[ambivalent_98]

Ashish,
amazing stuff.... Varandha ghaat does look awesome and the road looks fairly OK too !!!
By the way have the authorities widened the road ? I remember a long time ago when I had gone to Harihareshwar for a picnic by bus , we had taken this road ... (Tamhini was not completed then) ... and the bus wouldn't turn at about 2-3 hairpin turns....the bus driver went backward and forward and then was able to execute the turn...scary stuff especially if you are driving a vehicle the size of a bus

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by pulsar56

The three stage waterfall looks inviting! Any close up pics?

Man, that three stages have the height of 2000feet overall.
The last stage is at the cave near ground level.
I will post the pic of that stage today.

Originally Posted by deky

Ideal time for Chai, pakora and roasted bhutta's.
Great pics Ashish.

thanks , forest, cool breeze, mountain, waterfall and hot pakoras.
what do anyone want more?

Originally Posted by mobike008

You are expecting us to swim in that?.

.......

Originally Posted by Indizen08

And unknown to people outside Maharashtra.

My little contribution to promote " Maharashtra unlimited".

Originally Posted by ambivalent_98

By the way have the authorities widened the road ?

No widening, just made surface somewhat smooth.
Everything is same.
Those hairpin turns are still deadly and big vehicles like buses and trucks find it tough.

[muralisk]

Awesome stuff there Ashish. Great place to venture during monsoons. Some breath taking visuals there of the ghat roads. Some very pristine waterfalls.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

The Mores ruled over the region of Javali where Shivthar Ghal is situated. This place is strategically important and very difficult to conquer. These people were serving Adilshah, but even he had no powerful control over them. Chandrarao was the title conferred upon them by Adilshah. Shivaji Maharaj defeated them and brought this region under his control in 1648. Ramdas Swami came to reside here in 1649, and stayed till 1660. Dasbodha was written here. Before proceeding on “Dakshin Digvijay”, his great campaign in the southern India in 1776, Shivaji Maharaj took Ramdas Swami’s blessings here. For many years this place was undiscovered. However in 1930, 300 years after Shivaji Maharaj was born, Shankar Krishna Dev, an eminent follower of Ramdas Swami, discovered this great pilgrimage.
Fascinating Spots : Ascending the steps we reach the building constructed by “Shivthar Ghal Shree Sunder math Samiti”. The organization has provided many facilities to all who come to this sacred place. They have maintained the sanctity of the place and keep it clean. In the main hall we see a portrait of Ramdas Swami. A small well-built path leads to the main cavern where Ramdas Swami used to meditate. This place is beyond our imagination. No words can describe its beauty. A waterfall outside the cavern adds to the beauty of the place. We can realize why Ramdas Swami chose this place to compose Dasbodha.
On the plateau above the cavern, there are remnants of the palace of Chandrarao More, the sworn enemy of Swarajya. From here we can have a glimpse of Rajgad, Raigad, Pratapgad and Torna.....source: trekshitij.com

Those who are well aware of the life story of Raja Shivaji and Saint Ramdas, they will understand the significance of shivtharghal in the history of Maharashtra and India.

BACK TO TRAVELOGUE:

6:00 PM.

We were at the foot of hillock where the famous cave and waterfall is present. @10 vehicles were parked there all from Pune.
There was calm and soothing experience in the envirnment.
The place is surrounded by huge mountains from three side full of thick forest.
We started to move toward cave.

huge jackfruit tree at the parking.


stream formed due to water from that huge fall which is converted into river.


steps leading to cave and waterfall.


entrance of premises


after crossing those steps, you will suddenly see the cave on leftside and roaring waterfall. while going to the cave, heavy downpour started. waited for 10 min to continue.


the cave



the place where saint ramdas used to mediate.
he had written famous poetry." dasbodh" here. you can read the description of this place in his unique poetry.


roaring waterfall splashing droplets made me crazy during photography concerning about camerra.


full view of beautiful waterfall.


thick jungle.


surrounding.


the pinnacle[ wanarlingi] for which we came here to take closer look.



It was almost 7 pm.
Time to go back.
We always go ahead uptill sunlight is present and start to come back at sunset. Thats the rule for our one day trips.

[NIP]

Fantastic place and excellent writeup Ashish. Enjoyed every bit of it !! Thanks for sharing.

[ASHISHPALLOD]

7:00PM

Started back taking same route.
The dangerous shortcut ghat was negotiated in first and second gear.
Started to climb varandha ghat.
Crossed vaghjai temple.
Suddenly, wall of mist/fog appeared.
Though traffic was nil, it was tough to drive as visibility was just 20 feet.



Crossed varandha top.
Fog/mist disappeared.
Those curvy road, mountain, waterfall became scary during night.
Drizzling started.
Stopped at lone canteen to have tea.
Reached to shirwal phata on NH4 at @9:15pm.
We were really hungry.
Had dinner at hotel Amruta.
Though hotel is huge with very good ambiance, nothing to write about food.

Started back at 10 pm from the hotel near shirwal.

BTW, this is car forum na.
Something about car.
While coming back from the hotel toward Baramati, i was driver.
I had driven first time indigo cs.
The car is roomy.
Stg is small compared to size of car.
Power is just adequate.
There is more noise in the cabin.
This 30000km run indigo cs was rattling at particular speed.
Though engine response is good, pick up is less.

12:00 midnight.
Entered in Baramati.
A fruitful day.

THE END.

SOME USEFUL INFORMATION.

