Written by London swaminathan

Date: 10 December 2015

Post No. 2378

Time uploaded in London :– 16-01

( Thanks for the Pictures  ) 

DON’T REBLOG IT AT LEAST FOR A WEEK!  DON’T USE THE PICTURES; THEY ARE COPYRIGHTED BY SOMEONE.

Saint Valmiki

Kala Ram/ Back Ram Temple

From Triambakeswar we came back to Nashik and proceeded to Panchavati which is very nearby. As soon as we entered the town, we saw Ramayana scenes on the wall with descriptions in Hindi. This is about Rama’s encounter with Surpanaka followed by Maricha Vada (Killing of Maricha).

Panchavati became famous because of the incidents in the Aranya Kanda of Ramayana. Surpanakha tried to seduce Rama and Lakshmana followed by her disfigurement (nose cut). Maricha came disguised as a golden deer and Rama tried to catch it at the behest of Sita and Ravana came at the time to abduct Sita. Since Rama and Lakshmana camped there for most of the 14 year period in the forest, all the places there were connected with Ramayana.

We went to see the five banyan trees which gave the name to the place: Pancha means Five and Vata means Banyan tree = Five Banyan Trees= Pancha Vati.

The banyan trees are numbered from 1 to 5. Tourists can easily identify them. But most of the sign boards are in Hindi only. We need them in English or regional languages such as Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. North Indians can follow Hindi.

All along our route we saw lot of banyan trees and Sugar cane juice stalls. There is a Sita Cave (Sita Guha or Gufa). As our driver warned us about the condition of the cave we did not venture to go there. He told us some drunkards abused the place and there was even a murder in the recent past. But opposite the five trees, there was a centre with all the Ramayana statues and dolls. It was very good to see the scenes from the Aranyakanda.

The big attraction in Panchavati is the Kala Ram (Black Ram) temple. It is a beautiful Rama temple. In the nearby park we saw statues of Swami Vivekananda and Valmiki. Lot of shops sell things for tourists. We also bought some brass bells. I have already written about the tortoise lucky yantras sold there. With them Surya yantras are also sold.

Too many Toll gates:

Between Mumbai and Shirdi, we came across 8 to 10 toll gates. They extracted money and delayed the traffic. State and Central governments must find a way to eliminate them or use machines to photograph the number plates and charge them like we do in London for the Congestion Charge. Alternately State governments may be subsidised and the toll gates can be done away with.

Since onions became scarce and were in great demand, a lot of vendors were selling the  onion bags on the road side. We also saw lot of shops selling cheap Chinese toys such as teddy bears.

Ravana

MUKTIDHAM

Muktidham is another place near Panchavati. There is a beautiful marble temple were all Hindu gods and saints are displayed in miniature form. There is a central shrine for Rama and Sita. On either side there are lot of statues or marble figures depicting Puraic scenes. Dis play of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines is the most impressive one.

There was a Kartikeya (Skanda) shrine where women are not allowed following the age old tradition. Poet Kalidasa and Tamil Sangam literature also talk about such a taboo.

One disappointing thing about such a beautiful temple is that we don’t get any pictures for sale. No one is allowed to take pictures inside the temple. In future, at least the temple should sell picture post cards.

Picture of Muktidham Temple

Warning about Oily food

Our driver advised us to go to Rs 50 meals sold by the temple trust. But our ill luck made us to try the Purohit restaurant in the same compound where a meal (Thali) is Rs.230. We did not mind paying the amount, but all the dishes were floating in oil. Literally the vegetables were swimming in the oil!

Next time you go there, please try the temple restaurant and write to me about the quality of the food. Let me find out whether it is better than the restaurant!

–Subham—