Bhandardara has a special charm. The easygoing sleepy rustic harm that offers a taste of rural Maharashtra and healthy dose of clean air greenery and natural beauty. Here you can relax in nature’s cradle and gaze out dreamily over a placid lake. The active should bring a line and tackle along and find a suitable spot for angling. But perhaps Bhandardara is most famous for the trekking on offer here. Ask any trekker who knows the Sahyadris and they will tell you are in the right place to get into active gear and climber a rugged fort or peak. From Bhandardara you can attempt the famous Ratangad and Harishchandragad forts. A little further afield is the famous Ajoba or grandfather peak and Ghanchakkar or perhaps you are here with a predetermined aim to undertake a physically demanding hike up the highest peak in Maharashtra.

The huge expanse of Bhandardara Lake and the thundering Randha Waterfalls are the chief spectator attractions here and after ticking them off on your itinerary you can comfortably plot into an armchair and enjoy a lazy holiday.

There are jeeps available at the village square in Shendi just 3 km away to take you on a tour of the predetermined points of interest around Bhandardara.

Bhandardara Lake

The Lake Arthur Hills the lake was created when Wilson Dam was built across the Pravara River. The dam one of the countries oldest and at a height of 492 ft was constructed by the British to provide irrigation to the Ahmednagar region. When the sluice gates open they create two huge 60 to 80 ft cascades of water that gush down the rocks below creating a spectacular sight. The water released from the dam creates many tiney rivulets, which are channeled all around the park at the base of the dam before converging at the main stream and rushing downwards.

Warning No one is allowed onto the dam and no photography is allowed within the park or near the dam.

Randha Falls

About 10 km down the river tranquility is shattered by the road of the Randha Falls. The Pravara River plunges 170 ft down into a gorge creating a breathtaking sight and the third largest falls in India. There is a temple on the banks of the river and lately there is been a mushrooming of several cold drinks and tea stalls. A lookout point just above the falls provides a great view.

Also check out Umbrella Falls nearby if you are here during or after the monsoons and the Agasti Rishi Ashram, mentioned in the Ramayana as the home of Agasti Rishi.

Angling

Set yourself up on the shores of the lake. You can also fish along the Pravara where you will see the occasional villager with his bamboo fishing line. The river has plenty of fish as well as the jumbo freshwater shrimp which come down the sluice gates when the water is released. Permits are a bit of a grey area but casting a line along the river and the lake has been done without any questions being raised about permits. The dam itself is out of bounds.

Trekking options

There are unlimited trekking opions here ranging from a simple climb up a nearby hillock to a tough climb up to Ratangad Fort or Mt Kalsubai. At 5,400 ft Mt Kalsubai is the highest peak in Maharashtra and the Western Ghats and it served as a warchower in Maratha times.

Car Take the Mumbai – Nasik Road NH3 to Ghoti past Igatpuri. Just beyond the bus station take a right and cross some railway tracks. After a while the road forks. Take the right fork to Vari Village. Further down the road forks again at Varangushi. Again take the right to Shendi and Nhandardara. The drive takes 4 hrs from Mumbai nearest railway stations igatpuri 42 km 1 hour. Jeep to bhandardara Rs 300-500. Alternatively catch a connecting bus from igatpuri regular service throughout the day.

Here you can simply moon around or moon over Shivaji’s adventures depending on your state of mind. Jawhar’s unhurried pace laidback life and exquisite natural beauty provided the ideal backdrop for all such indulgences. All it needs is adequate tourist infrastructure and perhaps a few spin doctors to sell this destination as an alternative to the done to death spots.

There is plenty to see and do in Jawhar called the Mahabaleshwar of Thane District but not quite as much as in the Real Mccory in Satara District.

Jai Vilas Palace

Jawhar about places one must visit and the first name invariably is Jai Vilas Palace or the Raj Bari. Extensive cashew plantations spread over a massive area surround this regal structure belonging to the erstwhile tribal lords.

