Munnar Hill Station in Kerala,India

Munnar Hill Station in Kerala,India
Sushil Ojha, retired SBI Manager from Dehradun travels to Munnar Hill Station in Kerala during his, more than a month, long trip starting from 18 09.2007 to 25.10.2007 to the India’s southern most state of Kerala, the God’s Own Country

14.10.2007 ( Sunday ) travel by bus to Munnar from Thekkady / Periyar lake

4.00 am :Got up early in the morning . It was raining. Peeped outside and saw well lit road but silent, unlike not so silent roads in Kotayyam. Still raining upto 5 am and now the electricity light gone. Used candle light to quell the darkness in the room, but within 5 minutes power light came (perhaps no power for TV). Heard a few vehicular movements on the road. Switched off fan to enjoy warmth in the cool weather with blankets on me.

6.00 am : The road in front of this newly constructed excellent home stay in Kumily, is on Thekkady / Periyar lake bye pass and is busy with traffic. Now I am waiting for my bed tea in the room. Sharp at 6.05 am, the hot red tea without milk and sugar was served by the host Mr Sabu.

7.45 am : Talked with Mr Sabu about Kumili. He said it is a hill station at a height of about 3500 ft and its 20 degree temperature in summers, attracts nearby Tamil Nadu people who have to face the 45 degree hot & sultry weather. He says that I should not miss Munnar hill station at still higher height of about 6000 ft. And from Munnar, I should catch last pvt. bus at about 5 pm to reach Ernakulam by 9 pm. So that I get full clear day on 15th Oct,(Monday) to visit Thrissur/Guruvayur also in one day before leaving for my further scheduled visit to Nashik on 16th Oct and then on 23th Oct from Nashik back to New Delhi..Dehradun.

8.30 am : Breakfast ( Idiappam with Chana Masala curry ) and hot tea brought by Sabu, in a casserole and a saucer with cover lid. Had a very tasty Keralite dish.

9.00 am : Paid cash Rs300 to Sabu and thanked him for excellent home stay along with complementary tea, dinner, breakfast. Sabu also told about his friend followed by his phone to Mr Sathis C B who is having similar arrangement of home stay in Munnar. Walked up to bus station. Took seat in a pvt bus No.KL 6C 369 with good seats etc

9.45 am : Bus left punctually for Munnar ( fare Rs68). Talked with some co – passengers, one of which was a Swedish young couple visiting Kerala,Goa, Mumbai etc and another from Munnar itself going to his home town. All front seats were kept reserved for ladies.

10.00 am : Saw enroute one Spices Paradise and Herbal garden, red coloured flowering trees name could not be known to me. I saw for the first time, Cardamom (Ilaichi) plantations. While Swedish lady was awake, her young husband was asleep.

10.15 am : Saw one cardamom grading centre. Entered Vandanamettu bus station and then by 11.45 am, Nedumkandam, comparatively a big town. Here I was told this town was a midway place before reaching Munnar. For the first time for,me a very unusual mobile tea vendor on his bicycle, was seen here. I took tea for Rs3 from him.

12.15 am : At Udumbanchola, here I saw ICRI (Indian Cardamom Research Institute). The bus was running on NH 49, a well maintained road with not much traffic. Only few local dwellers were seen now and then otherwise only Cardamom plantations on both sides of the road. Presence of flags of some Political parties were seen, most of these were of CPI(M), some were of Congress and at least one of BJP at Santhanpura. Just like, tea / coffee boards in the country for their development / marketing, here was seen by me, one Spices Board on the lines of tea/coffee boards.

1.00 pm : Now at Poopava, which is just 30 Km before reaching Munnar. Many tea Estates here seen in open high rise valley (like paddy fields at Gaucher in Distt Chamoli ( Uttarakhand ). Bus stayed here for more than 5 minutes for tea break. Surprisingly I saw green guavas (red inside) being sold here for Re1 each.

After 10 minutes, bus started for further heights to Munnar. Again many Cardamom plantations on both sides of road. Here I saw close view of cardamom seed shooting up from the bases of the plants.

Now very big open high valley. Here, tea gardens are spread every where in a most magnificent design. We could see below the road, a big Seethdevi lake and a big Chinnar dam.

1.50 pm : It was misty here at Pothemedu view point, where on a thin rocky road, was a deep forest valley (gorge ) and the other side was the rocky hill.

2.00 pm : Now the weather was foggy but the tea gardens again seen every where in an open high rise valley. These tea gardens were looking like thick green carpets in the valley above valley.

2.15 pm ; Reached Devikulam, where Govt offices and some upcoming high rise buildings were seen. Saw again, the tea gardens – rivulets – water falls.

