Travel With a Couple

A Ram temple that looks well protected by a Mughal fort. And some one who will solve all your ‘love marriage problems’ advertising in a Ram temple. At a time when Ram Sene wants to change the world!

Ramtek was not in our initial itinerary, while we planned the Pench trip. Like it happens in many of our trips, Ramtek turned out to be an interesting detour.

We do not have much historical information and background of the place, though we tried gathering some from the information boards inside the temple. The story goes that Lord Ram rested at this place while on his way to Lanka to rescue Sita.

The first thing to notice was the temple, at the top of a hill, is fortified with structures, distinctly of Mughal architecture.

As we climbed towards the main entrance, on one of the walls was this notice about someone who could help on your love problems!

Ramtek is a small town about 42 km from Nagpur and is 7-8 km off Mansar, on the Nagpur – Jabalpur highway. Ramtek has its place on the tourist/pilgrimage map thanks to the Ram temple atop the hill.

It is also said that Ramtek’s beauty inspired poet Kalidasa to write Meghadootam. The annual Kalidasa festival is considered as one of the richest cultural events of Maharashtra.

Among the few books (other than a whole bunch of maps and road atlas) that we use as travel guides, there is one called ‘Offbeat tracks in Maharashtra’. Written by Milind Gunaji, a Marathi actor and photographer, this is an interesting and handy book when one wants to do the ‘non-touristy’ travel. We take tips and pointers from it and mix our own ‘de-tours’ to get some interesting variants every time.

Nandur–Madhyameshwar was one such find. Being somewhere closer to Nasik, we put this in our Nasik itinerary. Nandur–Madhyameshwar is popular only among avid birders and is known was Maharashtra’s own Bharatpur. Rightly so!

The sanctuary is named after the ancient Madhyameshwar temple. There is a dam built on the confluence of the Godavari and the Kadva rivers, and the backwaters of the reservoir forms a perfect playground for migratory birds. Storks, sandpipers, egrets & brahmani ducks we could identify. And a host of other birds, which we couldn’t name but watch and appreciate.

The main road runs parallel to the river for a few kilometres. At a few places, one could take detour to the river bank at about 500 metres through paddy fields. Forest department has erected watch towers at these points, which offer breathtaking views and more birds.

Nandur is about 50 km from Nasik. The irrigation department has a guest house near the dam, where one can stay with prior permission. Own conveyance is the best option to reach Nandur since the state transport bus service is restricted to just two trips a day.

While Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy weaved magic with their vocal chords, guitar strings and drums, the façade of Asiatic library had its own way of being the part of the magic. Two smart guys (they were introduced at the podium, but we forgot their names) behind the stage (in fact perched at the top) were managing this extraordinary show. Various colourful patterns were projected on the wall. Our national flag and flags of other countries,  heart symbol  saluting the Valentine’s Day,  and a variety of images were simply beautiful.

Someone wrote in a travel note recently that “as you climb the curving stone steps towards the reception of the Asiatic Society library you feel you are ascending into loftier, ethereal regions”. We have not been to the inside of the library. But ascending to another world – yes, sometimes it is possible. Especially when the steps turn into an amphitheatre to watch the captivating performance by some of the best talents from the world of music.

This time it was Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio. We wonder if the Asiatic steps ever acted host to so many people. When the steps could not take any more butts, the latecomers spilled over to the road. Soon, the road became houseful! (Is there a term ‘roadful’?) The evening’s music events started off with Raghav Sachar’s World Music Fusion. Raghav Sachar is a prodigy. By the age of 27, he mastered about 30 musical instruments!!

The momentum was building up. The bollywood numbers by Shilpa Rao added to the enthusiasm. When Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy made their appearance on the stage, the excitement was palpable. Soon Shankar’s stage presence infected the audience, who cheerfully clapped, swayed, and sang with him. Shankar certainly has this uncanny ability to carry the audience with him.

As Shankar weaved magic, he threw in a surprise as well. In the form of Farhan Akthar. And FA simply decided to Rock On! ‘Standing ovation’ is a mild term to say about what followed next.