Hanuman Point

Just adjacent to Jawhar bus depot and close to Jai Vilas Palace is Hanuman Point. Apart from a temple dedicated to Ram’s faithful disciple this place allows one to get a good view of the valley below. From a particular angle you can even see the domes of Jai Vilas Palace silhouetted against the misty hills.

Shirpamal

There is hardly any place in Maharashtra where the great warrior Shivaji has not let his imprint. Shirpamal just outside Jawar on the Nasik Road is where the Great Mahatha caped on his way to Surat.

Warli art of Jawhar

The warli tribe is famous for its enormously lively paintings depicting everyday scenes of village life. Warli paintings traditionally made or rice paste. Adorn many an adivasi hut in Jawhar.

Sunset Point

This point is a 5-minute drive from Hotel Raj Hahal. From this vantage point you can see a waterfall charging down a hill dancing its way to the valley below.

Road Take NH8 to Charoti Naka in kasa via Manor. Take a right to Jawhar 39 km away via Sava and Balkapra.
Rail Nearest railhead: Dahanu road 67 km 1’half hour. Take on ST bus to Jawhar via Charoti. No Cabs or autos available.

The cheapest way to go to Khodala is to take one of the many trains from Mumbai to Kasara. From the station government buses and private jeeps that stuff people into them will drop you off at Khodala but this should be your last resort. The only commonsensical way to reach Khodala is by car because the place demands flexibility of transport.

Mountain Range Wild Camp

The camp is set one a small lush incline. Run by the Mumbai based adventure group India outdoors wild camp is not merely a place to find shelter and eat. There is also rock climbing and garden variety trekking or you can rent a bike and cycle into the hills. The most popular of all is the extremely wise choice of the activity called hammocking where you lie down and do nothing.

Deobandh Temple

Spend many a blissful moment gazing at Khodala’s hillocks small soft green plateaus huge trees and marvelously slow moving people. The snap out of your reverie and visit the small Ganesh Temple here. The spot around the lake is worth absorbing with its hills and rocks and valleys and free beauty and all the other things that sound a bit boring in prose.

Around Khodala

Suryamal 10 km

Ten kilometers from Khodala village is suryamal plateau which offers calm and deep view of all that exists below and beyond. Here to take in the sunrise, it is one of those simple experiences that come up on you free and unannounced but mysteriously stay with you for many years. After the initial exhilaration of watching endless fields behind which land simply disappears there is nothing more that suryamal offers so take a drive down from Suryamal towards Wada. It’s a queer drive that may be eerie at night. To the left of the road is a thick greedy forest in which leopard’s jackals and like minded creatures roam. There are a few tiny unpaved lanes that go off the road into the jungle.

Some l6 km before Wada is a signpost that says that to your left is the Upper Vaitarna Dam. The rocky path takes you to the tip of what looks like a jungle. You keep walking and after some time you see one portion of the huge dam. You go down a slope to find hidden behind all the vegetation a stairway to the top of the dam. These days tourists are not allowed entry through the main gate which is at the end of the official road. But we did look at Vaitarna Lake from up above for one full minute and it was unforgettable.

Road Take NH3 till Jawhar Phata via Bhiwandi, Khardi and Kesara. Turn left onto the road to Khodala 23 km away. The drive takes 3 half hrs plus Nasik via Wada halt at Khodala.

Nearest railway station: Kasara 32 km 45 minites. Serviced by local trains on the Main Line from CST from Kasara take any ST bus heading for Jawhar or Wada and get off at Khodala. Or take a shared jeep from kasara Rs 60 per head, Rs 300 for entire jeep approximately.

The journey is a long and tedious one not to mention bone rattling that cuts through swathes of boring countryside and there aren’t too many fancy resorts or picnic spots to choose from in this adivasi tribal region. But Toranmal’s secret lies in the fact that it’s a parallel track on the well-travelled tourist road a soothing unpolluted confluence of hills waterfalls and valleys.

There are two guessing games about Toranmal’s name both of which underline its location, toran in the Marathi language means a welcome arch and mal means garland. The image of arches strung together like a garland is what you see when you look down on Toranmal from the heights of the Satpura. It’s a;sp believed that Toranmal is named after the ancient for tree which blossomed so prolifically that locals began worshipping Torna Devi as a goddess of fertility. The fabled for tree no longer exists what does is a hilltop temple dedicated to the goddess.

