A trip to Bedse Caves, One of the greatest trips I ever had

Bedse caves near Pune is a tourist place very few people know. It is comparatively closer as well. The internet mentioned only a couple of Budhist caves there and nothing else. So on the morning of 24th July, Sunday,  we started on our bikes thinking it will be just one of those short trips, just to break the monotony of the daily life. But when we reached there we found out internet barely did any justice to the place. And it became one of the best trips I have ever had.   

 

Cloud over hills. My all time favourite

Bedse Caves are about 45 Kilometers from Pune in Bedse Village and on the old Pune-Mumbai highway(National Highway 4). So after we started off from Wakad , we took the road to Nigdi and was soon on the NH4. It started raining after about 15 minutes on the highway and it made the journey interesting. We were hoping for rain and got loads of it. Had to stop quite a few times because of heavy rains but the scenic beauty on both sides of the roads was awesome so it was really enjoyable. Clouds hovering over distant hills are my all time favorites and we got plenty of it on the way to bedse caves.

Going straight along the highway for around an hour or so we reached Kamshet chowk. We had to take a left from there and went under a metal arch. Road was bad from there and Bedse village is around 9 KM from there. On the way towards Bedse village the scenic beauty of the route was mind blowing. The hills had come down to the roads at some places and at some places it really felt like we were riding through the lap of nature. Rains kept the hills lush green and the waterfalls gushing. There is a ghat called Bore Ghat on the way to Bedse village which is one of the most beautiful ghats I have ever seen. The roadsides can be great picnic spots if one is interested.





Beautiful view of the distant hills and waterfalls

After the sign of Bedse village, the village is another 1.5-2 KMS inside from the main road and you have to do some offroading over there. Once we reached the village we parked our bikes outside a temple. The road towards the hill starts just to the right. There is no designated road from the temple to the foot of the village and sometimes non-existent. We had to walk through mud and water to reach the foot of the hill. There are farms on the both side of the muddy road. The view of the distance hills from here was quite breathtaking. The waterfalls coming down from the top of the hills makes one feel like running to that place.

Waterfall and greenery on the way up to the caves

 After reaching the foot of the hill, there are well laid out stairs to the top making the climb quite easy. We were at the top in 20 minutes. However there are small waterfalls and lush greenery on both sides of the stairs (thanks to the rainy season) so we stopped and took in some of that beauty as well. I strongly suggest visiting Bedse Caves during the rainy season. Otherwise I am pretty sure you will miss at least 60% of its charm. The water is drinkable as well. These small waterfalls can be tracked back upwards to some extent as we did but the rocks being wet and slippery you have to be extremely careful.

 



The 'Chaitya' cave

The 'Vihara' cave

There are two caves at the top. One is a 'Chaitya' or meditation room and the other is 'Vihara' or their staying rooms. The Chaitya has very close resemblance to the Buddhist architecture seen in Ajanta caves. The sculptural prowess is just as graceful and attention to minuscule details just as scrupulous. The cave and surroundings are litter free as not many tourists visit the Bedse Caves. The meditation room really calms the mind and makes one feel he is thousand miles away from civilisation. If you really want to meditate, it is the place for it. Next to the 'Chaitya' is the 'Vihara'. There are 9 small rooms 7 of which accommodate 2 persons each. It is almost unbelievable that people can stay in such places day in, day out only meditating and thinking of Lord Buddha. And it shows what the human mind and body can achieve once it has set its mind upon something.

  



Stupa next to the mediataion cave

'Gandharva' statues

There is a small 'Stupa' next to the 'Chaitya'. Small statues and interesting carvings are visible in and around the meditation cave. They resemble the 'Kinnar' and 'Gandharva' statues of the Ajanta caves. However according to local legend, many of the carvings were destroyed due to human foolishness. Here is what Wikipedia has to say about it-"Until around 1861 the caves were regularly maintained - even painted. These works were ordered by local authorities in order to please British officers who often visited caves. This has caused loss of the remnants of plaster with murals on it." 



Another snap showing the valley

A snap from the top

The view of the valley from the top of the hill is breathtaking. The constant drizzle made it look even better. One can stand there for hours and feast his eyes on this splendid scenery. I was certainly feeling like going to the top of those hills and sitting there for hours. It reminded me that mother nature has given us so much to cherish but we spend our days running after goals that do not really matter, and leave a bad taste even as you achieve them. Rain was coming down with full force by that time so we decided to delay our return. We went inside the small rooms of the Vihara and sat on the rocky beds that belonged to the people who made these caves many thousand years ago. We were lucky to feel a little of what they might have felt spending their time there on those stony beds, talking among themselves and listening to the rain drops outside. 



