[comfortablynumb]

Originally Posted by Sawyer

The last photo of waterfalls brings to mind an even more spectacular view that has falls in a spread that exceeds 180 degrees - a couple of kilometres before reaching Shivtharghal in the foothills after getting down Varandha ghat. As good as the best of Switzerland, in the Pune neighbourhood at this time of the year, with the river in full flow alongside

Yes, that is a beautiful vista indeed. We went there in 2017 monsoon season, and had shared some pics here:


https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...ml#post4253628 (With my TUV300 to Sinhagad Fort, Balaji Temple, Narayanpur & Shivthar Ghal)


From what I remember, atrocious is an understatement for the Bhor - Varandha road However, as they say, bad roads lead to good places


Cheers,
Vikram

[vrprabhu]

Originally Posted by sushantr5

Here is one old temple, which I found in completely neglected state few years back. Today what is the condition I do not know.

But the list will come up in the thread and in the individual posts. It needs proper compilation so that list can be navigated easily.

Cross posting from another thread - https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...ml#post4665058


My earlier posts (of Murud-Janjeera, I think) remains incomplete. Unable to finish it or add other places.

However, this temple deserves a mention. Gondeshwar Temple in Sinnar. Just a stone's throw away from Nasik. A magnificent example of Chalukyas - Hoysala architecture.























There is also a museum of gems / rocks quite nearby, for those who are interested in such things.

[abhi_tjet]

Waking up the 'mahathread' again with quick monsoon drives nearby Pune.

Bopdev ghat from yesterday.






Tungarli Lake, Lonavala from today. It was raining cats and dogs up there. So not much pictures.

[abhi_tjet]

Visited Dhom dam near Wai today. Few captures-

This is the same dam where one of song from Swades movie was picturised.




The entire landscape




The ride


This is Dhom dam again captured from Parsi point(Panchgani) side. It was fun driving Tjet in Wai-Panchgani ghat section.


Few points -
- Toll booths are still mismanaged. Takes a long time to pass through. Fastag/no fastag all jump in.
- Lots of diversions (not maintained) in Pune-Wai direction. Return leg is better.
- Got an average of 16.3 as per MID. After correcting the usual error of around 1 kmpl, it still is 15 plus for this drive of around 250 odd kms.

[ruzbehxyz]

Very good thread.
Thought of sharing my one day monsoon trips thread here for reference.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/trave...mbai-pune.html (Numerous one-day monsoon trips around Mumbai / Pune)

[vrprabhu]

Thanks, abhi_tjet - your pictures brought back some wonderful memories. Rains always remind me of the sudden change in the landscape around Pune (for that matter, any place in Maharashtra / Kerala / Karnataka).

Would love to see this thread revived, with pictures of some nice greenery.

[humyum]

Originally Posted by vivek95

Mystical Maharashtra in monsoons ! I drove to Bhandardara about 4 days back from Mumbai ( where I currently live ). This was my second visit here, previous one being last year mid-September but always wanted to drive here in the peak of monsoons and thus headed there on Tuesday, the 17th of July 2018. It was a 12 hour round trip that included 4.5 hours in the core Bhandardara area ( approx 55 kms circumference ). Some pics from the drive -

This is amazing. How are the roads? I want to do a weekend trip to Bhandardhara too but last time I went the roads were in tatters.

[vivek95]

Originally Posted by humyum

This is amazing. How are the roads? I want to do a weekend trip to Bhandardhara too but last time I went the roads were in tatters.

Thank you That post was during my last visit in 2018, so I am not sure how the roads are at present. However I too am planning to drive Mumbai--Bhandardara and back in next 2 days, will update on the same.

[ruzbehxyz]

Originally Posted by vivek95

I too am planning to drive Mumbai--Bhandardara and back in next 2 days, will update on the same.

I went to Bhandardara few days back. Took the normal route from Ghoti. Roads works were on at places. With the occasional bad patches, overall the road was okay, bearing in mind what it use to be before. Low ground clearance vehicle should be careful.
The road towards Ratanwadi - Samrad and the road towards Konkan kada point was blocked/closed.

[vivek95]

Originally Posted by ruzbehxyz

I went to Bhandardara few days back. Took the normal route from Ghoti. Roads works were on at places. With the occasional bad patches, overall the road was okay, bearing in mind what it use to be before. Low ground clearance vehicle should be careful.
The road towards Ratanwadi - Samrad and the road towards Konkan kada point was blocked/closed.

Hello. Thanks a lot I have done Bhandardara 3 times in the past, all during monsoons. This time I was planning to drive only till Igatpuri and explore the scenic spots around. However I have absolutely no idea where and what in Igatpuri. Can you please list out the popular spots which are accessible by road, preferably some waterfalls ( like Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar) ?? It would be a one day drive from Mumbai with my colleagues. Thanks

[abhi_tjet]

Originally Posted by vrprabhu

Would love to see this thread revived, with pictures of some nice greenery.

Thank you . Your earlier posts were an inspiration to revive the thread. I made quite a few day trips with all precautions in this monsoon namely, Kaas, Bhimashankar, Malshej. Let me start with Tamhini.

[raunak2X90]

These are some really beautiful monsoon pictures with greenery everywhere.

Makes me miss the road so much. I haven't been able to go anywhere since the pandemic and I don't know when I would be able to go out with my breathing condition. Watching your pictures makes me feel like I am there. Thank you for sharing!!! PS: The blue on the Linea goes so well with the green grass.

[vivek95]

Good to see the thread rolling. Let me add my pics from my recent two drives to Igatpuri from Mumbai in the last 20 days. I have regularly driven on Mumbai--Nasik NH3 and it has always been a mind blowing experience even in summers, not just during scenic monsoons. Very often, the Kasara ghat--Igatpuri section gets heavily fogged out in monsoons and the visibility is down to less than 10 metres. Both times we had lunch at Manas resort, Igatpuri and the food was very good. I visited Ashoka waterfall, Vihigaon ( distant access ), Vaitarna river brige view, Bhavali Dam lake, drive on Ghoti--Sinnar road to some distance and some view points by roadside and Camel valley. The route itself is entirely scenic from Mumbai to Nasik and even the Ghoti--Sinnar road is super scenic ( driven to Shirdi once from Mumbai ). No words about Bhandardara, its truly heaven, period ! I have had 3 past visits to Bhandardara, all during monsoons but haven't covered all the waterfalls.

Some pics of Kasara ghat--Igatpuri region --

[abhi_tjet]

Visited Bhimashankar couple of weeks before. Took the Rajgurunagar - Taleghar - Bhimashankar route. Rajgurunagar route is way more scenic than the traditional Manchar route. No traffic and the ghat to Taleghar is surreal. Bhima river is flows parallel for at least 30 odd kms till you take right towards taleghar to merge in original route. Pictures just doesn't do justice.

Even the 'wrong turn' will greet you with beautiful views. I know since I took one.



ChaasKaman Dam.

[naren_gs1]

Originally Posted by abhi_tjet

Visited Dhom dam near Wai today. Few captures-

Menwali ghat which is only few kilometers from Wai is a spot not be missed!!!

Beautiful small ghat on Krishna river ... And a temple