Toranmal has several little surprises along the way but the biggest surprise is scattered in bits and pieces all over this hill station. Ruins of broken sculptures of Hindu gods and goddesses are strewn around Toranmal an dthough hey’re believed to be centuries old the Archaeological Survery on India doesn’t appear to be too interested. The toranmal Hill Resort the biggest hotel here has mounted several of the broken sculptures on a raised platform.

Take along a local from the resort to guide you to the many interesting spots of this hill town. Count yourself lucky if you get the serices of the very well informed and very lively guide Samadhan Patil. In the evening sit by the lakeside and listen to the lilting voice emanating from a distant adivasi hut.

If you have hired a vehicle from Shahada or Dhule keep it and your driver for the duration of your stay. Do not depend on transport at the hill station. Keeping a Sumo will cost you about Rs 600 per day. Shahada with its numerous educational institutions is where you must fill up your fuel tank because there’s no gas station in Toranmal.

Yashwant Lake

No matter where you are in Toranmal you can be sure that Yashwant Lake isn’t too far behind. It’s named after the late Yashwant Rao Chavan, Maharashtra’s former chief minister who is said to have rolled into Toranmal on horseback. The lake is surrounded by hills. An hour long ride on a pedal boat here costs Rs 100. Overlooking the lake is a quaint blue Protestant church a little over a century old.

Khadki Point

This is a trekking area with a colourful past. In ancient times a wall ran along the length of Toranmal. When the wall was dug up century old bricks that have survived the cruel march of time and nature where found here. Khadki Point affords picturesque views of the valleys below.

Torna Devi Temple

Perchad on a hilltop the emple is only eight years old. But the black stone idol of Torna Devi placed outside the temple is steeped in antiquity. The locals say it is more than 600 years old. Also check out Gorakshanath Temple.

Sita Khai

Despite its name this magnificent gorge has nothing to do with godess Sita. The gorge gets its name from seedha Khai straight ditch. A waterfall flows from here and the sight gets only prettier during the monsoon. Sita Khai also has an echo point.

Machindranath Cave

This is a natural formation that emerged from the mountain. Legend has it that Sage Machindranath used to meditate here.

Nearst Railway Station: Nandurbar 122 km 3 hours. Cab costs about Rs 600 to Tornamal via Shahada.

Road NH3 to Songdir Phata 20 km ahead of Dhule 144 km from toranmal. Turn left for Shahada about 67 km away. Toranmal is 58 km from here.

Nearest Airport: Nasik 305 km 6 hours. Hire a jeep or Sumo for Toranmal Rs 5 – 6 per km for non-AC vehicle.

Te beauty of the drive to Malshej at this time takes a shout heart to bear. Wet bark along the road and valleys that make a long curve towards distant hills all maintain their won peace soaked in an August rain that’s sometimes gentle and sometimes harsh. Having survived and beauty of the drive the magic of Malshej will have already triggered off a million expectations in you. Relax for your shall continue to bask in this blessed state.

Water Rises

A gentle rain blows in a tired breeze as we alk to the edge. As we look down into the valley the drizzle changes its route radically. It begins to rain upwards from down under as thouh the valley is pushing the rain out to spring clean our probing faces. It’s one of those moments you carry with yourself for a long time. Perchad on the very edge of a plateau the mtdc hotel managed by a private party is gifted with the best location Just 160 idd ft frin uts restarant in the hotel’s very backyard is land’s end. The plateau ends its life suddenly and the next piece of land emerges hundreds of feet below.

Falls

In the monsoon Malshej announces its mood through a series of waterfalls. One or two fall generously right on the state highway. A splendid idea will be to get under one of the thundering falls. Soon after the initial stabs of ice-like cool the water makes friends with you. Afterwards warm up with hot bhajias and tea that a lone adivasi boy from the valley dishes up for you right one the roadside.

