I question the reception guy at Hotel Tulsi Inn – Which are the best places to eat in Trimbakeshwar?

He replied: If you are looking for a good unlimited homemade Gujarati Thali for lunch/dinner, do visit Ambika Bhojnalaya located near Uttar Maha Dwar, Trimbakeshwar Temple. They are economical and worth the money. Only Rs. 100 per thali. One of the most recommended restaurants in Trimbakeshwar.

Or,

You may visit Pangat Bhojanalaya – one of the oldest located in Teli Gali, Trimbakeshwar.

I went to Ambika Bhojnalaya for dinner. 44 years (since 1978) and continuing. The service was good. The food was hot and tasted good. Pure Gujarati Style Unlimited Thali. One of the best places in Trimbakeshwar to have food without onion and garlic. And it was of medium spice. Must visit at least once if you are in Trimbakeshwar. Ambika Bhojnalaya is a good restaurant in a prime location.

Timings: 11:30 am – 3:30 pm (Lunch) and 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Dinner).

On another day, for dinner, I planned to go to Pangat Bhojanalaya, located at Teli Gali in Trimbakeshwar.

Again, one of the rarest places in Trimbakeshwar where one can have sattvic home-cooked food without onion and garlic. They serve the most delicious unlimited authentic Maharashtrian vegetarian food at a rate of Rs. 80 per thali. One has to sit on the ground to have food. The owner of the restaurant was quite polite and was checking each and every person. They will serve food like a family get-together. My personal experience has been very good. It is run by an elderly couple, with mostly women working as support. I highly recommend Pangat Bhojanalaya. A must-visit place to know the traditional way of Maharashtrian Thali.

Timings: 7:00 pm onwards.

Apart from the above two places, I also went to Akhil Bhartiya Shri Swami Samarth Gurupeeth to receive Maha Prasad in the afternoon hours. Anyone may come and have Maha Prasad.

Cost: Rs. 30 per Coupon for Unlimited Maha Prasad.

Akhil Bhartiya Shri Swami Samarth Gurupeeth is a little far from Trimbakeshwar town. You will have to hire an auto.

Timings: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm / 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Thus, these are the recommended places to eat in Trimbakeshwar, where I had lunch/dinner. I am happy with the recommendation. And not to forget the best breakfast in Trimbakeshwar – Suresh below Lokhandwala Dharamshala near Uttar Maha Dwar, Trimbakeshwar Temple.

I stayed at Hotel Tulsi Inn, very near to Trimbakeshwar Temple.

As the wish was to visit places around Trimbakeshwar with my aged mother thus, I decided to hire an auto-rickshaw to save long walks and climbing more than hundreds of steps.

I requested the Hotel Tulsi Inn reception staff to help me in hiring an auto-rickshaw.

He gave me three auto-rickshaw numbers, and all three were asking for Rs. 1,100 for the visit in around Trimbakeshwar.

Accidentally, I met Umesh – An auto-rickshaw wala who was ready to show me places in around Trimbakeshwar for Rs. 800.

I bargained and he said Rs. 700 is the last fare.

The places finalized to be visited around Trimbakeshwar were:

• The base of the fort Bramhgiri includes Gangadwar, Varahtirth, Goddess Kolambika Temple, 108 Shivalings, Caves of Gorakshanath, and Machchhindranath. (Even after leaving the auto-rickshaw, you have to climb 200 stairs)
• Neel Parbat, which includes Matamba Devi, Nilambika Devi, Sadguru Dattatreya temples. (approx. 200 stairs)
• Samadhi (mausoleum) of Saint Nivruttinath.
• Kushawarta Tirth

And finally drop at Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan at Jawahar Road, Trimbak.

I agreed, and so is the auto-rickshaw wala (0-94048 87619).

Please Note: Road condition is not good.

The total journey time starting from Hotel Tulsi Inn till Shri Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan taken was approx. 3 hours.

If I had walked and climbed stairs with my aged mother, it would have been impossible to complete the journey in one day. Thanks to Umesh.

R. K. Salon (non-air-conditioned shop) is in Trimbak opposite Hotel Tulsi Inn. I visited for a clean shave and maybe a head massage.

Aakash – The barber first applied ‘Beauty Cream’ on the face before going for a clean shave.

‘Beauty Cream’ was a new experience. Never experienced this product before.

In different cities/towns, different ways of barbers to make the beard/moustache area soft before the clean shave. Few apply Dettol mixed with water, few apply cream, and few just sprinkle water.

After ‘Beauty Cream’, water was sprinkled, the face was cleaned, and V-Mat shaving foam was applied for a clean shave.

I prefer Gillette shaving foam for a clean shave, but I also welcome any shaving foam because to date I am unable to understand the difference between Gillette, V-Mat, Cimelle, and Brooks. I have experienced all these shaving foams till-date.

Maybe someone has to throw light – The difference.

Recently, in Vapi (Gujarat) near the railway station, the barber (non-air-conditioned shop) applied – V Mat shaving foam. No Animal Fat was written clearly.

The shaving results? – As similar to any other salon.

How much are the charges for a clean shave? – I question Aakash.

Rs. 50 only – He replied.

Cheap, isn’t it? – A thought within.

How much for a head massage? – I question.

Rs. 100/150 depends upon the client, said Aakash.

Anyway, not now. Maybe tomorrow – said I.

All I can say is that the clean shave was as good as in any other barbershop, but yes, I enjoyed the face wash/massage.

Maybe the experience of the barber is more important rather than shaving products.

Timings: 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.