Aga Khan Palace & Gandhi National Memorial in Pune

Quote of the Post: "A historically important and beautiful place having wonderful Italian arches and spacious lawns to relax, have peace and to pay tribute to India's great freedom fighters (heroes)." - Quote about 'Aga Khan Palace' - Sachin Kumar Gupta

The Aga Khan Palace was built by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III in Pune. This place does not look like it would have been used as a prison, But it served as a prison for Mahatma Gandhi (Bapu), his wife Kasturba Gandhi (Ba), his secretary Mahadev Desai , Sarojini Naidu, Meera Ben and others during Quit India movement. Prince Karim Aga Khan donated this palace to Gandhi Smarak Samittee (committee) in 1972 and since then organisation is maintaining its parks and gardens. Mahatama Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi have their memorials located in the same campus.

Location: It is located at about 2 km away from Bund Garden in Yerwada, on Pune-Nagar Road. Aghakhan Palace, Nagar road, beyond Fitzgerald Bridge.

Timings: 9 am to 6 pm (Lunch break: 12.30 pm to 1:30 pm)

Museum Entry fee: INR 5

Aga Khan Palace Map

The exquisite Aga Khan Palace is surrounded by the lavish green gardens, captivates the eye of a spectator with its magnificence and picturesque architecture. Most of the ground floor area is accessible to all visitors, but not the first and second floor.

Tourist Attractions to visit in Aga Khan Palace:

-Picture gallery and museum:The palace archives a number of photos and portraits depicting glimpses from the life of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation of India, and other prominent personalities of the Indian freedom struggle.

-Things like utensils, clothes and his personal stuffs (towel, mala, chappals) used by Mahatma Gandhi, are kept in the palace during his stay.

-A room in which Kasturba Gandhi took her last breath, the dinning table where they used to have their meals.

-A room in which Gandhiji used to give science lessons to his grand daughter, letter written by Gandhiji on the death of his dear secretary.

-Kasturba Gandhi (22nd February 1944) and Mahadev Desai (15th August 1942) passed away during their captivity period in the palace and have their memorials here. 

-Different views of Aga Khan Palace.

-Mahatma Gandhi's memorial and his ashes in a quiet garden to the rear.

-Mahurika nursery school.

-Kasturba Mahila Khadi Gramodyog Vidyala.

-A shop that deals in khaadi and other hand loomed textiles.

-The palace is surrounded by a sprawling garden. 

-Very few people know that, The famous movie 'Gandhi' was shot here.

This palace is also the headquarters of the Gandhi National Memorial Society. Gandhi Memorial society celebrates the following events during the year at the palace:

Martyr's Day – 30th Jan.

Mahashivratri – Kasturbha Gandhi's Death Day Celebrated As Mother's Day.

Independence Day – 15th Aug.

Republic Day – 26th Jan.

Mahatma Gandhi's Birth Anniversary – 2nd Oct.

Other than yearly events, morning prayer sessions are held daily at the samadhi since decades. The prayer draws some crowd everyday, and the number goes up threefold on 2 October as people visit the place to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

On a quick visit, Two to three hours can be devoted to this place. It is good to relax, have peace and to pay tribute to India's great freedom fighters (heroes).

Raghupati Raghav Rajaram, Patit Pavan Sitaram!

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Shivneri Fort - The BirthPlace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

This is a must visit fort in Junnar Maharashtra and famous for its architectural style which is popularly known as the "BirthPlace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj". Shivneri is a highly defensible location, with steep rocks on four sides and a strongly built citadel. The government is also putting the efforts to make this place better, and it comes under the archaeological survey of India.

It is approx 100 km to the north of Pune. From Junnar it is 2 km by road. We followed below:
Pune - Rajgurunagar - Peth - Manchar - Narayangaon - Pimpalgaon Tarfa - Junnar - Shivneri Fort Parking
Below map will help you, If you are coming from any of the sides.

Shivneri Fort Map near Junnar

Shivneri fort is popular trekking spot too. Either you can start from main entrance of the fort or from the parking area near stairs route. We stopped our car near the foothills of the fort to mark out the Shivneri caves.