Flamingoes Touch Dwon

Malshej is also home to a variety of nature’s amazing creations including the gaint Indian squirrel. Droves of pinklegged European flamingoes touch dwon about 4 km away from Flamingo Hill Resot for about a month between July and September every year to escape the biting winters in their faraway homelands. They come here to breed in the marshy backwaters of Pimpalgaon Joga Dam.

Harishchandragad and Konkan Kada

About 7 km from Flamingo Resort does the grand hill fort of Harishchandragad top the base of a mountain that rises about 4,670 ft in the air. The trek to the top is ough and certainly not for the uninitiated. Atop the fort is a huge plateau and Harishchandreshwar Mandir. The Mangalganga stream flows here, which you can follow down to the Kedareshwar Caves. After a grueling climb to the fort you are treated to some incredible views. From behind the temple you have to climb over a hillock to get to a point over looking the aweinspiring konkan Kada a fantastic horseshoe shaped valley with sheer cliff faces. Eddie courrents created by the cliffs create a boomerang effect throw a light twing over the edge and watch it come back to you.

The trek to the fort should be done in at least two days. The route to the top can be confusing. Go with someone experienced or take a villager as your guide. It’s not a climb we recommend you do alone.

Around Malshej Ghat

Lenyadri Shri Girijatmaka 35 km

Lenyadri Village in Junnar houses a holy Ashtavinayaka. The first sight of the Lenyadri Vinayak Temple perched high on a Sahyadri peak is phenomenal. What you see from ground level is an entire face of a mountain in which Buddhist monks carved caves dating back to the 3rd century for their monasteries. One of the caves came to be the home of the Girijatmaj Ganpati. You have to walk up 307 winding stone steps to reach the cave. A waterfall that cascades down from the mountain peak above hides the temple inside. You pass through this natural curtain before entering the temple, which has been declared a national monument.

While Khandala has traditionally inspired young couples from Mumbai to blush at the thought of a certain kind of weekend fun that chefly comes rubber coated igatpuri mysteriously has only been a railway junction in most minds or in a kinder analysis a tiny town where some people take a vow of silence for many days in the renowned Vipassana Centre another mere junction on the way to a greater destination. But Igatpuri is cooler than Khandala all round the year guarded by tall green hills that occasionally hide their heads behind lazy mists.

Igatpuri’s hills a deep river valley burst into many shades of green after soaking in busy streams and brisk waterfalls. The town itself takes a back seat to this side show. Igatpuri is not more than a dot of civilization on the very edge of a huge breathtaking canvas that was meant for us to gape at and to figure out on a quiet evening perhaps that life goes on silently.

Igatpuri gives you tow choices. You can do absolutely nothing have a message watch others swim and of course eat in between. Or you can walk down curious valleys fall a few times in the bright green grass search for unnamed waterfalls and get wet.

Bhatsa River Valley and Camel Valley

On your way to Igatpuri from Mumbai less than 3 km from Manas Resort which has become a landmark in this region is the Bhatsa River Valley. It’s a stunning depth of extremely happy vegetation and rocks that run down a sloe off the road only to raise again majestically far away as proud hills. A river far downs below cuts the curve into two to present the perfect cliché of a beautifull valley as though a kid with some talent had devised the shole thing.

Igatpuri’s Waterfalls

About a kilometer or two before entering Igatpuri on the Mumbai Nasik Highway is Manas Resort and right next to it is a small humble lodge with a slight inferiority complex called Ganaka Motal. Walk in and ask for Bhiku a boy about town who will give you an unconditionally pleased smile if you call him Bhiku Mhatre. He wills gladely take you down from the entrance of the lodge into a valley. Even if all the guides are too busy for you it’s a fairly simple walk that can be done without any assistance. In the rains the shallow valley is full of waterfalls. Some are big and hard to miss some have to be searched for keep walking an dyou will find five or more hurtling down on the rocks an snaking their way further into the valley.