2.30 pm : Finally reached Munnar. Surprisingly, an autorikshawala was waiting for my arrival ( I think arranged by Mr Sathis,the owner of Home Stay here). The riksha driver drove me to the Westend Cottage (Home Stay)
Situated not on main road and not newly constructed but spacious and comfortable. In this home stay, I saw gas geyser for the first time which gives instant running hot water any time you open the tap.
Paid Rs10 for rikshaw and occupied room for rental Rs200 without any complementary unlike that offered by his friend Mr Sabu at Kumily.

3.00 pm : So, walked out for meals in one South Indian restaurant, where I was served excellent food & services for Rs25 only. After taking meals, walked and saw all around and also sat in an internet café for one hour.

6.00 pm : Came back to room. No Airtel connectivity here, only that of BSNL, Vodafone services were available then.

6.30 pm : Walked again around Munnar to know and see more. Met and talked with SBI Branch Manager Mr Hari who apprised me in detail about Munnar Hill Station. Got some picture cards of Medupetty lake, Tront lagoon Kundala, Hydel park, road map of Munnar and nearby places. Also went inside the Munnar Inn ( rental Rs1200 onwards )

7.30 pm : Sathis, the owner of Westend Cottage Home Stay, also briefed me about fauna and flora of Munnar, nearby places, their historical accounts

Munnar (moonu means three, ar means rivers), is a wide open valley at a height of about 1600 mtrs, from where three rivers emanate, namely Kundaley, Nallathany,Mutrapuzha.

Tea Valley conducted tour for Rs 250 each daily 10 am to 6 pm, covers Mattapetty, Kundala dam, Rajmala, echo point, top stn,Pothameda view pt.

Sandal valley conducted tour covers Naimakad view pt,Lakkam view pt, coffee plantations, sandal wood forests, Pious Nagar village view, Chinnar wild life sanctuary.

8 to 9 pm : Read various publications on Munnar and Kerala tourism.

10.00 pm : Now going to bed after eating some fresh fruits. The weather is quite cold here even in side the room. I used both the blankets to keep my body cosy & warm in night.

15.10.2007 ( Monday ) travel by bus from Munnar to Aluva / Guruvayur

5.30 am : Got up early in morning but no body was awake except those who had to catch first bus at 5.30 am from here to their respective places

6.00 am : Walked out side and saw the beautiful scenery spread all over. However, some demolitions of buildings were seen which, later I learnt that these encroachments were demolished earlier but now it is slowed down or stopped for political reasons.

6.30 am : Got a cup of tea from the cottage owner and experienced the gas geyser installed there costing Rs3500 at Munnar.

7.00 am : Walked up to the bus station. Pvt. bus to Aluva ( departure 8.10 am) was to be changed at Kothamangala, so I decided to take KSRTC bus to Aluva (departure 8.40 am)

8.40 am : The bus left most punctually from Munnar to Aluva (fare Rs60 )
9.40 am : Reached Adimali. It was on NH 49 now that the banana, pine apple plantations as also the oranges garden, eucalyptus forests, thin bamboo shoots as a thick forests on the sides of the road. Saw a water fall where many tourists were enjoying their bath. Reached a place where a river crossed our road and there was a big Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya.

10.40 am : Before Kothamangala at 11.10 am and then Perumbvor at 12, now our bus was running in planes when we reached Aluva at 12.40 pm




Munnar Hill station

Munnar (Malayalam: മൂന്നാര്‍) is a town located in the Idduki district of India's Kerala state, situated in the south Western Ghats of India.
The name Munnar usually refers to the whole tourist area of the Idukki District of which the town forms only a small part.
The name Munnar is believed to be derived from the Malayalam/Tamil words Munu (three) and aaru (river), referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers.
The Munnar panchayat in the Devikulam block is the largest panchayat in the Idduki district having an area measuring nearly 557 km².

Essentially a pass; the area around Munnar is surrounded by vast jungles and remains wet and cold during most of the year. The entire area of Munnar officially belongs to the government of Kerala; though the Poonjar royal family (its pre-independence owners) have made claims to the contrary.
Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience for the tourist and traveller. Munnar is essentially a tea town. There is a large population of people from Tamil Nadu.

Recorded History of the old Munnar-Aluva Pathway

[Old Aluva – Munnar Road]. The Reconstruction of the road was started in 1891s and was completed in the following decade. In fact the road has a much older tale to tell. The road that the local people showed the British was the remnants of a glorious past, Bits and pieces of an ancient Royal Path that connected the historic port city of Musiris (Now Kodungallur) with the city of old Madurai. The road covered the Western Ghat-–home to invaluable natural resources. The known history of trade through this route traces back to the times before the Old Testament.

The presence megaliths and so many other historical monuments point towards a civilisation over 3000 years old. The ancient Pathway(road) was constructed in the Chera Era (300 BCE to 250 CE). The road, which transported valuables including sandalwood and spices from the misty heights to Musiris, was once the backbone of an economy. As trade in these items increased, Feneshiya/Arab/Roman/Chinese traders were attracted to India, and more specifically Kerala.

