|| Shree Ram JAi Ram Jai Jai Ram ||
We were planning this trip since long but finalized it on last week of september 2013, along with the music class where i learn Tabla (I have given 1st exam of Tabla and scored 1st class, preparations for second exam is going on. This is just for your information). Our music sir, Shri Abhay Bhide sir, along with 5 more members (Mr. Vaidya, Mr Brid, Mr. Kulkarni, Mr. Orpe, Mr. Nagraj Naik), who come to learn music there, planned to have a trip . Earlier we decided to go in Bus, but since its a long journey of 6 hours from Mumbai, we decided to book a Tavera, that will make our travel easy, and yes it did. Gondavalekar is situated 40 KMs away from Satara, which is around 300 KMS from Mumbai. We went via Mumbai-Pune Highway, and then towards Satara, bypassing Mahableshwar on the way. It was a 2 day trip, and 1 night stay in Gondavlekar Ashram. We met at morning 5:00 AM at Mulund Station where Tavera was waiting for all of us to pick up. We were waiting for everyone to come, so it took 6:00 AM while we left for the journey. We had taken some stuff for eating in the car, but at 11:00 we , had already decided to have Misal-Pau at a well known joint in Pune. We halted there for a fantastic Misal Pau and Tea. The picture below shows that place.
After having this delicious breakfast, we headed towards our destination, Gondavlekar. We had to reach there before 1:30, otherwise the prasad Lunch would get closed. If we reached after that,we had to eat somewhere outside. But as per God's will, we reached there sharp at 1:00 PM, and first went to have Lunch. It was a bliss to have such a nice prasad. Rice, Dal, Roti, Bhaji , Chatni, and a glass full of Chaas. That was more than filling. After having that we went for darshan. The darshan was most blissful. We went in the samadhi temple of shri Maharaj (As Gondavlekar Maharaj is addressed), and the feeling there was out of this world. It seemed we have entered heaven. 
Later we went to the office and got the keys for the room where we planned to stay for a night. We all took one big room, and were all together. We took some nap after such a long journey and then at 6 PM we all dressed up to go out side and have darshan and attend arti that begins at 7:30 PM. We went out side. There was a Ram Temple, that we visited, near by. The Ram Laxman Sita Murti was installed by Sri Maharaj himself. That was just behind the main temple.
There is a story, that one day, when Shri Maharaj, went to that temple, and took the darshan and was returning back, the prist came running, after seing that there were tears in the statue of Lord Rama's eyes, and he requested to come inside the temple. It was that dedication, and the constant 'Namasmaran ie Chanting of the mantra' he did, due to which he was so loved by lord. Shri Maharaj had popularized the Mantra "Shree Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram" and stressed on the 'Namasmaran', to all his devotees. He said the 'namasmaran' should go on continously non stop and that is the only way to get salvation from this world in this 'kalayuga'.
After attending the Arti, we went to have dinner prasad, and then we took a small walk. We all gathered in the night at the room and discussed some wordly topics, and then slpet by around 11:00 PM. The next day morning was important for me, since i spoke to the temple people that i had to sing a bhajan. So they said you have to be present in the samadhi temple at 5:00 AM. But when we slept so late, so it was sure i would not be able to get up at 5:00 AM. But it was amazing, how i got up at 4:00, and was present in Temple , after taking bath and all, by 5:00 AM. You know the reason, the temple guys, banged the wakeup drums at sharp 4:00 AM, so that everyone should get up. 
At 5:00 AM, after the arti was over, and since it was a sunday, many people were there in the temple, and many people were there for singing bhajans too. So i went and requested the one who was arranging the bhajan mandli, that i would like to sing. He then consulted his member, but he refused, since there were many people already who had to sing. I told both of them, that i have come from Mumbai, and i will be going back today, so i request you to give me 2 mins, and i will complete my bhajan in 2 mins. So they agreed. And i sang a very famous bhajan in Marathi, by Saint Namdev, "Maza Bhav Tujhe Charni". That was awesome. Many poeple liked it, and they appriciated me.
We had to leave by 11:00 AM, since we had decided to visit Sajjangad - A math of shri Ramdas Samarth - Saint of Shivaji Maharaj. So we left and reached there by 1:00 PM. We had to climb up the 300 stairs to reach the top, where the temple and the ashram was built. It was a fabulous Ashram. As we were going upstairs, in between i saw some very beautiful Maruti pictures of different styles. You can see in the pictures.
After visiting the Sajjangad fort, we then drove back to Mumbai, and in between took an hours break for having Lunch at Pune. We are were surely tired , as we reached Mulund by 7:00 PM, sunday evening. But it was a trip to remember. Thanks to all who planned, arranged and managed to go there. For more information on the trip and how to go there, please click on the following link. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahma_Chaitanya
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