Every time I search for a weekend travel plan and I find something new in and around Pune. Initially I was not convinced but now I am that Pune is a place to live life king size because Pune and its surroundings are fully loaded with magnificent places that can make your day. Surrounding hills and greenery makes Pune very special place to live. Nature has given Pune open heartedly but it is up to us how can and how long we can maintain this gift of nature to us.In this article I am trying to give insight to a less explored place full of natural beauty and can be enjoyed in a day’s trip.
I came to know about this place from one of my friends and I found it interesting and that is why I visited this place. It is known as Neelkantheshwar near Pune. It is just 45 kilometres from Pune near Panshet. As the name suggest it is the place of lord Shiva who is believed to be the creator as well as the destroyer of the Universe. He is also known as Neelkantheshwar because of a mythological story in which he drinks all the venom that is poison from the sea and his throat(kanth) turns blue (neel). There is a temple of lord Shiva on top of the hill which is definitely not very old as in case of other temples of Shiva. Because it is built by a forest ranger named Sarje Mama who found a Shiv linga here. He built the temple and sculptures around it. This person is also associated with “Vyasan Mukti Abhiyan”.
The speciality of this place is not the temple but hundreds of cement sculptures of Hindu mythological characters and events of ancient time by none other than Sarje Mama. These sculptures tell stories of that time. Very beautifully coloured and located on a spacious part of the hill. We need to appreciate the efforts of Sajemama who made this place memorable. Some of the sculptures are Ashtvinayaka, Bakasur Bheem story, Dashavtar, Shivaji Maharaj, Jesus Christ, Sleeping Hanuman, Kumbhakarna, Sant Dnyashwar, Sant Ramdas, Vaali-Sugriv fight and the list goes on and on. It is a good place for photography as the location is surrounded with panoramic views and wonderfully carved mythological sculptures. Now if we talk about the views from the top of the hill then hold your breath because the views are superb and full of life. The height of the hill top is 900 metre above sea level and that is why it gives some magnificent views of Panshet, Varasgaon and Khadakvasla dams and Sinhgarh fort. In monsoon the scenic beauty doubles due to the special effects of nature. Easily 2 hours can be spent on the hill top.
To reach Neelkantheshwar there are two ways. One is by Panshet to Varasgaon. The other is from Khanpur. This place is worth spending time with family, friends and of course kids as they will enjoy here the most. After reaching the bottom of the hill you need to climb the steep hill that may take 40 to 45 minutes. It is advisable to avoid summer days and afternoon time to climb as it will exhaust you because there is no shelter in between. There are some boys selling nimbu pani and curd milk that can be enjoyed on the way. On the top there is a small hotel that serves tea, coffee, cold drinks, poha etc. The best time to go to Neelkantheshwar is early morning or evening as the sun will be hot in the afternoon.The place is adventurous as well as scenic and religious. Visit it once and share the amazing experience. Remember to take your mineral water bottle because you may not found it on top.Ruchi Mahajan