Among the many roads, chowks and other places of public "interest" (is that the right word?) that have caught my attention, here's one...
As one crosses from Dr. Ambedkar Road to Sane Guruji/NM Joshi Road near Elphinstone Station, just before the railway bridge on the left hand side is located Ramachandra Kashinath Shirodkar Market - oops! Did I get that right, or is it Kashinath Ramachandra Shirodkar Market? There's a plaque and a neat little statue of a rather nattily dressed (late?) Mr. Shirodkar. One day I WILL get off my car and stop to read that plaque to know a li'l bit more about him and the market too. But, as always following Sir Isaac and his third law indirectly, there's got to be a cause & effect, no? Shirodkar is a name that owes existence to Shiroda and while there may be other Shirodas in existence I am reminded of the one that I personally know....
Goa - ahhh, beaches, shacks, fish, feni, cashew nuts, a 2 day package tour, Day 1 for North Goa & Day 2 for South Goa. Instant, ready mix tour packages are like instant coffee, not just the real thing. I speak from the experience of having lived 8 glorious years in that sun kissed state and having enjoyed every single moment of the stay. Forget the popular beaches, forget the popular shacks... Goa, to paraphrase Mohandas Karamchand, lives in its villages....
Fatorpa, Fatorda, Majorda, Sanquelim, Sanvordem, Sanguem, Collem, Mollem, Zambaulim - names that musically lilt in my ears years after I've come to Mumbai. One such place is Shiroda. Off the tourist map, on the road that goes winding leisurely (it IS Goa!) from Ponda to Sanvordem, crossing at some point the Zuari River at Borim... lush green, trees everywhere, people who instinctively know without ever having heard the term "work - life balance".....
And a temple. Shiroda's "own" Kamakshi, the diety having been brought to Shiroda from Raia in adjoining Salcette to escape the pillage of the marauding Portuguese - Kamakshi, in turn, bestowing Shiroda with some of the most beautiful stretches of riverine land. The temple itself is truly beautiful, old worldly and among the most peaceful spots in Goa
The next time you plan a trip to Goa, take the road less traveled and make a halt to meet Kamakshi - say my respects to her, please.
Meanwhile, I must find out more about Kashinath Ramachandra (or is it Ramachandra Kashinath?).
Have a lovely day!!
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