The road is a rather unique one. First, it runs almost parallel to the rivers Periyar and Pooyamkutty. Second,It has no steep slopes and maintains almost a constant slop of 1:10. Third, it goes through The Western Ghats, one of the world's ten ecological hotspots. This place is famous for the "Neelakurinji" flower .
Nobody has as yet traced the ancient road in entirety. The reason being, the change in topography of the land over centuries. The Great Flood in 1354 almost wiped out the city of Musiris, destroyed the port and, as if in a quid pro quo, formed the natural contours enabling Cochin Harbour. The course of the rivers was also changed considerably, making it difficult to apprehend how the road, described as following the ancient river course, actually would have been.

However there is enough evidence to show that the road existed and a civilisation prospered by the side of it. The remnants of old Forts, Nannangadis, and Muniyaras (dolmens) around the region show the same.
Geography and climate

The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 2,000 meters (6,562 ft) to 2,600 meters (8,530 ft) above mean sea level. Munnar enjoys a salubrious climate. The temperature ranges between 10 °C (50 °F) and 0 °C (32 °F) in winter and 8 °C (46.4 °F) and 16 °C (60.8 °F) in summer. The tourist season in Munnar is from August to May. However, even the monsoons are lovely with many streams and rivulets in the area and post drizzle the dew drenched tea gardens looking majestic and heavenly enshrouded in light mist .

Economy

Most residents of Munnar are employed in the tea industry, or are involved in the tourism business. In 2000, the Government of Kerala declared Munnar as a tourist spot. This has helped in attracting more tourists to this beautiful hill resort. Several protected wildlife areas and the regions attractive climate area attract many tourists who support the many hotels, restaurants and transport businesses in Munnar and constitute an important, if seasonal, mainstay for its economy.


Munnar tea gardens.


Eucalyptus trees were introduced by the British


Munnar Tea plantations and hills


Munnar Top Station


Mattupetty Dam reservoir, near Munnar

Until the early 1990s, Munnar, despite its enchanting natural beauty and salubrious climate, continued to remain a sleepy plantation town. Its tourism potential was realised only by the Sterling Group and Mahindra Holidays. However, the promotion of Kerala globally as God's Own Country and the rapidly increasing spending capacity of middle class Indians has resulted in a virtual explosion of tourism activities in Munnar. Resorts, big and small,have started springing up all around the town and overnight the once sleepy town has became a bustling tourist destination. Many of the developments done by unscrupulous investors have had a significant detrimental impact on the environment in Munnar and the once romantic beauty of the "sleepy town of Munnar" has significantly eroded over the years. Moreover the huge throng of domestic and foreign tourists in their buses and cars have added to pollution in Munnar and stretched the town's infrastructure and service delivery systems to their limits.

Earlier most of the land around Munnar was leased out to planters and the only activity permitted on such leased land was plantation of cardamom. Ownership continued to remain with the Government and even cutting of trees on such leased land was prohibited. However, the recent development of resorts has resulted in large scale deforestation and violation of government regulations governing land use, forests and plantation cultivation. It ultimately came to a pass in 2007, and the Government sprung into action to demolish illegal resort constructions to restore the beauty of the town.

Irrespective of all this, tourism has flourished over the years in Munnar and important tourist activities include boating (in the reservoirs of the many dams), trekking, parasailing, hot air ballooning and camping and wild life safaris in the jungles and sanctuary. The presence of all these activities and more has ultimately led to Munnar becoming a choice destination for foreign as well as domestic tourists. One can also see people from nearby districts in Kerala and Tamil Nadu thronging the town during weekends.

Silent power

Being silent is tough

Silence is a language in itself

It is more powerful than words

Silence brings stillness

It gives energy which is lost if we talk uselessly

Silence screams innocence

Writers go through these silent phases

They are introspective and self obsessed

It is frustrating to be in a world, when every one is increasing pitch and desperately trying to be heard

Silence is portrayed as calmness

Silent power works and becomes unspoken credential

Silent retreats are popular

No talk No words just a pause

Silence is connection to soul

Abhinav visits Banglore

Shani Signapur, Shirdi, Nashik, Triambkeswar

Friday, June 19, 2009

This post I am writing regarding a ‘sacred trip’ which eventually turned the 'adventures trip' due to the weather conditions. We had been there many times, however, the best trip was this one which we enjoyed the most due to the reason of being in our own vehicle and I got a chance for a long drive of around 700 Km. Every time we made a plan to go Shirdi; our route was predefined (however not achieved sometime due to time constraint). So the decision was made to be at those pilgrimages on the weekend. We decided to start on Saturday morning and we planned to cover Shani Shingnapur and Shirdi on the same day itself following with Trimbakeshwar next day, post a halt in Shirdi on Saturday night.

