Chikhaldara: Melghat Tiger Projet

Chikhaldara is in Amaravati district of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. It is believed that its name is derived from Keechaka. This hill station is the only hill station, which offers the tourists lots of wildlife, viewpoints, lakes and waterfalls in the Vidharba region. This is the place where Bheema killed the villainous Heechaka in a Herculean bout and threw him into a valley. It came to be known as Keechakadara - Chikhaldara.This place is the only coffee-growing area in Maharashtra. Chikhaldara is full of deep valleys, and these valleys are full of velvet mist and majestic trees. Abundance of natural scenery, exciting wildlife, breathtaking waterfalls and placid lake make the hill station a perfect site for summer retreat. Close by is the famous Melghat Tiger Project which has 82 tigers.

Melghat Tiger Reserve is located in Chikhaldara and Dharni tehsils of Amaravati district in Satpuda hill range. This tiger reserve of 1676.93-sq-km is one of the last remaining habitats of Indian tiger in Maharashtra.Tiger Project is started in the year 1973 at Melghat. Large area of the forest is covered under this project. The area of this Tiger Project is spread from Narnala Fort up to Dhakana, Semadhoh, Raipur, Doma. The 25kms long road , from Chikhaldara to Semadhoh is going through the deep & dense forest. We can feel fresh, when we just go through that way . We can see wild animals like Peacock, Dear, Wolf, Pig Gourus etc. when we go through that way.The Tiger Project Resort is situated at semadhoh.There is a arrangement of mini bus on 4'o clock in the evining and on 5'o clock in the morning for wondering inside the reserved area of the forest. In this reserved area of forest we can see the various wild animal like Leopard, Tiger, Beer, Wild Buffalo, Deer, Wolf, Snakes and various Birds.

Lavasa: India's first hill city

(photography: Ashish Ambekar) Lavasa is located in Western India, between Mumbai and Pune, in the midst of the majestic Sahyadris, nestled in an emerald green valley surrounded by hills, clouds and seasonal waterfalls. Situated 2000 to 3000 feet above sea level, it is a self contained world where people can live, work, learn and play in harmony with nature. Lavasa is home to the Karvi flower (Blue Bloom), which blooms only once in 7 years.

As you keep driving on the marked road from Chandani Chowk, you will pass a village called Bhugaon. Keep driving as you will pass another prominent landmark Manas Resort.

Drive straight ahead towards Pirangut, a few kilometers later you will pass by the Pirangut market and reach a junction known as Gothawade Phata. There is a Lavasa signage at Gothawade Phata.

Please take a left turn at Gothawade Phata. Now follow the marked road right up to a point where you see a big dam called as Temghar Dam. Now take a left at this point. Hereon begins the road to Lavasa Continue your journey straight till you reach Lavasa entry gate.

bhar pausath.......Malshej Ghat

(photography: Mr.Ajay)

“Sahyadri parwat ranganchya kushit vaslele sundar ani nayanramya ase thikan mhanje malshej ghat”
After watching movie” Ravana “, we (my friend group) decided to visit Malshej Ghat. After going through the info from net we made decision to go there. We started journey on early Sunday morning. The weather was beautiful, clouded, and cool and all greens were in bloom and it was raining. From Pune head towards Mumbai on the NH4. After Khadki turn right from Nashik phata into NH50 which goes to Nashik. Go upto Narayangaon and then Alephata and then turn left from Alephata onto NH222 which goes to Kalyan. A brisk 40 kms drive from then on would lead you to Malshej ghat. The total one way distance is around 140 kms.
Malshej Ghat is a tourist spot near the city of Pune and Mumbai. The site is nestled in the lofty rugged hills of the Western Ghats. The best time to visit is between August and September. At this time of the year, the hills are clothed in a soothing shade of mint green and the weather is cool due to the monsoons. This place is full of Natural beauty and pleasant climate to experience this when the rains are at its peak and having lot of waterfalls adding beauty. During monsoons, the entire place is covered in a thick envelope of mist. It is a delightful experience to walk in the thick mist. It rains heavily at Malshej Ghat and the fun is actually in getting drenched in the rains. There are millions of small waterfalls right near the main road. The fun is to sit under the cascade and enjoy simple pleasures of life.

Manun manto ekda.........
“bhar pausath……..Malshej Ghat” la gelach pahije......

behene de mujhe behene de.......behene de paani ki tarah...........!

A Spontaneous Bike Ride to Pawna lake & Lonavala...

lions point...

n'joying fog

Lions point of lonavala

lohgad khind

pawna dam

ready for ride...

It was 8 a.m.The weather was beautiful..meaning, clouded, cool and all greens were in bloom and it was raining. So I just hitched up with a friend and by 9 am we had kicked started the bike. The ride was fun because it was spontaneous and the journey was full of hills around us. It was 11:30 am, when we reached pawna lake which is an artificial lake formed by the Pawna Dam built across the Pawna River nearby Lonavala. The lake attracts many tourists due to its imposing natural ambience and cool climate. From the dam site one can view the majestic sights of Tungi, Logagarh and Tikona forts. After pawana lake, we take left turn just before the khind( narrow road passing between 2 small mountain walls) and reached Bushy dam, which was overly crowded and we decided to skip and continue ahead. It was indeed the right. Passing Bushy Dam, we stopped at Lion point of Lonavala, 15-20 minutes from Bushy dam, less than 5 kilometers. Its one of the best places I have seen. The view is very spectacular - due to the unprotected cliff which is thousands of feet high. Getting close to the edge enforces a feeling of great adventure & thrill. Down below you see open flat land with small villages and local farmers busy with their cattle in their farms. 20-30 kms further is Amby Valley, location of Sahara groups most reputed housing projects where many Bollywood, cricket celebrities and well known industrialists have bought prestigious property worth a fortune.

