Bhimashankar Trek

I really feel pity on those Puneities who cannot find any good weekend out-going place than Lonavla. Grow up man, there are hell lot of place to explore in the vicinity of Pune and one such is “Bhimashankar”.

Its really a lifetime experience to trek Bhimashankar via shidi ghat. It was not exactly dicing with death but one must take some extra care for rocky patches. We were a team of 7 from Pune. We started our journey at 8:30 morning(typical professionals, never on time, rather 2 hrs. late) from Pune and reached Khandas(the base village) at 11:30 via Karjat by Tata Sumo. It was hard to control the excitement of trek.

 We booked a guide for Rs.250. We heard that Ganesh ghat is easy but lengthy and time consuming and we were already late so to make up the lost time, we decided to go via shidi ghat, a tough but   short route. It was really a thrilling trek. we started at approx 12:00 noon after breakfast. Weather was little warm. After few steps it looked like a reach for the moon. After crossing 4-5 difficult rocky patches we were thrilled to bits. We climbed with our lives challenged by nature but the challenges were there to be overcomed. There were three ladders to your support to get across the edges of deep cliffs through the vertical rocky patches. Two of them were feeble, rusty and aged like a poverty-striken beggar. One of the ladder, the third one, was newly replaced and was strong (bamboo ladder has been replaced by iron one now - thanks to the Dhumketu Group!). We felt as if Nature said to us "Hey Man!! You passed the test. Why not you be gifted now? My blessings are with you for rest of your journey..." .

Crossing these ladder was a real play with fire. The weather had changed now, the sun had disappeared into thin air. Lunch (bread butter, Dates, dry fruits, biscuits, peanuts etc. etc.) in between the way made our mouth watery. A bath in a waterfall was real refreshment and then little shower was better than anything. We took lots of breaks in the way and enjoyed the trek as a picnic. As we climbed up and up the trek became easier and easier. We could sense the fragrance of clouds when we were near the temple. We completed the trek in 6 and a half hours. Really the this trek was not a piece of cake.
There was a holy Kund Outside the temple with chilled water. I was gathering all my confidence to took bath in that Kund. At last got a grip and with the watchword 'BAM BHOLE', I was IN.

Changed clothes and then spent 1.5 hours in a queue to get Darsan in temple. For safe side we called the Sumo at temple for return journey and because of this decision, now, we are back to tell the tale.At 8:30PM we were back in Sumo.
Now it was the time for 'Wadapav' and tea. I don't know whats special in it and why people can't resist them self for eating this. AT 11:00pm, we started our back journey. It was full of fog with least visibility. Deepak, Amol and Surinder took the responsibility and walked in front of vehicle to show the route. It was something like "Do one trek and get a walk free!" After 2 kms when some fog disappeared, we started the journey in full swing.

At 1:00 AM, on a highway Dhaba we stopped for dinner. There was only single option for Dinner 'Pure veg Thali'. We had to choose this way or highway, so we opted for Thali.
After that on the way home, I don't know what happened and how long it took until I got senses, when Deepak wake me up in front of my home. I Said "Good Night" to all and went to bed directly. just saw the time It was 3:00 AM, just starting of a comparatively relax day.

In the end, I would say if you keep extra caution, be extra careful and have extra courage then you can cross world's hardest hurdle and this trek was a real example of that.

Now we are planing for next trek, venue and date is yet to be decided :-), If you want to join and ready to take challenges, let me know...:-)

Till then...
Happy Trekking
BUM BUM BHOLE

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Read my other travel experiences like Dandeli Jungle Safari, Kundilika River-rafting, Bhimashankar Treking, Benaras:Journey Back into Ages,Konkan Railways

Ayodhya Darshan

JAI SHREE RAM

Ayodhya has otherwise remained in the eyes of storm since decades. But the city of Rama is not just about blood, orgy and communal frenzy. The city invokes inspiration among the general Indians cutting across religious lines. Lord Rama has been attached to the Indian Psyche and has remained inseparable. He has been bestowed upon with the title of 'The most dignified among the dignified' and is held in high esteem by every Indian irrespective of his class, creed or religion. The sheer story of Rama provides unparallel examples of piety, dignity, love, brotherhood, chastity and forgiveness.


Ram, Ramayana are not mere god amd epic in my city but they are a way of life. Lets move down in the lane of Ayodhya and expericnce and enrich yourself with this devine feeling we me.

• Ayodhya Darshan (Part I)
• Ayodhya Darshan (Part II)
• Ayodhya Darshan (Part III)
• Ayodhya Darshan (Part IV)

Right To Recall: Need of Hour

Right To Recall has a very old history. Vedic texts mention so called Gram Sabha and Nagar Sabha in which every citizen was member, and these Sabha had procedure to expel Village and Town chiefs. RTR was widely used in Greece 2500 years ago — the towns had procedure to expel kings and they also had Juries of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 to decide crimes against officers. More senior the officer, bigger the Jury.

RTR re-appeared in UK in 950 AD in form of Jury System. UK started a Jury System where in an accused policeman will face a Jury of 12 randomly chosen citizens and the citizens can expel him.And most extensive use of RTR is done by USA. In USA citizens have procedure to expel Mayor, District Police Chief, District Education Officer, MLA, Governor etc. And so corruption in police is very very low. In fact, only reason why corruption in US police is so low is because citizens of US have procedures to expel District Police Chief. And we citizens in India cant expel District Police Chief, and so some 80% to 90% DPCs have become corrupt.
Likewise, corruption in CMs of India is higher than Governors of US because citizens in US have RTR Governor.
Now when it comes to RTR-CM, RTR-PM, RTR-RBI-Governor etc, the most important thing is exact draft of the proposed procedure. Without draft, one can speak and discuss endlessly and not move an inch ahead. The drafts must be flawless or at least have less flaws than existing procedures.

The crusade launched by Gandhian Social activist Anna Hazre against corruption has not only galvanized the entire nation against this scourge but has also proved the might of people's voice. One of the most important outcome of this movement is the awakening generated among the youth of this country for active participation in national issues. So far this vital section of the nation had adopted a passive attitude towards national issues.
One of the most effective tool to check corruption and the corrupt politicians is the right to recall from public offices like Panchayats and Legislatures by the electorates. This is practiced in a few democratic countries of the world to a great advantage .This keeps the elected representatives on high alert and only the honest and upright persons choose to stand for elections. Anna Hazare had pointed towards the need for this provision but not so effectively. Now that a non-political movement for cleansing the system has been launched and is in full swing, it will be appropriate to include this demand also before the enthusiasm subsides.