Dr Shivshanker S Patil: January 2011

One of my most cherished DREAM, to tour and trek around various places, meet new people and get to know new things and history.

On 26 January, 2011,
I always had a dream about installing our national symbol...ASHOKA PILLAR in front of our college office.

and finally

we the students of Mysore Medical College and Research Institue with guidance and support of our teacher Dr C Rajan, were finally able to install ASHOKA PILLAR in front of our college. This was possible due to our strong will-power . though many hurdles came, we eventually cleared all of them.
This day i am very happy ..for i fulfilled my dream

I have called my friend sri pavan vayudevaroo, to Mysore so that he to can witness the process of ASHOKA PILLAR installation. and most important then this is, we long ago had decided to go on BHARAT DARSHAN.. though we had this plan since many years, but it was not until this moment ..

      Before i tell about Bharat Darshan , let me give you a breif introduction about my friend sri pavan vayudevaroo.
      - noble heart person,
      - truthful
      - hardworking
      - pious ..in short.... a sage on the initial journey of Life

    From here onwards i will be addressing him as Sri Pavan Acharya. During the installation of ASHOKA PILLAR my other close friends has been my strength like
- Gavi siddannagowda Patil,
- Vinod R Rathod,
- Nithin Biradar,
- Ganesh M Shivanna.
all of them are my batch mates at MMCRI. I will tell more things about them in other post, now i will stick to our Yatra that is BHARAT DARSHAN.

    When Dr C Rajan, my teacher and welwisher came to know that i am going on Yathra, he immediately gave Rs 2000 /- and also asked Dr Marallasiddappa to give Rs 2500 /- . though i decline to take the amount, but sir finally made me to take it.

MY FRIENDS INFRONT OF NANDI AT CHAMUNDI HILL, MYSORE

My friends : Nithin Biradar, Gavisiddannagowda patil, Vinod R Rathod, Sri Pavan Acharya and Ganesh M Shivvanna.

On 27 January, 2011,

     Sri Pavan Acharya and myself did our last bit doing good bye to our friend Sharanabassappa, who had come to visit us at our MMCRI UG MEN'S Hostel, JLB Rd, Mysore. we had only the most basic things packed for our Yatra.. such as
- a pairs of formal cloths,
- a pair of saffron coloured cloths and similiarly coloured towel,
- a notebook, a pen, a needle and thread, a scissors,
- a copy of Sri BHAGVAD GITA...

SRI GANESH OF OUR YATRA
   27 January, 2011 at 6.15 pm
    we prayed for few seconds to evoke the blessings of GODDESS CHAMUNDESHWARI and then left the place. we took auto and reached the central bus stand of Mysore. then we started to think which way to go ..!!! to be specific which place to go... !!!

     Till now we had only one plan to travel first to south then along the eastern boundaries till kolkotta and then to north finally back to south by western route.... as one of the condition we always preferred to take on the spot decisions concerning plces and the mode of transport..

      We, just sat there waiting for some Bus to come and and our sixth sense to agree to go that way.
Kochi bus...we didnt move,
Otty bus We didnt move,
Bangalore bus we didnt move,
Palani Bus... one among us i.e Sri Pavan Acharya moved so i said lets get in..!!!

MYSORE (27/1/2011 : 9.23 PM) -- PALANI (28/1/2011 : 5.06 AM)
TAMIL NADU BUS, TK NO: 0085066

      We reached Palani too early .. so we just didnt know what to do . we waited for few minutes in the bus-stand for the daylight to break but on second thought we started to move to wards the hill..and the Temple.
    we finished our bath and finally started to climb the hill to have Darshan of lord Karteeke.. all along the route innumerable of devotees were chanting lords name and singing for this grace.
    I had lord Karteeke darshan for the second time, i had already visited this place during our college trip in 2007. Delighted by the Lords grace, we spent some time on the hill top viewing the beauty of the landscape.

LORD KARTEEKE TEMPLE, PALANI

After this we climbed down the hill and we went towards the railway station, on enqury we came to know that no train stop there. any how we sat there for we minutes and then left back to main Bus-stand. while coming back we saw a building of MALLAYAPPASWAMI VIDHYASHALA, R.F Road, PALANI-624601. It was really beautiful with silvered colour and fine design..
     At Bus-stand we had some problem with communication... i could not understand it ...
when ever i spoke to them in hindi the people turned deaf ear to us ..then we tried english some could reply but still it was not going to help.. I lost my coolness and i too resolved to apply their principle.. i started to speak in Kannada .. this also didnt help ,. but i was happy because they were speaking in there language and me in mine...
     After some time we came to learn that some people like tourist, police,reception incharge could be contacted in english so we went on... at list if the Bus and the Place name was written in English it would be a great help and especially the ultra deluxe Bus would have such words . so i observed how the words look like and started to enqure when ever we saw such signs..