Tringalwadi Fort

About 6 km from Manas Resort is Tringalwadi Fort, which attracts trekkers. In the monsoon the farmers of Tringalwadi grow their crops over what is essentially a rough motorway that leads to the base of the fort. So in the rains vehicles cannot travel the last 3 or 4 km towards the ancient fort. But there is a narrow pathway for a nice long wet walk down to the calm Tringalwadi Lake that looks a trifle more beautiful from the fort. The fort itself is worthy of personal exploration. A few kilometers away from Tringalwadi Lake does the small Talegaon Dam create Talegaon Lake. Its worth the trip only if you adore water bodies and the accompanying sounds and smells and sights.

Around Igatpuri

Vaitarna Dam, which is different from what’s called Upper Vaitarna, sits on the Vaitarna River, which has accepted its fate peacefully. It’s a reasonable picnic spot but whether the banks of Vaitarna turn out to be a great idea or not will depend more on the company you keep than the place itself. It’s worth driving over the dam to the other side. Since September 11 most dams are fiercely guarded from common citizens but here we found a sleepy man who asked no questions. The other side of the dam has a silent park filled with dry leaves fallen from the dense tree cover around obviously there is a good view of the dam and the lake from here.

Amboli is a classic family holiday destination. Cars of varied provenance drive up from the surrounding states throughout the year with the holiday season starting every Friday and waning every Monday. You can also pick up a useful map of the town from the reception desk of the hotel. The best way to get about is to take an auto if you haven’t driven up. It should not cost you more than Rs 100 to cover all the tourist spots over the weekend.

One must visit is Madhavgad Fort now in a state of ruin. A memorial on the main road gives you an insight into the war that it marks the tombstone reach that only one British soldier died in the battle. About 10 km from Amboli are the Bauxite Mines and you come here for a different landscape altogether a sholayesque bareness of blasted rock.

Waterfalls

Nangartas Waterfall 10 km from Amboli has manly spectator appeal. It falls deep and noisy into a beautiful ravine and you will need to watch that you don’t slip in your enthusiasm to peer into the invisible bottom. The other one 5 km away simply called Waterfall by the locals demands more participatory effort. Stand on rocks under cascading sheets of water for an icy-cool shower.

Views and Walks

Like any intelligent hill station Amboli offers amny viewpoints to its visitors. During the rains clouds cast a white blanket over the horizon and when you step out you will walk in the rolling mist. Some of the walks depending on the roads, might well be inaccessible at this time. There is the mandatory Sunset Point then Parkshit Point, Kavelsad Point and Shirgaonkar Point, which offer views of the surrounding forests, and sometimes it is possible to see deer or a rare leopard here. Mahadev Gad 3 km built by the Sawants has good views of the valley.

Temples

Hiranyakeshi Uppam where the Hiranyakeshi River springs forth from the mouth of a caves has a small Shiva Temple built many years ago by a man who was supposed to be a manifestation of Shiva according to the current pujari his gardson. There is something sacred and peaceful about the place. This is also a good spot for anglers to hang out and engage in another from of meditation. The nearby Maruti Mandir on the other hand is more of a commercial effort. It was built by a holy baba who had earlier sought followers in Goa. The temple here is a study in bad architecture but it’s a quiet green spot near a stream so you won’t mind visiting it.

Though electricity often plays truant up in the sahyadris the fabulous weather means never really having to sweat it out just one of the reasons why mahabaleshwar is always bursting at the seams with tourists and to think that till a few years back mahabaleshwar used to officially down its shutters in the monsoons. Today you could go at any time of the years and be assured of a warm welcome and all the hill station experience you anticipated.

Taking along a guide of a tour of the hill station might be a good and practical idea, if you can stand narratives liberally peppered with details of who committed suicide from which point or where hit hindi film was shot with almost 30 designated shghtseeing spots there’s something to do every minute of your vacation.

Start with Hunter Point for its clear view of pratapgad fort, then move on to Mahabaleshwar’s highest, Whilson Point, which offers a spectacular view of the sunrise. Also on view are the twin peaks of Makrandgad Fort.