ROUTE TO SHIVTHAR GHAL

FROM PUNE--

pune-nh4-kapurhol-right turn-bhatghar dam-bhor-right turn toward mahad after crossing bhor bus stand-
-ambeghar[ straight to raireshwar, right to mahad-devdhar[ nira devdhar dam-twisty road starts-hirdoshi[ small eateries are here]-
-look for waterfalls at right corners at some turns-varandha top[ small lone canteen][ stop here briefly and have glimpse of raigad fort, torna fort and shivthar ghal]-
-move toward mahad in the ghat[ look for numerous waterfall]-vaghjai temple[ stop here, have hot pakoras and tea, look for beautiful valley, waterfalls and monkeys]-
-move ahead and cross deadly hairpin turns]-there is right turn toward shivtharghal at a turn, road sign is there-
-take that 6 km shortcut-continue on shortcut for 2km-look for lone kachcha road near some houses going to right-
-take that kachcha road and drive extremely slowly safely, honk liberally-after crossing this kachcha road you will touch t point-
-turn right toward shivthar ghal.
total dist pune to shivthar ghal-125km

from mumbi
mumbai-panvel-mahad-turn left toward pune after crossing toll naka immediately after mahad-birwadi-turn left toward shivthar ghal.

Originally planned trip with family on 15th aug is still pending.
expect one more one day travelogue--

Monsoon masti-wonders of history, nature and science.

[f1fan]

Great Travelogue Ashish. I am always hooked to your trips.
Need to touchbase with you to get info about offbeat areas surrounding Mumbai that we mumbaikars can visit.

[rudrah]

Wow another beautiful chapter from your Travelogue, Ashish!

You just keep me surprising with so much new hidden treasures of Maharashtra!

You remind me of Milind Gunaji of the show 'Bhatkanti' at Zee Marathi

Way to go, Ashish!

I wish someday i could join you for such a trip...

Good luck and Cheers!~

[ASHISHPALLOD]

Originally Posted by muralisk

Awesome stuff there

Originally Posted by NIP

Fantastic place and excellent writeup

Originally Posted by f1fan

Great Travelogue
Need to touchbase with you to get info about offbeat areas surrounding Mumbai that we mumbaikars can visit.

THANKS MURALISK, NIP AND F1FAN.
@f1fan,
you are always welcome. there are so many offbeat areas around mumbai such as fansad bird sanctuary, kundalika river rafting, so many trekking points. you name it, i have info.

Originally Posted by rudrah

Wow another beautiful chapter
I wish someday i could join you for such a trip...

Thanks Rudrah.
We will do a trip in future with uday desai.
We will co-ordinate it surely.

Expect one more travelogue in this season from me. The destinations are not featured on team-bhp yet.

[gadadhar]

Read somewhere that the best traveller is one who has got no firm plans. Envy you, with my little one and wife, it becomes impossible for me to venture out without a plan.. Need to try out your style some time..

[ambivalent_98]

Originally Posted by gadadhar

Read somewhere that the best traveller is one who has got no firm plans. Envy you, with my little one and wife, it becomes impossible for me to venture out without a plan.. Need to try out your style some time..

..... the joys of bachelorhood are unparalleled .... and most of the married friends here on T-BHP would agree ... and I am sure most would sigh remembering those days....

[normally_crazy]

Wow - that was a wonderful one day trip, Ashish. That greenery is too good to be true and those waterfalls - sigh !!

I enjoyed this one from you immensely.

[hotstuff]

Hey Ashish, nice pics and a very engaging travelogue. After this + your previous travelogue, we are seriously planning a 1 week trip in Nov / Dec to drive around in Maharashtra. [I have this urge to be another 'crazy guy at the waterfall' ]

[ASHISHPALLOD]

thanks gadadhar, NC and hotstuff for your comments.

Originally Posted by gadadhar

with my little one and wife, it becomes impossible for me to venture out without a plan.. Need to try out your style some time..

its other way round , lol.
any trip with my wife and kids, i plan it properly.
if i am lone traveler, i just plan it.
if going with friends, planning or no planning, i go for fun.
@gadadhar, if you are with friends, then such trips without plan will be fun, but with family, why to take risk about anything.

Originally Posted by ambivalent_98

..... the joys of bachelorhood are unparalleled .... and most of the married friends here on T-BHP would agree

yeah,
it is essential to have joy of bachelorhood once in a while.
with friends, on such trips, "mai apni zindagi jeeta hu."

Originally Posted by normally_crazy

I enjoyed this one from you immensely.

Gautam, we all need really crazy travelogue from you.
so why are you waiting, hit the road on any weekend and next day, make a travelogue. simple.

Originally Posted by hotstuff

we are seriously planning a 1 week trip in Nov / Dec to drive around in Maharashtra. [I have this urge to be another 'crazy guy at the waterfall' ]

in nov/dec, your urge to be crazy at waterfall will not be materialized as there will be no water in the falls.
so, hurry up before deepawali.

[udaydesai]

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

THANKS MURALISK, NIP AND F1FAN.
@f1fan,
you are always welcome. there are so many offbeat areas around mumbai such as fansad bird sanctuary, kundalika river rafting, so many trekking points. you name it, i have info.



Thanks Rudrah.
We will do a trip in future with uday desai.
We will co-ordinate it surely.

Expect one more travelogue in this season from me. The destinations are not featured on team-bhp yet.

sure Ashish will do a trip with you. By the way i have a good news, wife just gave birth to a cute baby boy