Rajmarg: To enter the main fort, you have to cross tourist friendly seven gates and approx 400 steps, that is a small trek in itself. In total there are 9 Gates. Each gate is intricately carved and adds more value to this historic edifice.

Gate1 - Mahadarwarja - Main Gate
Gate2 - Ganesh Darwaja
Gate3 - Pir Darwaja: I observed face shaped rocks just near this gate.
Gate4 - Hathi Darwaja
Gate5 - Mena Darwaja
Gate6 - Gulup Gate
Gate7 - Phatak Darwaja
Amberkhana: Ambarkhana was the huge grain storage space.
Gate8 - Shivani Devi Gate: As you enter the gate, you will find "Temple of Shivai Devi" on one of the cliffs of the fort. This small temple is dedicated to the goddess Shivai Devi, after whom Shivaji was named.

Idagah
Ganga-Jamuna Taki: In the fort there are two water springs, called Ganges and Yamuna, which have water throughout the year, though quite dirty.
Kamani Masjid: We had some Rihana song snaps "Under my umbrella".

Hamamkhana

BirthPlace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: This 2-storey structure is the main attraction of the place where we reached after 1 hour. The place is locked but having Shivaji's idol and a small swinging bed. A very well preserved staircase leads to the top of this marvellous 2-storey structure. The window on top is a good place for taking a pause and enjoy the splendid view of the valley in cool breeze. Shahaji, Chatrapati Shivaji's father, was concerned for the safety of his wife Jijabai during her pregnancy as there was constant war going on. He therefore moved his family to Shivneri fort.

Badami Talav: At the centre of the fort is a water pond which is called 'Badami Talav'. We see some of the frogs were jumping in this partially filled pond. The idol of Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai and Shivaji can be observed here.
Gate9 - Kadelot Tok: You can see Junnar city view from here.

There are around 10 tanks on the Shivneri Fort and multiple well-maintained gardens. Tea, Coffee and liquid stuff were available on the fort, but not the snacks. We couldn't find a washroom in working condition. The fort can be visited in 3-4 hours all around. Throughout the trek, it offers magnificent views of the surrounding landscape and is a great place to relax and gaze at the green valley after the tiring climb.
Shivneri fort sits in the midst of several forts. To its north stand the forts of Narayangad and Harishchandragad. Jeevdhan, Chavand (Prashannagarh), Hadsar (Parvatgarh), and Bhairavgad are also close by. Five dams – Vadaj, Yedgaon, Pimpalgaon, Manikdoh and Dimbhe situated around Shivneri are also popular picnic spots.

The best time to visit Shivneri Fort is during Monsoon and we also started this year's Monsoon express visiting this place. During this time blooming and colorful flowers make the place like a rainbow. I also got the chance to have some flower proposal snaps with Meenal. The company of Hemali, Ishu, Tanuj, and Meenal made my day, and whispering wind & drizzling rain time to time took away some credit for the wonderful trip. We return back to Pune and had dinner at Amanora.

Places to visit near Shivneri Fort, Junnar:
Two kilometers away from this fort there are the Lenyadri caves which is one of Ashtavinayak temple in Maharastra.
The other one is Shree Vighanahar Ganpati Temple at Ozar.
The Shivneri group of caves is the closest to Bhimashankar with over 50 caves.

Some others forts visited in MH: Kanakdurg Fort - Harnai, Lohagad Fort, Sinhgarh Fort, Purandar Fort, Murud Janjira Fort, Alibaag Fort - Kolaba (or Kulaba) fort.

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"LeMay - America's Car Museum" near Tacoma Dome

Quote of the Post: "An amazing car museum with collection of vintage and rare automobiles under a bright-silver crown". - Quote about 'LeMay - America's Car Museum' in Tacoma near Tacoma Dome - Sachin Kumar Gupta

LeMay America's Car Museum Tacoma - 1913 Reo The Fifth-St5

If you have love affair to see some vintage car collection, you are at one of the world’s largest auto museum, enjoy reading and racing. This was my first experience to one of the best car museum in the world. I get the chance to see the vintage and rare automobile collection like - Lincoln, Lambretta, Buick, Dodge, Cadillac, Pierce Arrow, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Austro Daimler, Ferrari, Ducati and many more.

