Tirumala Photoblog

AJANTA ARCHIVES

Our Trip to Ajanta :   One scorching summer in May 1998 ( april rather as per evidence lol ) we decided to venture out in a Tata Sumo on a circular trip to Trimbakeswar,  Nasik, Shirdi, Ahmednagar,  Paithan, Ajantha, Shani singnapur, Aurangabad,Ajanta, Ellora, Daulatabad,  Bhimashankar, Shivneri, Malshej, Vajreshwari and back to Dahisar on a five day trip. 

My Mill, Bill & Sill along with her bandwagon landed in our house, thus started our roller coaster trip.  Our halts were at the following places, Nasik, Paithan, Aurangabad,  Ellora & Bhimashankar.  Just check out the broad route map besides, you may get an idea of our trip undertaken. We missed out on Pilhotra Caves and did not climb the Shivneri caves completely.  Getting drenched in hot spring water at Vajreswari was like adding fuel to fire Lolz....thank god we escaped major mishap and lived to tell the story of Ajantha.......and its legacy in pictures.

Why Ajanta was abandoned is a mystery explored by many a historians. The entire Ajanta complex was probably inhabited by Neolithic mankind prior to Buddhist monks discovering the safe den for their monastic living. They began construction of the famous 30 cave complex in early 2nd Century BC. For almost 350 years they were surveying the area and laying the basic foundation for a grandiose plan for building an edifice eulogizing Lord Buddha. In 450 AD in Harisena they found a willing sponsorer to trigger the building activity and completing the cave viharas and chaityas. The lovely mural paintings were completed using the locally available vegetable dyes and other binding materials such clay etc. 

Ajanta is located 107 kms from Aurangabad. The nearest railway line is Bhusawal or Jalgaon, Aurangabad on Hyderabad route. There is an airport at Aurangabad connecting Mumbai and Poona.

Detailed Travelouge http://indiabackpacker.blogspot.com/2008/11/ajanta-abandonedbut-its-legacy.html

Shivgange Photoblog

Shivgange looks surmountable from a distance of  a kilometre but for us it was like conquering an everest.

Basically being other side of 50......trekking 4500 feet above sea level is humongous task.

Shalini accompanied us with glee.....to scale the peak.

Oh my goodness the holy water is almost reachable but only a few get to reach it, it is believed all

your sins gets washed away, if one is able to touch the water and sprinkle it on their head. Last time

I was unable to fetch the water, i dipped my handkerchief and got some pints and was happy.

The climb to the peak can take anywhere between 2 to 3 hours depending on the fitness level of an individual.

Dont make the mistake of walking barefoot a good cushioned sports shoe or buckled chappals is a must.

Steps are slippery during rainy season but railings are provided fortunately

She is grinning looking at Mam struggling to climb i suppose

The name Shiva and Parvathi is associated with this historical centre.

Many people advice you not to carry anything edible and with plastics because of the monkey menace.  Like a dog, monkey too has to be handled feed it with bananas, biscuits or whatever edible, make sure you have

a stick, they will not snatch or trouble you.  We feed the monkey on the way up with buns and orange juice while coming down with some bananas.  

Carry sufficient water, salt, juice and glucose to quench thirst and avoid cramps.

Enjoy the scenary while trudging up, take sufficient breaks.

There are plenty of petty shops selling mineral water and mango juice enroute, KAMAT upachar is the best place to have breakfast or parcel lunch.  

When you reach the top of  Shivgange, a whiff of cold breeze greets you in the evening or early morning, one feels elated that one has conquered a big mountain.  The picturesque atmosphere which is filled with history unfolds before you @ Shantala drop.