Waterfall on the way down

On the way down we almost camped at a small waterfall. The water was fresh and warm, the force was strong and letting it flow over our legs was utterly satisfying. Not bringing extra clothes was lamented as we really wanted to roll into the flowing water. We spent considerable time there as our legs were pretty tired. Just sitting on the rocks and dipping our feet into the flowing water did wonders. I ventured a little upward to find the root of the stream, but thick foliage prevented my climb in short course. The rain had slowed down to a drizzle by that time and chirping of birds had started. The calmness,pleasure and relaxation almost hypnotized me. I started to feel if there was ever any nice way to die, it will be sitting here like this and slowly drifting of to that eternal sleep. Alas! all good things must come to an end and so was this beautiful trip was coming to. We started descending drenched but warm inside, tired but satisfied, hungry but calm. The descent was a little difficult as the stairs were slippery from constant water flow over them. But we were at the foot of the hill pretty quickly.

 

'Mangalmurti Morya' statue on NH4

It would have been nice if our trip experiences ended there. But that day had something else to offer. On the way back through NH4 , to the right of the road there is a Ganapati temple made by the Birlas. We decided to pay a visit to that as well. The statue situated at the top of a small hill.  Ganapati here is called 'Mangalmurti Morya'. The statue is huge and the detailing are unbelievable. According to the notes there, the statue took 2 years to finish. As '9' is considered lucky and auspicious number in Hindu Religion, the statue is 72 feet tall(7+2=9), the seat of the statue is 18 feet high(1+8=9) and the seat is 45 feet in width(4+5=9). It is a really nice place to spend your evening at. The unhindered 360 degree view of the city below is something to cherish as well. We spent around half an hour there before deciding it was really time to leave.

Evening fell as we rode into our places. It was time for a little snack and to start preparing for next day which was a Monday of course. But even as I got busy in my daily chores, I knew inside that, that day I saw a rare beauty of the nature that I will remember for a long time to come.

Bedse Caves by road: Road Map

Information Sources: Wikipedia

Top 500 songs of all time, not an easy task to find'em all

The cover of the album

It was a lazy afternoon around one and a half months back. I was surfing the net idly when I suddenly came across 'Rolling Stone Magazine Top 500 Songs of All Time'. At first glance I thought it was just another one of them lists that keep floating round the net. But once I had taken a good look at the list I was sitting up and wide awake. One reason being I didn't know most of the songs in the list (Not even the artists) and also because some popular household names were not on the list. "What was so special about these artists that they toppled the ones we know?" , I said to myself. Sooner than I noticed , I was searching for those songs over the net.

Ofcourse like any sane person (and like some insane ones as well) I started with the Top Ten in the list. And I have to admit all of those were rollicking. I had never heard the names of Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye or Aretha Franklin. But the songs bowled me over. And thus started an inquenchable thirst that will only end once I have caught hold of all 500 of them.

The last one and half months have seen me religiously searching and downloading these songs in no particular order. It has been arduous task as many of them date back to 1950's and 60's. To get them is difficult enough, let alone getting them in good quality. Also the slow mobile net has not helped that much too. But today I have over 165 of those in the list and looking good to catch'em all (To coin a phrase from Pokemon).

Ofcourse it is only human that I won't like ALL of the songs in that list, but the odds have been good. For every five songs I usually get one or two that I can listen for all day. And some other pretty good ones as well. Personally I have turned into a fan of many artists and bands that I didn't even know existed. Otis Redding really touches the soul (No wonder he was called the King of Soul Music). Too bad he died at the age of only 26. The world missed many other gems like "Sitting on the dock of the bay".

Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode", "Rock and Roll Music" and "Roll Over Bethoven" make me feel like dancing every time I listen to them. Bob Dylan and Bob marley are two Bobs that need no further explanation. But Dylan's "Tangled Up in Blue" and "Postively 4th Street" literally bowled me over. I can listen to them 'n' number of times repeatedly. Marley's "No Woman No Cry" has become a must listen for me before I go to sleep every night.

When I am in a mood for getting a date for the weekends, I listen to Dion's "The Wanderer" ;) The Beatles' "She Loves You" and "Hey Jude" are always on the recently played list of my cell phone.  Also Jeff Buckley's rendition of "Hallelujah" is right up there at the top. There are so many pieces of diamonds in that list that it will take really iron clad fingers to type about them all out here. But unfortunately mine are only Flesh and Bones and pretty tired from searching for those songs over the net :P So I will leave you here with the list itself and a list of my favorite artists from that list.

Oh yeah almost forgot. If you want some real FUN do listen to I'm Your (Hoochie Coochie) Man and Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters. So embark on the journey and explore the beautiful world of music a bit more :D

