PLACES AROUND GMRT


Narayangad(Narayan Fort):




Narayangarh is situated in North side of Khodad village. This garh and goddess Hastamata temple was built by first Peshwa Shri Balaji Vishwanath. You may find some curved stones and broken walls which gives sign of big garh on this hill. There are some water storage tanks curved by chisel and hammer in Shaliwahans period and have good storage capacity even in summer period.







Shivneri gad (Shivneri Fort):

Shivneri fort built in period of Satvahan kingdom, used to be their capital. It is also a birth place of great maratha king Shri. Shivaji Raje Bhosale. You may find this fort surrounded by protection wall. This hilly area / fort consist of temples and signs of Mosque, Water tanks, Amber Khana ( place for elephants), Shiv Smarak, a Jail, Punishment edge / border and many gates. For more details, please visit...www.geocities.com/trekforts/f_shivneri.html




Ozar (Vighneshwar A temple of Lord Ganesha ):




One of the Ashtavinayak temples, situated on the bank of Kukadi river andnearly 10 k.m. away from Narayangaon. This temple is also called as Vighneshwar means the god who rescue from any fear / danger. This place is famous for its garland of lights or deep mala. Ashtavinayak means eight temples of Lord Ganesha located in different places in Maharashtra.







Lenyadri (Girijatmaka- A cave temple of Lord Ganesha ):

Girijatmaj Vinayak's temple is in the 8th of 18 Buddhist caves known as Ganesh Gufa, or "Ganesh caves." The entire temple is carved out of a single stone and faces south. It is located on a mountain, and one has to climb 307 steps to reach the top. Girijatmaja's idol faces east and is carved out of the stone wall of the cave. Only one of the idol's two eyes can be seen. This is also one of the Ashtavinayak temples, situated on a mountain in a cave, 5 k.m. away from Junnar. For more details, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenyadri.



Bhima Shankar:

Bhima Shankar is a one of 12 Jyotirling (a name of Lord Shiva) places in India, It is 90 k.m. away from GMRT. A special Hindu pilgrimage site and quite free of tourist stampedes, this Shiva temple was built by a Peshwa ruler and really comes alive during Shivratri.

The temple is rather impressive and beautifully carved and houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Located 122 kilometers away from Pune by road in the northeast direction, this temple is close to Shivneri Fort. This hill station had beautiful view, forest and different king of wild life.










Karla caves



About 40 km from Pune, these Buddhist caves dating back to 160 BC, have a Chaitya (chapel), the largest in the country and some viharas (dwelling caves).

Karla is the site of some of the best-preserved Buddhist caves and the chaitya cave is perhaps the best-preserved cave of its kind in the subcontinent. Unlike the Ajanta and Ellora caves, the most refreshing feature of Karla is the absence of tourist hordes, since Karla is quite off the tourist beaten track.

To avoid holidaying locals, don't visit the caves on the weekends. The Karla caves exist amidst a range of hills not far from Lonavala. Apart from the chaitya hall there are many vihara caves too.

However, it is the awesome chaitya hall that makes this journey worth it. The architecture and the carvings of this hall are something else! A must see!

For more details about Karla Caves, please visit - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karla_Caves

Ajanta & Ellora Caves:



These places are situated near Aurangabad, which is nearly 220 Kms. away from Narayangaon. From Aurangbad, Ajanta Caves are around 80 k.m. away and Ellora Caves are 30 k.m. away.

  • Daultabad ka Killa (Fort)



Khultabad – Mughal King Aurangjeb’s Tomb is situated. One can visit to the old Hanuman’s Temple.



  • Ellora village you can visit Ghrushneshwar Mandir,

    which is a one of the famous 12 Jyotirling temples.



For more details about Ajanta & Ellora Caves, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajanta_Caves , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellora

For visiting both places one should have at least one day spare at each place. One has to halt at Aurangabad, where many hotels are available. ( Website for hotels http://www.hotelsinaurangabad.com ) Aurangabad city has some historical places like Bibika Makabara, Panchakki and Aurangabad Caves.

Dams (Water Reservoirs) in Junnar Taluka:

  • Pimpalgaon Jog Dam - It is situated on Pushpawati River at Junnar.

  • Yedgaon Dam – It is situated on Kukadi River at Yedgaon, close to GMRT.

  • Manikdohe Dam – It is situated on Kukadi River at Junnar.

  • Wadaz Dam – It is situated on Meena River at Wadaz.

  • Chilhewadi Dam – It is situated on Pushpawati River at Junnar.

Pune city:

Pune is one of most popular cultural and educational capital of Maharashtra and a great historic city of India. The city’s history begins with Shivaji Maharaj, Peshwas and Lokmanya Tilak and so on…..

The Ganesh Festival during August/September is celebrated for ten days. A spectacular colorful social event with tradition with joy and attract tourist.

Some of places in and around Pune city:

Place

Place

1. Shaniwar Wada 8. Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute
2. Agakhan Palace – Kasturba Samadhi 9. Pataleshwar Caves
3.Parvati Hill and Temple 10. Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
4. Chaturshringi Temple 11. Sarasbaugh
5.. Empress Garden 12. Vishrambagwada
6. Snake Park, Katraj 13. Singhad Fort
7. Pune University 14. Karla Caves