We decided to start the trip at 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM on Saturday, however, we had the great 'time-killer' and 'trip-spoiler' this time with us, MM, 'the supari-man' (yeah, he was a replica of super-man, just some supari in his mouth every time). So there was no chance we could have start on time. I don't know exactly by what time we started as I didn't had time to note it down as we were hell late. Initially the plan was to reach Shani Shingnapur by 3:00 PM, reach Shirdi by 6:00 or 7:00 PM but due to our 'Supari-man's' expected delay, we were not even thinking to make this happen.

So we start driving towards Pune as if you have to go Shani Shingnapur first, that route is best. If you have to go as Trimbakeshwar -- Shirdi -- Shani Shingnapur, then you need to move towards Nasik first. Weather was cool and we had our 10 years old wonder-car with only one driver as me in that. 'Supari-man' (MM) and another desi version of 'Super Comando Dhruva' Mr. SPS already showed their intention not to try their driving skills with that wonder-car because the technologies as well as the supersonic systems of that car were not as per their standards. According to them, they are high maintenance guys (with empty pockets).

So we were on the express highway of Mumbai-Pune to cover the time we wasted (which was impossible). There is nothing as scenic as Mumbai-Pune highway during rain but on express highway, halt is not allowed. You can only stop on the patch of 8 kms (Lonavala) which is common for highway and express highway and we had foto sessions there. Driving was going smooth and we took a left turn for Ahmadnagar which straight goes to Shani Sighnapur. We reached there by the evening only, curtesy our 'supari-man'. Before I go ahead and start journey to Shirdi, there is something I want to explain about Shani Sighnapur pilgrim. Information is widely available on internet but there is no harm to repeat it and involved in this blog.

There are many Lord Shani temples in India, out of which, two famous places of Lord Shani are, Shani Shinganapur in Maharashtra, and one is Shani temple in Kosi Kalan (Mathura). Shani-Shinganapur lies 6 kilometers off Ghodegaon- an important market place along Ahmednagar-Aurangabad road. Ghodegaon is 35 kilometers from Ahmednagar. Distance from Mumbai is 330 Kms approx, via the route Mumbai-Pune-Ahmednagar-Shani Shignapur. This village is famous as a pilgrimage as well as for its door less mystery. The houses here have gaping, rectangular spaces at the facade of every home. No door frames, no latches, no padlocks or any other safety measures to guard the house. The door less architecture makes its presence felt right from the famous temple Sri Shaneshwar Graha Devatha. Male devotees clad in saffron cloth take a head bath before entering into the temple. Devotees also perform Abhishekas (rites involving
pouring of certain liquids over the idol) with water and til (mustard) oil. Thousands of people gather on Shani Amvasaya to perform puja.

One of the unique aspects of the village Shinganapur is that houses here have no door- frames or locks on them for safety. They are in fact not needed. The people here believe that it is the benediction of the god that no crime ever occurs in this village. Another belief attached to this place is the story of Neem tree standing to the North of the Shani idol. It is believed that the tree sheds its branches if one happens to cast a shadow over the idol.

Back to journey... we had our prayers at Shani-Shiganapur and moved towards Shirdi at around 9:00 PM. Our plan was to stay in Shirdi and to attend the early morning aarti, however, we forgot that planning is not what we should do to make things happen on time. We reached Shirdi by 11:00 PM and if there is some space to believe, we didn't got any room in any hotel by 3:00 AM, night. Every hotel was full as there was Saturday, Sunday and almost all the devotees came to Shirdi to offer prayers. Finally at 3:30 AM, one hotel staff shown some mercy on us and we got a room there. Our plan to attend the early morning aarti got failed as Mr. Supari man declared that he can't make it as he is hell tired and that statement was strongly backed by SPS. I was finding out the reason what made those guys so much exhausted because I was the one who was driving all the way. But there was no logic to convince them at that moment they got a bag full of reasons why not to go to temple at that time. So we drag into beds and wake up in the morning at around 9:00 AM. By noon 3:00 PM, we had everything done including lunch and we started for Trumkeshwar, Nasik. Again, before we reach Nasik, I would like to share few things about Shirdi.

Shirdi -- A pilgrimage for all. Its approx 80 km from Shani Shingnapur. It’s a place above all religions, castes and creed. Shirdi is the mystical town fragrant with the devotional intensity that sees devotees from across the world thronging to this small hamlet. Highly placed on the world map of spirituality, Shirdi is located in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra and close to the holy city of Nasik. Shri Sai Baba is revered as one of the greatest saints ever seen in India, endowed with unprecedented powers, and is worshipped as a God incarnate. Shri Saibaba of Shirdi lived between 1838 and 1918, whose real name, birthplace and date of birth are not known. An Indian spiritual guru and a fakir that transcended the barriers of religions, Saibaba of Shirdi was regarded with great reverence by all religion followers.