Rolling Stones Magazine's Top 500 Songs

1. Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone - 1961

2. The Rolling Stones - Satisfaction - 1965

3. John Lennon - Imagine - 1971

4. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On - 1971

5. Aretha Franklin - Respect - 1967

6. The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations - 1966

7. Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode - 1958

8. The Beatles - Hey Jude – 1968

9. Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit – 1991

10. Ray Charles - What'd I Say (part 1&2) - 1959

11. The Who - My Generation - 1965

12. Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come - 1964

13. The Beatles - Yesterday - 1965

14. Bob Dylan - Blowin' In The Wind - 1963

15. The Clash - London calling - 1980

16. The Beatles - I Want To Hold Your Hand - 1963

17. Jimmy Hendrix - Purple Haze - 1967

18. Chuck Berry - Maybellene - 1955

19. Elvis Presley - Hound Dog - 1956

20. The Beatles - Let It Be - 1970

21. Bruce Springsteen- Born to Run - 1975

22. The Ronettes - Be My Baby - 1963

23. The Beatles - In My Life - 1965

24. The Impressions - People Get Ready – 1965

25. The Beach Boys - God Only Knows - 196

26. The Beatles - A day in a life - 1967

27. Derek and the Dominos - Layla - 1970

28. Otis Redding - Sitting On The Dock of The Bay - 1968

29. The Beatles - Help – 1965

30. Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line – 1956

31. Led Zeppelin - Stairway To Heaven – 1971

32. The Rolling Stones - Sympathy For The Devil – 1968

33. Tina Turner - River Deep - Mountain High – 1966

34. The Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' – 1964

35. The Doors - Light My Fire – 1967

36. U2 – One - 1991

37. Bob Marley - No Woman No Cry – 1975

38. The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter – 1969

39. Holly, Buddy - That'll Be The Day – 1957

40. Martha & The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street – 1964

41. The Band - The Weight – 1968

42. The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset – 1968

43. Little Richard - Tutti Frutti – 1956

44. Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind – 1960

45. Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel – 1956

46. David Bowie - Heroes - 1977

47. Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water - 1970

48. Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower - 1968

49. The Eagles - Hotel California - 1976

50. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tracks Of My Tears – 1965

51. Grandmaster Flash - The Message - 1980

52. Prince - When Doves Cry - 1984

53. Sex Pistols - Anarchy In The U.K. - 1976

54. Percy Sledge - When a man loves a woman - 1966

55. The Kingsmen - Louie Louie -1963

56. Little Richard - Long Tall Sally - 1956

57. Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade Of Pale - 1967

58. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean – 1983

59. Bob Dylan - The times they are a changin' – 1964

60. Al Green - Let's Stay Together – 1971

61. Jerry Lee Lewis - Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On - 1957

62. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley - 1955

63. Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth - 1967

64. The Beatles - She Loves You – 1963

65. Cream - Sunshine of Your Love - 1968

66. Bob Marley - Redemption Song – 1980

67. Elvis Pesley - Jailhouse Rock - 1958

68. Bob Dylan - Tangled up in Blue - 1975

69. Roy Orbison - Crying – 1961

70. Dionne Warwick - Walk on By - 1964

71. The Beach Boys - California Girls - 1965

72. James Brown - Papa's Got a Brand New Bag – 1966

73. Eddie Cochran - Summertime Blues – 1958

74. Stevie Wonder - Superstition – 1973

75. Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love – 1969

76. The Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever – 1967

77. Elvis Presley - Mystery Train - 1955

78. James Brown - I Got You (I Feel Good) - 1966

79. The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man - 1965

80. Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through the Grapevine – 1968

