I went to see the Pandavleni caves on my last full day in Nasik, and driving past the mountains around me that were talked of in the Ramayana made me think that maybe parts of the story really did happen here.
The caves themselves contained many intricate carvings in the stone walls, and are of Buddhist origins. The caves also had a wonderful echo to them, you can imagine me having fun testing this out, but also a few eerie dark chambers that although are empty, seemed to be filled with something strange.
After visiting the caves I stopped by in an Indian McDonald’s, and my visit happened to coincide with the 4th day of the second test match between India and Australia. It had been a sublime match and this session would determine its outcome. India needed 7 wickets, and Australia 150 runs. Everyone in McDonald’s perched themselves by the TV watching closely, cheering or groaning at each delivery played. Even the staff, as they went about their work, tried to position themselves closer to the TV so they could glance the action.
There were frequent power cuts at the time, and every time the power went off the restaurant would erupt in sighs, only silenced when the TV came back on. Soon, wickets quickly fell and in the air could be felt an Indian victory. Satisfied the job was done, people started to leave, and the staff returned to work. It was a wonderful scene.
Despite this cheery chapter, walking home I could not help but feel like my stay in Nasik was missing something. Pondering what this could be, I continued back.
After spending a few hours hiding from the heat of the sun, I received a call. In Khajuraho, Ishan had told me he would put me in contact with his friend Mangesh, who was living in Nasik, and it was this Mangesh who was calling me. We had a wonderful conversation where he told me of some more sites I could visit that I would enjoy. One of them was Kapaleshwar Mandir, and this was one of my favourite places in Nasik.
Mangesh then came to visit me in the evening, and I was again reminded of how much of a difference being in good company can make. After some stories about Nasik, he told me that if I wanted, he could pick me up in the morning and take me to a place believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman, before heading to the train station. He told me it was not very well known about, as there are other places which also claim this title, but I went to sleep that night feeling grateful and amazed that I could have missed seeing such a place, but I was not going to.
Blessings for help.