Len in Pune and Delhi Again

Len took the train to Pune for a work trip.  He was also able to squeeze in some sightseeing and here are some pictures with captions in his words.

I was able to squeeze in a couple of quick visits this time to Pune - one because of train scheduling, the other because it was very close to my hotel.

The Peshwas (Prime Minsters) of the Maratha Empire (who broke the power of the Mughal Empire), established a Hindu confederacy across much of India, and were in turn defeated by the British East India company.

These pictures are of the Peshwas fort/palace. It once housed over 1,000 people and you can see the foundations of many of the buildings that existed inside.

Shivaji was the founder of the Maratha Empire, after leading a successful rebellion against the Mughal. Many of the famous buildings of Mumbai named for famous British folks have been named after him (Victoria Station is now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus).

The main gate.

The garden.

A view from the wall, looking back towards the gatehouse.

Along the wall.

This is above the gate. A nice breezy little room to the left.

Looking out front towards the statue. The big flag pole has the Indian flag, but that red flag has the Soviet hammer and sickle on it.

The other place I got to visit was the Chaturshringi Temple. It's dedicated to the patron goddess (different name, but the same goddess who the Amber Fort was named after). There was also a temple to Ganesha on the grounds.

The original temple at the top is pretty small but it's been around a long time.

The legend is a local merchant was very devoted to Chaturshringi and would visit her shrines in many cities. When he got old he couldn't travel and was sad he couldn't visit them. In a dream the goddess told him to dig on the hill. He found a naturally formed statue of the goddess and built the temple where he had dug.

The gate leading to the temple grounds. Where on the way out some old ladies put saffron between my eyes than hit me up for money....

The first set of stairs, and second gate. Over 100 stairs up the hill.

Shiva and Parvati chilling on Ganesha's (their son) temple.

Looking down on Ganesha's temple.

The Goddess.

I really mean no disrespect, but the idol reminded me of some abstract artist's work from the 60s... or possibly a Pokemon. The stone is painted orange and they've added the nose-ring ear-ring chain thing. You can't really see it well in the picture but it looks almost cartoonish, which just really caught me off guard. I haven't seen anything like it here.

Classic bamboo scaffolding

Pune, like life, had beauty if you looked for it.

One of many temples.

Clearly I was walking through the old part of town.

Ganesha!

A random alley.

Look at the woodworking.

The juxtaposition of the satellite dish - though looking appropriately aged. Look at the old bricks - the layout is so British. And I can only assume that's a young Victoria.

Had to take another shot when I saw the woman peeking out.

This is a recreation of Shivaji's little palace.

Len was in Pune for 2 days, then home for a single day before he headed off to Delhi for another 3 day trip.  He was too busy in Delhi to see any sights, but luckily our family had just been there earlier in the month.  I always miss him when he's gone, but I'm glad he takes pictures and shares his journey with me.