The Royal Palace of Sawantwadi

On a bright Thursday afternoon I decided to visit the Royal Palace of Sawantwadi is nestled amidst lush green forests, beautiful valleys, and a lake,  in the Konkan belt of Maharashtra.

Walking the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the cross) in Jerusalem’s old city.

As told we all gathered outside the Basilica of St. Anne, Mr. Hani gave briefed us on Via Dolorosa which is within the Old City of Jerusalem, the path that Jesus walked while carrying His cross. It begins near the Lions’ Gate in the Muslim Quarter and ends at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter with 14 Stations of the Cross which are marked in Roman numerals.

Walking through the Lions gate to St. Anne’s Basilica and Bethzatha Pool

 

Lion Gate

We walked through the Lion Gate and reached St. Anne’s Basilica and Bethzatha Pool, which stands in a courtyard with trees and ancient ruins. It contrasts with the alleys of the Muslim Quarter. Mr. Hani informed us that Anne and Joachim the parents of Mary lived here and that Mary was born here. In 1187 the Muslim Saladin, or Salah ad-Din conquered Jerusalem and  converted it intoIslamic school, known as al-Madrasa as-Salahiyya.  There is a  Pools of Bethesda, where Christ healed a sick man. Today the entire site is managed by Missionaries of Africa.

Galilee with the Zion Family

Our second day began with sumptuous breakfast at the Rimonim. We headed out for an itinerary which included a 45 minutes drive to our starting point. We started with a small prayer by Mr. Paul Sequeira (Proprietor of Zion Tours and Travel)  followed by the  rosary and hymns and brief of the places by our guide Mr. Hani.

Mount Nebo

Mount Nebo is one of the Holiest sites in the modern day country of Jordan. The spot provides a unique natural balcony for a panoramic view of the Promised land which Moses had seen, that he would never.