My Wanderings Near and Far

My Wanderings Around Mumbai

My father was a solicitor by profession and also a freedom fighter. We lived in a suburb of Mumbai, and every weekend he would take the family out for an outing in the car.

Two of our favourite destinations were the famous lakes, Vihar and Pawai lakes, which were not very far from where we lived. We went there very often. Along the road was a huge water pipeline which carried drinking water to Mumbai from Tansa Lake. The surroundings were very green and covered with vegetation. After driving for a short distance, we would come alongside these enormous pipes. Whenever the road ran close to them, we would climb onto the pipes and walk along them as far as we could.

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  Vihar Lake

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  Powai Lake

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  Tansa Lake

I particularly remember a creeper that fascinated me. Its leaves had a silky covering on one side, while the other side was green. Even today, this little plant remains in my memory.

We often combined our visit to Vihar with a visit to Pawai Lake. The road along Pawai had a few private cottages by the lake. One of them belonged to our family friend, Uncle Manal. He had a small glass aquarium in which he kept colourful fish, and we children were fascinated by them. We visited this area very frequently.

Occasionally, we would go to another place which was almost like a farm, with plenty of trees around. We would settle down under a tree, and my mother would cook a simple snack for us to eat. We were told that wild animals could sometimes be seen there at night, which made the place even more exciting to us.

There were two other places we visited occasionally. One was a government property situated on the edge of Vasai Creek, which my father would rent for an overnight stay. Another, much farther away, was Marve. From there we would go cross the creek to an island named MANORI, where a family friend had a private cottage and would sometimes invite us.

The farthest we went on one of these short family trips was Lonavala-Khandala, where we stayed for a few days. And then there was Matheran, the little hill station that became one of our favourite destinations. It was close enough for us to visit during the summer vacations, and we went there to stay many, many times. Those repeated visits became an important part of my childhood memories of travel.

Following that there was a break in our travel, as my father went to Nashik Jail.

So our frequent visits were to Nashik. His stay at Nashik jail was long. For the first few months we were not allowed to visit him. When they opened up visiting, the whole family used to travel to Nashik. The journey was always in lower class which was always crowded.

At times even when we are in the train at Kalyan station they would ask us to empty the compartment - sometimes pushing us by from the window. On reaching we had to wait in tents for a long time. My mother would take out the lunch she had brought along and wait till our turn comes.

During the interview an officer was always present. Interview were once a month and later they extended to twice a month. Occasionally my father would order lunch for us from jail kitchen. That gave us an idea what kind of food was served to them.

Gradually the Jailor became friendly and asked us to use his  home for our

use to freshen up. Many years later he visited our house  - looking for a job.

I wonder how my mother managed to take care of three children going to school. But there were families who were very close to us and always ready to help. 

Bordi

After Independence our first outing was to a town named Bordi in Gujarat. Here we had reserved a bungalow for our long stay. When we reached the station, we were welcomed by Swami Anand. At the station we sisters with my mother got into one tanga ( Horse drawn vehicle ) and the three gentleman along with my father got into a separate Tanga. I was a little upset, this was our first holiday after my father came out of Jail. I had not known Swami Anand  earlier, but later when I got to know him he became part of my life time till end.

There was a school in Bordi, where during holidays people were allowed to stay.

That is where our several friends from our suburb ‘ Khar ‘ were staying . That made a good company to spend evenings. 

Every morning we were asked to gather at an area where Palm trees grow. He asked everyone to gather there to drink fresh juice from these trees which is called “ Niro “ and considered a good for health. We all enjoyed our stay here. One memory I have of this stay, there was canal behind this house. At a particular day the sea rises very high and so a lots of water filled up this  canal. I was excited to see that.

Mount Abu

Our next trip with my father was to Mount Abu, close to Ahmedabad. We stayed close to Nakhi lake. It was a happy outing with some of our friends from Khar also invited to stay with us . 

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  Dilwara Temple

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  Guru Shikar

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  Aravalli Range

Abu is famous for  ‘ Dilwara Jain temple‘ renowned for their excellent marble carvings.  Another visit was to “ Guru Shikhar “ the highest point of Aravalli range. The climb was quite strenuous, but reaching the top was well worth the effort. In the evenings there was a road from which we could watch the wonderful setting sun.

Kausani

Later we travelled  to Kausani , but this time my father could not come with us.

As we had gone to Kausani without him he arranged for his secretary and his wife to accompany us. They stayed with us during our visit and looked after us.

We stayed at Swami Anand’s cottage. We were six of us , and  all of us were accommodated in the cottage.  Lunch was taken at the Government Guest house, and for that we walked from the cottage. Most of the time Swami Anand accompanied us. Dinner was a simple meal at home. 

