It’s on the way to known destinations that you come across many unknown and splendid discoveries which may not be visible on the map but will imprint you forever. This is what happened when I took a trip to Maharashtra in the month of May and visited Shirdi, Nashik, Lenyadri, Triambakeshwar, Bhimashankar, Mumbai,Shani Shingnapur and Ozar and it was coup-de-foudre (love at first sight) with the nation’s third largest state.
We were prohibited from carrying our cameras in a few places but I managed to capture something beautiful everywhere I went.
Nashik: A photographer’s delight right from the black stone temple of the Triambakeshwar to the Triveni Sangam which plays host to the Kumbh Mela, this is one place that I would love to go back to for it represents an India untouched by the hurried need to shed the finer nuances of our culture.
Ozar: It’s quaint and tranquil despite housing a famous tourist spot, the Vigneshwara Temple, one of the Ashtavinayakas in Maharashtra. Located in the Junnar Taluka of Pune district, it soothes and replenishes the soul. I would choose this place over many others for a quiet getaway.
Arabian Sea: The sight of a multitude of yachts floating on the blue stretch made me envious because they made me want to leave the harbour too and look for my bliss even as tourists and locals milled around at the Gateway of India for photo ops, boat rides and picnics.
Lenyadri: A hill worth a climb with 30 spectacular rock cut Buddhist caves one of which is occupied by Lord Ganesha who welcomes you after a 100 feet climb that consists of 300 steps! Don’t miss the spectacular view of the Junnar Taluka from your vantage point. And don't forget to enjoy the scenery in the hurry to click everything.