Swami Arunachalananda
Kavnai Kuti-Introduction
By the grace of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna and Maa Sarada, a small kuti began taking shape at Kavnai since 2017. In May 2017, first visit to Kavnai was made and land for the kuti was seen; that day itself (22.05.2017) purchase deal for the land was finalised in the Kamakshi temple of Kavnai. On the auspicious day of Vatapurnima (Thursday, 08.06.2017) the deal was finalized at Igatpuri Govt. office and payments were made.
The Surroundings
Kavnai is an ancient religious place, about 50 km from Nashik, which finds mention in many Indian scriptures; the famous Rishi and world's greatest and earliest philosopher - Kapila gave the philosophy of Samkhya to his mother Devhuti here at Kavnai. The sacred water pond called 'Kapildhara Kund' was the original Kumbha Mela place for centuries before it was moved to Nashik few hundred years back. Many saints like Jnaneshwar, Samarth Ramdas, Gajanan Maharaj have sanctified this place by their stay; it is told that in Pauranik times Sri Rama and Hanumna visited this place. The village has one of the very few Kamakshi Devi temples found in India. Kavnai finds mention even in writings of famous Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang! The village is surrounded by natural beauty, with hills, dams, lakes, forts, religious places etc. The immediate surroundings of the village include, apart from Kapildhara Tirth and Kamakshi Temple, the Kavnai Fort and Mukane Reservoir. The village is situated at the base of the fort; climb to the fort takes about an hour and once on top, a magnificent view of the sourrounding landscape opens up. The fort has some ruins of old palace, houses etc.; it also has a lake and an old Kamakshi Devi temple.
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Ghoti : Nearest small town to Kavnai is Ghoti, which is along the Nashik-Mumbai highway; the town has a busy central road which is the main market area of the town and other residential parts are located surrounding this main road. On the outskirts, near the cremation ground on the banks of Girana river, there is a Shiva temple with a small garden equipped with various excercise facilities; also nearby is a Dattatreya temple which is very peaceful, quiet and secluded. Apart from these there is a Devi temple in one of the lanes of the town, a Dattatreya temple in the presincts of Police station and a Ganesha temple on the busy market road. Occasionally some village fairs are arranged on the large ground of the town.
Video : Ghoti Fair (25 Feb 2018)
SarvaTirtha Taked : This ancient religious place, about half and hour drive from Ghoti towards Sinner, is known for Jatayu, the legendary bird from Ramayana and his fight with Ravana. He died in the struggle to save Sita from Ravana but attained Moksha at the hands of Lord Rama. Now a beautiful temple complex with guest house and other facilities has come up.
More Pics: Ghoti Budruk |
SarvTirtha Taked |
Tringalwadi Fort : This fort is about half an hour drive from Ghoti; the hill, on which is the fort, has beautiful and serene Jain caves at foothills. After couple of hours of climb one reaches the steep carved staircase which leads to the magnificent Hanuman at the entance gate. The Hanuman figure is also carved in the rock and painted with traditional saffron color; entering the fort from there, one can reach the very top of the fort; the view of the surrounding landscape from here is breathtaking.
GhatanDevi Temple : is just before the Kasara Ghat and many people visit the temple and adjacent forest reserve which has stunning view of the vally below through which winds the Nashik-Mumbai rail-route (one of the first few rail routes in India). The devi temple has beautiful Durga Devi image.
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More Pics: Tringalwadi Fort |
GhatanDevi |
Bhavli Dam : Ghoti-Igatpuri area has many dams; one such is Bhavli Dam which is very near Igatpuri. The natural beauty of the place along with surrounding quetitude is enchanting. The famous Vipassana Meditation International HQ is also located at Igatpuri; the center campus is surrounded by natural beauty and quiet atmosphere.
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The Kuti's immediate surrouding view is also beautiful; the place wears different looks depending upon the season but during rainy seasonit is especially beautiful. The Mukane dam is nearby and the kuti is surrounded by hills on all sides except the dam side.
More Pics: Kuti Surroundings
Video : Surrounding View 28 April 2018 and Surrounding View from Kuti Roof during monsoon (8 July 2018)
After the purchase deal, boundary measurement was done and fencing with cement poles completed by Raja Waghmare, Nana Gawali and team; this team was hired through Prashant Deole.
Visit to the purchased land site on 19.06.2017 (in Rahul's Nano! myself, my father, Kushal Chaudhary, Prashant Deole, Rahul Mujumdar):
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In order to dig borewell, it was necessary to find the water location beneath the ground; hence a geological expert, Mr Raut was taken to the site along with Kushal Chaudhary's father on 26.12.2017; Mr Raut walked the plot with a copper wire in his both hands; wherever there is water below the ground the wire used to vibrate. Thus Mr Raut marked a spot where he said water would be there and drilling can be done there.
In July 2017, due to rains, the Bhumi-Poojan which was expected to be performed on coming Guru-Purnima day, had to be postponed. The land was filled with rain water and nothing much could be done about it then. Unusually heavy rains continued till october-end and the situation remained as it is. Finally on Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi Tithi Puja day (09.12.2017), small private Bhoomi-Pujan was conducted with the help of Prashant Deole.
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----------- Om Tat Sat -----------
