A Travelogue About The Charming Mountain
Getaway of Deolali

chillibreeze writer — Payal

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The luxurious green of velvety grass, silvery rain cloud wisps caressing the mountain peaks and droplets of honey-sweet rain creating a rhythmic tune welcome you to Deolali. This little town, comprised of an Army Cantonment and Artillery Centre, wears a molly look and feel, especially in the months of July and August. Situated in the rain-shadow region of the Western ghats of Maharashtra, this little excursion point is located about 15 to 16 kilometers ahead of Nasik. It’s a perfect getaway for stressed wives and harassed lives with a serene ambience and agreeable weather in the rainy and winter months.

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Deolali is a warm melange of religious, adventurous and health-oriented spots. Hospitable gentry in the traditional white pyjama-kurtas plus a ‘Nehruvian’ topi (cap) as is locally called, and the Navari* sari clad village belles bustle about their regular chores. I got several looks of amazement as I got trigger happy with my Digicam in order to capture the best panorama at the Sunday Gujri - the weekly nomadic village haat or market conducted in a huge open ground. The Gujri is a fantastic spread of vendors selling everything from vegetables to fresh jalebis, trading at unbelievably reasonable prices. Everyone in Deolali - from the tourist to the local – reveled in the carnival-like ambience. This included a frolicking goat that dived into a basket of peeled peas much to the chagrin of the vendor!

There are quite a few alluring visitor spots for a first-timer to explore in and around Deolali. Situated near one of the holiest cities, Nasik, Deolali has several religious abodes. My favourite was the famous Muktidham temple, about 10 minutes on Lam Road. The unique aspect of Muktidham is a convergent point of all Hindu deities under one roof. Right from the Dasavataras of Lord Vishnu to the Sai Baba of Shirdi, each deity has been rendered an exclusive place. It is truly a lovely place to meditate and partake in the 7pm daily Aarti. Toward Nasik Road is the very popular Pandava caves where history lurks in the hills. It is believed that the 5 brothers along with Draupadi took refuge here during their 13 years of exile. The Khandoba Temple, situated on the Khandoba tekdi (hill), is yet another spiritual stop and its history is integrated with the life story of Sai Baba.

Equipped with several reasonably priced sanatoriums and dharamshalas, Deolali offers you a place to rest for a couple of days or even an extended stay for a few weeks. Various community associations offer simple yet savoury meals 4 times a day via coupons for as little as Rs. 20 (less than half an American dollar!) per meal! A number of family restaurants, that are rated as good as the urban joints, have mushroomed all over!

The Queen of the Ghats, abode of the Hindu deities and a great getaway from stress-bouts, Deolali’s charm is best described as cherubic with an innocence and purity of soul that should not remain unexplored.

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
– St. Augustine

• Navari – Local name for a 9 yard saree ( Nav = 9, var = yards)
• Jalebi – a crisp Indian sweet -shaped like a coil and fried in syrup
• Ghat – valley
• Dasavataras – 10 avataras or 10 incarnations
• Aarti – Hindu ritual of invoking Gods with flame from ghee-soaked wicks
• Pandavas – the 5 sons of King Pandav in Mahabhrata viz. Yudhishtir, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakul and Sahadev
• Prasad – offering to God
• Chiwda – Puffed rice crispies
• Dharamshala – a motel situated within or near the premises of a religious abode

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—About our writer: Payal says," Life is an illusion, so dont take it too seriously. Live your dreams, and live them to the fullest, and I believe that one way of doing it is to travel the world, see new places, explore new cultures and meet new people."

 

 

 

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