01/01/2012 : Ovalekarwadi – Butterfly Garden

This place is located on outskirts of Thane(a suburb to the north of Mumbai), at Owla village, off Ghodbunder road. In the midst of concrete jungle, it is the relentless effort of Mr. Rajendra Ovalekar, to convert his approximately two acres land in a butterfly park.

Unlike well-known butterfly gardens in the world, here butterflies are not bred under artificial conditions. Here plants are grown that would provide food, shelter and favorable breeding grounds to the butterflies and compel them to stay. This Garden is open for public only on Sunday’s from 8:30am to 12:30 pm. A very nominal fee of Rs. 50 is charged per person. The day, we had heard about this place, we could not resist ourselves from planning to visit this place. 01/01/2012, first day of the year 2012, could not find a better day than this. I called up Mr. Rajendra, and secured our visit in case it should not get overbooked.

An early morning visit is recommended as butterflies are coldblooded and become increasingly active as the day warms up. Armed with camera kit, we set out, in the morning. We were welcomed by Mr. Rajendra himself. Weather being little cold, butterflies were yet to come out. So by that time Mr. Rajendra explained us about his journey of starting this garden, lifecycle of the butterfly and precautions to be observed during the trip.

For the first timers like us, it is best to be guided by him. He took us around, explaining the life-cycle of a butterfly, pointing to pupa, cocoons and caterpillars on the various kinds of plants, which otherwise our untrained eyes could have missed seeing them.

The garden has more than 70 species of butterflies and on any given day, one can easily see 25 to 30 varieties. The garden is also sometimes visited by migrant species. Species that are easily spotted are the Common Sailor, Common Jezebel, Common Crow, Common Rose, Great Orange Tip, Stripped Tiger and Grey Pansy -- each distinguishable by their colors patterns or shape.

Many Indian butterflies have names alluding to colonial and military terms such as baron and major, because the study of butterflies in India was first pursed by the British officers. We clicked lots of photographs.

Club Mahindra Kumbhalgarh

On reaching Rajasthan, to my surprise it was greenery everywhere which otherwise is famous for desert and desert festivals. Actually part of Rajasthan around Aravalli ranges is green.
We had been to Kumbhalgarh in September 2010. Our stay was at Club Mahindra Resort Kumbhalgarh. We travelled by train from Bandra(Mumbai) to Falnaa. By cab it is approximately 80 kms from Falnaa to Kumbhalgarh. This 2½ hour drive is through green fields, mountains and along water streams.

On reaching the Resort, Club Mahindra Fort Kumbhalgarh a warm welcome was given. Weather was pleasant. Rains were just over and it was green everywhere. Resort has variety of accommodations including tents. The hospitality made us feel, as if we were staying with our extended family. Resort provide various recreations like games, pottery making, puppet making etc.


There are many places around resort Kumbhalgarh to see.
a) Kumbhalgarh Fort is just 5 kms from the resort.
Kumbhalgarh Fort is the highest and considered as the most formidable fort in Rajasthan. Even the mighty Mughals couldn't capture it alone, and it took the combined armies of Delhi, Amber and Marwar to breach its defenses. Standing majestically on a 1,914m high ridge and representing the past glory of the Rajput rulers, the Fort also provides a panoramic view of the countryside from the top. The fort was built in 15th century AD by Maharana Kumbha (1419-63 AD) and is the principal fortification after Chittaurgarh. Fort has around 360 temples and 700 cannon bunkers.
This is surrounded by second biggest wall in the world after wall of China. This 36 km long wall has seven huge gates and ramparts. This wall can be seen from the moon also.

b) The Parashuram Mahadeo Temple: - 13 km from resort
The Parashuram Mahadeo temple is a cave on a mountain; it is believed that Sage Parashuram came to
this cave to meditate without any kind of disturbance. It was here that he was blessed by Lord Shiva. Shivlinga in this cave, called Parashuram Mahadeo, is supposed to have appeared, by itself. Right above the Shivlinga, the rocks of the cave form a shape, which resembles a cow's mouth (Go-mukh), from where water keeps dripping onto the Lingam. This water, it is said, is perennial, regardless of whether there have been rains or not. Moreover, it is believed that till about 75 years ago, it used to be milk dripping on the lingam. Gradually, the milk became watery until finally, about 50 years back, water started flowing. There is another shape in a corner, from which water sometimes drips, which resembles the udders of a cow. It is a local belief that if a childless couple prays to the Lord here, and if water from this portion drips on their hand, they beget a child soon.
The Great Archer warrior of Mahabharata, Karn, learnt archery from Parashuram at this place.

