Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar
- sri mathi
- May 21
- 3 min read
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, is a city that raised me.
I have lived most of my life in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, formerly knows as Aurangabad in Maharastra, yet, every time I step out with my camera, I discover something new. This city isn’t perfect — it’s chaotic, loud, stubborn, and honestly, too hot most of the year. But it’s also full of heart, and that’s what I’ve come to love the most about it. It doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. It’s real! And real always stays with you.
Sambhaji Nagar isn’t just my hometown; it’s where my story began. It holds memories like a dusty old photo album, late-night rides with that one friend in the entire city. The mixed background noise of people, honking, and conversations in three different languages. There is a certain rhythm to this place, even if you can’t hear it at first.
A lot of people ask me. “What do you even shoot here?”
But for me, that’s the beauty of it. You don’t need fancy landscapes or big cities to tell good stories. Sambhaji Nagar gives me moody streets, chai tapris that come alive in the evenings, sleepy old buildings, and quiet corners filled with their own poetry. You just need to look at it right. Maybe just look long enough.
I’ve been to Bibi Ka Maqbara more times than I can count, and every visit still feels new. It’s not just the monument, it’s the way the world moves around it, quietly and respectfully. And it’s not just Bibi — places like Daulatabad Fort, Panchakki, and the narrow lanes of the old city feel like time capsules.
My favorite spot to visit whenever I get out of my home is Kranti Chowk. The statue of King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj stands tall in the city, named after his son. That is what makes my city an emotion.
They don’t scream for attention, but if you listen closely, they will whisper stories you could not find in any guidebook.
Some of the most unforgettable pieces of this city aren’t even famous. Like the Chaiwala who knows exactly how kadak I like my Tea. Or the random lane near the Tilak road which hasn’t changed in the past hundred years. Or the way the sky turns soft pink in April evenings, the sky palette that makes you stop mid-scroll and just look up. These aren't tourist attractions, that is why they are my favorite. And maybe that’s what makes them special, they’re not for show, they are just there, like background characters in the movie of your life.
And yeah, the city’s growing. Slowly, stubbornly. New cafes are popping up. Malls too. Google Maps is finally catching up with our lane names. But it’s still got its old soul. It doesn’t change for the sake of trends. It evolves the way real people do, at its own pace, figuring things out as it goes. And maybe I relate to that a lot.
We both have our flaws. We break down sometimes. We mess up. But there’s growth in that too. Somewhere between the broken footpaths and beautiful sunsets, I’ve grown up in this city. Or maybe we have grown into each other.
As a photographer, my goal has always been simple, to show people the city through my frame. To capture the moments that are easy to miss but impossible to forget once seen. The rawness, the nostalgia, the little sparks of joy hidden in the ordinary scenes.
So if you’re reading this and if you ever find yourself in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, don’t just lool, immerse yourself, feel. Walk slowly. Talk to that chai guy.
Let the city pave you in its rhythm. And if you spot someone crouched by a street corner trying to frame a quiet wall or a shadow that’s probably me, doing what I love.
Hello Im Ved Salunke!
I am currently pursuing my 2nd year in Fine Arts, at Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune.
An Artist, Photographer and Storywriter.
Know me @: ved_salunke_, VedSalunke_portfolio, by_my_frame
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