beach and before that we stopped for some refreshments. We took 3 sandwiches and 6 cups of tea. Total damages were INR 100.00. After driving straight we reached the beach and walked into the sea and looked at the nature’s beauty. We had coconut water on the beach and left for home. Thus came the journey to an end.
This was my first travel with Manoj Shriyan , however not the only one.
Keytakeaways: start early, take your own vehicle.

More photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30002962@N05/

bhimashankar-Jyotirling (Karjat)

I, Nitin Gupta and Ashish Negi decided to trek to Bhimashankar. We planned for the first local from Dadar to karjat which leaves Dadar station at 5.37 a.m. on 10th Jan 09 i caught the 4.40 a.m. train from Goregaon station and asked Nitin to meet me at Andheri station. Ashish told he would directly meet at Dadar station since he was at Sion and had not slept for the whole night since he was with his friends. We reached Dadar station on time and Ashish too joined us, however was too tired as I could make out from his eyes and face. We were able to find place inside and asked Ashish to take rest so as to conserve his energy for the trek. The morning was quite chilly and cold. At 7.45 a.m. we reached Karjat station which was the last stop for the train. I decided to start from Karjat west side, since in my last trek (along with my father in Feb 2008) the locals had asked us to catch the auto from West. We moved towards matheran end of the station and got outside the station. There was hardly any shop which was open and we moved inside the town and came to the main market where there were shops which had opened up. There were shops of all kinds, grocery, stationery, sweets, jewelers etc. We took our quota of 6 liters of water. We decided to have a breakfast and one of the locals told us to visit Mayur hotel-which was quite famous. The restaurant was roughly around 7-10 minutes from the station. The hotel was neat and clean and the menu card rate suggested it to be too costly for a place like Karjat. Infact it was at par with Mumbai prices. We ordered 1 misal, 1 vada-pav, 1 medu vada, 1 idli for Ashish and Nitin and I had 1 poha and then we had tea. The total damage was INR 76.00. We started negotiating for auto which started from INR 350.00 and finally we managed to close at INR 275.00.Thus we started at 8.56 a.m. from karjat and started towards Bhimashankar (one of the 12 jyotirlings). The journey towards the point was amazing since we could only see mountains, green fields, and trees everywhere. Nitin and Ashish took a nap on the way, however I couldn’t sleep since I didn’t wanted to miss the nature’s creation and the happiness. The road to the point was in pretty good shape without any issues. It goes through important villages and finally it reaches the Khandas village where I could see the majestic Bhimashankar mountain range in front of me. By this time ashish and nitin has woken up and was feeling fresh. The auto driver was stopping near the village itself. However as per my previous experience I remembered that from this village the trek start point was at least 6-7 k.m. away. I asked him to proceed on and leave us near the start point. Finally we reached the place which was quite, lonely with no one around except us. The point was called Ganpati Ghat, and there was one guide who told to take us via other route which was relatively safe, easy and short. I however sticked to my plan of taking the tougher route via the jungles. Immediately on getting down of the auto we started taking pictures and we spotted one green snake beside among the bushes and we took a nap of it. Finally at 10.05 a.m. we started our march towards Bhimashankar. There is no definite path or route as such, however routes have got formed on account of trekkers and villagers. Roughly after trekking for 20-25 minutes we reached a place where there was a statue of Devi and is a common resting ground. We all 3 were quite energetic and we climbed on, clearing hurdles after hurdles. Finally we reached a flat land where there was a majestic mountain standing in front of us. We took lot of snaps from all angles. Moving further there was this great, majestic mountain standing in front of us to be conquered. It was amazingly huge and challenging. We kept on walking and the surroundings were full of trees of all size, varieties, and forms. We decided to halt at one place which was the place from where the trek was going to be difficult (as per my previous experience). The lunch as usual was full of fruits, dry-fruits and I had my special laddu. Surprisingly at this place we found a local villager who had a stove, and was selling tea. We refreshed ourselves with tea and started our march. This final leg was the most difficult since it started taking toll on our energy levels and sings of fatigue, tiredness could be seen on all of us. In the interim we came across one more group of 3-4 boys who had started the trek at 9.30 a.m. I could easily made out that we were pretty fast and were well on time. They were ahead of us, but we took over them and before the final leg of the climb was to begin, I told ashish and nitin to rest. The other team didn’t have idea and surpassed us and moved further. I knew there was nothing to worry, since the final leg would take a toll on them. After resting for 10-15 minutes we started our march and soon I found the group resting ahead of us and was really tired. We overtook them and finally the moment came, when our amazing journey came to an end and we reached the top at 1.58 p.m. thus it took us 4.00 hours to reach the top. On reaching the top we moved towards the temple which was roughly around 10.00 minutes and by this we could see lot of tourists. The entrance inside the temple is through steps and is surrounded by shops on both the sides. At 2.15 p.m. we reached the temple and took the darshan. There is one more place which can be visited which was called old bhimashankar. We however were feeling hungry and decided to move towards the bus stand since there were hotels around that. Near the bus stand ,infact there is a point where we found majestic view of the mountain range. We took the ST bus (3.32 P.M.) and as told by the locals decided to get down at Manchar. This place was around 65.00 k.m. from Bhimashankar. The bus could have taken us to Pune , however we avoided since the bus stops at all the place and takes 4 to 4.30 hours to reach Pune. At around 5.10 p.m. we reached manchar bus stand. It was a small town however the bus stand was crowded. Outside the bus stand we found SUMO which was going to Mumbai and we decided to take it. The fare per head was INR 150.00 and it took the same route as to pune, however it didn’t enter pune. From Chakan it took the bypass route. At 9.35 p.m. we reached Ghatkopar the last stop for us. Thus our journey came to an end. However the memories will remain with all 3 of us throughout our life.