Mahabaleshwar has almost 30 designated sightseeing spots from hunter Point, with its clear view of Pratapgad Fort to Mahabaleshwar’s highest, Wilson Point with which offers a spectacular view of the twin peaks of makrandgad.

Mahabaleshwar was once the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency there are even pots named for the Presidency’s Governor Lord Elphinstone and a memorial to General Lodwick town mayor of the Bombay Presidency. Venna Lake on the Mahabaleshwar Panchgani Road is the ideal place for an evening outing after you are done with all points high and low.

Sunset Point, Mumbai Point

Adults and children come here to ride about on horses but his p0lace is worth a visit even if it’s not time for the daily performance the sun plays to the gallery every evening.

Mahabaleshwar Temple

Little girls from a circle around you as they implore you to buy their flower baskets for offering to Shankar Bhagwan. The ancient shivling inside the temple is a natural formation and over 500 years old.

Also check out Panchganga Mandir, Morarjee Castle where Mahatma Gandhi stayed when he visited Mahabaleshwar in 1945 and the colonical style bungalows.

Pratapgad Fort

This fort built in 1656 on craggy cliffs survives in remarkably good shaps. It was the venue of the November 1659 face off between the diminative but indefatigable Maratha leader shivaji and the muscular and well built Afzal khan the mighty bijapur general. Though the meeting was intended as a rapprochement between the tow Afzal khan reportedly had other ideas.

Crush

If it’s Mahabaleshwar it must be strawberries jams crushes, jellies you name it and they’ve got it. Arches Strawberry Farm is a great place to glug a few milk shakes. In full bloom the place is a riot of red.

Road Travel – There are tow routes to Mahabaleshwar one along NH4 via Pune, Shiwal and Panchgani, which is longer but has better roads. The shorter route is down NH17 via Pen, Mahad and Poladpur. At Poladpur’s bus station take the road going left towards the ghats.

Bhandardara has a special charm. An easygoing sleepy rustic harm that offers a taste of rural Maharashtra and healthy dose of clean air greenery and natural beauty. Here you can relax in nature’s cradle and gaze out dreamily over a placid lake. Or if you’re an avid student of history or archaeology, Bhandardara can take you back a few millennia. The active should bring a line and tackle along and find a suitable spot for angling. But perhaps Bhandardara is most famous for the trekking on offer here. Ask any trekker who knows the Sahyadris and they’ll tell you you’re in the right palce to get into active gear and climbe a rugged fort or peak. From Bhandardara you can attempt the famous Ratangad and Harishchandragad forts. A little further afield are the famous Ajoba or grandfather peak and Ghanchakkar or perhaps you’re here with a predetermined aim to undertake a physically demanding hike up the highest peak in Maharashtra.

The huge expanse of Bhandardara Lake and the thundering Randha Waterfalls are the chief spectator attractions here and after ticking them off on your itinerary you can comfortably plot into an armchair an denjoy a lazy holiday.

There are jeeps available at the village square in Shendi just 3 km away to take you on a tour of the predetermined points of interest around Bhandardara.

Bhandardara Lake

Lake Arthur Hill the lake was created when Wilson Dam was built across the Pravara River. The dam one of the countries oldest and at a height of 492 ft was constructed by the Vritish to provide irrigation to the Ahmednagar region. When the sluice gates open they create two huge 60 to 80 ft cascades of water that gush down the rocks below creating a spectacular sight. The water released from the dam creates many tiney rivulets, which are channeled all around the park at the base of the dam before converging at the main stream and rushing downwards.

The garden is worth a visit and a walkabout. It is home to many species of birds and is also the nesting place of hundres of bats. You can walk past the water gushing out of one of the sluice gates and emerge near the top of the dam there’s no access onto the dam though.

Warining No one is allowed onto the dam and no photography is allowed within the park or near the dam.

Randha Falls

About 10 km down river the tranquility is shattered by the roar of the Randha Falls. The Pravara River plunges 170 ft down into a gorge creating a breathtaking sight and the third largest falls in India. There is a temple on the banks of the river and lately there’s been a mushrooming of several cold drinks and tea stalls. A lookout point just above the falls provides a great view and photo-op.

