Re: Central India Vintage Automotive Association (CIVAA) - News and Events During 16-17 th July 2022 weekend, CIVAA members with families travelled from Nagpur to Chikaldhara, a hill station in Amravati dist about 230 kms from Nagpur (one way). It was a monsoon drive and the rainy spells were met during the drive but everyone enjoyed the greenery and the uphill drive to reach the destination.
All CIVAA participants had a fantastic time and enjoyed monsoon in the hills. The 14 adults and 2 children enjoyed the rains and the forests as they ascended the Chikhaldara ghat in 5 cars. A visit to the unique 'NAND GANESH MUSEUM, was mid boggling and an eye opener for everyone. With its collection of many Ganesh Idols of different sizes and materials, it is listed in the India Book of Records.
CIVAA members and their families express their thanks to Adv. and Mrs. Anand Parchure (our CIVAA member) & Mr. and Mrs. Pradeep Nand for hosting dinner at Hurricane Restaurant and then breakfast at their beautiful home. This Nand Ganesh Museum is in Chikaldara. It has been set up in December last year by Mr. Pradeep Nand, brother of Mrs. Parchure.
A note by Mr Rukshad Bhagwaghar, CIVAA member Quote:
*A Vintage Run*
*Nagpur-Chikaldhara*
Imagine a gang of out-of-shape ladies in their 60s and 70s suddenly deciding they wanted to run the Marathon. It wasn't much different when we made a plan to take our vintage cars for the long run to Chikaldhara a beautiful hill station about 225 km from Nagpur. We knew they were a bit out of shape, we knew they would 'huff and puff' and we didn't know if they could make it...
But last Saturday, there we were, at the starting point at Wadi. Our vintage beauties having gone through last-minute' spit polish' and patchwork repairs, Looking all shiny and up to the challenge.
Our start was typical... Two cars were late because they refused to start. One car broke down not far from the starting line itself. Out came the spanners and tool kits, and with Nagpur's best mechanical brains on the team, all issues were resolved d we were finally on our way.
It's difficult to describe the fun and thrill of being a part of a convoy like this..we got smiles, claps and cheers all along the route. Other cars followed us for miles to get videos and selfies.
Vintage cars have an instant connect with people of all ages. It doesn't matter that most don't know a Wolseley from a Beetle, they respond to the timeless charm of these old machines. In an age where nothing is built to last for more than a few years, There is a sense of amazement in seeing something that is decades old and in good working order. The vintage girls behaved beautifully! We went racing down the highway to Amravati, up the steep ghats to Chikaldhara, occasionally in pouring rain and we had not a single breakdown, not even a puncture!
Chilkadhara was beautiful, misty and windy..the waterfalls were in full flow, and the greenery was unbelievable.
It was also a break from reality..dropping share prices, the depressing state of the economy, Ukraine and Russia, were all forgotten in a universe where all talk revolved around engine oil, spark plugs and radiators. It was relaxing and refreshing.
The next day the cars purred all the way back home. We owners beamed and our chests swelled with pride...our old girls had done us proud.
A little care, a little love, and a little attention were all it took.
Now we are wondering if this same formula will work on 'The Wives'!
But one is not optimistic. However much you try, and however much you do, the only time they seem to show good acceleration, drive and purpose, is when the run is to a shopping mall!
#bits of beauty everywhere.
*Gavilgad Fort*
Chikaldhara.
Over the years one has seen many ruins that dot the Indian landscape. But none has looked so beautiful in its emerald setting as Gavilgad fort.
Set in the hills of Chikaldhara, It is a huge fortification spread over many acres. In the monsoons the greenery engulfs it, Small waterfalls surround it, and wild boars amble across it. Gavilgad is full of secrets and historical surprises. The story of one of the great 'Titans of History' is interlinked with it. His name was 'Arthur Wellesley', later to be known as the Duke of Wellington, The man who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo and became a hero to his nation and twice its Prime Minister. So what was he doing here, just a little away from Nagpur?
Let's start at the very beginning... Gavilgad was first built by Ahmed Shah Wali in 1425, The fort later passed into Maratha hands, under the direct control of the Bhonsles of Nagpur. The fort had by then grown into a huge fortification with 7 gates and two ringed fortifications. It was thought to be unassailable.
In 1803 during the 2nd Maratha war the fort was besieged by the East India Company forces led by Arthur Wellesley. In a daring battle, the British forces were successful in defeating the Marathas and taking the fort. Thus began Arthur Wellesley's (also called the 'Iron Duke') rise in fame and reputation! Today one can still see the breaches in the walls made by the British forces that gave them victory, as well as a Maratha Cannon that killed 5 of the enemy forces with a single shot. At the end of the war, as per the treaty terms, the fort was returned to the Bhonsles, but for some reason, they lost interest in it and it was abandoned. The fort has been mentioned in many books.The battle was dramatized in the historical novel 'Sharpe's Fortress' by Bernard Cornwell and finds mention in Lady Elizabeth Longford's 'Wellington, the Years of the Sword'.
Such a rich history of events and associations...and yet it stands mostly forgotten..the 'great unwashed' that overcrowd Chikaldhara, give the fort a miss.
And that's a great thing..one gets to see the Gavilgad, undisturbed.
In the silence of the fort walls, if you listen hard enough, you can almost hear the 'Iron Duke', shout out across the gates at his Maratha adversaries... "Hum 'Company' ke Sepahis hai..Bahut khabardar "!
#bits of beauty everywhere |
Images of the memorable monsoon run:-
Last edited by anjan_c2007 : 3rd August 2022 at 18:21.
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