Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to sleep in style. While the
MTDC Holiday Resort
02424257032; d from ?900;
MAP
)
, located further down the hill, is a reasonable budget option.
To get to Bhandardara, take a local bus from Nasik's Mahamarg bus stand to Ghoti
(?35, one hour), from where an autorickshaw ride costs ?70. A taxi from Nasik can also
drop you at your resort for about ?1500.
Igatpuri
Heard of
vipassana,
haven't you? Well head to Igatpuri to see where (and how) it all hap-
pens. Located about 44km south of Nasik, this village is home to the headquarters of the
world's largest
vipassana
meditation institution, the
Vipassana International Academy
(
02553244076;
www.dhamma.org
)
, which institutionalises this strict form of meditation first taught
by Gautama Buddha in the 6th century BC and reintroduced to India by teacher SN Goen-
ka in the 1960s. Ten-day residential courses (advance bookings compulsory) are held
throughout the year, though authorities warn that it requires rigorous discipline. Basic ac-
commodation, food and meditation instruction are provided free of charge, but donations
upon completion are accepted.
Trimbak
The moody
Trimbakeshwar Temple
stands in the centre of Trimbak, 33km west of Nasik. It's
one of India's most sacred temples, containing a
jyoti linga,
one of the 12 most important
shrines to Shiva. Only Hindus are allowed in, but non-Hindus can peek into the courtyard.
Nearby, the waters of the Godavari River flow into the
Gangadwar bathing tank
, where all are
welcome to wash away their sins. You also have the option of a four-hour return hike up
the
Brahmagiri Hill
, where you can see the Godavari dribble forth from a spring.
Regular buses run from the CBS in Nasik to Trimbak (?30, 45 minutes).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Aurangabad
0240 / POP 1,171,330 / ELEV 515M
Aurangabad lay low through most of the tumultuous history of medieval India and only
hit the spotlight when the last Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, made the city his capital from
1653 to 1707. With the emperor's death came the city's rapid decline, but the brief period