81. Fats Domino - Blueberry Hill – 1956

82. The Kinks - You Really Got Me – 1964

83. The Beatles - Norwegian Wood - 1965

84. The Police- Every Breath You Take – 1983

85. Patsy Cline - Crazy – 1961

86. Bruce Springsteen - Thunder Road – 1975

87. Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire – 1963

88. The Temptations - My Girl – 1965

89. The Mamas And The Papas - California Dreamin' – 1967

90. The Five Satins - In the Still of the Night – 1956

91. Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds – 1969

92. The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop – 1976

93. U2 - I Still Haven't Found What I Am Looking For - 1987

94. Little Richard - Good Golly Miss Molly - 1958

95. Carl Perkins - Blue Suede Shoes – 1956

96. Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls of Fire – 1957

97. Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven - 1956

98. Al Green - Love and Happiness – 1972

99. CCR - Fortunate Son – 1970

100. Rolling Stones – You Can’t Always Get What You Want - 1969

101. Jimi Hendrix - Voodoo Child – 1968

102. Gene Vincent and his Blue Caps - Be Bop A Lula – 1956

103. Donna Summer - Hot Stuff – 1979

104. Stevie Wonder - Living For The City – 1973

105. Simon and Garfunkel - The Boxer – 1969

106. Bob Dylan – Mr. Tambourine Man – 1965

107. Buddy Holly - Not Fade Away – 1957

108. Prince - Little Red Corvette – 1983

109. Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl – 1967

110. Otis Redding - I've Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now) – 1965

111. Hank Williams, Sr. - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry – 1949

112. Elvis Presley - That's All Right – 1954

113. The Drifters - Up On The Roof – 1962

114. The Crystals – Da doo ron ron - 1963

115. Sam Cooke - You Send Me – 1957

116. Rolling Stones - Honky Tonk Woman – 1969

117. Al Green - Take Me To The River – 1974

118. The Isley Brothers - Shout (part 1 & 2) – 1959

119. Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way – 1977

120. The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back – 1969

121. Ben E. King - Stand By Me – 1961

122. The Animals - House Of The Rising Sun – 1964

123. James Brown - It's a Man's Man's World – 1966

124. Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash – 1968

125. The Shirelles - Will You Love Me Tomorrow – 1960

126. Big Joe Turner - Shake, Rattle and Roll – 1954

127. David Bowie - Changes – 1971

128. Chuck Berry - Rock and Roll Music – 1957

129. Steppenwolf - Born To Be Wild – 1968

130. Rod Stewart - Maggie May – 1971

131. U2 - With Or Without You – 1987

132. Bo Diddley - Who Do You Love 1957

133. The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again – 1971

134. Wilson Picket - In The Midnight Hour – 1965

135. The Beatles - While My Guitar Gently Weeps – 1968

136. Elton John - Your Song – 1970

137. The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby – 1966

138. Sly And The Family Stone - Family Affair – 1971

139. The Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There – 1964

140. Led Zeppelin - Kashmir – 1975

141. The Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do Is Dream - 1958

142. James Brown - Please, Please, Please – 1956

143. Prince - Purple Rain – 1984

144. The Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated – 1978

145. Sly & Family Stone - Everyday People – 1968

146. The B-52's - Rock Lobster – 1979

147. Iggy Pop - Lust For Life –1977

148. Janis Joplin - Me and Bobby McGee – 1971

149. The Everly Brothers - Cathy's Clown – 1960

150. The Byrds - Eight Miles High – 1966

151. The Penguins - Earth Angel – 1954

152. Jimi Hendrix - Foxy Lady – 1965

153. The Beatles - Hard Day's Night – 1964

154. Buddy Holly - Rave On – 1958

155. CCR - Proud Mary – 1969

156. Simon & Garfunkel - The Sound Of Silence – 1965

157. The Flamingos - I Only Have Eyes For You – 1959

158. Bill Haley - Rock around the clock – 1954

159. Lou Reed - The Velvet Underground - I'm Waiting for the Man – 1967

160. Public Enemy ft. Anthrax - Bring The Noise – 1988

161. Ray Charles - I Can't Stop Loving You – 1962

162. Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U – 1990

163. Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody – 1975

164. Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues – 1956

165. Tracy Chapman - Fast Car – 1988

166. Eminem - Lose Yourself – 2002

167. Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On – 1973

168. The Temptations - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone – 1972

169. R.E.M. - Losing my Religion – 1991

170. Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now – 1969

171. Abba - Dancing Queen – 1976

172. Aerosmith - Dream On – 1973

173. The Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen – 1977

174. Rolling Stones - Paint It Black – 1966

175. Bobby Fuller Four - I Fought The Law – 1966

176. The Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby – 1964

177. Tom Petty - Free Fallin' – 1989

178. Big Star - September Girls – 1974

179. Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart – 1980

180. Outkast - Hey ya – 2003

181. Booker T & MGs - Green Onions – 1962

182. Drifters - Save the Last Dance for Me – 1960

183. BB King - The Thrill is Gone – 1969

184. The Beatles - Please, Please Me – 1964

185. Bob Dylan - Desolation Row – 1965

186. Aretha Franklin - Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) – 1967

187. AC/DC - Back in Black – 1980

188. CCR - Who'll Stop The Rain – 1970

189. The Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive – 1977

190. Bob Dylan - Knocking On Heavens Door – 1973

191. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free bird – 1973

192. Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman – 1968

