Mumbradevi Temple in Mumbra

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Mumbra Devi Temple is built on the Parsik Hills. The temple can be accessed via the National Highway 4 (NH4) or via the Mumbra Railway station located on the Central railway line. 

Mumbra Devi Temple atop Prasik Hills

We had visited the Shiva Temple at Ambernath and Kondana Caves in Karjat and had planned to visit Mumbra Devi Temple and Lonad Caves today. 

As decided we boarded the 7:32 AM fast train for Asangaon from Dadar railway station on the central line. We alighted at Mumbra railway station at 8:09 AM. The Mumbra Devi temple can be seen from the railway station. 

View from atop Mumbra Devi Temple

We had tea and asked for directions and then started our climb to the top.  As the temple is visited by devotees throughout the year,  steps have been made right till the top.  

I didn't count  no. of steps but it should be around 300 plus. Though there are steps the climb is difficult and will put pressure on your knee's and calves. The climb is very similar to Gilbert Hill. Though Mumbra Devi temple is on a higher altitude in comparison to Gilbert hill.  

Steps leading to the top

NH4 is located very close to the foothill.  

As we kept climbing up the stairs the sound of the trains and vehicles plying on NH4 started reducing. We could hear the chirping of the birds.  The sun was shinning softly on us.  It was a bit hazy outside,  we were hoping that it gets better as we reach the top. 

It took us 35 minutes to reach the top with plenty of intervals. There are plenty of people who come here for their morning walks. They were so fast in the ascend and descend. 

Strings (people wishes) tied to the tree

The view from up here is amazing.  It offers a beautiful view of the sunrise if you come early in the morning,  the creek surrounded by mangroves,  the central railway line and offcourse winding NH4. Apart from the residential buildings around. This place should be a watchtower as it offers a great view of the surrounding. 

As the devotees offered prayers I took photos up here. Photography of the temples is not allowed.  

Breakfast at Mumbra

It took us 15 minutes to descend the hill.  

Had breakfast in the form of omelette and scrambled eggs and Lassi for drinks.  

Shiv Mandir at Ambernath

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Prachin Shiv Mandir or Ambreshwar Shiv Temple, I located a a distance of 2 KM away from the Ambernath railway station (east) on the central railway line. History states that the Shilahara king Chhittaraja had constructed it in 1060 AD,  which was later rebuilt by Mummini (son of Chhittaraja) 

Shiv Mandir or Ambreshwar Shiv Temple at Ambernath

Mike and I had planned to do Shiv Mandir in Ambernath and Kondana Caves in Karjat today and Mumbra Devi Temple in Mumbra and Lonad Caves in Kalyan tomorrow. Remember him, he had accompanied me to Elephanta Caves. :)

As decided Mike and I met at Dadar railway station on the central railway line to board the 7:38 AM,  fast train to Badlapur to alight at Ambernath.  The train was late and we alighted at Ambernath at 8:44 AM.  There was a mad rush on the platforms here. So I understood that the trains were late and hence the crowd is ever increasing on the platforms.  

We exited the Ambernath railway station on the eastern side, followed the instructions provided on the roads to walk to the Shiva Temple. In around 20 minutes we were at the entrance of the temple.  

Shiv Mandir or Ambreshwar Shiv Temple at Ambernath

The stone carved temple looked amazing.  The detailing of the carvings was just too good. It might have taken them years to built this temple.  There are two entrances and a exit to the temple.  There are steps in the temple which lead you down,  where the main shivling is located.  Due to low light and large crowd,  got blurry photos here.  When taking photos in  temple premises be ready to be greeted with raised eyebrows. lol. 

One of the devotee informed me that during Mahashivratri,  the temple is over crowded with people.  There is also a fair which is held then.  It continues for 3 to 4 days.  

Sculpture on the walls

It was a Monday.  There was crowd within the temple premises.  

We then headed off to see,  Kondana Caves in Karjat. 

