Behind the wheel & Contributor

Vinod Kumar...know more about me

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16 days 3800 kms road trip summary - KA-MH-GA in our Tata Safari

In a nutshell

Day 1 - Bangalore - Hampi

Day 2 - Bijapur (Vijaypura) - Gol gumbaz

Day 3 - Aurangabad

Day 4 - Aurangabad - Ellora & Grishneshwar Jyotirling

Day 5 - Aurangabad - Lonar Crater & Ajanta Caves

Day 6 - Shani Shingapur, Shirdi

Day 7 - Shirdi

Day 8 - Sula Vineyards (The source) & Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling

Day 9 - Singhad, Pune

Day 10 - Wai, Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar

Day 11 - Mahabaleshwar

Day 12 - Ganapati Phule

Day 13,14,15 - Goa

Day 16 - Bengaluru

In detail

Day 1

Bangalore - Hampi (360kms/8 hrs)
Stay - Vijayshree @ Hampi
What we saw - The ancient Vijayanagara kingdom in Hampi located on the Tungabhadra river. It can be done in a day if we start early morning......
Missed - Daroji Bear Sanctuary which is a protection centre for the Indian sloth bear.

Vijayashree
Its a huge expanse of twenty acres acres, with lots of trees and well scaped gardens. Around 40 cottages are places in the midst of the sprawling greenery, and its very near to Hampi. Food was ok, rooms also ok.


Hampi Hampi is believed to be the Kishkintha of Ramayana time. Later the rulers of various dynasties from Maurayan to Yadavas have ruled here. The prosperity of the place came to an end with the islamic invasion in the 13th century. In 1335-42 period Harihara and Bukka carved out the Vijayanagara empire with Hampi as their capital. But in 1565AD the battle at Talikota, brought about the downfall of the empire.

Vittala temple


The stone chariot - seen in our new Rs 50/- note


Virupaksha temple


Inside the temple

Day 2

Bijapur (Vijaypura) - Gol gumbaz (260 kms/6hrs) - Basava Residency at Bijapur (450kms/9hrs)
Stay at Basava Residency @ Bijapur
What we saw - A quick tour of Gol Gumbaz. Built by Mohamed Adilshah. The dome (second largest dome in the world, after the St. Peter's Basilica in Rome) is the whispering gallery where even the softest sound can be heard on the other side of the mausoleum due to the acoustics of the space.
Missed - The Bijapur fort which has many monuments in the complex.

Day 3

Aurangabad (400kms/9hrs)
Stay - Gymkhana Club

The stay was good....but hardly we got to see and use the facilities here as we were travelling all the time. A google pic



Would highly recommend the veg thali of Bhoj Restaurant. Found it on Google, but the food was just awesome....


The thali

Day 4

Ellora(35 kms from hotel) & Grishneshwar Jyotirling (8kms from Ellora)
Ellora caves is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world, having Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments. The Cave 16 is features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world, the Kailasha temple, a chariot shaped monument dedicated to Lord Shiva. Kailasa temple




There are nearly 100 caves at the site, some worth seeing some really damaged. A guide comes handy at this point who shows you the best, and guides you through the ancient history. On foot going through the entire caves will wear you out. Some more pics......




Grishneshwar Jyotirling
It is considered the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga of Shiva. Its a small temple, and since photography is not allowed inside, only could take this one.

Day 5

Lonar Crater(140kms/4.5 hrs) & Ajanta Caves (141kms/6hrs)
Lonar Lake was created by a meteor impact, way back in history. The water in the lake is both saline and alkaline. The water of the lake contains various salts and sodas. During dry weather, when evaporation reduces the water level, large quantities of soda are collected.


The drive from Lonar to Ajanta was quite long, roads were bad.

Day 6

Shirdi (115 kms/ 4hrs)
Stay - Oyo Netra Sai
Visit - Shri Saibaba temple.

Day 7

Shirdi - Shani Shingapur( 95kms/ 4hrs)

Day 8

Sula Vineyards (The source) (100kms/4hrs) & Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling (30 kms from Sula)
Stay - The Source at Sula.
What we did - Wine tasting tour, cycling in the vineyards, visit Triambakeshwar jyotirling.









Trimbakeshwar Jyotirling

Day 9

Singhad, Pune (260kms/7hrs)
Stay - The Heritage resort
What we did - trek to Singhad fort and click picks.

Day 10

Mahabaleshwar (115kms/5hrs)
Stay Club Mahindra Mahabaleshwar Sherwood
What we saw - Wai, Dhoom and Panchagani

Dhoom


Harrisons folly


Wai

Day 11

Mahabaleshwar
Roam around the markets...

Day 12

Ganapati Phule (200kms/7hrs)
Stay - Club mahindra
What we saw - the beach

Day 13,14,15

Goa (300kms/8.5 hrs)
What we did - Chill and enjoy the beaches of Goa

Day 16

Bengaluru (630 kms/ 13 hrs)
That was a long drive back......