Heaven of Earth - Kokan Coastline

Kokan Coastline.....

white sand beach....

A sunset....

playing cricket on beach...

collecting sea shells....

sing & dance around camp fire....

dolphin watching in boat ...

enjoying seafood cooked in local style...

beautiful night view of sea princess hotel...
"Heaven of Earth" - that’s how I would describe Harnai and Palande beach… Intention was to see and enjoy beautiful beaches of Harnai & Palande. If you like staying away from the crowd and love watching the waves you will love harnai- palande beach, 200KM from Pune, approx 5 hours of drive. It’s a perfect place for a weekend picnic… the place is too good to be missed. We took route from Paud, Tamhini Ghat and reached Dapoli . Located at 11 kms from Dapoli, the beach at Harnai and Palande is an excellent white sand beach and we would like to rate it as one of the best beaches on the Konkan coast. There are a lot of good Hotels and Resorts alongside the beach and it is not at all crowded, practically it is like your own private beach. We stayed at Hotel Sea Princess, which is in one of the beach resorts near the hill side and relish on the exquisite seafood cooked in local styles. They serve good Konkani vegetarian food too. One of the primary attractions here is dolphin watching. A number of local tour operators arrange dolphin watching trips in boats. Beach is safe for swimming or you can just wade in the waters with white waves lapping at your feet. Have the time of your lives playing cricket, beach volley ball, collecting sea shells, etc. The view of the sunset is spectacular and breathtaking. Nights can be a perfect time to relax and sing and dance around camp fire.

Thoseghar Waterfall

Thoseghar fall

The place Thoseghar was told by Deepak (my friend). After going through the info from him I made decision to go to there. I started journey on early Sunday morning. From Pune I took a route on NH4,Pune – Banglore national highway and reach thoseghar with my own vehicle. The road direction and milestones direct the way to Thoseghar. On the way to Thoseghar you will see Parali dam and Sajjangad.

The Thoseghar is just 20 kms from the Satara city. . A 1000 feet waterfall makes the village very special. There are thousands of people come from all over Maharashtra to visit this place especially in Rainy season. There is a newly constructed Platform to stand and take a good view of the waterfall. You can enter in the Vally and see where exactly the water falls except the Rainy season (due to heavy rainfall). Do not try adventure here because many people have wasted their lives due to such adventures. This place is full of Natural beauty and pleasant climate to experience this when the rains are at its peak and having lot of waterfalls adding beauty. Overall, this is a good place to hang out and be in the lap of the nature and still, looks to be not much crowded with the halla gulla of the people.

Weekend Picnic At Koyna nagar

Ozarde fall

Gursale resort

Koyna dam

(Photography: Mr.Ashish Ambekar)

Koyna Nagar is situated in Satara District of Maharashtra and is well connected by road. Take Pune - Bangalore national highway no. 4 going southwards from Pune towards Kolhapur. Around 160 kms from Pune. Koyna Nagar is known for the famous Koyna dam built on Koyna River. The dam was a feat of engineering and was a construction marvel of its time. Koynanagar is situated with natural surroundings, as excellent climate during monsoon season which falls between July to September, when the rains are at its peak and having lot of waterfalls adding beauty The entire area looks like having worn a lush green outfit and looks very beautiful. The destination is relatively unknown and less exploited than the overcrowded hill stations like Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani. There are some reasonably good resorts that have come up recently situated on the hill overlooking the dam and the backwaters. Besides there is a Gursale Resort is on the one of high Mountain which gives a excellent view towards Koyna Dam and beauty of Koynanagar. You can be relaxed at Gursale Resort in peacefully climate in natural beauty. Resorts serve the typical Maharashtrian home cooked food. We first proceeded to visit the Ozarde falls and then onwards to the Nehru garden. On the way to the Ozarde fall, comes the Nehru Garden which provides the view of the Dam and its backwaters. Nehru Garden - Delight for couples, families with kids and nature lovers. It has water bodies, exhibition on Koyna dam, models, "Making of Koyna Dam" - Documentary screening at 11:00 am and 5:00 PM, landscaped garden, rose garden, restaurant and plenty of open space with good view of the dam. It is open till 8:00 PM in the night. Photography is strictly prohibited. On the way further there comes the gigantic Ozarde waterfall. The Ozarde Falls was certainly the star attraction of the trip. Scenic but at times steep trek of about 2 kms takes you to the bottom of the falls. You can experience sprinkles reaching the bottom of the fall due to the steep walls. It is a tranquilising experience where you can't stop admiring the glory of Mother Nature. The time stayed still and I was silent and mesmerised by the beauty all around me