I was just walking through the hotel lobby and glancing at the small booklets of the nearby places to visit in Seattle, then I came across "LeMay - America's Car Museum" in the city of Tacoma, Washington. I searched more details and finalized the plan for the weekend with Sunil. We took Sound Transit Bus (594) from Downtown Seattle to Tacoma Dome Station. It is 30 minutes south of Seattle and in the shadow of Mt. Rainier. Vast Tacoma Dome is the landmark of the city, that can be marked easily. This new museum facility adjacent to the Tacoma Dome opened on June 2, 2012. Its flashy, bright-silver exterior is brilliant in its own with large parking areas. It is about "celebrating America's love affair with the automobile". The museum has a 500+ amazing car gallery showing cars remarkable for their speed, technology and design, as well as their importance to automobile industry. Most of the cars on display are donated by the family of Harold LeMay to the museum. It exhibits the car history of 19th century. (Cars collection since 1900 - till date) 

Spend a memorable day to view 7 exhibits with world-class rotating exhibits at four levels. The experience includes:

• Harold E. LeMay Collection
• Custom Coachworks 
• British Invasion 
• Nicola Bulgari Collection 
• Indy 500 Racing 
• Ferrari in America 
• Alternative Propulsion: Showcasing over 100 years of automobiles powered by various combinations of steam, electric, gasoline, and solar, this exhibit shows the story of what has become our modern day electric/hybrid car.

LeMay America's Car Museum Tacoma - 1906 Cadillac Model M - Tulip Tourer

LeMay America's Car Museum Tacoma - 1917 Crane Simplex Model 5 Brewster Body

LeMay America's Car Museum Tacoma - 1930 Duesenberg Model J

Things to do and know about "The LeMay - America's Car Museum" [ACM]:

•  
• The entry can be combined with "Tacoma Glass Tour" or with "lunch".
• Watch the professionals working in the vehicle preservation workshop.
• The nice thing is that you can get really close to the cars and study the details without feeling the need to move.
• At one end of the building, there are floor to ceiling windows with a great view of downtown Tacoma.
• Enjoy the full top view of first floor car collection while having a tasty snacks at Pacific Grill Cafe.
• Feel free to watch some short films in the State farm theatre.
• If you are interested in sound/sight/motion racing simulators, with no unpleasant consequences even if you crash! Go racing Charges: $8
• You can go to "Speed Zone" featuring pre class 4-lane slot car track. Charges: $3
• With around 500+ autos, trucks and motorcycles on display it is impossible to absorb everything in one visit.
• Pickup some amazing gifts like clothing, die-cast models, books, toys, and more in the museum store.
• Location/Address of this place is: 2702 East D Street, Tacoma, WA - 98421
• It opens daily [10 a.m. to 5 p.m.] and closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year.
• ACM is a dynamic and ever changing layout for racers of all ages and groups.

All in all though, if you come to Tacoma, you have to take the time to stop and see this fabulous place. Between the cars, the history, the architecture, the views and food, you won't be disappointed.

LeMay America's Car Museum Tacoma - 1923 Lincoln 124A Touring Car

LeMay America's Car Museum Tacoma - 1913 Daimler

LeMay America's Car Museum Tacoma - Ferrari In America

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Chihuly Garden and Glass near Seattle Space Needle

Quote of the Post: "The glammering glasshouse, glass garden and glowing galleries are the inspiration and masterpiece work of Dale Chihuly in many ways." - Quote about 'CHIHULY GARDEN AND GLASS' in Seattle Center near Space Needle - Sachin Kumar Gupta

Dale Chihuly is already a champion in the field of innovative glass art. He mastered his creative mark with various museums and places around the world. I got chance to visit this unique place during the winters in Seattle. It really adds value and a new landmark to Seattle Center.

