Pune, Maharashtra, IndiaWell, today is the festival of the Lord Ganesh and where else can one be but in the state of Maharashtra , where it is celebrated the most. For those unfamiliar with Indian custom, the title of this post is the chant devotees raise during this festival.
No, in reality this is just a coincidence. I am not visiting this state and the dates are purely coincidental. I am headed further.
As always, the first few days of a road trip are simply a question of putting your head down and eating up the miles. After 850 kms of some serious driving, I am in the western Indian city of Pune.
The highway from Bangalore to Pune and then onwards to Mumbai has been very good for over 5 years now. But for minor inconveniences such as idiots coming on the wrong side of the road, two wheelers intent on committing hara kiri and rumbling rust buckets blocking the road as they try to demonstrate Schumacheresque overtaking abilities at 20 kmph, all is well. These are, anyway, par for the course, by Indian standards. That doesn't stop me from letting loose choice curses (justified on the grounds that cursing reduces blood pressure, which must be a good thing !). Those who have ridden with me are aware that the only element of creativity I possess is when it comes to innovative swearing - the current favourite is to imply that that the offender is a three legged pig ! Say it in Tamil and it will ring better. If you must ask, a three legged pig is somewhat inferior to a four legged pig, and hence the added flavour to the swearing !!
Potholes have sprung up randomly on the highway, this being the fag end of the monsoons, and road repairs haven't started yet. Hitting a pothole that comes out of nowhere on a highway, at 100 kmph can have nasty consequences. No point in slowing the cruising speed as hitting it at 80 kmph is not any better. A combination of care and luck is called for.
Didn't click any photos today. After all what can you click on a highway !
Early to bed. Another long day tomorrow.
Swamynathan VN
2018-09-13
wow - looking forward to the travel blog and keen to know the interesting experiences encountered by you !!!
Suja
2018-09-13
In Pune for ganesh chaturthi and not checking out the festivities? Actually I was just thinking this morning that I would like to be in maharastra during this festival some time in the future just to have the experience! You've come a long way, wonder where you are heading to! West coast somewhere? Hmmmmm...
The Million Miler
2018-09-13
Ganesha came to 175E/37S late last evening! Safe travels. What brand is your iron horse?
Sandhya Sriram
2018-09-14
You think I will believe if you say you can curse... Why does John always get to know everything. I like your “Sir John”... indeed... You could have caught some interesting Ganapathy on Camera... but well... we are sure we are gonna see more interesting snaps in a few days... can’t wait!!!!
BL Narayan
2018-09-14
Hope you had the opportunity to indulge in some ethnic eateries enroute. Hubli had some to offer and Pune is spoilt with choice. I used to frequent this route twice a year in the early nineties on my ever dependable workhorse Maruti Omni. Courtesy AFS stunt in Pune. I suspect you are headed to some place in Gujarat. More of a guess. Bon voyage.
indigoite
2018-09-14
@Swamy - Thanks very much
indigoite
2018-09-14
@Suja - Being here for any festival is double edged. Every apartment complex (we all live in apts these days) has a very nice celebration - children perform song and dance, there's proper religious events, aartis, lots of prasad - its very nice. Public events border on rowdism and isn't fun at all I've escaped the chanda extortion because I am on National Highways. Else I would have suffered like I did last time in Madhya Pradesh
indigoite
2018-09-14
@Sandhya - Oh , you haven't ridden with me; thats all !!!
indigoite
2018-09-14
@BL - Hey, lovely to see you here. You are an old hand at this - in your new avatar, you should travel around the world !!! For fun; not for work ! No,not Gujarat although thats where I am staying the night today. Did Gujarat extensively about 4 years ago.
indigoite
2018-09-14
@Kiwi - A very modest Hyundai Xcent - a small sedan. Old folks living on a pension can afford only that much :)
Vinod Kumar
2018-09-24
Happy and safe travels! We are virtually with you!
Vincy
2018-09-25
Virtual travels are faster. I caught up 850 kms in less than 3 minutes. :-) until i bit the second paragraph, i had thought you had meticulously planned to be in Maharashtra for the Ganapathi puja. loved those rumbling rust buckets bit :-)
gils
2018-09-25
aahaa..intha spacea maranthey poitene..adukulla ivlo cover aadicha
indigoite
2018-09-25
@Vinod - Thanks Vinod
indigoite
2018-09-25
@Vincy - No no - I am far away from Maharashtra now
indigoite
2018-09-25
@Gils - I drive and blog fast, Gilsu !