Travel: Of windmills and stately dinners at Phaltan in Satara

Picture AcircAcircu00c2u0080AcircAcircu00c2u0088this You are seated with your partner in a tented canopy set up under an open sky Acres of verdant landscape and greencarpeted hills accentuated by gigantic windmills greet your eyesThe passing breeze carries the whir of the windmills to your ears As the azure of the sky burns ember and turns pale pink with the setting sun you pop open a bottle of wine and soak in the surroundings No this isnt a dream date setting in a faroff Swiss locale but a reality that awaits you inPhaltan a city thats a fivehour drive from MumbaiLocated in Satara district the city was a nonsalute Maratha princely state during the British rule under the central division of the Bombay Presidency Today it is known for its sugarcane and jowar farms pomegranate orchards windmills forts temples mdash one of Lord Ram known as the Gram Daivat of the city mdash and pristine architecture ensconced in a royal palaceIf youre keen to explore the marvels of this ancient city plan a stay at Jakson Inns one of Phaltans leading properties and sign up for a weekend farm tour in and around the region The best time to visit is between September and January People of Mahanubhava sect identify Phaltan as South Kashi You also cross it while driving from Pune to Pandharpur Typically four days will cover the entire city but we can arrange for customised toursWeve had guests who only come to experience the village life vineyards or even the neighbouring Kaas Plateau mdash there is something for everyone says Soraya Rebello vice president human relations and marketing communications Jakson Hospitality During your stay tuck into authentic Maharashtrian fare including Mutton Rassa Bharli Wangi and Zunka Bhakar along with brekkie delights like Sabudana Vada and Missal PavFrom September 16 to 18 AT Lonand Road PhaltanCall 917774090289Log on to wwwjaksonhospitalitycomCost Rs 3000 onwardsShri bhavani museumAn hours drive from Phaltan is Shri Bhavani Museum aka Aundh Museum built by the Raja of Aundh late Bhawanrao Pantpratinidhi in 1938 It features 500 miniature paintings of all major schools mdash Jaipur Kangra Mughal Punjab Bijapur Pahadi and Maratha mdash created between the 15th and 19th century Henry Moores famous stone structure Mother and Child last exhibited in Delhi 10 years ago is also preserved here Four sections in the museum comprise Western paintings including a Rembrandt selfportrait In The Prison Of Aurangzeb by AH Muller Beggar Boy by Barton Murillo and Francisco by L GoyaWindmill farmsEnjoy a picnic near Pussegaon Windmills a cluster of gigantic wind turbines constructed in April and set amidst the adjoining hills An elevator will take you to the top of the windmills that change direction based on the direction of windAjinkyaTara FortLocated on Ajinkyatara Mountain the 3300feet high fort offers panoramic views of the city Conquered by Maratha warrior Shahu Maharaj in 1708 the fort helped the Marathas keep a watch on Southern Maharashtra It was also where Tarabai wife of Rajaram Bhonsle Shivajis son was imprisonedPomegranate orchardsThe season for plucking pomegranates starts this month So take a walk through the 100acre orchards or enjoy a ride on a tractor or a bullock cart and watch the locals pluck fruit Youll also come across chikoo potato chillies tomato onion cauliflower and sugarcane plantationsThoseghar WaterfallWhats a monsoon weekend getaway without soaking in a waterfall Head to Thoseghar waterfall located near the village of Thoseghar Its not just one but a series of waterfalls mdash some 15 to 20 metres high while one of them is 500 metres highPhaltan TajwadaComprising heritage halls and six courtyards the rajwada a royal residence of the Maratha Kings was built in 1875 A new portion named Mudhoji Manmohan Palace was added to it in 1911 named after the ruler of the princely state from 1860 to 1916 before Phaltan became part of Maharashtra