Nashik- This time

I have a principle in life. The second time one attempts to relive the magical memory it is sure to go bust. The high expectations of the first times awesomeness, weighs it down for any future attempts. But Nashik bust this limiting belief for me, and in the most divine possible way. We endured Mumbai traffic to get to Nashik. Our car thanks to the Benarasi bhaiyya driver was a tranquil A/C auditorium ( I attended a 3 hours long session oblivious to the outside traffic). Take that Mumbai traffic . You cant beat the optimist out of me. Early morning swim was brrrrrh. Water temperature was 23"C. But I braved it with every ounce of my will power. All the naysayers at this point should be informed about my near death hypothermia experience due to my vain attempt to swim in Nashik wintery waters to prove a point to a pan faced, smirking , mocking pool attendant.Strike 2 - Nashik pool The not so good part of being an enthusiastic traveller is that i see the place like there is no going back. With all of Nashik covered previously I had to choose a place off limits( explained a little later) Saptashrungi- Ardha shakthipeeth. Amol happy with all that makes me happy readily agreed. The local driver didnot think so. He staged discontent with his friend about road closure and suggested alternative accessible locations. Not the one to give up , I insisted, he caved and we were off to the seven peaks. The roads on both sides were lined with vineyards. The monsoon had brought out various hues of green. The purple meadows of wild flowers could beat the lavender farms craze of Brits.Misty rain cloud covered peaks reminded me of the Swiss Matterhorn peaks(Toblerones inspiration). The last 10 kms of windy roads had numerous waterfalls ranging from a stream to a steady flow when the rain pattered down. A short funicular ride took me directly to the sanctum sanctorum. The mist fills the funicular and gives one the feeling of walking on the clouds in the heavans. I had a dejavu of a similar solo trip . Montserrat a Monastery in Spain. Green, misty, magical

Saptashrungi is where Satis Right hand fell. To make up the Goddess here has 18 hands, each holding a different tool and one even with a 'yo' sign✌ cool Devi who thinks communication is an essential tool. I got the 12 noon "uccha kala aarti" and even a small window to sit and meditate in this holy place . Imagine being stuck at something. Shrungi Ma can come to aid with her 18 hands. The visual was amusing, comforting and reassuring ... just what a mother is supposed to be. Samarth juice centre - pineapple juice with small even bits of pineapple topped with icecream. The taste, the texture , the novelty ... all sublime. Dear Nashik, Ditch the wine and embrace the pineapple drink. Wine may be somras, but if this juice had a popularity voting, this drink would win bottoms up.

After days long kidneying , musical night was nice. Nicer was senior Mrs Nephrologists dancing and not missing a beat. Heart warming and a wee bit emotional(I wanted to be these Mrs Doyens of grace and humility, some day...) Amol chaired a session of Dr K. Just Amols name as chairperson on the podium box with Dr K as speaker brought happy tears to me. I have accompanied Amol from his PG times . From being awestruck at the mention of the big names to sharing stage with them makes me appreciate Amols Nephrology journey thus far. God has indeed been kind.

The drive back to Mumbai was surreal. The rains, wet roads, long tunnels(bond movies thrill infusing), misty mountains. sprawling open neon green grasslands reflecting the peek-a-boo sun on their wet blades. Even with nothing to do just the drive itself is a destination.Adieu Nashik- strike 3 - you were even better the second time around.