MAHARASHTRA KALEIDOSCOPE PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST 2015

The Western Routes is proud to announce 'MAHARASHTRA KALEIDOSCOPE', an annual photography contest dedicated to photographs taken in our beautiful and vibrant state of Maharashtra!

For the contest we have 4 categories

- Nature & Wildlife

- Built Heritage

- People & Culture

- Landscapes 

Here are the necessary details about the contest!

The entry to the contest is FREE

Last date for submission - Midnight of 1 December 2015 IST

For more information call 

9405591758, 9096458976

Email Your Submissions to 

maharashtrakaleidoscope@gmail.com

More details on the Facebook Event: www.facebook.com/events/420013121456816/

RULES & REGULATIONS

Pre-Qualification Criteria

1. Only images taken in Maharashtra will be eligible.
2. Participants are allowed to enter ONLY 2 images per category

Categories

1. Nature and Wildlife

• Images depicting the wildlife of Maharashtra. This includes the diverse range of flora & fauna of the state. 
• Photographs of captive animals taken at zoos and recreational parks will not be considered as eligible
• Photographs of bird nests or any other photos which indicate disturbance to the species or ecosystem will not be considered eligible.

2. Built Heritage

• This category is specifically created for photographs which depict architectural heritage.

3. People and Culture

• Fashion, family portraits and wedding photographs will not be eligible.
• The ‘culture’ in this category refers to photographs taken during festivals and cultural events.

4. Landscape

• Panoramic shots which do not fit the size and resolution specification will not be eligible

Submission of images

• Submit your photographs by email to maharashtrakaleidoscope@gmail.com
• Please submit photographs preferably in digital (jpeg/raw) format only. Files must be ideally full-size without borders, watermarks or signatures.
• The last date for submission of all entries is midnight, December 1, 2015, IST.
• Clearly mention your full name, postal and email address and contact number.
• Image file names should include "photographer's name_subject name_location'. For example "Vikram Vyawahare_Tiger_Tadoba.jpg". 

Captions

• All photographs must be accompanied by captions indicating clearly the equipment used, location, season, brief description of the subject and how the image was taken.
• Captions must be added to each image's Properties Summary (Windows) or File Info (Photoshop) or as a separate Word file.

Size

• Images for submission should be minimum 3200 pixels / 300 dpi (along the shortest dimension) with the aspect ratio 2 x 3 inches.  There is no restriction on the image size.

Manipulation

• Images may be cropped (by 20 per cent) before submission, and limited digital manipulation such as cleaning, sharpening, adjusting levels, curves, colour and contrast is permissible when applied to the image as a whole.
• Adding or removing elements is absolutely not permitted, nor is the combination of two different images (composites) allowed.
• The original capture as it was recorded by the camera with no manipulation applied may be requested at any stage of the competition and must be sent to us when requested.

Ownership

• The entrant must be the sole author and owner of the copyright for all photos entered. By entering the contest, the entrant certifies that the entries do not infringe on the copyright, trademark or intellectual property rights of any other person or organization.

Copyright and use of images

• Copyright, even over winning images, will remain with the photographer.
• The Western Routes, however, reserves the right to reproduce entries in its print and online pages with due credit to the photographer.
• Images may also be used elsewhere in connection with the promotion of the contest and the subsequent events like exhibitions etc.  

7 'MUST-VISIT' PLACES AROUND PUNE DURING THE RAINS!

By Jayesh Paranjape

With the monsoon setting in, the Sahyadris surrounding Pune change colour and convert to a green haven. Hit any road going out of the city and within 20 minutes you are in paradise – lush green forest patches, waterfalls, rice fields and foggy & misty ghats. 

Photos: Vidyuth Singh

Here is our list of 7 'Must-Visit' Places Around Pune During the Rains. These destinations are perfect for a Sunday drive, a monsoon trek or probably a whole weekend away from the city! 

1. MULSHI

The Mulshi Lake | Photo: Vidyuth Singh

Just 40 km on the west of Pune, Mulshi is perfect to spend a rainy day with friends and family, eating kanda bhajis, bhutta and sipping on masala chaai. To reach Mulshi, from Pune, just take the road from Chandani Chowk via Pirangut, Paud and continue on the Mulshi Dam Road. The area is surrounded by the rugged mountains and forests of the Sahyadris and during and post monsoons, the area becomes lush green. Personally, the most striking feature of the area during the monsoons, are the numerous small and big waterfalls along the road. The Mulshi Lake in all its grandeur is visible throughout the road journey. During weekends, the area gets crowded, so the best way is to park your vehicle on the road and just walk your way to the lake and explore a new place. 