193. The Drifters- There Goes My Baby – 1959

194. Buddy Holly - Peggy Sue – 1957

195. The Chantels - Maybe – 1957

196. Guns n Roses - Sweet Child o Mine – 1987

197. Elvis Presley - Don't Be Cruel – 1956

198. Jimi Hendrix - Hey Joe – 1966

199. Parliament Funkadelic - Flashlight – 1977

200. Beck - Loser – 1993

201. New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle – 1986

202. The Beatles - Come Together – 1969

203. Bob Dylan - Positively 4

204. Otis Redding - Try a Little Tenderness – 1966

205. Bill Withers - Lean On Me – 1972

206. The Four Tops - Reach Out I'll Be There – 1966

207. The Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love – 1957

208. Them - Gloria – 1965

209. The Beach Boys - In My Room – 1963

210. Question Mark and the Mysterians - 96 Tears – 1966

211. The Beach Boys - Caroline No – 1966

212. Prince - 1999 – 1982

213. Hank Williams Sr - Your Cheating Heart – 1953

214. Neil Young - Rockin' In The Free World – 1989

215. The Chords - Sh-boom – 1954

216. The Lovin' Spoonful - Do You Believe In Magic – 1965

217. Dolly Parton - Jolene – 1974

218. John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom Boom Boom

219. Howlin' Wolf - Spoonful – 1960

220. The Left banke - Walk away Renee – 1966

221. Lou Reed - Walk On The Wild Side – 1972

222. Roy Orbison - Oh pretty Woman – 1964

223. Sly & The Family Stone - Dance To The Music – 1968

224. Chic - Good Times – 1979

225. Muddy Waters - Hoochie Coochie Man – 1954

226. Van Morrison - Moondance – 1970

227. James Taylor - Fire And Rain – 1970

228. The Clash - Should I Stay or Should I Go – 1982

229. Muddy Waters - Mannish Boy – 1955

230. Bob Dylan - Just Like a Woman – 1966

231. Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing – 1982

232. Roy Orbison - Only The Lonely – 1960

233. The Animals - We`ve Gotta Get Out Of This Place – 1965

234. The Byrds - I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better – 1965

235. Ray Charles - I Got A Woman – 1954

236. Buddy Holly - Everyday – 1957

237. Afrika Bambaataa - Planet Rock – 1982

238. Patsy Cline - I Fall To Pieces – 1961

239. Dion - The Wanderer – 1961

240. Dusty Springfield - Son Of A Preacher Man – 1968

241. Sly & the Family Stone - Stand! – 1969

242. Elton John - Rocket Man – 1972

243. The B 52s - Love Shack – 1989

244. The Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Lovin' – 1966

245. The Band - The Band - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down – 1969

246. Jackie Wilson - Higher And Higher – 1967

247. Sly and The Family Stone - Hot Fun In The Summertime – 1969

248. Sugarhill Gang - Rappers Delight – 1979

249. Aretha Franklin - Chain Of Fools – 1967

250. Black Sabbath - Paranoid – 1970

251. Bobby Darin - Mack The Knife – 1959

252. The Drifters - Money Honey – 1953

253. Mott the Hoople - All the Young Dudes – 1972

254. AC/DC - Highway To Hell – 1979

255. Blondie - Heart of glass – 1978

256. Radiohead - Paranoid Android – 1997

257. The Troggs - Wild Thing – 1966

258. The Who - I Can See For Miles – 1967

259. Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah – 1994

260. The Dells - Oh, What A Night – 1969

261. Stevie Wonder - Higher Ground – 1973

262. Smokey Robinson E The Miracles - Ooo Baby Baby – 1965

263. The Crystals - He's a Rebel – 1962

264. Randy Newman - Sail Away – 1972

265. Archie Bell - Tighten' up – 1968

266. The Ronettes - Walking In The Rain – 1964

267. New York Dolls - Personality Crisis – 1973

268. U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday – 1983

269. The Modern Lovers – Roadrunner

270. George Jones - He Stopped Loving Her Today – 1980

271. The Beach Boys - Sloop John B – 1966

272. Chuck Berry - Sweet Little Sixteen – 1958

273. The Beatles - Something – 1969

274. Jefferson Airplane - Somebody to Love – 1967

275. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the USA – 1984

276. She Staple Singers - I'll Take You There – 1972

277. David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust – 1972

278. The Cure - Pictures Of You – 1989

279. The Dixie Cups - Chapel of Love – 1964

280. Bill Withers – Ain’t No Sunshine – 1971

281. Stevie Wonder - You Are The Sunshine of My Life – 1972

282. Joni Mitchell - Help Me – 1974

283. Blondie - Call Me – 1980

284. Elvis Costello - What's So Funny About Peace Love & Understanding – 1979

285. Howlin' Wolf - Smoke stack Lightnin' – 1965

286. Pavement - Summer Babe – 1992

287. Run DMC - Walk This Way – 1986

288. Barrett Strong - Money (That's What I want) – 1960

289. The Beatles - Can't Buy Me Love – 1964

290. Eminem feat. Dido - Stan – 2000

291. The Zombies - She's Not There – 1964

292. The Clash - Train In Vain – 1979

293. Al Green - Tired of Being Alone – 1971

294. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog – 1971

295. The Rolling Stones - Street Fighting Man – 1968

296. Bob Marley - Get Up, Stand Up – 1975

297. Neil Young - Heart Of Gold – 1972

298. Blondie - One Way Or Another – 1978

299. Prince - Sign 'O' the Times – 1987

300. Madonna - Like A Prayer – 1989

301. Rod Stewart - Da Ya Think I'm Sexy – 1978

302. Willie Nelson - Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain – 1975

303. The Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday – 1967

304. The Beatles - With A Little Help From My Friends – 1967

305. James Brown - Say It Loud I'm Black and I'm Proud – 1968

306. The Jam - That's Entertainment – 1980

307. Franky Lymon - Why Do Fools Fall In Love – 1956

308. Jackie Wilson - Lonely Teardrops – 1958

309. Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do With It – 1984

310. Black Sabbath - Iron Man – 1971

311. The Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Susie – 1957

312. Roy Orbison - In Dreams – 1963

313. Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You – 1956

314. Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb – 1979

315. The Animals - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood – 1965

316. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here – 1975

317. Jimmy Cliff - Many rivers to cross – 1969

318. Elvis Costello - Alison – 1977

319. Alice Cooper - Schools Out – 1972

320. Led Zeppelin - Heartbreaker – 1969

321. Neil Young - Cortez The Killer – 1975

322. Public Enemy - Fight The Power – 1989

323. Patti Smith - Dancing Barefoot – 1979

324. Diana Ross & The Supremes - Baby Love – 1964

325. The Rascals - Good Lovin – 1966

326. James Brown - Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine – 1970

327. Jerry Butler - For Your Precious Love – 1958

328. The Doors - The End – 1967

329. Earth, Wind & Fire - That's the Way of the World – 1975

330. The Queen - We Will Rock You – 1977

331. Bonnie Raitt - I Can't Make You Love Me – 1991

332. Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues – 1965

333. Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the sky – 1970

334. The Rolling Stones - Wild Horses – 1971

335. Lou Reed - The Velvet Underground - Sweet Jane – 1970

336. Aerosmith & Run DMC - Walk This Way – 1976

337. Michael Jackson - Beat It – 1982

338. Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed – 1970

339. Diana Ross & The Supremes - You Keep Me Hangin' On – 1966

340. The Who - Baba O'Riley – 1971

341. Jimmy Cliff - The Harder They Come – 1975

342. Dion & The Belmonts - Runaround Sue – 1961

343. Lavern Baker - Jim Dandy – 1956

344. Janis Joplin - Piece of my heart – 1968

345. Ritchie Valens - La Bamba – 1958

346. Tupac Shakur - California Love – 1996

347. Elton John - Candle in The Wind – 1973

348. The Isley Brothers - Who's That Lady – 1973

349. Ben E. King - Spanish Harlem – 1960

350. Little Eva - The Loco-Motion – 1962

351. The Platters - The Great Pretender – 1955

352. Elvis Presley - All Shook Up – 1955

353. Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven – 1992

354. Elvis Costello - Watching The Detectives – 1977

355. CCR - Bad Moon Rising – 1969

356. Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams – 1983

357. Jimi Hendrix - Little Wing – 1968

358. Martha Reeves And The Vandellas - Nowhere to Run – 1965

359. Muddy Waters - Got My Mojo Working – 1957

360. Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly with His Son – 1973

361. The Clash - Complete Control – 1979

362. The Beatles - All You Need Is Love – 1967

363. The Box Tops - The Letter – 1967

364. Bob Dylan - Highway 61 revisited – 1965

365. The Righteous Brothers - Unchained Melody – 1965

366. The Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love – 1977

367. Cream - White Room – 1968

368. Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus – 1989

369. Bo Diddley - I'm a Man – 1955

370. Jimi Hendrix - The Wind Cries Mary – 1967

371. The Who - I Can't Explain – 1965

372. Television - Marquee Moon – 1977

373. Sam Cooke - Wonderful World – 1960

374. Chuck Berry - Brown Eyed Handsome Man – 1956

375. Pink Floyd - Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2) – 1979

376. Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees - 1996

377. Ray Charles - Hit the Road Jack – 1961

378. U2 - Pride (In the Name of Love) – 1984

379. R.E.M. - Radio Free Europe – 1991

380. Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – 1973

381. Aaron Neville - Tell It Like It Is – 1965

382. The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony – 1997

383. The Allman Brothers Band - Whipping Post – 1971

384. The Beatles- Ticket To Ride – 1965

385. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Ohio –

386. Eric B. and Rakim - I Know You Got Soul -

387. Elton John – Tiny Dancer –

388. The Police – Roxanne –

389. The Temptations - Just My Imagination –

390. The Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving –

391. Freda Payne- Band Of Gold –

392. The Five Stairsteps - O-o-h Child –

393. The Lovin’ Spoonful - Summer in the City –

394. Elvis Presley - Can't help falling in love –

395. The Shangri-Las - Remember (Walkin' In The Sand) –

396. Big Star - Thirteen –

397. Blue Oyster Cult - (Don`t Fear) The Reaper –

398. Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet home Alabama –

399. Metallica - Enter Sandman –

400. Paul Revere & The Raiders - Kicks –

401. The Shirelles - Tonight's The Night –

402. Sly & The Family Stone - Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again) -

403. Eddie Cochram - C'mon Everybody –

404. Bob Dylan - Visions of Johanna –

405. The Carpenters - We've Only Just Begun – 1971

406. R. Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly –

407. Nirvana - In Bloom –

408. Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion –

409. Cream- Crossroads –

410. Pixies - Monkey Gone to Heaven –

411. Donna Summer - I Feel Love –

412. Bobbie Gentry - Ode to Billy Joe –

413. Little Richard - The girl can't help it –

414. The Coasters - Young Blood –

415. The Four Tops- I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) –

416. Don Henley - The Boys of Summer –

417. N.W.A. - Fuck the Police –

418. Crosby, Stills & Nash - Suite Judy Blue Eyes –

419. Dr. Dre - Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang –

420. The Isley Brothers - It's your Thing –

421. Billy Joel - Piano Man –

422. The Kinks - Lola –

423. Elvis Presley - Blue Suede Shoes –

424. The Rolling Stones - Tumbling Dice –

425. The Smiths - William, It Was Really Nothing –

426. Deep Purple - Smoke on the Water –

427. U2 - New Year's Day – 1983

428. Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels - Devil with a Blue Dress on Good Golly Miss

