Greetings
Wanderers….
Welcome
back..!!!!
Monsoons
have been awesome this year and I hope every citizen has quenched his thirst of
getting drenched in rain.
This year
has been really amazing, all the festivals had back to back arrivals leaving
September – the month to enjoy post monsoon trips.
We had planned a Bike ride to Kaas Plateau –
Satara (Plateau of flowers) which turned out to be a Car drive.Greetings
Wanderers….
Welcome
back..!!!!
Monsoons
have been awesome this year and I hope every citizen has quenched his thirst of
getting drenched in rain.
This year
has been really amazing, all the festivals had back to back arrivals leaving
September – the month to enjoy post monsoon trips.
We had planned a Bike ride to Kaas Plateau –
Satara (Plateau of flowers) which turned out to be a Car drive.
On Saturday 9th September, we left Mumbai with 12 people i.e. 2 cars and 1 bike.
Since it was an overnight trip, we had kept ourselves equipped with tents and mosquito nets.
Dattaguru snacks was our breakfast point with Missal Pav and Batata Wada.
We had our
route marked on a different way… we decided to move via Pali khopoli road where
our 1st halt was Sri Ballaleshwar devasthan, Pali on the Pali
khopoli road, Sarasgad is right
behind this temple.
Sarasgad |
Sri Ballaleshwar Devasthan, Pali |
From there
we were cruising across scenic village roads that went till Mangaon junction
and going ahead towards Mahad.
brief halt to recharge ourselves |
To the right
were GandharPale Buddhist caves.
Gandharpale
or Pala caves are situated on a hill near Mahad- Konkan across the Mumbai-Goa
highway at the confluence of Savitri-Gandhari rivers. There is also a mention
in an ancient Greek text 'Periplus of Erythraean sea' dt 247 BC where Pale is
mentioned as Palaipatyai and Gandhare village.
There are total 31 caves. They are mostly Buddhist viharas located on a hill top. There are stone steps that take you to the top and can be accessed in hardly fifteen minutes.
view from Top |
viharaas |
Chaityagriha |
Inscriptions in Brahmi language |
We stopped for lunch at local hotel and had Jhunka Bhakar, However we were running behind schedule and got separated so we had our lunch at different places.
We were
greeted with unexpected rains near poladpur that delayed our schedule more, but
since the roads were in good condition we managed to cover most of the lost
time there and reached Pratapgad fort.
reaching the junction point for Mahabaleshwar and Pratapgad |
About
the fort: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj commissioned Moropant Trimbak Pingle, his prime
minister, to undertake the construction of this fort in order to defend the
banks of the Nira and the Koyna rivers, and to defend the Par pass. It was
completed in 1656. The Battle of Pratapgarh between Shivaji and Afzal Khan
was fought below the ramparts of this fort on November 10, 1659.
We
reached by 4.30pm and were greeted by dense fog where we were unable
to see the person standing beside… it was truly a sad state, but we decided to
visit the fort, atleast whatever is visible.
Suddenly
the fog started to disperse atop and we were able to get the clear view of the
tower and the epic picture that represents Pratapgad fort.
the Tower |
Southwest side of the fort |
the other side |
Around 6.30
we started our journey back towards mahabaleshwar and decided to have dinner
there. The Hotel was Horrible, ambience was so enchanting, but the food was
really disappointing.
Nilesh had
arranged for stay at Mahu village and we reached there by 11.30. it was dark
and we somehow settled and slept in the house.
Farm house |
Early
morning started with typical village life, birds chirping, old ladies doing
their daily chores, kids playing around, greenery around and it was like a
“REAL FARM HOUSE”
With
a group selfie we started towards Kaas plateau.
It was almost 66 kms from Mahu via Panchwad and into Satara. By 10.15 we were near kass plateau. The blooming season had just begun and we were able to capture some stunning images of the shrubs that possess medicinal qualities.
Terda |
Malabar Lark |
Others were dissatisfied as they were unable to spot the flowers, Me and Nilesh were roaming around with our Cameras while others enjoyed at Kaas lake.
By 1pm we ramped up and started towards Wai to Visit MahaGanpati (Dholya Ganpati)
Wai dholya Ganpati devastan |
Sri Kashivishweshwar -Wai |
Deepstaambh |
For lunch we
were looking to enjoy the “Tambda Pandhra Rassa Thaali” and hit the
Satara Pune road.
We were back
in Mumbai by around 10.30pm.
This trip
will always be exceptional as the nature has its own role to play. No one can
alter the course of nature of blossoming of flowers as per their will, there
will be excitements, surprises and disappointments as well. However we have to
accept Nature as it is and enjoy it in every form.
Wo shaam suhaani |
Yours WildWanderer
Sumya
keep writing travel your Diaries Sumya👌👆🤗
ReplyDeleteWow.. awesome writeup
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