Key takeaways: Start early, take cap,sufficient water, food.carry medicines.

For photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30002962@N05/

Chanderi- Vangini

i had visited oberoi mall at gokuldham goregaon on 30th nov 2008 along with arunabha dey ( school friend). after strolling for sometime in the mall and not understanding what to do we reached the third and the last floor of the mall. Cross words a new book store had opened up. we decided to visit it and started pondering over the books stacked over there. among the travel section i happened to come across a book titled '' off-beat tracks in maharashtra''. decided to buy the book after final confirmation being given by Aru. it was a nice book totalling 256 pages written by milin gunaji- a hard core treckker. i reached home and started reading through the book and came across the place CHANDERI. being close to mumbai excited me and i decided toi visit the place. now i decided to search for my colleagues who can come with me. the obvious choice narrowed down to DENZIL -office colleague and a friend and a person who loves nature, mountains and a tuning, level which matches mine. i asked him the very next day on monday and to ASHISH NEGI-- a office collegaue and a person who had shown interest in trekking and nature . i was sure of connecting well with ASHISH. denzil could not come as he had to attend certain ceremony. ashish was ready. we decided to move on saturday 6th dec 08 at 5.00 am. to andheri station.
on 6th i got up at 4.00 tried calling ashish , however there was no response. tried for next half an hour till 4.30 a.m.. since he didnt picked up the phone, i thought lets close this and also went to sleep. by 6.45 a.m., ashish was calling me and i picked up the phone and ashish told he was sleeping and forgot to pickup the phone. looking at his enthu and of the dedication as of mine , i decided to leave for chanderi. we decided to meet at andheri station. my wife prepared thepla and i started from gokuldham by auto and reached goregaon stn for 22 rs. at the ticket counter purchased ticket to vangini return costing inr 38.00 . boarded the local and reached andheri and got down at andheri and waited for ashish at andheri 5th platform. he arrived 10-15 after and we caught 8.17 fast local and reached dadar and took the karjat local from the 6th platform. on the dadar stn we got biscuit and veg burger. we were lucky to find seat in the train and the crowd in the train was ok. the train left by 8.55 a.m. and by 10.05 a.m. we reached vangini stn. had a tea on the station and took 1 litre water bottle. the canteen person asked us to walk towards badlapur on the tracks and travelling for just 1.00 mns , we took left and reached the market place of vangini -east. the main market of vangini is on the west. being hungry we started searching for a hotel to eat something. it was a small place with smal shabby hotels--not in real term. ashish saw this place named rajasthani hotel.. we stepped in a had wada -pav. i had 2 vadapav with usal wheras ashish took 2 with usal. we then had tea. after feeling relieved , we started for chandheri. we took an auto from the stand which was nearby. there is a per seat charge of inr 8.00, and the auto moves after taking 5 person. so we decided to book the entire and tolk to pay him inr 40.00. after going through the habitat, the auto reached the main road, and took the route towards badlapur. we started enjoying the breeze and the majestic montain range clearly visible on our left side. i started capturing the glimpses through my mobile. on the way comes a small place called goregaon and finally after 15 mns the auto stopped and we got down on the same road. at this juncture there is a motel named chanderi on the right side and on the left is the track to chanderi. ashish took his camera which was a sort of professional camera and started shooting the scenes. we started walking towards left and it was amazing as the road was lonely and the scenes were amazing. we kept on walking and after walking for almost 20-25 mns , we met a villager who asked to take a left from the main road..was a sort of kachha rasta and to reach a village called WADI. we took the route and was amazingly quiet , breeze , greenery. it goes through someones private farmhouse. however there is no-one to stop and the same path is used by villagers. after walking straight for 15-20 mns. we took left and then straight and again left and went straight. its