On the cliffs behind are about a dozen huge beehives. While interesting to watch do not go near them if you’re smoking or wearing strong cologne as strong smells may get them agitated and you in the first aid clinic.

Umbrella Falls nearby if you are here during or after the monsoons and the Agasti Rishi Ashram, mentioned in the Ramayana as the home of Agasti Rishi.

Angling

Set yourself up on the shores of the lake. There are large fish in there. Have a go at casting or spoon fishing. No boating or using dinghies on the lake though. The pools at the bottom of the falls are a good point to go fly-fishing or casting. You can also fish along the Pravara where you will see the occasional villager with his bamboo fishing line. The river has plenty of fish as well as the jumbo freshwater shrimp which come down the sluice gates when the water is released. Permits are a bit of a grey area but casting a line along the river and the lake has been done without any questions being raised about permits. The dam itself is out of bounds.

Trekking options

There are unlimited trekking opions here ranging from a simple climb up a nearby hillock to a tough climb up to Ratangad Fort or Mt Kalsubai. At 5,400 ft Mt Kalsubai is the highest peak in Maharashtra and the Western Ghats and it served as a warchower in Maratha times.

Car travel: Nasik Road NH3 to Ghoti past Igatpuri. Just beyond the bus station take a right and cross some railway tracks. After a while the road forks. Take the right fork to Vari Village. Further down the road forks again at Varangushi. Again take the right to Shendi and Nhandardara. The drive takes 4 hrs from Mumbai

Nearest Railway stations: Igatpuri 42 km 1 hour. Jeep to Bhandardara Rs 300-500. Alternatively catch a connecting ST bus from Igatpuri regular service throughout the dya.

There is a very beautiful beach at Murud and a lot of Hotels and Resorts along the beach to choose from. The Murud beach is very beautiful, clean and safe for swimming. Apart from the beach Murud is more famous for its proximity to Janjira off the coast of Rajapuri.

To reach Raigad from Mumbai, you can go via Alibag, Revdandam, Kashid route. You can also reach it via Roha. You can either come by state transport bus or by private vehicle. From Mumbai, you can also take a catamaran from the Gate of India to the town of Mandwa, then take a free bus from Mandwa to Alibag, then take a local bus from Alibag to Murud trip duration approx 4 hours.

Chattrapati Shivajo’s eternal resing place is up in the mighty Sahyadri Hills near the Savitri River 27 km from Mahad and 205 km South of Mumbai.

Ride the Ropes

The Raigad Fort Ropeway at his own company’s cost so that more people could visit the fort from where the great king had ruled. The project was completed in 1996 and continues to be run by jog engineering ltd at a loss they run the ropeway with great care the staff is well trained and there have been no accidents so far. Tickets const Rs 110 each. Two cable cars at a time make the 1,377 ft climb. Most people prefer the cable car to the tough hike up and it is definitely the best way to go. The ascent offers breath taking views. What is very exciting for some and scary for others is when mist covers the top of the hill and the cabins seem to disappear into nothingness.

Afterwards visit the museum at the base. You will be shown a short documentary as part of the ropeway package and will get free guides at the fort. But if you want them to speak in Hinidi instead of Marathi they will ask for consideration money.

Climb the Good Climb

Though the ropeway was initially meant for the feeble who could not make this pilgrimage on their own steam most able bodied people also prefer it to the climb. But if you do choose to hike up you will pass some strategic gates and towers and easily seen from the ropeway. It’s a tough 3 hr hike starting from Pachad Village.

Explore the Fort

The views are immense and if you happen to go during the rains you will realize that the fort was built as high up as the clouds. Takmak Cliff and Lingmala Rock face can be exhilarating for rock climbers. On the top there is the gutted Queen’s Palace to see as well as the granaries Raj Bhawan and Takmak Tok or the punishment point from where shivaji’s enemies were unceremoniously hurled down into the valley. There are also Gangasagar Lake whose waters are said to be of the Ganga brought here for Shivaji’s coronation Jijamata Palace and Jagadishwar Temple nearby.