Pune to Silvassa

I wondered if we could leave the next day..what with our late night … but nitin’s taunting got me,,,, so after hours of frenzy acitivity we were off…
The day of the varkaris…. We are told we just cant get to the highway…..how is that possible? I think,, and we defy the policemen, take another road and go on out of Pune.

Varkari:

• Varkari (meaning “a pilgrim”) is a sampradaya (religious movement) within the bhakti spiritual tradition of Sanatandharm
• Geographically associated with the Indian states of Maharashtra and northern Karnataka.
• Every year, Varkari walk hundreds of miles to the holy town of Pandharpur, gathering there on ekadashi (the 11th day) of the Hindu lunar calendar month of Aashaadha (which falls sometime in July).
• Another pilgrimage is celebrated on the ekadashi of the month of Kartik (which falls sometime in November).
• The annual pilgrimage that takes place from Alandi to Pandharpur. Popularly called ‘waari’ or ‘palkhi’ it is a 700-year-old tradition that  draws over a million people annually to cover a distance of approximately 250 kilometres over 18 days through villages, towns and cities.

 

No. of Kms from Pune to Silvassa: 303.8 kms

Route:

1: via Bangalore – Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Hwy and NH48 – 5h 16 min
2: via Bangalore – Mumbai Hwy/Mumbai – Pune Hwy, NH160 and NH48 – 6h 10 min
3: via NH48 – 7h 25 min

Map Snapshot:

About Silvassa:

1. Capital of the Indian Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli (formerly Portuguese).
2. The 1991 Bollywood movie Phool aur Kaante  was shot in Silvassa.
3. Silvassa was also known as Vila de Paço d’Arcos

Places to see at Silvassa:

• Madhuban Dam: A dam with boating facility, built across River Daman Ganga.
• Dudhani: A vast lake with a water sports complex.
• Van Ganga Lake: An exotic destination for nature lovers who relish boating in lakes.
• OM Temple: The temple is in “Om shape” and located on the bank of the River Damanganga in Kudacha village. It stands on 412 pillars and has been constructed without any usage of iron bars
• Khadim-e-haramain : the beautiful roza (Mosque) of Imam Hussain