Date - 1st July 2012
We
hired a vehicle for this pilgrim trip and started off early around
5.30pm from Kalyan. Rain gods were in our favour and so, we didn’t have
much pouring from the top and reached Trimbakeshwar pretty early around 8.30 am
Trimbakeshwar Temple - One of the 12 Jyotirlings
First, we headed towards a water tank revered as a sacred bathing place, the Kushavart kund.
Kushavart kund is considered the symbolic origin of the river Godavari.
After that, we headed towards the Shiva Temple in trimbakeshwar 
Then, we started off for Shani Shignapur which was approximately 4hrs journey from Trimbakeshwar.
Shani Shingnapur
The
shrine for Shani consists of a five and a half feet high black rock
installed on an open-air platform, which symbolizes the god Shani. A
Trishula (trident) is placed along the side of the image and a Nandi
(bull) image is on the south side. In front are the small images of
Shiva and Hanuman.
Shingnapur
is also famous for the fact that no house in the village has doors,
only door frames. Despite this, no theft is reported in the village
We bought some puja material ( oil and some other stuff to be worshipped to Shani dev ) 
Note
- Be cautions of agents (of stalls) approaching you as you drive to the
place. Their sole objective is to sell puja material worth Rs. 25 at
Rs. 150-550
After that, we went to Shirdi and visited Sai Baba temple. We returned back and reached Kalyan around midnight.
3rd July 2012 – Mumbai temple trip
Titwala – Siddhivinayak Mahaganapati Temple
We
had hired a vehicle for the Mumbai trip and started off around 10am
towards Tiwala to visit the Siddhivinayak Mahaganapati Temple.
The
place is steeped in ancient legend and the temple is frequented by a
very large number of devotees on account of the belief that separated
married couples could be united and marriages of desired people could be
fixed easily if the Ganesha image installed in the temple is worshipped
with devotion.
After
that, we went to visit the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir in
Prabhadevi and then the Mumba devi temple in Bhuleshwar which is
near Marine Lines station.
Post the temple visits, we went to see the Gateway of India.
Gateway of India
The
Gateway of India is a monument built during the British Raj in Mumbai.
Located on the waterfront in the Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai, the
monument overlooks the Arabian Sea.
Then, finally, we returned back home and reached Kalyan around 10pm.
The once in a lifetime occasion that happens with almost everyone (unless you are planning to remain un…… ) happened with me on 26th June 2012. We started our train journey on 24th
June from Bandra towards Delhi. We had been planning for this from last
1 month and lots of shopping was being done almost every day. As we
know, preparations go on till the last day and it actually never ends.
So, ideally, we were loaded with lots of stuff during our train journey.
It was a smooth journey and we got good companions to pass time and a
small boy who could dance and play around which made the journey even
more interesting.
Finally, we reached Nizamuddin station on 25th
June 2012 @ 1.30pm . My father-in-law ( from now onwards referred to as
‘papaji’ ) and my mother-in-law ( heedless to say , ‘mummyji’ from now
onwards) had come to greet us at the railway station. We reached Hotel
Hanuwant and had heavy lunch.
Preparations
were in full flow and everyone was gearing up for the big day.
In the evening was sangeet function and engagement ceremony.
My in-laws entering the function hall along with my wife ☺
Our complete family (elder sister,mummy,wify , ?? , papa, younger sister – from left to right )
My Delhi wali family ( papaji, wife, myself , mummyji and brother-in-law Shubham – from left to right)
Ring ceremony –
After that we had cake cutting ceremony
Post the cake cutting ceremony, we had a DJ dance party
Post the dancing, we had a sumptuous feast
Next day – 26th June 2012 – afternoon
Tilak ceremony
This function involves gifts being given from the girl’s side and most important, the bride is not allowed in this function :(
Entering the hall with my sisters
Gifts being imparted
The ceremony got finished in an hour and after that as usual, we had a grand feast.
Evening – 26th June 2012
The Ashoka
The dais was all set for the marriage ceremony.
Mandap
The decorations were simply awesome.
I started my journey on a chariot towards the hotel
Both the fathers helped me to get down from the chariot
Poor chap desperately waiting for his wife
And there she comes …
I realized later that my wife is a good sports player based on her throw of the garlands around my neck ☺
My family
My Delhi wali family
My dear friend Kaams ( on extreme left)
There was DJ dance party going around but we were in no position to dance
After the reception, we had a grand dinner.
I hope this continues …
The smiling couple
Finally, the marriage mandap (time – 1 am)
My dear sister tying the knot
Pav-pujan ceremony
Phere
Sindoor ceremony
Getting blessings from all elders
After the marriage, my wife sat in a doli and was being carried by her brothers towards the car
Being a good chivalrous husband, I am opening the car door for my wife
And finally we went back to our respective places (my wife to her house and we went to the hotel).
Note:
We don’t have immediate vidaai ( gauna ) on our side and so the girl
stays in her house till vidaai ( gauna ) function which happened after 3
days( 29th July 2012 ).
Overall, this Delhi trip will always be memorable for all of us and I am extremely delighted on having such a wonderful extended family.