Mula River downstream from the Mulshi Dam | Photos: Vidyuth Singh

2. TAMHINI GHAT

The Kundalika Valley at Tamhini Ghat | Photo: Dhananjay Kulkarni

If you keep driving beyond the Mulshi Dam, you would pass through Tamhini Ghat. This road further meets the NH-17 (Bombay-Goa Highway) at Mangaon. The drive is through extremely dense and rich forest areas and plenty of waterfalls and is definitely worth an extended trip. Recently around 50 sq km of this area was notified as a wildlife sanctuary. Tamhini is wildlife heaven - birds, reptiles and amphibians in particular. Also worth a visit is the Kalika Mata mandir located inside a 'devrai' (Sacred Grove). If you venture a bit into the forest behind the temple, you might be lucky to see the rare Giant Squirrel!

Chai - The official drink of monsoon! | Photo: Sameer Tendolkar

3. TIKONA FORT

The stunning view from the fort | Photo: Dhananjay Kulkarni

Situated in the Maval region, around 50 km from Pune, Fort Tikona gets its name due to its triangular structure. Built at around 3500 feet above sea level, the hill and the fort makes for an easy trek. The well-marked trail goes past caves, temples, large doors cut into the rock surface and a massive vermillion Hanuman bust cut into the rocks with the devil, Panvati, under his feet. The final ascent called the Shivaji’s Trail, is through steep steps, but with steel ropes and railings to hold on to make it an easy climb. A few ruins of the fort along an algae-filled pond and a temple dedicated to Trimbakeshwar Mahadev is all that is there to discover on the top, but the vast Pawna reservoir and the spectacular view of the nearby forts of Tung, Lohagad and Visapur are totally worth it. 

The unusual Hanuman bust enroute Tikona | Photo: Dhananjay Kulkarni

4. AJIVALI DEVRAI

The walk to the Ajivali devrai is through numerous streams!Photo: Vidyuth Singh

Located near the Pavana Dam around 50 km from Pune, the Ajivali Devrai (sacred grove) is known for its astounding variety of flora and fauna. After Kolvan village near Tikona take a left turn which goes towards the Tung Fort where there is a small mud road which ends at the Ajivali village. The devrai is accessible through a beautiful hike from the village. The climb to the devrai is through numerous waterfalls and stunning views of the Tung, Tikona Forts and the Pavana lake. The devrai also has a temple dedicated to the Vaghjai devi who is believed to be the guardian of the forest! 

Typical Ajivali setting | Photo: Vidyuth Singh

5. MADHE GHAT

Madhe Ghat Waterfall | Photo: Anagha Bodas

Madhe Ghat is a place located around 70 km south west of Pune, bordering the Raigad district. It is in the vicinity of Torna Fort, Rajgad, Raigad Fort, and the backwaters of Bhatghar dam. To get to Madhe Ghat, hit the Mumbai-Bangalore highway (NH-4) towards Satara. At the Nasrapur phata take a right and follow the road to Velhe village and then to Kelad village. Madhe Ghat is about 850 m above sea level and situated in dense forests behind Torna Fort. This unknown gem is getting popular by the day for the superb views of the valley and one particular waterfall which drops for almost 400 feet into the Shivthar River in Konkan. The place has an interesting historical fact attached to it. When the Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare died in the Sinhagad battle, his funeral procession was to taken via Madhe Ghat route for the last rites in his native village Umrathe near Poladpur.

Madhe Ghat | Photo: Anagha Bodas

6. BHIMASHANKAR

Gupt Bhimashankar | Photo: Preetal Chaudhari

If you are looking for a weekend getaway filled with patches of untouched evergreen forests coupled with some religion and culture then Bhimashankar is definitely the place to go. Bhimashankar is situated in the Sahayadri Hills and is just about 120 km from Pune city. The easiest way is to drive along the Pune - Nashik highway and take a left at Manchar and just follow the road leading to Bhimashankar. 

Once you have reached Bhimashankar, you first choice of place to visit by default would be the Bhimashankar temple. Built in the Nagara style of architecture, the temple dates back to the 18th century. It is one of the twelve ‘jyotirlingas’ (A shrine where Lord Shiva, is worshipped in the form of the lingam of light) in India. The temple is situated right in the heart of the forest and if you go beyond the temple along the river bed, and tolerate some amount of garbage on the way, you will enter the beautiful forest which is a part of the Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary was notified in 1984, primarily because it is among the very few forests in India which support a thriving population of the endangered and elusive giant squirrel. Known as ‘shekru’ in Marathi, the giant squirrel is also the state animal of Maharashtra. If you are lucky, you will be able to spot the beautiful giant squirrel particularly on the Gupt Bhimashankar trail behind the temple. Extremely shy the animal can be spotted due to its long bushy tail. But before it is seen, the giant squirrel is often heard. So keep your ears open for the animal’s loud repeated rattling call, which sounds like a firing machine gun! Apart from the shekru, the forests of Bhimashankar also offer excellent opportunities for spotting birds, reptiles, butterflies, plants and sometimes mammals like the barking deer. 