CHIHULY GARDEN AND GLASS - Exhibition Hall, Glasshouse and Garden

The artworks demonstrate how he pushed and extend the boundaries of glass as an art medium in concept, execution and presentation. The Exhibition Hall contains eight amazing galleries and three drawing walls in below order of traverse.

Glass Forest: This is the first room as you enter through exhibition hall entrance. It feel like you are in a new galaxy altogether. The glass stalks or stems are arranged in an enclosed space and illuminated with electrically charged neon and argon.

Northwest Room: This room features the glass models of a Tabac Baskets table, wooden shelves with Baskets, Cylinders and Soft Cylinders, Northwest Coast Indian baskets and American Indian trade blankets.

Sealife Room: The art collection seems to be inpired and derived from sea life. Various sea creatures such as starfish, octopus, conch shells, sea anemones, urchins and manta rays are presented along with several Sealife Drawings.

Persian Ceiling: The reflections of smaller shapes nested in larger pieces looks really cool. You are bound to tilt your head up to see this multicolor ceiling.

Mille Fiori: As soon as you take a eye off from Persian ceilings, bunch of “a thousand flowers” will stun you. You don't want to leave this room. People were just gazing this for longer time, and posing all around the room.

Ikebana and Float Boat: This was my favorite room, where reflection of colorful balls and objects filled in two wooden boats. The place seems like you are traveling in space galaxy and group of planets, which have everyone's mouth open. The gallery also includes some praiseworthy Burned Drawings.

Chandeliers: This room presents several Chandeliers and a Tower.

Macchia Forest: This was result of Chihuly's desire to use all 300 colors available to him in the hotshop. It seems like a classic designer's room filled with God's color.

Glammering Glasshouse: The centerpiece of Chihuly Garden and Glass is the Glasshouse, which is visible from the top of Space Needle Observation deck. The installation in the Glasshouse is an expansive 100-foot long sculpture in a color palette of reds, oranges, yellows and amber. This Chihuly structure is sticked with the ceiling of the glasshouse. Private events are being organized at this place sometimes.

Glass Gardens: Chihuly takes his work beyond traditional indoor gallery presentations creating elaborate installations that flow on floors, walls, ceilings and the outdoors. This garden area has glass art lined with trees, plants and flowers. The installations intensify the glory when connected with the natural environment. You can see the Sun, an explosion of yellow and orange at the center of this lush landscape, on a bed of black mondo grass.

Chandelier walkway is another nice piece of art-work that takes you to the theater near the exit.

Theater: I joined other visitors and watched short videos in a state-of-the-art audio visual environment. The Chihuly Garden and Glass Theater presents short videos on Chihuly’s working process—interviews, glassblowing, working onsite doing installations and exhibitions.

Bookstore: Once you exit from theater, that leads you to the connected bookstore where you started. The bookstore offers a variety of books and materials relating to Dale Chihuly’s artworks and projects, including some Studio editions and special designs by the artist.

Some facts about Chihuly Garden and Glass:

• Last ticket sold one hour prior to the below closing time.** Sunday - Thursday 11am – 7pm; Friday & Saturday 11am – 8pm
• Complimentary ear buds are available upon request to listen the enhanced audio tour.**
• The Glasshouse is occasionally closed for private events. Check the site for details.**
• All ticket prices include a free photograph as per your choice of place within compound. You can send this to your family and friends from the touch kiosk, and upload it to Facebook account.**
• The package admission can be combined with the Space Needle visit.** Exhibition Hall, Glasshouse and Garden + Space Needle Observation Deck
• Admission to the exhibition is not required for dining at the Collections Cafe.**
• Re-entry is permitted within two hours from time of exit.**
• Seattle Space Needle is the neighbour landmark. If you are planning to visit the place during your Seattle visit, Address is: Chihuly Garden and Glass, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109

[**] Check for the latest updates at: http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com

“Drawing really helps me to think about things. I’m able to draw and work with a lot of color and that inspires me.” - Dale Chihuly

“I teach kids they can use any color, any size paper, work any way they want to. There are no boundaries, there are no rules.” - Dale Chihuly

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