Satish Travel List

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Baroda - Vadodhara

Vadodara, formerly known as Baroda, is the third largest and most populated city in the Indian State of Gujarat, after Ahmedabad and Surat. It is the administrative headquarters of Vadodara District. It is located on the banks of the Vishwamitri river, southeast of Ahmedabad, 139 km from state capital, Gandhinagar. Both the railway line and national highway connecting Delhi and Mumbai pass through Vadodara.

The golden period in the Maratha rule of Baroda started with the accession of Maharaja Sayajirao III in 1875. It was an era of great progress and constructive achievements in all fields. Maharaja Sayajirao III, who ruled from 1875 to 1939, did much to modernise Baroda, establishing compulsory primary education, a library system, a university, and model textile and tile factories, which helped to create Baroda's image as a modern industrial hub. Modern Vadodara is a great and fitting memorial to Maharaja Sayajirao. It was the dream of this able administrator to make Baroda an educational, industrial and commercial centre and he ensured that his dream would come true. For this reason, the city is also referred to as Sayaji Nagari(Sayaji's City)

Places of interest [edit]

Laxmi Vilas Palace

Palaces: Laxmi Vilas Palace, Nazarbaug Palace, Makarpura Palace, Pratap Vilas Palace (now occupied by Railway Staff College)

Buildings & Monuments: Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Kirti Mandir, Kirti Stambh, Nyay Mandir, Khanderao Market, Aurobindo Ashram, EME Temple (Dakshinamurty Temple), Hazira Maqbara,Kala Ghoda

Museums & Gardens: Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery, Sayaji Baug

Excursions: Ajwa & Nimeta, Dabhoi, Pavagadh, Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park,Kayavarohan, Dakor, Sankheda

Multiplexes: Inox, Fame Cinema, PVR, Chandan, Cinemax, Mukta A2 Cinema, Cinemarc

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Khanderi Underi

Khanderi is a fortified island 20 km off the coast of Mumbai. This along with its sister fort Underi formed the major fortification along the Mumbai coast. This was built by Shivaji in 1660 CE^[1] to keep a check on theSiddis at Murud-Janjira fort. However later on it lost its importance. Most of the fort is still intact the most prominent structure is a lighthouse built in 1837.^[2] It can only be accessed with the permission of theMumbai Port Trust. ^[3]

The Island Sea forts of Khanderi and Underi are Located three kms. in the sea near Thal. The two early notices of Khanderi in 1538 of the Portuguese Viceroy Dorn Joao da Castro and 1674 of John Fryer, refer to it as ar uninhabited island.

In August 1679, Shivaji occupied the islands ant oversaw the construction of a fortification, wall. The British attempted to claim the islands 'for the Crown' and oust Shivaji failed miserably and this was followed by Janjira Siddi to unseat the Marathas but followed suit. All attempts by the British and the Siddi to capture Khanderi - Underi, forts did not fructify till 1750. but finally it was ceded to the British in 1818 "as part of the Peshwa territory". And currently the Khanderi Fort is under Bombay Port trust administration.Permission of the Bombay port trust is necessary to visit the fort by mans of o boat.

In 1687, Light House on the Island was built by the British which still stands. Even today, there is a temple Of Vetal and the Tomb of Daud Pir both of which are worshipped by the local fishermen community.

Khanderi is a fortified island 20 km off the coast of Mumbai. This along with its sister fort Underi formed the major fortification along the Mumbai coast. This was built by Shivaji in 1660 CE to keep a check on the Siddis at Murud-Janjira fort. However later on it lost its importance. Most of the fort is still intact the most prominent structure is a lighthouse built in 1837. It can only be accessed with the permission of the Bombay Port Trust.

Underi (also called Jaidurg) is a fortified island near the mouth of Mumbai harbour south of Prong's Lighthouse. It is a companion fort to Khanderi and currently lies in Raigad district, Maharashtra. These islands of Khanderi and Underi served as one of the landmarks for ships entering Mumbai harbour.[1] Underi is smaller than Khanderi and nearly circular. It was built by Kahim of the Siddis in 1680 CE.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Trek To Bhairavgad

The prominent wall that stands tall in front of the Malshejghat range is the Bhairavgad.
Owing to the strategic location, it served as the watch tower guarding then extensively in use trade route the Malshej ghat.
The entrance of the fort was destroyed by British and hence now to scale it one has to overcome a rock patch. Above the patch rock cut steps leads one to the top of the fort. The steps are also tricky and face exposure at places one has to be very careful throughout.
The top is a small flat on which there is cactus overgrowth. Heavy wind blows here almost in every season.
The view of the Naneghat Range and the forts in Malshejghat like Harishchandragad, Sindola ect is the experience of life time.

Bhairavgad Near Shirpunje Village In Sahyadri mountains of Maharashtra,there are multiple mountains named Bhairavgad one near the Karad-Chiplun area, one near Malshej Ghat and third in the Bhandardara region in the neighborhood of Ghanchakkar the third highest peak of Sahyadris(1532 meters)

Location: Bhairavgad is located in Shirpunje village 27 km from Rajur in the Akole taluka of Ahmednagar district There are two ways to go to Bhairavgad 1)From Shirpunje village 2)From Ambit village nearby Pachnaai the base village of Harishchandragad

Height Height in meters(1145 meters)

This area comes under Kalsubai-Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary hence it is covered by dense trees

This fort is believed to be ancient and almost 2500 years old.This fort has only few ruins and remains on the top.There are two big caves on the top in which one cave is a shrine of Lord Bhairavnath and another cave is used for residence purpose for trekkers and visitors There are many water tanks on the top but only one tank is having water suitable for drinking The idol in cave is very good carved, painted and this shrine is well maintained by the villagers of Shirpunje. Recently Pune based like minded group of climber named Safety Climbing Initiative (SCI) made a Rock Climbing route safe for climbers, Thorough bolting of 'MGM' bolt which guaranteed for at least 50 yrs for non rusting and climbers can climb this wall safely with no hassle and worry on this fort. Its dyke

kind of structure of wall very rare in western ghat.