A VISIT TO MORACHI CHINCHOLI A PARADISE NEAR PUNE.

A VISIT TO MORACHI CHINCHOLI A PARADISE NEAR PUNE.

Nature has been for me, for as long as I remember a source of solace, inspiration, adventure, and delight; a home, a teacher, a companion.

On a Saturday morning, I decided to go for a holiday to a place surrounded by nature, as I wanted to escape the busy city life and go to a place where I could find peace in nature and enjoy the natural surroundings. I searched for Holiday places around Pune on the internet and found a true nature’s gem hidden in Maharashtra only 50 kilometres away from Pune. This place was Jay Malhar Krushi Paryatan also widely known as Morachi Chincholi. Morachi Chincholi by the name itself means a village of tamarind trees and a town of dancing peacocks. I was immediately excited to travel to this place as I always had a huge attraction towards our national bird Peacock. I started on my travel to Morachi Chincholi, the way to the place was exceptionally beautiful. It was completely outside the commotion of the city but yet situated so close to it. It took me only 2 hours to reach Morachi Chincholi from Pune by road. I was amazed to see the location; it was a very beautiful place which looked like a typical rural village had a grand entrance. When I entered the place the first thing I heard was the beautiful cry of a peacock calling his mate. I was very happy to be at such a wonderful place. The staff at the place was very helpful and friendly; they greeted me and offered me lunch which

included Pure Veg Masawadi, Pital, Chuliwarchi bhakri, Mirchicha Thecha, Karalachi Chatani, Kadhi, Suki Bhaji, Chapati, Waran Bhat, Koshimbir, Lonche, Bobby and Buttermilk which was very tasty. The place was surrounded by greenery and there were tamarind trees everywhere. Also, they had large fields all over and took me on a bullock cart ride followed by tractor ride which was a first time experience for me, as I was born and raised in a city. There was a wonderful feeling while riding the bullock cart and the tractor. There were a couple of kids around playing rural games such as marbles, Gili danda who invited me to join them, this was a wonderful feeling as I got a chance to relive my childhood. After I joined them to visit the children’s playground where I watched them play on the slides and swings with the enthusiasm which made me miss my childhood days. I took a swim in the swimming pool later and got refreshed by having tea and pakodas. The weather was cloudy and it started to rain. I had my fingers crossed so I could spot at least one peacock spreading his wings and dancing with his might. Luckily I spotted three of them who got into the complete mood of dancing in the rain. It was the most beautiful thing that I had ever seen to spot this majestic bird dance with all their might. It felt like all my goals at Morachi Chincholi to see peacock dances were accomplished.

I planned to stay over the night as it was raining and I didn’t feel like leaving the place.

I took a cottage which was fairly priced and had a comfortable bed and many other facilities inside it. The staff invited me for having dinner which was extremely tasty and had a sweet dish as aam ras prepared with fresh mangoes from the area. Later, I

joined a group of people who had organized a hurda party. Hurda Parties are parties held with bonfires where one can savour the flavours of roasted Jawar in their full sweetness. This was the first hurda party of my entire life and was a very joyful experience. I spent most of the night gazing stars as the sky cleared up. I had a sound sleep in my cottage that night.

The cries of the birds woke me up early in the morning; I came out of my cottage and was amazed seeing the beautiful peacocks and peahens all over the place. I spent most of my morning admiring their beauty. Later, I went and had my breakfast and went to visit the fort museum which was another wonderful experience as the fort museum was full of interesting old artefacts. They also had astronaut’s world which was very exciting and informative for me. There was a magic show followed by a puppet show which filled me with joy. I purchased peacock feathers and tamarind sweets from the market inside as a souvenir of the place.

I left the place in the evening with a heavy heart as it was hard to leave such a beautiful place. Morachi Chincholi was one of the best places I have ever visited so far, it was better than I could imagine it. I had a wonderful time at Morachi Chincholi and made many unforgettable memories. I would recommend Morachi Chincholi to all the people who are planning to go for a picnic with family or friends and to all the people who love bird watching. Morachi chincholi is a unique place which offers an extraordinarily wonderful experience with the profound beauty of nature and leaves the visitors speechless.