Ashtavinayak Yatra - Part 2

Check out Part 1 of the Yatra .

At Theur , we were way ahead of the initial schedule and I was excited as if I have achieved something very big . Siddhatek was around 70 km from Theur . Sailesh had said us that we would have to cross a river to reach the temple , last time when he visited that was the only way to reach the place . This piece of news brought even more excitement in us . Waving goodbye to Theur we were in the Pune-Solapur highway in a couple of minutes . This highway is perfect for speeding because in the 50 km journey on this highway I could not recollect even a single curve . I was speeding and Prasad and Sailesh were over speeding . On the way , Prasad ran over a stray dog crushed by a truck possibly. By 4:15 , we reached Patas Junction and a few clicks later were back on roads for Siddhatek .

On our way between Daund and Siddhatek , the roads were bad and at one part they were not even there . There was a way through a wet farmland or else we would have had to take a 5 km detour . There was an intresting moment here , while crossing the farm Sandeep's rear wheel got stuck and was not moving an inch . Then we found out that huge amounts of mud had come in between the wheels and the mud guard and that was the reason for the jam . A couple of minutes and some dirty hands later , his machine was roaring . On reaching Siddhatek , to our disappointment a bridge had been constructed over the river . As a result no river crossing . After stocking our luggage and shoes again at a flower vendor we entered the temple and a huge queue welcomed us . The queue was fast moving and on reaching the idol of Lord Sri Siddhivinayak , we offered our prayers , took blessings and were on our way out of the temple . The trunk of the Lord Ganesh is towards the right and in other seven temples its bent towards the left . Prasad , Sandeep and Sailesh had bought an offering plate and the only thing left on the plate was coconuts . You are supposed to break the coconut yourself and Prasad turned out to be an expert at this art breaking three coconuts within no time and these were not the like the ones we get in cities the were the one straight from the tree , the ones u get at the nariyal paani wala. After a while we had some wadas and soft drinks and began packing our bikes for Morgaon .

Route to Siddhatek : Theur-Patas(Pune-Solapur Highway) - Daund - Siddhatek
Trip Meter Reading - 393 km
Distance From Theur: 86 Km

Next Destination - Morgaon , Pune.

After having some tea time snacks we parted ways with Siddhatek . Morgaon was arond 60 km from Siddhatek and it was already 6:15 Pm and was getting darker and as we touched the Pune-Solapur Highway it was completely dark. The highway was full of high beamers . We went on overtaking one truck after another from the left as there was no way from the right . This event lasted for around 30 km till we reached Chowfula . At Chowfula we halted to ask for directions and were told that Morgaon is around 24 kms from here and the roads were not that good . When enquired about the lodging facilities there , we got positive replies . On way to Morgaon , Prasad was leading the way in the dark with mine and Sandeeps bike following his bike . At one place I happened go out of the road and was about to crash beacuse of the high beam from one of the truck but somehow managed to keep my balance and I was back on road an was at Morgaon by 7:45 Pm . We found a very very okay place to stay for the night , a 12 x 8 ft room with bedding's and blankets and a clean toilet , all this for Rs. 350 and we didn't have any other option so had to take it . Half an hour later , every one freshened up and we were roaming the streets of Morgaon and had a mukh darshan or Lord Sri Mayureshwar . A few moments later we left for dinner , we had a feast for Rs. 262 . Our dinner for 4 was
15 Rotis
Paneer Mutter
Veg. Kadai
Veg. Makhanwala
2 Dal Fry
3 Plates of rice

we finished it in no time as we were really hungry . A walk to our logde and everybody were asleep within 15 min .

Next morning , we woke up at 6 am and each of us had a bath one - by - one and left for the temple at 7 . A moderate queue was present at the temple and after a wait of 20 min we were near the idol offered our prayers and took the blessings of Lord Sri Mayureshwar . Later we had some Misal pav for break fast and were on our way to Ozar .

Route to Morgaon : Siddhatek- Daund - Patas (Pune-Solapur Highway) - Chowfula - Morgaon

Trip Meter Reading - 462 km
Distance From Theur: 69 Km

Next Destination - Ozar, Pune (Junnar) .

After consuming the Misal Pav , everyone was on a high an within 20 min reached Chowfula . After Chowfula , we were crossing one village after another until Shirur where there was some traffic for a brief period and then again village roads welcomed us . Sandeep and Prasad sped off and I was cruising and smelling the village soil . At one village (did not bother to know the name) I met 3 of them to check for directions .

Once checking the directions and few information from the villagers about the route , we were back to burning the rubber . I had reached Ozar by 11:30 Am but others did not notice me overtaking them and were waiting for me to arrive at Narayangaon . At 11:45 Am some tourist buses had arrived and in no time a long queue was created . Prasad and Sandeep arrived at 12 Pm . We soon dumped our luggae at a flower vendor again. Here instead of waiting in the queue we decided to visit Lenyadri which was around 20 km from Ozar .

Route to Ozar: Morgaon - Chowfula - Shirur - Mathan - Narayangaon - Ozar

Trip Meter Reading - 606 km

Distance From Theur: 144 km

Next Destination - Lenyadri, Pune (Junnar).

The roads to Lenyadri were horrible , full of potholes . Lenyadri was here and one has to climb around 300 very steep steps . Climbing is really tiresome but seeing elders climb I was motivated . The temple , of Lord Sri Girijatmaj ,here is inside a cave . After climbing up and down did some shopping . Bought some grapes and dried grapes and pedas .

Route to Lenyadri : Ozar - Lenyadri

Trip Meter Reading - 621 km

Distance From Theur: 15 km
Next Destination - Ozar,Pune (Junnar).


By 2:30 , we were at Ozar , this time threr was no queue . We had a like peaceful darshan of Lord Sri Vighneshwar offered our prayers and took blessings and were on our way out . As this was the last temple , there was a lot of sovinours to be brought back home . These were supposed to be gifted to friends and relatives . By 4:15 pm , all shopping was done . We headed to a hotel inside the temple complex where the time for lunch was over so went to another hotel where we were denied food again for the same reason . Hunger had hit us really bad because we didnt have anything since 8 Am . So packed off and we left the temple and found a dhaba just outside the village gate . Had some good food in Bhakris, dal Rice , and some curries . Again a feast and the bill was just Rs. 175 . That was it and we were on our way back home .

Route to Ozar: Lenyadri - Ozar

Trip Meter Reading - 637 km

Distance From Theur: 16 km


Next Destination - Home, Koper Khairne , Navi Mumbai

Had a brief stop at the Malshej ghats for refuelling and some pics . Everyone were back to their ripping best while I again prefered cruising admiring the beauty of Malshej and soaked in the nature, met others and some village 13 km from Kalyan at 7 pm and it was completely dark . Reached home by 8 Pm , had a light dinner and went straight to the bed .



Trip Meter Reading : 812 Km
Total Distance Covered : 812 Km
Fuel Expenses : Rs 900
Food and Lodging expenses on shared Basis : Rs 250 per head.
Shopping : Rs. 500
A ride to Remember : PRICELESS

I have done many rides in the past , but this ride is very special and it has in some way affected the way I ride , riding my bike felt made me feel very special during the trip and the best part is that I am in someway more synchronized with my bike .

Will be back after my next ride.

Regards ,
Rahul (Wanderer)