better to ask villagers to how to reach wadi. after 15-20 mns we reached wadi a small adivashi village where there is small school. from here we went towards the stream which was without water and started moving towards chanderi mountain. villagers were talking bath, washing clothes, filling up driniking water ...whathever water was left. we asked the villagers and they asked us to walk straight along the stream. while walking 2 village boys ageing 12-14 met us and told us to show the path and take us to the montain top for inr 100.0. we were in 2 minds , whether to trek alone or to take the help. finally ashish and myself decided to convince for inr 50.00 . the boys agreed and we started following them. he took a differnt route away from the stream . after walking for only 10-15 mns i was feeling very uneasy. for the first time in my life this was happening as i considered myself to be very strong, balanced and had trekked earlier also to bheemashankar. ashish was quite strong and was proceeding swiftly. then we would have walked for 20 mns when the boys told they have to get back since they were feeling hungry. after fruitless persuasion we gave up and started to proceed on our own. we kept on walking and after 15 mns, i started feeling exhausted and lied down. i was feeling terribly tired and thirsty. we had just 1.5 litres of water among both os us. i was feeling breathlessness. took some rest and again started walking , since it was almost 12-12.30 a.m. the sun was above our head , and we were feeling very hot and tired. we kept on walking with intermitent stops. the chanderi mountain was easily visible to us and was surrounded by huge moutain range. we could see from our naked eyes that the last part of the mountain peak was a straigth solid rock which was impossible for us to climb. while walking myself and ashish decided to reach atleast the base of the mountian. since we had to return on the same day , we could afford only to reach the base. after walking for almost 1 and half hour, it seemed that we would not be even be in a position to rech the base. we were completely lost in the mountain . except for ashish and myself , there was no-one. the path was of small mountains on which we were walking , and not of thich vegetation and hence the walk was ok. the issue however was of sun rays directly falling on our heads. the water quota was also getting over and we were now left with only 500 ml of water. the heat was draining us out and it was getting difficult for me to even walk for 10 mns. at a point we reached a stage where we had no path to proceed further and were surrounded by shrubs -- which started giving us irritation. it became so much that i pulled my t-shirt off my body and didnt knew what to do. ashish was having the same problem and advised to use our own saliva . we decided to call the day and to head back. initally i was not ready, however realised that it was good decision since out of water and between such shrubs. we started back and were forgetting our paths in between. i thought will i be able to reach home. we kept on walking with intermittent stops to regain energy. finally at 2.00 we reached a spot where there were trees and thick vegetation and lied down for 15 mns. then we started again and reched the village WADI . by this time i was completely exhausted and asked one of the villager for water. he took me to his house and offered me water. i had one full glass of water. ashsih was quite strong and resilient and didnt had water. we waited to 15 mns near the school and agai n started the journey back to the place whether the auto had left. the walk was of almost 5-7 k.m. there is no auto, we kept on walking and finally reached the spot and took a tea at chanderi motel and rested for 10 mns. we got the auto and reached vangini station . on the stn we had thepla and tea. local came and after 2 stns we manged to find a seat. both were tired and exhausted. ashish slept wheraeas i was thinking of the amaging journey we had and the mistakes we had done by not preparing well. by 6.15 was at home. took bath and ate something . the irritation was still there.
this is how our amazing journey came to end and we were uncessful in reaching chanderi.

please use the help of the local while going to chanderi and start the journey early unlike us and take ample water. this place is now very rarely visited since its far off from the main road and of the shrubs which causes irritation to the entire body.