But still this land and culture is same as mine, so i like this place..

PALANI (28/1/2011 :9.00 AM) -- MADHURI (28/1/2011 :1.34 PM)

             We reached MADHURI at 1.35 pm . we were awestruck to see the MEENAKSKSI TEMPLE exteriors .. and still more suprized when i saw the ancient stone hall infront of the temple, which is now used as shopping centre. This is very beautiful temple. I was thrilled to see the ASHOKA PILLAR in front of the Temple Complex. This pillar was installed on 26 January, 1950.
     We waited for the Temple Gates to open at 4.00pm, then we went inside to have Darshan of Godess MEENAKSKSI and almighty SHIVASHANKER.

         MEENAKSKSI TEMPLE, MADURAI is marvellous, such a huge Temple with beautifully carved stonepillars and sculptors. and Temples within Temples .. We waited for 2 hours to have the darshan of Goddess Meenakshi. During this long waiting we was varoius people from all corner of the INDIA and the world who has come to see the glory of Mother MEENAKSHI..

MEENAKSKSI TEMPLE, MADURAI

After this we walked towards the main bus stand, and boarded the bus to Kanyakumari, one thing i need to mention ..this bus charges per Km is 0.25 Rupees,.. whereas it is nearlly Rs 1/- per km in Karnataka and Maharastra.

MADHURAI (28/1/2011 : 7.30) -- KANYAKUMARI (29/1/2011 :1.00AM)

We took rest and woke up at 5.00am in the morning. After having Bath, we went to SUNRISE POINT and to have Darshan of Goddess KANYAKUMARI. As the Sun God sent his first rays of light, the crowd got excited started to look towards the eastern sky.. There you see the out lines of Two great monuments one that of SWAMI VIVEKANANDA MEMORIAL and the other that of SAINT TIRUVALLUR.

After this wonderfull sight of nature and Manmade-rocks, we went towards the Temple of GODDESS KANYAKUMARI. As i entered the Temple complex, i immediately remembered the words of our OBG professor Dr Chinivar, " the doors of Kanyakumari Temple will teach you how to behave in front of erlders", yes the doors were really low, you have to Bow down to enter it. we had the Darshan and then went to sea shore and sat there for sometime....thinking over the past, present and probable future of our life.

SUN-RISE POINT, KANYAKUMARI

Then we crossed the sea by Boat ferry to land at SWAMI VIVEKANANDA MEMORIAL. Here we meditated for one hour, then we roamed all around the rock. we were thrilled to be on this rock, were SWAMIJI has done meditation long back.

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA MEMORIAL, KANYAKUMARI

As the day started to reside within evening dusk, we left towards railway station. On reaching the railway station we came to know that on Friday no train to Rameshwarum from kanyakumari. so then we moved towards the Bus stand, just then i thought i saw my batch-mate, since the citybus was moving fast, i could not see properly. Anyway the battery charge of my cell(mobile) decreased so i switched off the mobile.

KANYAKUMARI (29/1/2011 : 5.45 PM) -- RAMESHWARUM (30/1/2011 : 3.12 AM)

We reached a place near Rameshwarum, we alighted here and immediately searched for a place to take rest. We slept for next few hours in front of a building with open ground. As the day break, we took a bus to Rameshwarum Temple.

Rameshwarum is marvellous place but it is costly due to language problem we have to pay a lot of money just to get off the situation.

We entered the the Temple complex, we took bath at 22 wells in there, we paid 40/each for the person who poured water on us.

RAMESHWARUM

RAMESHWARUM ( 30/1/2011 : 10AM) -- DHANUSHKODI (30/1/2011:10.55AM)

After the darshan of almighty Shiva jothrilinga at Rameshwarum then we left to Dhanushkodi. The vast ocean in front of us, with just a one or two kilometer width of land extending for miles together into the sea, is really a astonishing work of the almighty. First i was worried about the size of waves hitting the shore, sometimes it was small but it would bounce back with all force after a while. As we saw a lot of Fisherman around, we finally entered the sea to have a bath before offering our prayers. Here i did pooja dedicating the flowers we brought at Rameshwarum to lord and prayed for lords grace. For a while we sat there observing the beauty of nature then suddenly Sri Pavan Acharya suggested we should go still further to see were the land ends. we looked for the transort. but the drivers had gone on strike so we started on feet. After a walk for two kms, suddenly it started to rain. We took shelter under a hut, on enqury we came to know that it extends still 5-6 kms, We returned back.

