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The sleepy, picturesque village of Narayangaon is located
in the shadow of the majestic Sahayadri mountains. It
is a pleasant drive away from Mumbai, and is the centre
of the wine industry in India. The vineyards of two
of India's leading champagne and wine manufacturers,
Indage and Grover, are located here.
Travelling from Mumbai to Narayangaon is a welcome
relief for most people who are tired of the polluted
atmosphere and the utter chaos of the metropolitan.
The town is a burst of fresh air and tranquility.
Narayangaon is itself famous for its vineyards, but
there are a few places nearby this township that visitors
may find fascinating.
Girijatmaka:
This Ganesha temple is situated 12 kms. from Narayangaon
in Lenyadri. It is believed that Parvati performed penance
to beget Ganesha at this point. The temple is in a deserted
location and there is no human habitation close by.
It stands on a hill and has 283 steps to reach it. The
temple stands amidst a cave complex of Buddhist origin.
Little is known about its antiquity. It appears that
the Ganesha idol came much later than the period in
which the caves were built. The idol faces north and
this particular idol has to be worshipped from the rear
of the temple.
Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope: This is a surprise
for science enthusiasts who do not expect Narayangaon
to boast of any hi-tech gadgets or paraphernalia. Around
the middle of the eighties, the National Centre for
Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) proposed an ambitious plan-
the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, to be set up in
Narayangaon. The GMRT consists of thirty antennas, each
of forty five metres in diameter, spread over a circle
of about 20 kilometres in radius. The instrument came
into use in late 1998.
Wine Bar:
Chateau Indage runs a one of its kind Wine Bar in Narayangaon.
It is conveniently situated on the highway facing the
vineyard. This unique bar provides Indage wines as well
as food that compliments the wine one chooses.
Apart from these attractions, visiting the vineyards
is an enchanting experience. The area where the vineyards
are located is a pollution (that includes, both noise
and air) free zone authorized by the government. Rolling
acres of green are studded with emerald and amethyst
coloured fruit. It is sometimes the vineyard rather
than the wine that inspires poetry.
Seasons to visit:
The best season to visit Narayangaon is in the winter
months till February, when the grapes are harvested.
Getting There:
By Air: The nearest airports are Mumbai and Pune.
By Rail:
By Road: Narayangaon is connected via road to Pune,
Nasik and Mumbai.
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