Fan of Swades or Malgudi Days - Taste a quaint old world town.
This unlikely spot boasts of one of the most unique museums of India. Unlike his contemporaries who partied away in Europe, the last Raja of Aundh, Shrimant Bhavanrao tried to give a taste of the great European museums to his subjects by building up an extensive art collection including replicas of famous European paintings and statues apart from Indian originals by Raja Ravi Verma, MV Dhurandhar and Baburao Painter.
PS: Do try the misal in any of the stalls near the gate. Authentic zing with a picture postcard view of the valley blows away any tiredness from the journey.
A winding stone driveway behind the museum or wide sweeping stone stairs take one up to the fort like Yamai temple that towers high above the famous windmills of Satara. The temple houses a massive idol of Yamai Devi and unique marble idols along the walls that are now protected by glass cases such as of Saraswati with Tanpura instead of Veena apart from Datta in the form of a triple shivling.
One should also explore the town after these showstopper spots. The massive deepmala are a prelude to the grand darbar hall style Mahalaksmi temple (yes the same Devi as in Kolhapur). There is a hidden Shiv temple underneath the main Devi temple and one has to crawl down small steps for a darshan. While the palace was under restoration, the town centre is also home to a beautiful tank and another Yamai temple where the Goddess is said to have rested after slaying demons. Hence, the name Mokalai or "free or relaxed". The priests are generally friendly and ready to dole out local lores.
Overall 3-4 hours are sufficient to see the main points. Ideal day break for single travellers as well as for families with children.
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