As we waited for bus, i felt we need to learn basic alphabets and number of Tamil so as to enjoy the beauty of this great land of Ramayana in a better way next time.

Then we went to Railway station and took kickets to Chennai (Madras) at 3.15 pm. The train moved exactly at 5pm from Rameshwarum station towards Chennai.

DHANUSHKODI

RAMESHWARUM (30/1/2011 : 5PM) -- CHENNAI// MADRAS (31/1/2011 : 8.15AM)

In chennai first we went to Beech in front Madras University, we walked all the distance we passed by Madras Medical college, the Military quaters, the war memorial then memorials in name of NT RAMA RAO, finally reached the shore. Here we waited for some time enjoying the sea veiw. sea waves were very huge 'it was challenging , if you dare i will make you disappear". so intelligently we declined the sea god's challenge. After this we roamed, where ever the city bus took us . we would board one bus alight where ever we felt too. Thus we spent the time wandering without any destination. we went to some under developed area called Manali, we came back to Railway station. Then we went to Bus stand and took Bus to TRUPATHI

WAR MEMORIAL, CHENNAI

WAR MEMORIAL with beautifull Garden

CHENNAI ( 31/1/2011 : 6.15 PM) -- TIRUPATHI ( 31/1/2011 : 9.20PM)

As it was already late, we were not sure if we could have Darshan at Temple or not. When we reached the Hill top still people were going to have darshan so we too joined the line. After two and half hour we got darshan of Lord Venkateshwara. We came out of the Temple complex and as we were very tired, went to sleep. Next day early morning we went to Bus stand and boarded the Bus to SRISAILUM.

TIRUPATHI (1/2/2011 : 9.10AM) -- SRISAILUM (1/2/2011 : 7.30 PM)

We were extremely tired by the bus journey, due to rapid turns the bus took while climbing the forest and hilly region. Forest of this area was fantastic to sight, i was thinking wheather this forest will end or not, finally within this forest area came the final stop SRISAILUM at 7.30 pm. As it was already late we took a stroll around the Temple market and finally deposited our belongings at the clock room and went and slept in a open ground, in Temple complex were already a lot of pilgrims and sadhus were already sleeping. Next day(2/2/2011) early morning we went down the PATHALGANGA to have bath. Then we went for darshan of lord SHIVA at the Temple.

After the darshan of almighty God SHIVA, went to Bus stand to catch the next bus to VIJAYAVADA.

SRISAILUM

SRISAILUM (2/2/2011 : 12.15PM) -- VIJAYAVADA (2/2/2011 : 9.20 PM)

Wereached VIJAYAVADA at nearly night 9.10-9.20 pm, i dont remember exactly at what time did we reach. but one thing is sure, we didn't wait long at this place because we were not interested to halt one more night and get late for next destination so we immediately boared train to KHORABA Road.

VIJAYAVADA ( 2/2/2011 ; 9.45PM) -- KHORABA Road ( 3/2/2011 : 10.32 AM)

Immediately after reaching the station we boarded another train to JAGANATH PURI. i thought we will miss the train to PURI due to delay at ticket counter, but finally we got ticket and also boarded the train on time. in the early morning hours we could see the beautifull landscape of orissa's costal area. Many new types of tree, plants, plants, houses, huts and the village scenes, I could not resist to think about the mind picture how KALINGA kingdom would have been for which such a large war was fought. It was a great soothing effect to our sight and mind.

KHORABA ROAD ( 3/2/2011 : 10.40 AM) -- JAGANATH PURI ( 3/2/2011 : 12.05 PM)

First we went straight towards beech and took nice sea bath, there i was waiting for sri Pavan Acharya to finish his bath so that i could go . then a BEE stung me on my right knee. my knee started to swell and pain. still i didn't care because i could not resist the sea waves , whuich were calling me to come and play with it. so ran towards the sea and jumped over the first wave and droped in the water. And there kept swimming lazily like water animal. I came out only when i saw Sri Pavan Avharya was sitting in the open sun waiting for me to finish my bath. After this we once again had fresh water bath at sulabha bathroom.