Back to journey...it was around 7:00 PM when we reached Trimbakeshwar, which was approx 110 km from Shirdi, around 22 km from main Nasik. Quite late because it was Sunday and we had to reach Mumbai to attend office next day. But the way from Nasik to Trimbakeshwar, the stretch of 22 km was so much beautiful so that we had lost the thought of next day. It was raining and road was superb with great maintenance. Although, we were unable to get a speed due to slippery way, but due to the reason we had a warm welcome by the environment, we didn't thought of speed. We offered our prayers at Trimbakeshwar and by 9:00 PM, we were ready for our way back. Something about this holy place…

Trimbakeshwar -- It is a religious centre having one of the twelve JYOTIRLINGA of the world, approx 180 km from Mumbai and 22 km from Nasik city. Trimbakeshwar Temple was built by Shrimant Balaji Bajirao aka Nanasahib Peshawe in 1788. This Nagara style temple is built with local black stone and the sanctum features a beautiful tower. Out of the four doorways, three have porches which are adorned with arches and pillars. The deity installed here has five heads which faces towards different mountains surrounding Trimbakeshwar. The temple houses three ‘linga' of the size of a thumb and they are called as Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh (Shiva). The Shivling in the main shrine of the temple is covered with a single-faced silver mask which attracts thousands of devotees from all over India. There is a continuous issue of water from the top of the Shivling. There are numerous teerths including the Gangadwara teerth, Varaha teerth and Kushavarta teerth in the vicinity of the temple. The temple is known for its appealing architecture and sculpture and is at the foothills of a mountain called Brahmagiri.

So it was time to get a start for back to Mumbai. As said, it was already past 9:00 PM somewhere and we were planning (again!!!) to reach Mumbai by 12:00 midnight to get a decent sleep of 7-8 hours, so we were cool. We crossed Nasik city by 10:30 PM (had dinner too in between) and as I said, we PLANNED to reach Mumbai (a distance of around 160 km) by 12:00 midnight, we were happy about our intelligent thought until the rain started like anything. It was so heavy rain that was making impossible to have a clear vision of even 10 meters, and that made us to stop the car for more than an hour in a dhaba. The clock was showing more than 12:00 when we again started our journey when the rain was not properly stopped, just drizzling, and I was able to drive at the speed of 40-50. Just after a drive of 30 minutes, we again had that show-stopper rain which was even heavier than last slot. All the three bravehearts took the decision not to stop this time and to continue the journey at the speed of even 20-30. It was dark everywhere and Nasik highway was under construction so we even didn't knew how much was the distance between the valley and the car tyres. It was impossible to have any idea about the road and still the roadies were jogging on that in a car. Twice it happened that a truck tried to smash our lil beast with inside us and that was for sure unintentional. We came to know that we were about to come under truck when its headlight were visible at a distance of a meter or so. But as we were not at a high speed, rescue was done on time. One more incident I remember was, due to the construction work, some big stones (from which divider boundary has been made) were there with the divider and were invisible. Our car's driver side's front tyre hop on it and it cost my full strength to control the car. In brief, the scene was completely looked like a crop from any horror movie, night was dark, the road was under construction and was dangerous without lights, heavy rains which made visibility the worst, a car with only one driver (I have right to appreciate me now!!!) who was driving from last 2 days with a small sleep of 3-4 hours, two other members out of which supari-man had no concern at all about what was happening as he devoted all his life to God (he turned saint and he was sleeping on the rear seat like anything...). For some more time I drive like that till the time it got unacceptable. It was almost 2:30 AM and we thought of another break. We again parked our car at some dhaba, I decided to stay in the car itself and to get some sleep, rest two of their own mankind decided to get into the dhaba to get some food (they were hungry as they though they were tired because of all that what was happening... OR may be like they were busy clearing the road to make me drive...). Another hour past when MM & SPS wake me and asked me if I need something to eat or should we push of as the rain was stopped. A thought of being a ‘driver’ crossed my mind at that moment... ;). So we again started after I toasted hell amount of water to wake me up while driving. It was a kind of night safari which we were doing since last 6 hours with worst road condition in the tan dark night, with heavy rain falls etc. and with antiqpieces like 'supari-man-- the MM' and SPS. It all looks like a fun now when we think about that night ride; however we were bit disturbed about what the aura was at that time. We would had not find any mechanics etc. if something would have gone wrong with our car and spending night in a still car with heavy rain falls is not something very enjoyable especially when you have to attend the office next day. But I must admit that my first car had not made us suffer from any of the crisis, not only on this trip, but by the time she was with me. That’s how I named it wonder-car...