c) The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (5 Km)
There is big wildlife sanctuary. It is open upto sunset and forest department permission is needed. Animals like volves, sloth bear, four horned antelope can be seen over here. We could not visit this as it was closed due to bad roads after heavy rains.

d) Ranakpur Temple : 60 kms from resort
Begun in 1438 by Rana Kumbha, Ranakpur became a strangely tranquil meditation center in a frequently
war ravaged land.The central Chaumukha temple is dedicated to venerated Tirthankar Adinath. It is a magnificent monument with 29 halls and 1444 distinctly carved pillars.

e) Nathdwara Temple : 50 kms from resort
Shri Nathdwara (a pathway to Lord Shri Krishna) literally means the gateway to the Lord ShriNathji. This great Vaishnavite shrine was built in the 17th century on spot exactly identified by the Lord himself. The legends have it that the idol of the Lord Krishna was being transferred to safer place from Vrindaban to protect it from the destructive wrath of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. When the idol reached this spot, the wheels of bullock cart it was traveling in, sank axle deep in mud and refused to move further, at all. The accompanying priest realized that this was Lord's chosen spot and the Lord did not want to travel any further. Accordingly a Temple was built here. This is a temple and place of pilgrimage amongst its believers.

f) Haldighati : (25 Km)
Haldighati is known for the battle off 1576 AD fought between Rana Pratap-the heroic son of Udai Singh and the massive forces of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. 44 kilometers from Udaipur and 17 kilometers from Nathdwara it is nestled in the middle of the Aravali range. This narrow turmeric coloured mountainous region which played a stellar role in defending the honour of Mewar dynasty, is known as Haldighati.
A beautiful Chatri (Cenotaph) with white marble columns, dedicated to Rana Pratap stands here; also a small Chatri which commemorates the warrior's horse Chetak. Although badly wounded and exhausted, this brave horse carried Maharana Pratap to safety before collapsing and dying. It is for this loyalty and courage that Chetak is honored.

g) Eklingnath Temple: - 70 km one way
Eklingnath Temple is of the Hindu religion. The temple was built in 734 A.D. by Bappa Rawal, dedicated to the Lord Shiva; since that time, Eklingji has been the ruling deity of Mewar rulers.
The temple boasts of a striking four-faced idol of Eklingji (Lord Shiva) that is made out of black marble. Its four faces depict four forms of Lord Shiva. The east-facing part is recognized as Surya, the west-facing part is Lord Brahma, the north-facing part is Lord Vishnu and the south-facing part is Rudra i.e. Lord Shiva himself. The zenith of the multifaceted idol is known as 'Yantra that stands for the ultimate reality. The Shivlinga (Phallic form of Lord Shiva) garlanded by a silver snake, acquires the major attraction of people.

h) Udaipur : 80 km

It would be not be correct if I don’t mention few famous things about this place i.e. Bandhani Sarees and Daari Udyog.









Travel Help
Getting there and away
Route By Road
• Ahmedabad to Kumbhalgarh is 335 km
• Delhi to Kumbhalgarh is 625 km.
• Jaipur to Kumbhalgarh is 345 km
• Mumbai to Kumbhalgarh is 877 km
• Jodhpur to Kumbhalgarh is 235 km
• Chandigarh to Kumbhalgarh is 981 km
• Surat to Kumbhalgarh is 625 km
• Vadodara to Kumbhalgarh is 445 km

Nearest Railhead
Udaipur and Falnaa are the nearest railhead, which is 80 km from Kumbhalgarh.

Nearest Airport
Udaipur airport is the nearest airport, which is 95 km from

Places of Stay
• Club Mahindra Resort
• The Aodhi
• The Dera Tented Resort
• Tiger Valley Resort

Today I created my own blog. I always wondered what this blog means, so I thought of giving it a try and created one.