Hot Springs on a river bank! Enticing much?

The Temple

Possessed dance forms

The Akloli river lit by an effulgence glow

Possessed dance forms Part 2

Knowledgable kids in the hot spring

Meditative old man praying for absolution

Descending chain of mountains

Landmark to get off 

A tortiose that was once alive

Take a bow

Rajasthani craftwork resting by the river

Have you been tempted by the hot springs that dot the continent of Africa or the Brazilian region of the South Americas? Un-fret that frown on your face as there is a desi and unimagined hot spring right in your neighborhood, on the outskirts of Mumbai(Thane), that exists in the exiled and religious town of Vajreshwari. So take a bold dip into the cubicles of the hot springs the locals call ‘Kund’ and wait till a current passes through your body - Not a malignant one; just a simple eddy of heat that will rejuvenate your body until its gooseflesh erupts.

Now, this small town was built as homage to Shree Vajreshwari Yogini Devi who inhabited the place in the 18th century. If you are waiting to be thrilled by the spirit of Navaratri or Gudi Padwa, you must visit this temple to see the palanquin taking the idol out as a procession that might make for a memory larger than life. Or if you like snazzy Hindi songs, you’ll exit satiated on the orchestra nights that happen on the premises of the temple. If not, you could still be a decent human and pay tribute to the Hindu tradition as the inner stone that laces the temple walls resound a surreal heart-rending wave of serenity.

What’s most exciting is the road trip. The bumpy and narrow roads will throw you onto the streets of ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ and threaten you to feel like a gangster. Or you may end up shrieking like a monkey due to the irregular ride. Regardless, you can take a bus from Vasai station or better yet, ride a bike from wherever you wish. The only reason a bike is recommended is due to the ride back – At Night. The descending chains of mountains that foreground the dimly-lit, star-studded sky make for a splendid picture. There’s nothing better than riding on a road where you can see no signs of civilization or even lights. Just the skies and you! Or your cowardly partner could keep cursing you for the perils he claims to foresee.

Anyway, before you reach Varjreshwari - where the temple glows at night and the hot springs spew medicinal sulphur water, you must try to catch the ridiculously hilarious advertising that packs all billboards at Vasai station. You can guarantee yourself a laugh. From there, it will cost you just Rs.30 by bus and one heck of a view that screams catholic architecture all the way until Vajreshwari.

On having reached there, if you get lucky you may see a procession walking into the temple with men dancing in a twisted and possessed fashion. Before you get ideas, the guy usually is possessed. A lady, his mother supposedly, whips him until they reach the idol structure of the devi. This is when a premises cleaner, Ankush Rao, will willingly wear a genial smile while being your un-appointed guide to the temple.

Once you’ve done with your visits to the temple and the hot springs, you can amble across to the river on whose banks is nuzzled the Tansa resort. Here, if you are looking for authentic Maharashtrian food, the Poha(Rs. 30) and Vada Pav(Rs.15) will present itself like a wet dream. If you don’t like Maharastrian food, then you’ll have to starve until you reach home. Either ways, you can stay there at extremely affordable rates, so much so that your pocket will look up and smile at you in relief. Happy cheap holidaying!

Beware: No street lights. So carry a torch for post sunset adventures into the wild.

Photo Couresy: Sid Vasani.