Molly -

429. Solomon Burke - Everybody Needs Somebody To Love –

430. The Clash - White Man In Hammersmith Palais –

431. Fats Domino - Ain't It a Shame –

432. Gladys Knight and the Pips - Midnight Train to Georgia –

433. Led Zeppelin - Ramble On –

434. Wilson Pickett - Mustang Sally –

435. The Rolling Stones - Beast of Burden –

436. Love - Alone Again Or –

437. Elvis Presley - Love me Tender –

438. The Stooges - I Wanna Be Your Dog –

439. John Cougar Mellenkamp - Pink Houses –

440. Salt-n-Pepa - Push It –

441. The Dell-Vikings - Come Go with Me –

442. Little Richard - Keep a Knockin' –

443. Bob Marley & The Wailers - I Shot The Sheriff –

444. Sonny & Cher- I Got You Babe –

445. Nirvana - Come as You are –

446. Toots and The Maytals - Pressure Drop –

447. The Shangri-las- Leader Of The Pack –

448. The Velvet Undergound - Heroin –

449. The Beatles - Penny Lane –

450. Glen Campbell - By The Time I Get To Phoenix –

451. Chubby Checker - The Twist –

452. Sam Cooke- Cupid –

453. Guns ‘N' Roses - Paradise City –

454. George Harrison - My Sweet Lord –

455. Nirvana - All Apologies –

456. Lloyd Price - Stagger Lee –

457. Ramones - Sheena is a Punk Rocker –

458. Sam & Dave - Soul man –

459. Muddy Waters- Rollin' Stone –

460. The Chiffons- One Fine Day –

461. Prince and The Revolution - Kiss –

462. The Staple Singers - Respect Yourself –

463. The Beatles - Rain –

464. The Four Tops - Standing in the Shadows of Love –

465. Cheap Trick - Surrender –

466. Del Shannon - Runaway –

467. Guns ‘N' Roses - Welcome to the Jungle –

468. The Stooges - Search and Destroy –

469. Carole King - It's Too Late – 1971

470. Joni Mitchell - Free Man in Paris –

471. Willie Nelson - On The Road Again –

472. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go –

473. Aretha Franklin - Do Right Woman - Do Right Man –

474. Funkadelic - One Nation Under A Groove (Part. 1) –

475. Beastie Boys - Sabotage –

476. Foreigner - I Want to Know What Love is –

477. Rick James- Super Freak –

478. Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit –

479. Labelle - Lady Marmalade –

480. Van Morrison - Into the Mystic –

481. David Bowie - Young Americans –

482. Alice Cooper - I'm Eighteen –

483. The Cure - Just Like Heaven –

484. Joan Jett - I Love Rock and Roll –

485. Paul Simon - Graceland –

486. The Smiths - How Soon is Now –

487. The Drifters - Under The Boardwalk –

488. Fleetwood Mac - Rhiannon –

489. Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive –

490. The Rolling Stones - Brown Sugar –

491. Dusty Springfield - You Don't Have To Say You Love Me –

492. Jackson Browne - Running on Empty –

493. The Crystals - Then He Kissed Me –

494. The Eagles - Desperado –

495. Smokey Robinson - Shop Around –

496. The Rolling Stones - Miss You –

497. Weezer - Buddy Holly –

498. Brook Benton - Rainy Night in Georgia – 1970

499. Thin Lizzy - The Boys are Back in Town – 1976

500. Boston - More than a Feeling – 1976

And the artists I have really loved to listen:

1.   Chuck Berry
2.   Marvin Gaye
3.   Hank Williams
4.   Bob Dylan
5.   Elvis Presley
6.   The Beatles
7.   The Band
8.   Tracy Chapman
9.   Aerosmith
10. Cream
11. Roy Orbison
12. Patsi Cline

And of course many more. So happy listening folks.............

Visiting Shirdi, A Trip To Remember

There have been many memorable events since last time I posted a blog. However I started this blogless spell with a visit to one of the most religious places in India, Shirdi. Famous as the 'KARMBHUMI' of Shri Satya Sai BABA, whom both the Hindus and Muslims worship with equal devotion.

It was in the month of November,2010 that I suddenly felt an urge to visit this serene place about which I had only so far heard about. It took a day's planning and an hour's packing to get on the way. It was to be an overnight bus journey, something which I hadn't done for a long time. But that is the only option if you are to catch the morning prayers upon reaching Shirdi.

The bus left at 9:15 exact from Vishal Nagar and was expected to reach Shirdi by 4:30. Within an hour of boarding the bus i fell into deep sleep. The bus ran making numerous pit stops and I was vaguely aware of its shenanigans through my sleep. When the bus completely came at a dead stop it was 5 in the morning. A sombre sound of Chants and Prayers that had somehow sipped through the airtight glass of the bus was coiling into the ears. Within a second everyone in the bus knew that they had reached their destination.



An outside view of the Shirdi Sai BABA Temple



The chants became louder as I stepped out of the bus. It was still dark with morning light just appearing at the brim of the sky. But the place where our bus stopped was abuzz with activity. Hundreds of devotees gathered with the sole intention of visiting one of the most beautiful pilgrims of India. People around were shouting to attract customers. Soon I realized they were letting the devotees take a bath and get clean and pure before visiting the temple for a nominal fee. It was bizarre but also a fun experience. After half an hour of dilly-dallying there I finally started to make my way towards the temple.