Giant Squirrels at Bhimashankar | Photos: Aniket Sayam

A small climb up from the parking lot and you at the Nagphani point, looking at the breathtaking surrounding mountains of the Sahyadri ranges, this is the highest peak in Bhimashankar. The uphill climb is totally worth the efforts and just cannot be described in an article. You need to experience it. 

The descend from Nagphani Point in Bhimashankar | Photo: Ameya Kolhe

7. MALSHEJ GHAT

Malshej Ghat | Photo: Saruvam

A charming hill station, placed at an altitude of 700 m above the sea level and famous for its numerous lakes, cascading waterfalls, and charming mountains, Malshej Ghat is a favorite tourist destination of hikers, trekkers, adventurers and nature lovers. It is at a distance of 130 km north of Pune. Though Malshej Ghat is beautiful throughout the year, monsoon brings an amazing charm to this place. During monsoons, the beauty and charm of Malshej is visible when it is under heavy fog and dark clouds. Close at hand is the Shivneri Fort, which is famous as the birthplace of Maratha king Shivaji. 

The monsoon is expected to hit Pune and around by mid-June! So take a pick and head out to experience the beauty of the Sahyadris! If you want to join a group and make new friends, join The Western Routes on our Monsoon Excursions, almost every weekend which start by mid-June and go on till September! More updates on our Facebook page or our website - www.thewesternroutes.com

12 Puneri Food Joints You MUST Visit!

Food Trailing in Pune

Text: Jayesh Paranjape | Photos: Vidyuth Singh

Pune, like any other budding cosmopolitan has a large and ever growing food community! Like everything else, Pune and Punekars take pride in the food they eat and serve. Those who swear by innumerable gastronomical delights peppering the city, claim the spirit of any place is defined by the age-old, lesser known food joints which are generally missed out by conventional city guides.

We list 12 food joints in Pune city which have shaped Pune’s food culture over the years. When in Pune, eat like the Punekars do! 

1. ShriKrishna Bhuvan

Located in one of the by-lanes of Tulshibaug and established in 1941, Shrikrishna Bhuvan serves one of the best Misal in Pune. At Shrikrishna, you get the typical Puneri misal served in the form of pohe (flattened rice) and potato bhaaji covered with shev and raw onions, served along with two slices of bread and a spicy ‘tarri’ (Curry made from onions, grated coconut and tomatoes) or more famously known as ‘sample’. One can ask for a ‘sample’ in varying forms of spice. Shrikrishna takes pride in serving ONLY misal through the day.

2. Royal Bakery & Confectionery

Started by S. A. Irani in the early 1900’s, Royal Bakery & Confectionery is located on the M.G. Road in the cantonment area of Pune. One of the oldest bakeries in Pune, Royal has a long list of customers and loyalists who make sure that the cakes and breads are off the counter by afternoon! The most famous item on the menu is the milk bread known as Milko-Vita along with the soft cupcakes and the wine and pistachio biscuits. 

3. The Place, Touché The Sizzler

In 1963, Firoz Erani conceptualized a way to keep meats hot till the last bite and so he created The Sizzler, a quaint garden restaurant in the old Exclesior Cinema in Mumbai. In 1967 Erani’s son Shahrookh who had trained and worked with him started a restaurant called ‘Touché’ in Breach Candy, Mumbai which served ‘sizzlers’. In 1971 after moving to Pune, he continued his father’s legacy by opening The Place, Touché The Sizzler. Four decades later, The Place continues to be the ultimate sizzler joint for residents of Pune and Mumbai too.

4. Vaishali

In 1949, at the age of 13, Jagannath Shetty came to Pune from Karnataka and worked with his uncle for a few years. Then in 1951, he opened his own place Café Madras (present day Hotel Roopali) and then the Madras Health Home which later came to be known as Vaishali Restaurant in the 1960s. Located on the Fergusson College Road, Vaishali in those days was a tiny restaurant which served piping hot Udupi food and became particularly famous among youngsters from the many colleges in the area. Today Vaishali is one of the most popular restaurants in Pune and a favourite among young and old alike. Whenever you pass by FC Road, an aroma of Sambar literally draws you towards this place!