Then went towards Lord Jaganath Temple. We had the darshan of Lord Jaganath, after that we went to see the temple complex. we were awe struck by the details and the construction of this temple. Really it is a great master piece. There were many small Temples within, so we went to all this temples.

LORD JAGANATH PURI

After the darshan we did some shopping outside the templ complex, Sri Pavan Acharya bought some Tulashi mala's. Then we went towards the sweet shops, and had a lot of sweets. it was delicious some kind of breadlike deeped in sweet solvent/sugar syrup.

JAGANATH PURI ( 3/2/2011 : 5.45PM) -- KONARK (3/2/2011 : 6.30PM)

After we had darshan of Lord Jaganath, Lord Balarama and Goddess Subhadra wee went to Konark by a private bus. one thing shocked me here. only private bus system operating in this state because Govt transport system has stopped long back nearlly 15 years back it stopped.!!!.

First we rushed to KONARK SUN TEMPLE, but we could not see the details as it was already late and dark , when we came out and waited for the bus we came to know that already the last bus to PURI has gone. We had no choice but to look for some resting place, we didn't get proper place so we finally booked a lodge. We stayed at Royal Lodge, please don't go by name, its just a simple economical class Lodge and we even bargained for the room charges.

KONARK

Next day morning we went early to KONARK SUN TEMPLE, we went around the tremple seeing it in detail, we took a lot of photos. Most of the sculptures depicted the great wars , stories of ancient world and that of relation between male and female with special emphasis on the strength of female in the life cycle in this life.

We were very impressed by the various structures, built other than the temple like the snana-graha of Lord Jaganath, Celestial kitchen, water-well, Bhaniyan tree and the enterance coloseum. It was really magnificient. We were very interest to hear that the sun temple had a huge magnet in its shikara and also a magnificent precious stone once upon a time back. British detected this place due to the magnetic distrubance caused by this magnet to the passing ship in the sea near by. We can even see the huge wrought iron poles kept in the garden, which were used in the construction of this temple.

We then decided to built a similiar temple in Sri Pavan Acharya"s ashram in future!!!

Then we went towards the railway station. there we found our national emblem i.e. Ashoka chakra pillar with flag post, we took some photos of these and reached the station. We took ticket and boarded the train to Kolkotta i. e. HOWRA. And the train left the station at 8.05pm. We got window berths with no 60 and 51 in second class PURI--HOWRA EXPRESS.

JAGANATH PURI ( 4/2/2011 :8.05PM) -- HOWRA // KOLKOTTA ( 5/2/2011 : 5.30AM)

We waited for half an hour for the day to break then we left towards the local train and boarded the train to BELUR MATH. Here we entered the Ashram and had bath at the Ganges and then went to have Meditation and the went around the complex to see all the important things in the ashram, like samadhi of Swami Vivekananda, Meditation Hall, Library, Temples, Rooms were Swamiji lived . After seeing all these we went towards ganga bank to catch a ferry to go to Dakneshwar. It was a good ride, after boat ferry at Kanyakumari, it is the second time, we were using the boat to cross the water body. We had darshan at GODDESS KALI TEMPLE, the very Temple were RAMAKRISHNA PARAMAHAMSA has worshipped all his life, and Swami Vivekananda had the Darshan of Goddess Kali.

BELUR MATH, KOLKOTTA

KOLKOTTA (5/2/2011 : 8.30PM) -- GAYA ( 6/2/2011 : 12.05PM)

We first visited Vishnu Temple and had darshan of Lord VISHNU and all other Temple within this complex. Then we left for BODH GAYA .

GAYA

In BODH GAYA it seemed as if a great festival is being observed, where ever you look you find a lots of monks and lamas Meditating and reciting holly books. We could not resist ourself the feeling to Meditate so we sat in a appropriate spot facing the Bodhivraksha and meditated for few minutes.

BODHA GAYA

Then with Lord's Darshan, we left to Railway station and were back on train to VARNASI.

GAYA JUNCTION (6/2/2011 : 9PM) -- VARNASHI (7/2/2011 : 2.15AM)

we reached KASHI at 12.15-12.20 AM, on 7/2/2011 by Bubaneshwar-Jammu tawi express. Name of the train is express but it took nearlly 5 hours to complete a distance of just 220 kms. i.e.speed= 50 kms/hour ???

We took rest in the station itself till morning then then in early morning we got up and went towards the KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE we walked for nearlly 30-50 minutes from raiway station then we asked a police about the way to temple, he directed us on the route. we walked and walked in the streets of kashi in a fashion of circle. Finally we reached the Ghat.