Rajpuri caves near Panchgani in Maharashtra

Thursday, March 12, 2015

We had visited Parsi Point and Tableland in Panchgani. The sun was over our head now.  We had to make a choice, if we wanted to have lunch or go visit the caves.  Caves was priority and so we headed off to visit it. 

Again please  not refer  GPS and Google Maps as they are misguiding. There are signboards at the initial stretch of the road,  post that have to refer to people and vehicles plying in opposite side of the road for directions.  The directions offered by people are accurate and in a matter of 20 minutes we were at the base village of Rajpuri Caves.  Now the road is a rollercoaster ride so drive safely plus to top it,  it is a narrow road.  I won't be surprised if a ST bus plys on this route. 

The village is small comprising of a few houses and temples in its premises. Some children were playing near the temple. As we were not locals all eyes were on us. Though we were not followed,  but were given directions to visit the caves. 

From the base village one has to descend via stairs to reach the Rajpuri caves.  

The view of the hills and valleys is just amazing.  We walked down the steps and soon were at the caves.  There are around five caves here. The caves are guarded with trees all around.  So we had cool breeze for company. It was fun to sit in the shade of trees.  The sound of the wind blowing and the birds chirping was soothing to our ears. We could see the water trickling down the rock surface above the caves. Though we are done with winters and approaching summers,  this place has still got water flowing,  which is just amazing. 

One has to take off ones shoes to visit the caves.  Manohar was just not in favor of taking off shoes here.  But you remember the famous saying,  "In Rome do as the Romans do."

Near the caves stands a beautiful of statue of Nandi. Surrounded by four pillars with a roof atop it. Means there was a temple here and this is all that remains of it. 

The first cave is filled with water.  It also has a gaimukh from which flows water.  But one can see the cave in entirety by balancing oneself on the dry borders around the cave. 

The second and the third cave houses stone tablets which are inscribed with sculptures. 

The fourth cave is converted into a temple,  there was a puja currently performed here.  So we didn't check the cave out. 

The fifth and sixth are small caves and empty. 

The time was one 1:30 PM on my watch we then headed to bazaar area in Panchgani to have our lunch post which we had Sydney Point and thereafter head to Wai. 

Lake Venna at Mahableshwar in Maharashtra

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Now you will be curious to know why we were headed to the Mahableshwar ST Bus Stand in the Bazaar area.  As it was cold, we decided to have bath at the restrooms behind the ST bus stand instead of renting a room, as we were to travel to Panchgani and from there to Wai. 

 The last time we had visited Mahableshwar,  Manohar had bath here and was urging me to do the same,  but I was too lazy and decided to stick with my jumper.  The bath was a blessing in disguise due to which he had stopped feeling cold. 

This trip the three of us decided to have bath here. This place ain't all luxury.  Basic bathrooms for both men and women travelers, which serve a bucket of cold water at a price of Rs.5 and hot water at a price of Rs. 20. What should I say,  I was feeling difficult to part with my jumper before my bath with hot water. Once done again I started feeling the cold, but this time the cold was short lived and I felt really good.  I should have taken the bath the last time I visited this place. 

Kick starting our journey with Wilson Point, in the cold, warm water bath at the ST bus stand we headed off for some South Indian breakfast at one of the local eateries in the bazaar area located just outside the ST Bus Stand.  

After having our full we decided to head to Panchgani.  As Lake Venna was on the way, we decided to do it.

Like always we relied on GPS and Google Maps for directions and again we took the wrong road and kept going in circles in the market area.  Finally we started asking locals around and relying to signboards to head to Lake Venna. 

A couple of wrong roads and finally we reached Lake Venna,  but we reached the otherside of the Lake,  not a soul was there.  But the view was just amazing.  

We were greeted with broken beer bottles, so I understood that this place is used for a beer party.

The view of the lake from here is amazing,  The light blue skies with white clouds forming wonderful patterns in it was just amazing.  The water was quiet and silent.  A couple of dry wooden branches stood in it. Among-st all the greenery around we located a beautiful temple here. 

This European styled House is beautifully perched on the hilltop with greenery all around

After taking a couple of selfies with my new travel companion we then headed off to see Parsi Point in Panchgani.