We finally reached Mumbai and at our home by 5:00 AM in the morning. Nobody would be believing the fact that to cover approx 200 kms, it took 7 hours especially with a driver who got a sleep of just 4 hours in two days, and with the 10 years old spicy Zen. But that was again a very sacred turned adventurous trip of our life with 'three idiots' in one wonder car. (Sorry to use Aamir's movie name before it get release, but now I guess from where the producer got this movie name...). These are the only things which you cherish throughout your life, no matter how much uncomfortable and unacceptable situation you were in. But once you crossed those kind of difficult situations, the same moments turns into sweet memories...

Some more info on the route, places etc...

If you have any plan to go Shirdi, you can add Trimbakeshwar & Shani Shinganapur in that because it is very much possible and achievable to club those two pilgrims and to cover all three in one day. Though, it will be bit hectic if you are with family, children etc, but the pleasure of being at those two places is much larger than a bit of pain which may cause due to travelling etc.

There can be two ways you can schedule your trip.

Mumbai - Trimbakeshwar (Nasik) - Shirdi - Shani Shingnapur - Mumbai (via Pune)
OR
Mumbai - Shani Shingnapur (via Pune, Ahmednagar) - Shirdi - Trimbakeshwar (Nasik) - Mumbai

Mumbai - Nasik: approx 190 km
Nasik - Shirdi: approx 90 km
Shirdi - Shani Shinganapur: approx 80 km

Total: approx 360 km

OR

Mumbai - Shani Shingnapur: approx 330 Km (Mumbai-Pune-Ahmednagar)
Shani Shinganapur – Shirdi: approx 80 km
Shirdi - Nasik: approx 90 km

Best is to start on Saturday early morning around 4:00 AM towards Shani Shingnapur, reach there by 10:00 AM, reach Shirdi by 1:00 PM and have a lunch break there only, then push off to Trimbakeshwar by 4:00 PM (if you will be lucky enough to have 'darshan' with in an hour or so), reach trimbakeshwar by 6:00 PM, attend the evening 'Aarti' and push of to Mumbai by 8:00 PM. To have a smooth trip, you may have a night stay at Shirdi, attend early morning 'Aarti' next day, and then push off to Trimbakeshwar.

Whatever suits, it’s always been a pleasure and peace to be at those places. Some snaps below...

Some valley on the way....

Nasik - Trimbkeshwar road... something to talk about!!!

Wonder-car!!!

Happy journey... :)

Posted by Alok.Bhardwaj at 8:23 AM

Mumbai - Shani Shingnapur - Shirdi - Trimbkeshwar

3 comments:

rakesh.parwal said...

nice trip and nice pics bro!

June 24, 2009 10:53 PM

Mahesh said...

Very nice, very informative articles...got lot of informations which would be helpful for our future trip to shingnapur,shirdi...nice photo's though which are uploaded in the site.Thanks...

September 25, 2009 4:48 AM

Ramesh said...

Ramesh Gupta

Nice bolg, it is very useful and good for biginner.

Thanks

October 29, 2009 9:51 AM

About Me

Alok.Bhardwaj

Delhi, Delhi, India

Hi There, I am Alok, just next to you. By profession, I am PeopleSoft system architect/Administrator/DBA. As a person, am freak about movies and sports. And what my experience in professional and personal life bound me to think and to tell you that everyone here is bigger than the limits that are put on someone. It all has to do with the individual journey that the individual is on...the same goes with everyone here who exist and part of this race...

Shani Shingnapur – the village with no doors on houses

Shani Shingnapur, also known as Sonai, is a village in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Situated in Nevasa taluka in Ahmadnagar district, the village is known for its popular temple of Shani, the Hindu god of the planet (graha) Saturn.

Shani Shingnapur Temple

Shingnapur is also famous for the fact that no house in the village has doors, only door frames. Despite this, no theft is reported in the village. Villagers never keep their valuables under lock and key. Legend says that the temple is a “jagrut devasthan” (lit. “alive temple”), meaning that the god here is very powerful. They believe that god Shani punishes anyone attempting theft. Devotees, pilgrims and tourists arriving in Sonai can leave their valuables in a car or bus with all the doors unlocked and not worry about anyone stealing it. The only barrier to enter a house are curtains which keep out stray animals. People believe that nobody dares to steal anything because they are punished by Shanishwara, the local deity, and the owner has always got the stolen things back – if any such thing ever happens.

The village has a post office and a high school known as Shri Shanishwar Vidya Mandir besides the primary schools run by the Zilla Parishad. The chief source of water supply in the villages is wells.

Shrine of Shani
The shrine for Shani compromises of a five and a half feet high black rock installed on an open-air platform, which symbolizes the god Shani. A Trishula (trident) is placed along the side of the image and a Nandi (bull) image is on the south side. In front are the small images of Shiva and Hanuman.

