[magiceye]

If you live in Mumbai and any time you feel like going river rafting, or maybe just for some time to have a tete a tete with nature, just hop on to your bike/car and head for Kolad which is around 140kms away!
Yes, the river Kundalika out there is fed by various dams at specific times when the dams let out excess water into the river and then the fun begins. One fine Saturday morning, we did just that, though we did not have river rafting in our agenda.

We just wanted to chill on the banks of Sutarwadi lake where this wonderful resort ‘Pooja Farms’ is. The drive took us about three hours and once there, checked into a lovely airconditioned cottage. Spent the afternoon checking out the place and soaking in the atmosphere to unwind all the urban stress. Soon it was time to watch the sky set on fire by the setting sun.It was wonderful watching the sun go down.

Had an early dinner and feeling totally relaxed retired early for the day. We were told that the river rafting begins around ten in the morning and if we wished to catch the action we would have to head over to the neighbouring village and take the assistance of the local boys to guide us to the vantage point from where we could watch the adventurers river rafting. Woke up early in the morning to catch the sunrise and the early birds. Was not disappointed.

After a hearty breakfast we set out for the trek to the vantage point from where we could capture the

sights of the Kundalika river before and after the water is released from the dam and also capture the excitement of the river rafters as they raft by.

We met some enthusiastic youngsters in the village who willingly, for a small monetary consideration, guided us to the spot. The river was more like a stream when we saw it first. The boys told us how high it would rise once the water from the dam was released and showed us where we could rest till then and set up our shooting positions.

We had to wait for a couple of hours and then we saw the birds flying past in panic which told us of the

oncoming rush of water. The gurgling of the stream soon turned into a roar of flowing water. And then we

saw the rafters screaming with pleasure as they raised their oars in acknowledgement. The beauty of this river is that you can go rafting all year round as every morning the dams release water and the river swells just enough for some exciting river rafting. Back to the resort for some lunch after which we rested for a while and returned back to Mumbai feeling rejuvenated and ready to face the urban chaos!

[amitwlele]

@magiceye - This place seems to be interesting for a quick getaway. Can you please advise the route. I am in Pune so it should not be too far i guess. And also can you PM the website or the contact number of the place where you stayed in.

I hope it is a good time to go even in May summers?

[magiceye]

@amit click on KOLAD Travel Guide, Tourist places, Kolad Hotels, Kolad Tourism for route details and all the activities that you can indulge in Kolad.
Will PM the contact details of Pooja farms.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by magiceye

Will PM the contact details of Pooja farms.

Why PM? Please share it here on the open forum so that other members & guests also benefit. Remember, the primary purpose of this community is to share knowledge. Thanks!

[Lightening-Fast]

Great pics. And what a lovely place. When you see nature at its best, it reminds me that sometimes there is much beauty and it becomes difficult to comprehend all of this.

[magiceye]

Ok guys the contact tel number for Pooja Farms is 022- 2471 0101 / 0202

Have fun!

Originally Posted by GTO

Why PM? Please share it here on the open forum so that other members & guests also benefit. Remember, the primary purpose of this community is to share knowledge. Thanks!

[gautamkhadse]

Hi Magiceye ,

Thank a lot for those contact numbers . I hope am not asking for to much but could you share some pics of the place and the tariffs also ?

[magiceye]

Have pictures of the stilt cottages the charge for which is 1000/- per head

including meals. The A/c cottage which is on land very close to the lake costs 1500/- per head.

There is also a machan. No idea whether that is for stay or just for birdwatching.

[nix1976in]

Hey magiceye,
This brings back good memories, Have stayed in the machaan a couple of times in '08 and '09, they seem to have added a glass enclosure where a sitout used to be on the machaan. The food they serve is awesome. I could dig up a few pics if you permit me to add them here.

Regards

[magiceye]

Hey go right ahead! The more the merrier!

Originally Posted by nix1976in

Hey magiceye,
This brings back good memories, Have stayed in the machaan a couple of times in '08 and '09, they seem to have added a glass enclosure where a sitout used to be on the machaan. The food they serve is awesome. I could dig up a few pics if you permit me to add them here.

Regards

[nix1976in]

Here you go...the elctricity lines really mar the sunset pics but there was no way around them. These were taken in March 2009 on my 2nd trip to this place.

[pjbiju]

Originally Posted by nix1976in

Here you go...the elctricity lines really mar the sunset pics but there was no way around them. These were taken in March 2009 on my 2nd trip to this place.

A poor attempt at removing the electricity lines - done in 5 minutes

[nix1976in]

Awesome job, Pbiju. I have never used any photoshop or or any other photo editing software, would love a few lessons.

Regards

[rajarams]

Is Pooja Farms on the other side of "Hans adventure camp"? i had been to hans in Aug 2009 and on seeing these stilted huts on the other side of the lake, drove over and got their brochures. Just that i lost them and have been trying recollect the name ever since.
I had taken this photo from the other side and the photo above resembles it. Can anyone confirm?
If this is indeed Pooja Farms, the place is heavenly during the rains.

[magiceye]

Originally Posted by rajarams

Is Pooja Farms on the other side of "Hans adventure camp"? i had been to hans in Aug 2009 and on seeing these stilted huts on the other side of the lake, drove over and got their brochures. Just that i lost them and have been trying recollect the name ever since.
I had taken this photo from the other side and the photo above resembles it. Can anyone confirm?
If this is indeed Pooja Farms, the place is heavenly during the rains.
Attachment 565339

You are spot on! It is indeed Pooja farms!