At 9.am we took bath at Dr Rajendra Prasad Ghat and went to have darshan at the Temple.

VARNASHI ( KASHI )

After having a special Darshan of Lord VISHWANATH, we went towards market and back to ghat. At Ghat we could see all type of people coming, some layman, some sadhus and some Aghoris. After some more time being spent at Ghat we dicided to see the city. We roamed trouigh the streets, we even had the banarashi malai. Finally we went back to railway station, but the person at counter said thet there is no passanger train to Ayoudhya then we finally decided to go by Bus. We took bus to sultanpur from there to Ayoudhya.

VARANASHI ( 7/2/2011 :5.25PM) -- SULTANPUR -- AYOUDHYA (8/2/2011 : 3AM)

We took shelter near a building with huge tree, there we slept for next 4 hours. In the morning we went towards the River Bank to have bath at 6.15 am.Then we went towards the SRI RAM MANDIR in the town, it was guarded by police, military and paramilitary after checking we went in but it was all grilled with iron piples all over. We had the darshan of the TEMPLE complex and the site of Temple. while coming back one of the soldier ask us, from where are we come ?, we answered we are from Karnataka, Gulbarga.. by coincidence one among the soldier was from gulbarga and he had completed his education at my college i.e. SHARANABASAVESHWARA SCIENCE COLLEGE, GUYLBARGA, KARNATAKA. He was pleased to see us. After some speak with this soldier we came backout of the area. then we roamed the town, thus we could see RAJA DASRATH'S PALACE, and many other things.

AYOUDHYA

We even walked half circumference of this town from the national highway all around the railway track back to Railway station. When we reached the railway station we saw a lot of people were waiting for the train. so we decided once again to travel by Bus. thus we enqured about bus charges to Mathura. It was very high i.e. Rs 273/each. so we cancelled this route and went to LUCKNOW-ALIBAGH.

AYOUDHYA (8/2/2011 : 4.56PM) -- LUCKNOW ( 8/2/2011 :10.10PM) -- HARIDWAR ( 9/2/2011)

When we reached LUCKNOW we had planned to go to SAHARANPUR by passenger train but due we lost consious and automatically went to sleep while waiting for the Train at the station. When we opened our eye it was already 1am, so we missed the train and the plan. Then we travelled by Express train i.e.GUHATI-DEHLI EXPRESS, till moradabad then to LAKSAR from there we took ticket to HARIDWAR by passenger train. In this train we got a window seat we were resting once again we slept.. the RPF police personels awaked us at midnight on 9/2/2011. They enquried about us, we said we were on pilgrimage and Sri Pavan Acharya showed his Press Identity Card, after checking the police see only prasads, Rudraksha, Bhagawad Gita, and eatables in our bags nothing else so they directed us to go to waitig room and take rest .. we did the same as said by police that day/night.

On 10/2/2011 early morning we went to GANGA GHAT near Birla mandir by cycle rickshaw, there we crossed to other side after doing pooja and we had Ganga snana at HARIDWAR. then we sat there for two -three hours as it was very silent and sacred place. Numerous sadhus also sat there some doing meditation others just staring the clear waters of Ganga.

HARIDWAR

Then we walked along the road towards the CHANDI MOUNTAINS, we decided to climb the mountain by the way of road, we did go some way along then we saw small water-fall i.e spring with hermitage some people had occupied this place and were doing pooja and meditation ..we went in and saw there was a CHANDI TEMPLE. so got the darshan here itself and we returned without climbing the actual mountain. We came to the conclusion after seeing somany temples that these are all places were great sages sat to do penance and meditation, later which were upgraded to huge Temples due to there importance.

Inthe evening we went on for sight seeing around the town, we saw BIRLA TEMPLE, BIRLA RAJA TOWER, GOD SHIVJI'S STATUE and KUMBA MELA ARATI site. God Shivji's statue is sculptored

by :- K SRIDHAR, SHIMOGA, KARNATAKA. Ph No : 08182-270186.

Then we went to railway station and took ticket to RISHIKESH, once again we missed the train, so we changed our next destination to AMRITSAR. so we took tickets and boarded the DEHRADUN-AMRITSAR EXPRESS on platform no 2.

