We were at a getaway the previous weekend and on our return, last Monday, I had a tyre burst. The tubeless helped me scamper a few kilometers and the first repair shop I saw, we Thanked Our God....
While the Kannadiga was at the job, we searched around to pass the few minutes we had, and Lo, we chanced to see a discreet shop selling Chikki and Fudge and as we reached there, we also saw a board saying Indias First Celebrity Wax Museum.
Strangely, living so close and having visited Lonavala so often, I didnt know of this and was pleasantly surprised. And it deserves due publicity too.
I shall share a few pictures in my album too. Just uploaded one Wax Chacha with my daughter for the Childrens Day today.
A small building in Varsoli village and the sculptor, Sh S. Kandalloors efforts are all visible in the 25 odd Near Real Like statues is a beautiful experience. A craft that is in its infancy, but deserves a special mention to develop the art. I am sure Madame Tussauds started small too and became what it is now....
I share the location for Mumbaikars and Puneris to give it a Dekko, and encourage this person who travels from Kerela every few months and adds a couple more every visit. Travelling on the Old Mumbai-Pune highway from Lonavala, just as you cross the Neeta Hotel (about 5-6 kilometers away) and right on the highway itself to your right hand side, in a small village called Varsoli, is this Celebrity Wax Museum. Do not be surprised if no one even from the local communities can guide you to it.
An entry ticket of Rs 75.00 per person seems much, but the experience is well worth the value and more.
We have some great names inside. Lemme name a few here for you to make up your decision, to visit and see some legends..as good as real...
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru
Shirdi ke Sai Baba
Mother Teresa
A R Rehman
MS Subbalaxmi
Michael Jackson
I will post some pics and leave it for you to decide, if it is all worth a mention. I still encourage you to support this art, and that may help the Sculptor to be enthusiastic to develop and create more of this to make it an International level Tourist attraction.