Saturday, 11 January 2025

Laxmi Road - A Shoppers' Haven in Pune that Offers Spiritual Solace too!

           Laxmi Road, the bustling nerve-centre of Pune, is in the heart of the city and is the most favored destination for shopaholics. It extends from City Post Chowk to Alka Talkies Chowk, approx. for 5 kilometers. Anything and everything from electronic items, clothes, footwear, household items, etc. can be bought here. 

           The famous Tulshi Baug area is just off Laxmi Road, near Ganapati Chowk/Guruji Talim Ganapati Mandal Chowk. This is another tourist attraction. The renowned jewelry shops of P.N.Gadgil, Ranka Jewelers, etc. add dazzle to Laxmi Road. 

           The heritage buildings- the Commonwealth Building which houses the L.I.C. of India's Laxmi Road Branch Office, 952 Branch, the City Post Office and the Public Library are important landmarks. There is an ancient temple, the Belbaug Vishnu Temple which is a tranquil haven amidst the chaotic traffic. Several doctors' clinics, eateries and banks dot the road.

          Unfortunately, there are no washrooms for the public on this entire stretch, except at the Tulshi Baug and Bhanuvilas Chowk areas. The road is congested as it is heavily encroached upon; by the road-side vendors who do brisk business. The heavy traffic is a bane for young and old alike! Parking problems plague the area.

         The first day of the famed Ganeshotsav celebrations in Pune begin with a procession of the five Manache Ganapati (Most Revered 5 Ganapatis) through this thoroughfare. The immersion procession too passes through this busy road. The all-night pageantry and lights and sounds of this area assail our senses, then.
The revered Dagdusheth Ganapati - Image courtesy, Internet


         Diwali time is the best to stroll in this area. The twinkling lights and dazzling window-displays are breath-taking. Thus Goddess Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, seems to have truly made her home here, as all the businesses, big or small, thrive here! A visit to Pune is incomplete without a visit here.

Review published on website: www.tripadvisor.com on 07072015

The copyright of this review is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Laxmi Roadcha Raja Ganapati

Akhil Mandai Sharada Ganesh




Guruji Talim Ganesh
3rd Manache Ganapati in Pune


Tulshibaug Ganesh
4th Manache Ganapati in Pune

                          These snaps were clicked by Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.

Thursday, 2 January 2025

Once Again - Kindle Discount Deal, Amazon - An Excerpt

 


                   Once Again - Kindle Discount Deal, Amazon

          Once Again - A collection of insightful stories about couples and relationships, penned by me.

Available for just $0.99 at www.amazon.com till 8th January, 2025. Hurry! Purchase it and muse over the stories...
Do post your review online. Thanks.
An excerpt from the short story - Once Again
The suitcases were packed and ready, along with an assortment of cloth and plastic bags stuffed with last - minute stuff. They stood like soldiers ready to be deputed to war; mute, watchful and alert. Forlorn too!
Teertha looked around her children’s room one last time. The peach walls decorated with cheerful wall-stickers of Mickey and Minnie romping in Disneyland amid quaint castles and fountains, balloons and thronging crowds evoked a wave of nostalgia in her mind. How enthusiastically her children Tinu and Minu had insisted that she order for those colorful and glossy wall-stickers from an online shopping website!
Tinu was her six-year old son, the apple of her eye! Smart, lovable and forever mischievous! Minu was her nine-year old daughter, her sweetie-pie! Cute, adorable and always dependable to own responsibility of her younger “bhaiyya”! Now she would be leaving them behind forever.
End of the excerpt
Intrigued? Wish to read the full story? Kindly purchase the ebook and settle down for an enjoyable reading session that will compel you to contemplate on life's real joys...

Please post your invaluable review online to enable me to get more readers and reviewers. Thanks, once again.

The copyright of this book is with Mrs. Priya Ramesh Swaminathan.