Diary Entry: August 19, 2012

As Richard Bach says: “Your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years.”

When you know you have found your flock, you are ready to fly with them anytime. The simplest thing you can do for someone is just be their friend.

The birds with lenses wanted to do a photography tour of Induri Fort; Chakan Fort... another bird wanted to surrender at Bhamchandra Dongar And I was just enthusiastic about wandering. So there was a perfect exploring plan which was ready to be executed.

On a Saturday morning, we left the city and rode on old NH4 towards Talegaon.

After a long time, I managed to catch a breakfast at McDonalds, Chinchwad. A Veg Muffin started one of the best days of my life.

After one more snacks break, we reached Talegaon.

On Talegaon - Chakan road, at Village Induri, there is a small fortification built on Left hand side. This fortification was built by Khanderao Dabhade during 1720s. The river Indrayani flows by western side of the fortification. There is a temple of Kadjai Devi inside this fort. The Entrance marks a grandiose Royal History. There is a NagarKhana atop the entrance. Although it is all ruins, we had a good time there.

Our next destination was Bhamchandra Dongar... Very less people know this place and so it is still much serene. The rout to the cave is very simple. There are a some carvings. ( I do not know the historical information). On Talegaon - Chakan Road, there is a village Sadumbre on left hand side. Ahead of this village, there is another village - Shinde Vaasuli. This hillock is on the outskirts of this village.

After some memorable moments captured in photos, we left towards Chakan, Via Ambethan. After having lunch at Ambethan chowk, Chakan. We visited the ruins of Chakan fort.

Just to make it a complete circle, we rode to Alandi. There is only one word for Alandi... AWESOME!!!

For me, Alandi was a cosmic experience, just sitting at the steps of ghat was so fulfilling, peaceful. I could feel completely in sync with the entire universe. I attained my long lost inner peace.

In search of footsteps of the Great Shivaji Maharaj - Umbarkhind

February 1661: It was 2nd of February and the Mughal Army was marching fast towards the Konkan region from Pune. The army consisted of Horses, Bulls, Elephants, small canons and men. They were equipped for a full fledged war anytime. Their head, Kartalab Khan, was a fierce Uzbek warrior. Trusted by the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb, he was sent to the Pune region to assist Shahista Khan to wage war against the Great Shivaji. Kartalab Khan was assisted by Kachhap, Jasawant Kokate, and the lady sardar RaiBaghan. The army had reached Lohgad and Khan had decided to take the pass between Lohgad and Visapur to enter Konkan. The spies informed Kartlab Khan that the Great Shivaji was resting at Kuruwande Village, roughly 4 miles west to the Lohgad. Khan instantly jumped at the opportunity to siege the Great Shivaji and gain higher ranks at the courts of the Emperor. Thus, the army changed its course and turned towards to Kuruwande. As they reached Kuruwande, they found that the informers

Animal Welfare and I Part VI

Radhika and I together we have many rescues stories to share. One such is that of a community dog who lived near her home. This fella was one big notorious kid. He had developed a wound and later there were maggots infestation. First time in net, the boy escaped by breaking the net with his teeth. Second time we somehow managed to get the dog in the van with the net and I drove him to the Angel Lady’s shelter. She treated him well and some three or four days later this guy ran off from the shelter. The group leader hid his face for a few days until Radhika mentioned that the dog had returned to his spot! I was amazed by this return. The miracles that mother nature brings forth all the time are euphoric. There was another case in my neighborhood . During each drive for about three months were trying to get hold of this female dog, she escaped every time. Then she was pregnant again. Finally two of her pups survived to adulthood and she almost willingly got in the vehicle for spaying.

Animal Welfare and I Part IV

People would come to her to adopt dogs. Most of them would be looking for free puppies of exotic breeds. Many didn’t want to take home any dog that would have been previously owned. Hardly anyone wanted to have the local indie dogs. The group also used to organize Adoption camps. People used to huddle up only to see puppies in the pens. The caregivers of these puppies would mostly be heartbroken since very few pups would be adopted. The kitties would find homes quickly but getting the dogs adopted used to be real hard work. Once another lady and I visited an elderly couple who wanted to adopt a pup. We took some 4 healthy pups in carrier in an auto rikshaw. When I realised that the energy levels of the couple together wont match to that of the pup, I told the lady and she instantaneously agreed. We brought the pups back. Another time, a family had adopted a pup during adoption camp. When we called to inquire about how the pup had settled with the family, we were told the pup was

Me and this world - a tête-à-tête

Search This Blog