Prati Balaji Temple Pune

Prati Balaji Temple at Ketkawale near Narayanpur is a modern day replica of the famous Tirupati Balaji temple. Since this temple is built in modern times, this temple does not have any history like the Chikka Tirupati Temple near Bangalore. It is located just off the Pune Bangalore highway near Kapurhol. Once at Kapurhol, take the left turn and the road should take you to the temple.

There is ample parking space available. Vehicle parking is free and they provide you a token once you park your vehicle. Due to strict security measures, people are not allowed to take any kind of luggage or bags for that instance to the temple. There is a provision provided to safely deposit your luggage and bags. Photography is not allowed inside temple and hence one has to deposit camera phones and camera for that matter before entering the temple. Photography is allowed outside the temples main premises.

I have not been to the actual Tirupati temple and hence cannot compare this temple with the Tirupati Balaji Temple. Inside, the temple is quite colourful. Prasad is distributed quite generously and is free. As with all the temples there was a queue to enter the main premises and take darshan. It took 20 minutes in the queue for darshan. On our way out we were given prasad which was quite filling.

After clicking few snaps around, myself and my wife went ahead to check another building in the temple premises. This was the building where they were serving lunch. Although I was full I could not resist having a meal. The food served was free and it was being served generously. Inside the temple premises there was sufficient security and housekeeping staff to keep the premises secure and clean.

A beautiful and peaceful place to visit.


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Siddhagiri Museum, Kolhapur

The Siddhagiri Gramjivan Wax Museum at Kaneri, near Kolhapur, Maharashtra, is a one of kind wax museum. The main aim of this museum is to depict rural Indian life. The museum refreshes the 'Bara Balutedar' System a servant-cum-caste system that existed in Maharashtra.

There is an entrance fee to enter the museum and photography is strictly prohibited.The place is well maintained.
Once inside the museum you would be surprised to see the details of every exhibit. The artists have taken pain to keep in mind the most minute details to make the exhibit beautiful and impressive. To move around the museum there is a predefined path which you have to follow. As one moves along this path one can see the various exhibits. One would be surprised to see the sheer number of exhibits. The exhibits kept in the enclosed area are mostly of mythological characters. These exhibits do appear to be made of wax. However the exhibits that are kept in open definitely do not appear to be that of wax. It will be impossible to describe the whole scenario without any pictures.

The most magnificent exhibit which I found was that of a procession where more than dozen villagers are pulling along a temple rath. The way these artists have managed to create such magnificent statues with the realistic expressions is just mind blowing. This place is definitely worth a visit. It is strange though, that photography is not allowed inside the museum. The photos of these exhibits would have been a feast for the eyes. Imagine the publicity this place would get with the photos of this place.

It takes about two hours to see this place. One should definitely avoid a bright sunny day as this would make the experience uncomfortable.
The museum itself is part of land belonging to Kaneri Math. The surrounding area is also very nice and clean with trees all around. There is a big Shiva statue near the temple.

The places is around 15 km from Kolhapur. To reach here continue on the Bangalore highway until you reach the MIDC area. Once here take the right turn towards Kaneri lake and continue on this road. On this road you would see a big statue of cow and a calf. When we visited this place, work was in progress in this area, could be another temple or a new project coming up.

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No photos of the museum exhibits as photography strictly prohibited.
The below pics are of the area surrounding museum where photography was allowed.

Just before reaching the museum

Entrance of Kaneri Math

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Bedse Caves, Kamshet

One of the three buddhist caves in the maval region, the Bedse or Bedusa caves is the least known and hence less crowded. The above quality adds to the destinations beauty.

To reach these caves from Pune, take the old Mumbai-Pune highway. At the Kamshet town junction take the left turn and keep on heading on the same road till you cross the Mum-Pune expressway underpass.
Right after this under pass, keep a lookout for a board indicating the direction for Bedse. It is about 2kms from the underpass where you need to take a right turn. This leads to a small narrow road leadign up to the stairs for Bedse caves. There is no shop or stall near the base and it is better to carry water or food.
The climb up the stairs is pretty easy and early morning visits will be a bliss. One can enjoy the beautiful view from top and also gaze at the wonderful rock cut caves.


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