Travelling

This famous Shiva temple is located in Rameswaram district of Tamil Nadu. This is one of the 12 jyotirlings in India. We went around 3-4pm and to our surprise there wasn't much of rush and we had a wonderful darshan. It was quite calm and serene , and was worth the effort.

Our booking was done in hotel S.S. Grand in Rameswaram. We reached this quiet place by around noon and were given a nice comfy room within no time. It had an AC, mini fridge, TV, kettle, double bed, and almost everything that you might expect from a hotel room. We freshened up and relaxed while enjoying a hot cup of coffee. The official breakfast buffet timing starts from 7.30 am. As we had to travel too much the next day, we got ready early and reached the hotel's restaurant around 7.15am and were asked to wait saying you won't be allowed before the designated time. At 7.30am, though the reception staff allowed us and the other guests inside the restaurant, but the breakfast want ready. They got only a few items at a time by 7.50am but everything was being served hot and very nicely. The delay in time was made up by the hospitality. A nice stay and a happy breakfast!

Our purpose of going to Madurai was to visit this holy place. We relaxed for a while and then went to visit the Meenakshi temple. We are from our hotel around 4pm and reached the temple. The road leading to the parking was narrow and crowded. We got down near the temple to walk while our driver drive the car to the parking area. We removed our footwear at a shop near the temple. Mobile phones, bags and other such stuff is not allowed inside the temple and needs to be deposited in the locker room. The guards at the entrance all you to be fully covered (not really sure what it means). I was wearing a cut sleeves top and trousers, so she asked me for a stole/dupatta,etc and wrapped it around me like a shawl. There was too much of rush inside the temple. We got to know there was a free line (queue) and a paid queue. Such things are practiced only in places where Hindus worship. I haven't seen any such discrimination at places where any other religion worships. We paid ₹50 per entry to ...

Being a hot month of April and guests from another city, wanted to plan a comfortable trip. Prati Shirdi was the instant solution. Located approximately 30 kms from my home in pcmc, we started in the evening when the weather started getting a bit cool. We took the old Mumbai Pune highway. Immediately once the toll is crossed, there's a left turn that leads to the temple. You can miss it if not careful. Toll is not applicable for 2 wheelers. The roads are quite well maintained, overall an easy drive. Paid car parking is available very near to the temple. Shoes to be taken off at the shoe stand right outside the temple gate. The temple is beautifully managed and you get to do the darshan in peace, not much of a hurry, though depends on the rush. You can be back in Pune in 3-4 hours of time. A comfortable trip in the hot weather. Photography is not allowed inside the temple premises.