Summer of 2006

I think that towards the end of my stay at Pune, visit to various places became much more frequent. Being a Puneikar for two and half years and not having gone to Shirdi for darshan of Sai Baba temple would have brought disgrace to my reputation as “ Road Warrier”. So, in the month of March’06 me and our paltan went to Shirdi. In a clean,white Tata Sumo 8 IMDRites and my Deepika mate “ Dhritiman aka Mota” who is width is as good as width of 2 persons set off for Shirdidham. We had heard a lot about “ Kakda Aart” of Sai Baba that takes place at 5 am early in the morninig. So,we all gathered at our rachna Apartment flat and left for Shirdi around 10 pm in the night so that we would be able to reach for Kakda Aarti in time. We all had dinner at a roadside dhaba just on the outskirts of Pune and went off on the cool Pune-Ahmednagar Highway…just remember the lyrics of Hotel California -“ On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair……Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air”. But suddenly woke up by the music that was playing inside the Sumo-“ Shukriya Shukriya…dard jo tumne diya”by Agam Nigam…..two extremes…isn’t it?

As we approached Nagar( thats what hardcore Puneikars have truncated name of Ahmednagar),we could see a line of twinkling red lights in the sky….all of them were actually part of “ Wind Power” revolution- Wind Mills.

Around 4'0 clock ,we reached Shirdi...parked our vehicle.....and then went to nearby Lodge for freshening up....damn cheap...for 10 rupees per head u can take bath and get a room for 3 hours.
We were fortunate enough to see the Aaarti. I also collected some Neem leaves from the tree under which Sai Baba used to sit and meditate..
Kakda aarti ritual being performed

Then had a good breakfast at a nearby hotel ...pooris...paranthas....poha.....sabudana kichidi and what not....had a nice tea and we did leave for nearby Shani Singnapur famous for Shani Temple..On the road came across lots of sugarcane carts and the wooden carts for extracting the sugarcane juice...you will come across a lot of them on that road....all colourful ones...



Sugarcane carts extracting sugarcane juice....note that wooden handle are still used to extract juice ( Photo from http://thecookscottage.typepad.com)

At the temple,we had to change in to their clothes and enter the temple....heard lot of anecdotes regarding the temple and the place itself...since there are no doors in any of the houses over there....one anecdote is that anyone who steals is bound to die the same night because of " Shani Dev's Prakop"...I also went through all the rituals as I am a firm believer of "Shani Dev"...and also of Shani Mama at IMDR Library( Neha do you remember him or not ?)

This rock is what people say is " Shani Bhagwanji" and has fallen from sky


Finally, drove back towards Pune...but this time not a cool highway.So hot was the temperature of March Sun that Neha became sick and was on Lohits shoulders ,crying. We had our lunch at a roadside dhaba...had some good roti and dalfry ( perhaps my first experience where in I didn't find non veg food at a highway dhaba ) repaired one pumpture tyre of Sumo and rode back quickly towards Pune....... Finally reached Pune at 3 pm with Saibaba's ashirwad and lots of pedas...Sai Baba ki Jay

Category › IMDR , Pune , Shirdi

Bike ride to Pitamahal Dam on a 2ft Road

Thought of going to Pitamahal Dam by bike came after a failed attempt( courtesy: beautiful road from Kalunga to the Dam site) to go in Mohanji's Estilo.But ,CD 100 SS without brakes and threadless tyres always challenges it's owner to go ahead-be it Sinhagad or the 2 ft width road to Pitamahal Dam with a canal on one side and 10 ft steep slope on the other.
On the way me and Moti lost the road ,but finally landed up near this beautiful passing stream with gathered hay and beautiful trees on its bank. Mani Ratnam do contact me before shooting for your next venture.You can get some great shots here (Little bit of Santosh Sivan in me...hahahahaha)
Reached the Dam site.....I just wish that I can get such a dyke to jog on everyday.........I saw in one of the Reebok's ad: Run...The road comes free. But in Orissa, Dams also come free. But,with lazy punters like me, they all are of no use.
Finally, sun setting at the Dam site.Please please...another wish....just imagine me sitting with a plate full of Fish fry with Mint and Coriander chatni and a mug of beer in hand....
But, was sitting there with a long list of wishes..............

Category › Orissa , Orissa Tourism , Outing , Pitamahal Dam , Rourkela

Sunset At Mandira Dam,Rourkela

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Vedavyasa Religious Centre

Category › Sundergarh

Our Trip to Nandi Hills in Pictures

Category ›

My first Outbound Training

Finally one of my small dreams came true when I organised this particular outbound training.
Day one is when we learnt to go through the various obstacle courses. Day two is when you apply whatever you learnt in day one. I think caving during the monsoons was the toughest part where in you fight all your anxieties and fear and come out as a changed man. That day was one of the turning points during the four day programme where in more than anything participants came to know what is “caring” and “sharing” all about. This is what was one of our prime objectives before sending a team for this particular outbound training. I am sure that when they come back and start working at the workplace “empathy” becomes an inherent part of their work culture. It’s very easier to say that “step into other’s shoes and then go through his feelings”. But, participants experienced that thing for their own when they were actually doing caving. Reason why communication and openness is absolutely necessary for the successful running of any organisation was the other learning. Day three was completely different where in you make rafts of your own and cross the Dimna Lake. That’s the time when people actually show their mettle and leaders get easily differentiated from others. With so much pressure around, your character is put under scrutiny. You come to know that “Team work” is the order of the day. One starts to learn the dynamics of the way a team functions.

Abseiling Down

Aftre Trekking upto a Height of 2500ft

In the Dimna Lake

Dimna Hills

Our Camp




Finally, the Trekking experience in the Dalma Sanctuary on day four was as if you are fighting to conquer the final frontier. For the first time I saw the effectiveness of Outbound Training in full flow. Since, we had to cross one of the Temporary monsoon waterfalls in the Dimna sanctuary, instructors keeping in view the safety of the participants decided to move back. But there was a group of 24 changed L & Tites who were pleading to the instructors to move ahead instead of the gushing water and the bad weather. Very rarely you see changed men within a matter of 4 days.

Category › Trekking