As I joined the line with hundreds of others, the chant became a force, a driving force that is pulling closer and closer towards the source of it. Something that was telling everyone in an unique way what we were going to find on the other side. Expectations kept soaring as hundreds stood patiently chanting themselves, praying or simply staying quiet. Not one person in the waiting was restless as if something supernatural had cast spell of peace and tranquility over everyone. I was feeling really peaceful after a long time.

As the human line slowly coiled inside the temple, a strange sense of anticipation started to boil inside. It was not allowed to take pictures inside the temple so I had to be content with just feasting my ways. It was a beautiful temple with majestic white indoors. There was hardly any blemish on any of the walls. There were numerous seats arranged in case the devotees get tired. Volunteers were as making sure everything was perfect and that no devotee was in any sort of discomfort. The chants went on all the time adding to the already surreal atmosphere of the temple.


Satya SAI BABA statue inside the temple.



 
Finally when I reached the idol , I was speechless. It is one of the most regal idols I have ever seen. As we slowly walked past the idol it kept growing on me and I am sure on everybody else present there as well. We had to leave the place fast as hundreds of others were waiting for their chance to catch a eyeful of Shri Sai Baba. Too bad photography is banned across all the holy places in Shirdi.

Articles used by Sai Baba

Once outside we went for some 'Prasad' and took stroll of the the area. There was also a Museum which kept photographs of Sai Baba and various articles used by him like his clothes, utensils, bed etc. There were many very old and rare photographs that were very interesting to the eyes. There was also a chariot that was donated to Sai Baba by some rich person. Sai Baba never used it.



Sai Baba in original Dwarkamai



Outside the main temple there are still some places to see. And the foremost is Dwarkamai. Dwarkamai is a mosque where Sai Baba spent about 60 years of his life. In Baba's early days only upper portion of the mosque was existed and Baba kept the sacred fire (dhuni) all his life and is kept on till to day.



Dwarkamai today



 "Highly merciful is this Masjid (mosque) Ayi (mother). Once a person climbs into her lap, all their troubles are over" - Sai Baba.

There are five padukas, puja pillar near dhuni, grinding stone and two big portraits of Baba found in Dwarkamai. Five padukas are located at, one on left near cooking place. Second on the wall where he said to have leaned his arm while cooking. Third near dhuni where he used to sit near dhuni. Fourth where Baba used to sit for meeting. Fifth on the black stone kept at right side of entrance.



Sai Baba's Chavadi



Next place to visit is Chavadi. During the last decade of Sai Baba’s life, he used to spend alternate nights at Chavadi. Thus the place became very important. The depiction of Sai Baba, which was placed on a silver stool in the right side of the Chavadi is now placed near his Samadhi. The Chavadi is divided into two. One part of the Chavadi has a large portraiture of Baba. It also contains a wooden bed and a white chair which belongs to Baba.



Dakshinmukhi Hanuman statue in Shirdi

Next place to visit was the Dakshin Mukhi Hanuman Mandir. It is situated very near the main temple. It has one of the most beautiful Hanuman statues I have ever seen. The atmosphere was really serene and fulfilling for the mind. 'Stotras' made the place alive and it was really satisfying to take a part in the chantings and stotras. It went one for about 45 minutes. After that it was time to hit the road again.

 



A typical day at Shirdi



Once finished seeing all the religious places, it is a small and bustling place thriving with devotees from various parts of the country. There are many shops mostly selling articles related to Shri Sai Baba and other religious articles. Some restaurants are there, but the prices were exorbitant to my liking :P. Kailash Parvat there, is a nice place to have your lunch. It is a place typical to any other religious places in India with religion being the prime object in all of the town. The bus station and rent car stops are really close to the temple. If somebody likes, they can rent a car and go for a quick trip for Shani Shingnapur as it is pretty close to Shirdi. In fact most people go for joint trip of Shirdi and Shani Shingnapur. But time was against us and we had no time to go for a Shani Shingnapur trip. our return bus was scheduled for 12:45 and we had to be at the bus station before that.

The bus left on time and within half an hour Shirdi was out of sight. And we started a long journey back towards Pune. But this trip of Shordi for the first time will forever be etched in my mind.

Guide: Shirdi is about 184 KMs from Shirdi and takes around 4 Hrs by car. The best time to leave for Shirdi is in the night so you can reach very early in the morning and attend the morning Aarti. The road to take is Map of Pune to Shirdi by road.

Video of Aarti at Shirdi temple :Aarti At Shirdi Temple

So hope you guys enjoy your trip to Shirdi as much as I did. Will be back with some more interesting travel stories soon :)



I AM BACK!!!!

Hey folks, I am back. Sorry for taking such a long break from the blog. Lots of issues came up during this time and I was busy resolving them. Also lots of pressure in the office as well. But the good news is lots of things happened during this time, lots of things that I want to share with you people. So let's embark on another exciting journey!! :)