Sab Ka Malik Ek (One
God Governs All)
Day
One: 14-06-15
We never thought that,
we can fulfil the desire to visit ‘Shirdi-Shani Shingnapur-Nashik- Trimbakeshwar’
the spiritual golden triangle so early, peacefully and comfortably. Along with
the divine touch we had explored the rural backdrop of typical Maharashtra
Western Ghats and sugarcane fields.
We have to thank
specially the service rendered by SVR Travels, Hyderabad for their safe and
comfortable Volvo Buses, Sai Hotels, Local (free) transport and gourmet Andhra
food, all with in the budget.
The Volvo bus took us
directly to the ‘Sai Paradise Hotel’ around 6.30AM. After refreshing we reached
Baba temple and had a darshan
comfortably, peacefully, we actually felt the divine touch when we moved around
the temple. When were about to leave the temple premises we were caught (?)
inside due to heavy rain. We all felt some great relief and relaxation when we
were coming out of the temple after the heavy downpour.
After lunch at hotel,
the same travel operator arranged a vehicle to Shani Shingnapur. We had
wonderful drive covering the lush green sugarcane fields of Western Ghats. On
the way we observed many sugarcane juice vendors who are extracting the juice
by age old traditional wooden crushers (Fig.1) which are environment friendly
(not machines with motors) run by bullocks. Throughout the way, we haven’t
found even a single crushing machine run by motor. We have to appreciate the
local people and the government for their concern towards environment.
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| Fig.1 |
We asked the driver to
stop at a village named ‘Rahuri’ which comes on the way to Shani Shingnapur.
The village has got a unique distinction, where there is a temple for Shani
with Rahu and Ketu, which I read in an article in Eenadu Sunday Edition. After
visiting that temple we reached the world famous Shani temple at Shingnapur.
This time we observed so many changes like allowing ladies in to the temple
complex, no need to change your dress to ‘saffron robes’ (for males). There is
a high-tech pumping machine where the devotees can pour the ‘sesame’ oil, which
reaches directly on to the deity stone sculpture for ‘tilabhishek’ for shanidosha.
Previously anyone can reach the deity and pour the oil directly.
We returned back before
expected time and had gourmet Andhra dishes for the dinner in the ‘Sai Paradise’
vegetarian restaurant.
Day
Two: 15-06-15
Next day early morning
5.00AM we left the hotel by a bigger car, again arranged by the same travels as
planned to cover Nasik and Trimbakeshwar Temple. The road passes through the
rural lush green fertile lands of Maharashtra. On the way we found many Dhabas,
Resorts and Farmhouses to attract the tourists. Fed up with Andhra food, we all
wanted to taste the real Maratha style breakfast. Our driver took us to a
resort cum theme park. After enquiry and suggestion by driver we all ordered ‘Misal
Pav’ (Fig.2) which everyone agreed as fantastic preparation with a great taste
which we can’t find even in metro cities.
 |
| Fig.2 |
After having a fine breakfast, we reached Nasik first and saw five temples all were
near by but car was not allowed. We had to book an autoricksha who will show
one by one through narrow lanes. We also saw the praparatory arrangements for
the Maha Kumbhamela of Godavari
(Which we call here in A.P and Telangana as Maha
Puskaralu). Then we reached Trimbakeshwar
temple which was flooded with many people. The darshan of one of the famous twelve Jyotirlingas almost took three hours.
Fully
hungry by the odd time, we requested the driver to take us to a good hotel for
lunch. All our hungry eyes got struck up with one hoarding on the road side
(Fig.3). Surprised to see ‘telugu’ hoarding and that too it says ‘Andhra food served
by telugu speaking staff’. We could’t resist our hunger and we all (including
the driver) had a nice Andhra lunch.
 |
| Fig.3 |
In the return journey
we all were in a drowsy state due to the heavy lunch and tiredness. Observing
this the driver started the LCD player which was fixed to the roof top of the
car, which we never observed during our onward journey. My son and daughter (who
are sitting on both rear window seats while my wife sat in between, of course I
am sitting beside the driver) tried their best to get the control of the remote
and finally my daughter got the control.
To our surprise the CD is of dance ‘item
songs’. First ‘Sunny Leone’ came, my wife took the remote and forwarded, and then ‘Karina’
then ‘Katrina’ then ‘Bipasha’ then CD changed! Next the driver gave ‘Hindi comedy
scenes’ CD. This time my son took the remote, forwarded, forwarded, and CD
changed! After a series of ‘bilateral discussions’ with my wife’s mediation, they
agreed to play only MP3 songs not videos. The driver patiently gave all his favorite
Hindi hits CDs. Once again Indo-Pak war started. This continued for another 30-45
minutes.
This time the driver took the control of the remote and said ‘I got a
wonderful CD, which everyone will agree to listen and no one will forward a
single song’. We all agreed and surprisingly all of us without a single word
reached the hotel after two hours of listening to the tunes. Just before leaving
the car, curiously I found the cover sheet of the CD as ‘Sab ka Malik Ek’ !