Shrine

Generally, the temple has 30-40,000 visitors a day, which swells to around three lakh (i.e. three hundred thousand) on amavasya (the new moon day), believed to the most auspicious day to appease Lord Shani. The village holds a fair in honour of the deity on this day. A bigger fair on new moon days that fall on Saturdays. Devotees bathe Lord Shani’s image with water and oil and offer flowers, and udid to him. A palanquin procession of Shani is held on the day of the fair. Other festivals include the birthday of Shani, Shani Jayanti.

Devotees generally wear a saffron-coloured attire and have a head bath in the holy water close to the temple before entering it. There is no priest to perform the pooja. The pooja is carried out in the form of offering Pradakshinams – of going around the idol a couple of times, chanting specific prayers such as Shani gayathri and slokas. Devotees also perform Abhishekam with water and gingelly oil.

Some facts about Shani Shingnapur
1. The idol is out in the open, as the Lord made it clear in various ways to his devotees, that He did not want to be covered.

2. The temple is open for everyone twenty-four hours. Even at night, men (women are not allowed near the deity) can bring the puja material and perform all prayers by themselves.

3. No house / shop in the village has doors. It’s believed that the deity protects them and if someone tries to steal or do something wrong, they would be paralysed.

Getting There
Road
Shani Shingnapur is 350km from Mumbai and to reach there it’s best to hire a taxi from Mumbai. Long-distace cabbies from Mumbai take about 7 hours to reach Shani Shingnapur. Although there are MSTC (Maharashtra State Transport Corp) buses from Mumbai to Shirdi (60 km from Shani Shingnapur) and privatly-operated buses as well, locals advise not to attempt the bumpy, shaky ride on the MSTC buses, nor the long, frequent-stopping private buses.

Air
The nearest airport is Aurangabad (144 Km) which is connected by Indian Airlines and private airlines with other cities/towns.

Rail
Trains from Mumbai leave for Nasik (123Km) and Manmad (60Km).

Accommodation
The village, being a very small one, does not offer any accommodation for the devotees, though there is a Dharmastala nearby where the devotees are fed. Since the village is about 60 km. from Shirdi, it is advisable to stay at Shirdi and visit this unique temple.

Shirdi Hotels

Sun N Sand
Plot No. 109/P-124/P, Village Nighoj, Taluka Kopergaon, Shirdi
Tel: +91-2423-2557 28 / 29 / 30
Fax: +91-2423-2555 94
www.sunnsandhotel.com
E-mail : marketing@sunnsandhotel.com
Garlanded by 5 acres of lush greenery, the hotel is a short walk from Sai Baba’s Shrine, making its location an ideal one for the disciples. 100 rooms overlook the swimming pool or the serene town of Shirdi. The hotel has a choice of rooms to choose from Standard room, Studio room, Suites
Double/twin bed attached bath, Satellite TV, Telephone.
Check in/out time: 24 hours
Vegetarian meals only. Country Green (multi cuisine restaurant, 12.30pm-3pm, 7.30pm-11.30pm)
Swimming pool, Steam, Sauna, games, Safe deposit, running track, parking, driver available upon request.

Hotel Shraddha Park Inn
Pimplewadi Road, Shirdi
Offers 75 Superior Rooms amidst lush green landscaped gardens. Every room is equipped with luxurious comforts & modern amenities including attached bath with running hot and cold water, CCTV, mini refrigerator, color television, direct dial telephones & 24 hours room service. The hotel has 3 swimming pools one indoor pool, one outdoor pool and one children pool.
Central air-conditioning, cable television in all rooms, direct dial phones, 24 hour room service, restaurant serving Indian and Chinese food, business services, photocopying, travel desk, parking, laundry, fax, e-mail, internet access.

Hotel Sai Leela
9/5A, Pimpalwadi Road, Shirdi
200 km. from Pune Airport, 16 km. from Kopargaon Railway Station, 80 km. from Nashik Railway Station, 50 km. from Manmad Railway Station, 270 km. from Mumbai.
Located near the Sai Baba temple. 90 elegantly furnished rooms categorized into 4 Single Rooms, 70 Double Rooms and 16 Deluxe Rooms. All rooms have a private balcony with a panoramic view, attached bathroom with running hot and cold water, Television with satellite connection, direct dial telephone, wooden furniture, spacious closets and radio. The hotel has both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned rooms.
24 hours room service with no service charge, pool tables, table tennis, carom, video games, no tax on food, buffet service available for large groups, 24 hour security, 24 hour amenities shop, car wash facility at a nominal charge, free pick-up and drop to temple, a 6000 square feet swimming pool, water park facilities, slides and upcoming water gun pool, children’s playground, luscious green gardens, cricket nets, basketball, volleyball, mini golf, putting course, cycling track and jogging track and nursery with plants for sale.

