Central Maharashtra somewhat off the beaten track - opinions wanted

wim

Muktagiri
Rithpur
Balapur
Aundha Nagnath
Nanded
Ambejogai
Tuljapur

Anyone has any comments on these places that are not really on the foreign tourist circuit? Interested in atmosphere, old city centres, living temples with historic value. For some of these places I found very little info on the internet.

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http://www.slenterendebuffel.com/?cat=13
Pictures of Indian trip 1995/96

snonymous

Hello again Wim
So, did you visit Pandharpur and Alandi?

For Nanded, especially about the recent celebrations there, read this recent article from The Frontline, a highly respected publication
http://frontline.in/fl2521/stories/2...4252111100.htm

Tulzapur
I went there decades ago for a taekwon do camp. Dont remember much about the place though [nor of the TKD!!].

Im sure all these places that you intend to visit will be very nice, but in my opinion for what it is worth [and Im no history / archaeology scholar, mind you], the best "old city centre, living temple with historic value" that Ive seen so far have been the ancient Chola temples of Tamil Nadu. Srirangam's Ranganathaswamy temple is a case in point, a step back in time, an ancient citadel much as it would have been centuries ago. So also, the Thanjavur Kumbakonam region.

If you go to Pune, visit the Bhandarkar Institute, they may have a lot more detailed information about all these places that you have in mind.

Have you tried searching temple or religious sites such as templenet hinduonnet etc for more info?

I hope you get more info from other members here.

brishti

great avatar snonymous
so which exotic place are you taking off for in the next month huh?



:brishti

snonymous

Re: off topic
Dont you just love my little pussy cats Brishti? They're not mine but they were mine for the time that I spent with them. Must be great grandmas and grandpas by now!

Exotic place? I wish... Ours are just quick trips in the vicinity at every available opportunity - to make up for living in the concrete jungle.

BTW Brishti, I note that you posted somewhere at 2am or some such God forsaken hour of the night!

Sorry Wim, back to topic.

brishti

one of those many nights snonymous - when i dont hear them kokils sing
the elephanta trip report was brilliant thank you!



:brishti

wim

Hello Snonymous,

I'm still in grey and sombre Belgium, I'll leave for Mumbai on the first of December. Pandharpur and Alandi are no longer on my list - I'm sort of building my trip around some spots I really want to see - Nasik, Trimbak, Burhanpur, Aurangabad, Ellora, Lonar and Nanded.

I've got five weeks to get from Mumbai to Chennai, and I plan on staying on the Deccan, focussing mainly on Maharashtra because apart from Mumbai and Solapur, I've never visited the state. I'll probably then head down the Karnataka/AP border - taking a train into northern Tamil Nadu from Guntakal or Bellary maybe, I don't really know yet, I'll see.

I first wanted to combine this trip with Tamil Nadu - I had booked a ticket for nine weeks, but I had to shorten it to five because something came up at work. I'll visit it some other time, no problem.

JuliaF

Burhanpur

I'm sorry wim but I must tell you I really don't recommend you bother with this place. We went there - coming down from Khandwa I think - hoping it would be an interesting place but it was a dismal dirty hole. The city walls, which was probably what we wanted to look at, were just a big open-air toilet. We got the first bus out.

This was a good few years ago, but we remember it because it is such an unusual experience - usually you can take a chance on a small town and things work out well. Now if we find ourselves moaning about a place we say 'well at least it's not as bad as Burhanpur'

wim

Ah - thanks Julia, that's good to know.
Is one of the places I'm taking a chance on as well, read something about it and did sound interesting.
Don't know if I'll bother now, as it's a bit out of the way.

How did you come by it?
It does seem to offer a bit more than just the city walls.

http://burhanpur.nic.in/

snonymous

Wim

When you go to Aurangabad, try not to miss a visit to the Daulatabad fort, a lot of atmosphere and an aura of centuries gone by - I remember that very well even though it was some years ago.

And do post your latest update on Lonar, December is a good time to visit, but start the trek down into the crater early as you will see a lot of migratory birds, and maybe wildlife then. The MTDC at the rim of the crater is the only worthwhile place to stay as I read recently on someone else's post at indianaturewatch.

First time Ive heard of Burhanpur or anyone wanting to visit it in particular. On India Mike, we learn something new about our own country every day!

Brishti - you [K]night Owl

wim

Never mind - just booked a Sleeper from Bombay down to Udupi on the fourth.
Decided to head South after all. Ah what