HARIDWAR ( 10/2/2011 : 9.45PM) -- AMRITSAR (11/2/2011 : 8.40AM)

When we enquired the route to Golden Temple, a sardarji asked us to take autorickshaw or board the yellow colour bus. We boarded the Yellow Bus it took us to GOLDEN TEMPLE as it was going we saw JALLIANWALLA BAGH enterance so we planned to visit this after seeing Golden Temple and have the grace of Holly GURU GRANTH SAHEB at the gurudwara.

SRI GURU SAHEB, AMRISTAR

Gurudwara was very clean, every where devotees where moving with devotion and prayer.. a sense of devotion prevailed everywhere. We entered the main temple and had the glimpse of sacred GURUGRANTH SAHEB.

We had prasad at the Gurudwara though it was simple ( roties, chenna-dal, sweet, rice and dal), but it was clean, well cooked, delicious. we ate to our stomach full. Then we went out of the complex towards JALLIANWALLA BAGH.

JALLIANWALLA BAGH, AMRISTAR

A place where General Dyer had ordered the army to open fire on unarmed public gthering of nearly 2000( two thousand) people. Even to day the well-which gave a sacred shelter to patriots, the temple,and the walls with nemureous fire marks is a standing proof of the brutality of the British empire.

And similiarly on the other side you can see, the new flowers blossom from this very land, which is nourished by the immortal nector of patriots blood, reminds one to work for a great INDIA ahead.

AMRITSAR ( 12/2/2011 : 1.30AM) -- PATHANKOT -- JAMMU TAWI (12/2/2011 :7.00AM)

After seeing the land of sacrifice-AMRISTAR, we went to PATHANKOT at 3.30am then took another train to JAMMU TAWI which reached there at seven in the morning. Bus-JKSTC facilities were available to KATRA, so we reached KATRA 9.30 -10AM .then after having a breakfast of PAROTA at a Rajastani hotel, we started to climb the mountain by steps all the way of 14 kms. We climbed the hill top at nearly 1.00pm.

we went for Devi's darshan finally we had the darshan of DEVI in the form of 3 PINDs. then we went to have the darshan at God Shiva Temple near to it.

we started to climb down and reached the base at nearly 6.00pm.

MAA VAISHNOI DEVI, KATRA

Then we started to climb-down the mountain, we reached the base of the hill by 6.00PM.

JAMMU TAWI (12/2/2011 :7.00AM) -- UJJAIN (13/2/2011: 4.00 AM)

After some rest we went towards the great shrine of Mahakaleshwar .. We waited in the que for probably one--one and half hour then , we were left inside the temple main hall.. Nearly 400 -- 500 people were present and all of them were chanting the MAHAKALESHWAR's name.

In this vibrant environment of music, the drum sounds, the sight of great ARTHI given to lord's shivalingum and the non-stop chanting of devotees created such an environment that, my whole body began to experiance a rush of electric like sensation and tears started rolling out uncontrolablly.

" I THINK THIS IS THE BLISS OF TRUE DEVOTION AND ALMIGHTY GOD SHIVA HAS BLESSED ME".

Then we went to ANNANAKSHETRA, we had the prasad to our stomach-full . Then we roamed for a while in the city then left for railwaystation to go to our next destination...

UJJAIN (14/2/2011: 2.20 PM) -- OMKARESHWAR ( 14/2/2011: 7.30 PM)

We reached OMKARESHWAR at 7.30 -- 8.00 pm, so we decided to take rest and leave for the Temple next day early morning.

15 FEBUARY, 2011

Today we went to the Temple complex, which is 14 kms nearly to the railway station. When we reached there we were wonderstruck by the beauty of the river NARMADA and the OMKARESHWAR TEMPLE COMPLEX.

After Darshan at this great Jothirling, we took rest along the bank of Narmada River.

Here we thought of entering MAHARASTRA ant visiting the five JOTHIRLING along with AJANTA and ELLORA...

OMKARESHWAR ( 14/2/2011: 7.30 PM) -- KHANDWA (16/2/2011: 11.20 AM)

During this last two days we changed trains, travelled on and on viewing the sceneies was a real bliss to the eyes.. each region has its own speciality. as the surrounding was almost like ours own at Gulbarga and Sholapur.

Then finally we went to PACHORA.

PACHORA (16/2/2011: 12.00PM) -- PAHUR (16/2/2011: 3.30 PM)

Today we went to AJANTA CAVES but didnt enter the gate as it was already late so we went back to FARDAPUR and took shelter there.

17/2/2011

Early Morning we started by walk from FARDAPUR to AJANTA CAVES.. took the entrance tickets and by walk we reached the caves..

AJANTA