Hotel Goradia’s, Shirdi
Pimpalwadi Road, Behind Sai Udyan, Shirdi
120 km. from Aurangabad Airport, 60 km. from Manmad Railway Station, 15 km. from Kopergaon Railway Station.
Located at a stone’s throw from the famous shrine of Sai Baba.
Offers 80 well-furnished double rooms and 160 beds. All the 80 rooms are air-conditioned. The rooms at the hotel are spacious, cozy and comfortable. Each guest room is fitted with a color television, in-house movies, 4-channel music, air-conditioning, a direct-dial telephone and a private toilet and shower with hot and cold running water.
Specialty restaurant, 24 hours room service, satellite channels, 4 channel music system, automatic wake up calls, meeting, banquet & conference facilities, valet parking, safe deposit lockers, doctor on call, travel desk, car rental, children play park & rides, color television in all rooms, laundry service, shopping arcade, valet parking, internet facilities, 24 hour check-out, left luggage room, fax, free accommodation for drivers, doctor on call, pool table, video-games, indoor games, all major credit cards accepted, no service charges.

Shani Shingnapur

Shani Shingnapur^[1] or Shani Shingnapur^[2] or Shingnapur^[3] orSonai is a village in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Situated in Nevasataluka in Ahmednagar district, the village is known for its popular temple of Shani, the Hindu god of the planet (graha) Saturn. Shingnapur is 35 km from Ahmednagar city.

Shingnapur is also famous for the fact that no house in the village has doors, only door frames. Despite this, no theft is reported in the village.^[4] Villagers never keep their valuables under lock and key. Villagers believe that the temple is a "jagrut devasthan" (lit. "alive temple"), meaning that the god here is very powerful. They believe that god Shani punishes anyone attempting theft.^[4]

The village has a post office and a high school known as Shri Shanishwar Vidya Mandir besides the primary schools run by the Zilla Parishad. The chief source of water supply in the villages is wells.^[4]

[edit]Shrine of Shani

The shrine for Shani compromises of a five and a half feet high black rock installed on an open-air platform, which symbolizes the god Shani. A Trishula (trident) is placed along the side of the image and a Nandi(bull) image is on the south side. In front are the small images of Shivaand Hanuman.^[4]

Generally, the temple has 30-40,000 visitors a day, which swells to around three lakh (i.e. three hundred thousand) on amavasya (the new moon day), believed to the most auspicious day to appease Lord Shani.^[1] The village holds a fair in honour of the deity on this day. A bigger fair on new moon days that fall on Saturdays. Devotees bathe Lord Shani's image with water and oil and offer flowers, and udid to him. A palanquin procession of Shani is held on the day of the fair.^[4] Other festivals include the birthday of Shani, Shani Jayanti.^[1]

Shani

The shrine gained popularity with the decade-old film Surya Putra Shanidev made by the film producer Gulshan Kumar.^[1]

The village is famed for its temple dedicated to Shani - the planet Saturn. More remarkable however is that there are no locks on any of the doors in the village be it residential or commercial, including the bank. Local legends claim that the village is 'protected' and no thief can cross its borders without dying. Sceptics please note that the village has remained theft - free in recorded history.

Shani-Shingnapur is a famous pilgrim centre near Nashik in Maharashtra, which is also known for its doorless mystery. The unique feature of Shani-Shingnapur is that there is neither any image of specific deity nor any particular idol, but there is a stone pillar, which is supposed to embody the image, which is worshipped with deep respect and reverence.

The speciality of this temple is that there is no image or Pandit who performs the puja. Male devotees before entering into the temple take a head bath in the holy waters close to the temple and wear saffron cloth. The puja is carried out in the form of Pradakshanas, where in the devotee go around the idol a couple of times, chanting prayers.

Devotees also perform 'Abhishekas' (rites involving pouring of certain liquids over the idol) with water and 'Til' (mustard) oil. Thousands of people including a few famous personalities gather on Shani Amvasaya to perform Puja.

In this village one can find the houses having gaping, rectangular spaces at the facade of every home. No doorframes, no latches, no padlocks or any other safety measures to guard the house are found. It is believed that nobody dares to steal anything because then it is believed that if they do so Shani Deva, the local deity, punishes them. It has been proved that even if something is stolen, the owner has always got the stolen things back. There is also a belief that if a snake in Shinganapur bites a person, he is brought to the temple and a ritual is performed in front of the idol, which neutralises the poison.

Devgad is a village located to the east of Shaneshwar, which is famous for Shri Datta temple. The temple is open for the visitors for 24 hours. There is another belief attached to this place that the Neem tree standing to the North of the Shani idol sheds its branches if one happens to cast a shadow over the idol. Shiridi is another major pilgrim centre of Maharashtra and India, which is very close to Shani-Shingnapur.

HOW TO REACH SHANI SHIGNAPUR:
BY AIR: Nearest Airport is Pune 160 Kms.

BY RAIL: Nearest Railway station is srirampur.

BY ROAD:

Route: Mumbai-Pune-Ahmednagar-Shani Shignapur , Distance: 330 Kms approx.