Swami Anand also would guide us about where to go for sightseeing. Once he sent us to walk with other school children going to school over top of the hill and then make our way back. This school was managed by Sarala ben an English lady. On another occasion he suggested that we run down the hill and then make our way back by public bus. These simple outings became some of our most enjoyable memories of Kausani.

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But the most memorable experience was the view of the western Himalayan range from the cottage. At the right time, Swami Anand would wake us up, when the mountains could be seen at their best, with the moon shining over them. It was a beautiful sight that has remained with me.

Kashmir

Next we travelled to Kashmir with our close family friends. This was around the time my father was taking up his responsibilities as a Minister and had moved to Mumbai. We left from our home in Khar and, on our return, came directly to Mumbai, as my father had already shifted to the Government bungalow.

Kashmir of those days was a much more quieter place. We stayed at Srinagar for a few days, must be in a house boat. We went around to see the beautiful gardens.

From there we went to Pehlgam. The town was quiet and very scenic. Here we walked for a short distance along the river that leads to a very popular pilgrimage to Amaranth. Both me and my sister were very tired.

MANALI 

Our first visit to Manali was with my father and mother. He was to attend a conference at Lake Nainital. As I have mentioned earlier that he was very fond of travelling. I remember I had already finished my first year at Medical college.

He planned to go to Manali before going to conference in Naintal.

Manali is one of the most beautiful towns in the Kullu Valley of the State of Himachal Pradesh. The town is located at a height of 6,398 ft. It is situated near the northern end of the Kullu Valley.

We flew to Chandigad - capital of the new state. My father carried a map for the route we should follow. On reaching there we were told since Bhakra dam is built we must change our route and it will be longer via Mandi. The good thing was that we got to see the first major dam built after Independence. On the way we stayed for one night in Mandi. Next morning the collector took us to see a beautiful Rock garden he had planned. On our way to  Kulu we saw a cricket match being played there.

Our stay in Manali was booked in government guest house. When we reached there, one family was using the other half of cottage. We adjusted to stay in the other half. They were youngsters, we became friends. Our stay was short. The weather in Manali at that time of the year was cold. Our driver use to put big block of log in the fire at night , so that we can remain warm. We noticed that John Bannon’s hotel was very popular and most of the people staying there were Europeans.

We visited the near places. Hidamba Devi temple and a place where there are hot water springs. Weather took a sudden change and there was snowfall all around. So going to Rhotang top, was out of question. After crossing the Rhotang the road goes up to Leh. For our return journey the roads were covered with snow and it was impossible to cross the road near Kulu. Arrangements were made so that we got out of our car. May be stayed for one night in Kulu. My mother bought a typical Kulu shawl which I have preserved all these years.  Another car came from the other side and only after than we could reach Nainital.

It was a long journey, when we reached Nainital, our stay was at a Bungalow high up on the top. My father preferred to change our accommodation and we moved to a club house which was at the level of lake. While he attended the meeting, we two sisters went riding on the horse at Top of a hill from where we could see some part of Himalayan range - we were accompanied by two boys who were sons of my father’s friend whom we knew. Time and cold weather didn’t permit and when the meeting ended we flew back to Mumbai.

Kosbad Hill

With my sister and me , we sometimes  went to Kosbad Hill. Located east of Gholvad . Gholvad is the boundary line. This was the time when Gujarat was divided from  Maharashtra. We went there to meet Swami Anand. Who was staying alone at the top of Kosbad hill. He was our very respected senior, now older from the time when we met him in Bordi and visited him in Kausani in his abode in Gadhwal district of UP. Food was simple. 

Visits to him always were enjoyable as we heard his stories of his early mountaineering with his friend in Ghadwal district of UP. While in Kosbad we visited  - Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kosbad Hill, Thane - Kisaan Helpline. Here, a tiny band of workers devoted there time to education under the leadership of Late Shri. Acharya Bhise, earned an unique place. I had heard about this place earlier.

For our return he would order a Horse drawn Tanga ( a vehicle ). While waiting for it, instruction was that if Tanga arrives late, we should be ready to run down to reach Gholvad station.

Fansa

Another interesting place we went with my father was named Fansa. It is  located on way to Gujarat. Town is close to sea. There was a property owned by TATA group to train blind people in farming. Tata Agricultural & Rural Training Centre For The Blind. My father was for a long time chairman of this institute.

He went there frequently and I accompanied him frequently with my young daughter. We stayed in a comfortable Bungalow close to sea .  

The property was very large with many mango trees also. We would step out to walk along the sea for a very long distance. 

Later I invited our friends frequently for a picnic which every one enjoyed. Once we drove to newly developed Saputara town for a day ’s visit. This is located near Dang area.