5. Cold Drink House

The Cold Drink House is probably the first place in Pune to serve doodh cold drink or ice-cream cold drink in Pune (Now popularly known as Mastani). Tucked away in a by-lane near Mandai, the cold drink house is run by the Gujar family and has been in operation 1923. Once you enter the shop, you are transported back to that era, thanks to the paintings, old photographs and advertisements for Kokam Sarbat and Brahmi Oil. They serve the Bajirao Mastani which is delicious, but their Mango Mastani is one of the best in Pune.

6. Garden Vada Pav

Started in 1972 by Kashinath Naiku and his mother Parvati, the Garden Vada Pav Centre has been serving yummy wada pav for over 40 years and three generations. Started as a hand-driven cart opposite the JJ Garden off M. G. Road, this place is hard to miss thanks to the hungry crowd surrounding the stall throughout the day! The vada preparation happens at the newly acquired premises nearby and the hot wadas are carried manually to the cart. The wada pav is served with raw onion, chura and pickled lemons. Voted as the best place to have Wada-Pav in Pune by food-bloggers and TripAdvisor, this place finds mention in a lot of guidebooks and food guides about Pune.

7. Vaidya Upahar Gruha

Vaidya Upahar Gruha was started in 1912 by Raghunath Ramchandra Vaidya who had migrated to Pune from the Konkan region. It was started near the bustling Phadke Haud Chowk in Raviwar Peth, at a time when not many Maharashtrians ventured into the food business. Over the 100 years, the ownership has stayed within the family and currently the place is run by Deepak Joshi, Vaidya’s great-grandson. The timings of the eatery were set by Joshi’s grandmother Sushila in 1960 as she had to look after the house along with the restaurant. The ‘Saturday off’ rule has been in operation since inception, to make sure that the staff is happy and can work in a better frame of mind! 

8. Café Goodluck

In 1935, Hussain Ali Yakshi started Good Luck Café after he acquired the premises from one Narayan Seth. Good Luck is one the oldest Irani places in Pune and now one of the last few left in the city. Since the inception of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in 1965, Good Luck has been popular with the students who used to frequent the café, where one samosa with one chaai and a cigarette would cost one rupee. The café is famous for its various egg preparations along with the Baked Beans on toast, Bun Maska & Irani Chai. The café also served a range of sweet dishes which include the caramel custard, bread pudding and the fruit funny. 

9. Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale

Following his father’s successful dairy business in Sangli, Raghunathrao (Bhausaheb) Chitale established Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale in 1950 in Pune, Maharashtra. Operations began from a shop on the Bajirao Road in the heart of the city, which is still in existence. Eventually, one more principal outlet was opened at Deccan Gymkhana. After years of two operational branches, Chitale ventured across the city in the form of ten franchise outlets making the products accessible to a wider audience. Chitale generates a profound recall value for its Bakarwadi, a crisp and spicy Maharashtrian snack which sells at an average of 3000 kg everyday!

10. Dorabjee & Sons 

Dorabjee & Sons Restaurant was started by Dorabjee Sorabjee in 1878 with an aim to create a homely eatery which serves food that he enjoyed eating. He made sure that the portions are generous and affordable, so that his cosmopolitan friends could eat here and go away satisfied. 120 years later, Darius Dorabjee, the fourth generation descendant of Sorabjee, still honours this tradition. With specials like mutton & chicken dhansak with brown rice, patrani machhi, sali chicken and the chicken farcha, this place serves the best Parsi food in the city. Dorabjee is one of the very few places in Pune which serves the locally made cold drink – Ardeshir, which was established in 1884! 

11. Marz-o-rin

Marz-o-rin was founded by Sheriar Sheriyarji in 1965 with only four items on the menu. Housed in a heritage building over 100 years old, today Marz-o-rin has over 150 items on the menu and is one of the most popular locations in Pune. Marz-O-Rin loyalists come from far and wide just to eat the chutney, vegetable, chicken and cheese sandwiches. The menu changes with time and now it includes a lot of healthy options like low fat sauce, tofu, brown bread and salads.

12. Blue Nile

Blue Nile was started around 40 years back by Haji Ali Akbar Mashallah and is housed in a beautiful heritage building opposite Poona Club. Blue Nile is synonymous with Biryani in Pune and their loyal customers throng this place to get a taste of their favourite mutton and chicken biryani. Apart from Biryani, Blue Nile also serves Irani food items like Chicken and Mutton Chelo Kabab with Buttered Rice. 

The Western Routes conducts Food Walks in the old city to give travelers an authentic taste of Pune. Here are the details 

www.thewesternroutes.com/punefoodtrails
www.facebook.com/punefoodtrails

The Pune Food Trails are now the #1 Activity to do in Pune according to TripAdvisor. Click here to read the reviews!