Trip to Nighoj - Malganga Temple and Natures Decoration

 

Mode of Transport: Bike
Per head cost: 1200 Rs
Journey Date: 14-April-2019

Travel Details and Experience

        We started our journey from Goregaon Mumbai, It was a bike ride of around 400 Kms (Two way).

The trip was suddenly planed we don't have much information about the location. The journey started early morning at 6:00 AM. We took old pune highway and had a halt at Murbad for breakfast at around 08:00 AM.  We took a halt at one of the viewpoints at Malsej ghat at around 09.30 AM and had some photoshoot.

    

Malshej Ghat View Point

Malshej Ghat View Point

    We resume our journey towards Nighoj, but there was a slight changed in the plan, and decided to visit the pimpalgaon dam location. It was a beautiful location for the photoshoot, but need to be care full while entering the water. We spent about an hour and resume the journey as our destination was Nighoj potholes.

Pimpalgaon Dam

Pimpalgaon Dam

    With the help of local people and a Goole map, we are heading toward Malganga temple, but due to the hot summer and it was almost 12:00 PM we were dehydrated, we saw a shop of sugarcane juice. had 2 glass of sugarcane juice, the combination of sugarcane and pineapple juice was awesome. After recharged ourselves, we started heading toward the Malganga temple. at around 1:00 PM we reached Malganga Temple Nighoj potholes.

Malganga Temple

Potholes, Ranjan khalge

    Nighoj potholes or Ranjan khalge and Malganga temple located in the shirur district, border of Pune and Ahmednagar. It is the world largest basalt rock potholes formation. Kukdi river is the border of two cities. there are two temple of godess Malganga one at the side of pune and other at the side of Ahmednagar and these two temples were connected by overhead bridge on Kukdi river. Did prayer in both the temples and did photoshoot at potholes, you can say it a "natures decoration" After spending around 2 hours and collecting some good memories we started return journey towards Mumbai at around 3:00 PM.

Malganga Temple

    While returning goddess Malganga gave us a blessing by showering a rain due to which the temperature went down and had a relief from heat. Also the experience of aroma of soil in first rain was awsome. At around 4:00 PM We took a halt at one of the hotel in pune for lunch, at 5:00 PM we resume our return journey. This time we decided to take Lonaval highway and to cover as much as more distance before sunset. We reached Mumai, Goregaon at around 10:30 PM.

Photos

Virgal at Malganga Temple

Potholes

Overhead Bridge on Kukdi River

A Trek to Matheran's Enchanting Heights

 

Journey Date: 24-March-2019

Mode of Transport: Train / Van

 

History of the Matheran

    It is situated 800 Meeter above sea level, Matheran was identified by Hugh Poyntz Malet, the then district collector of Thane district in May 1850. Lord Elphinstone, the then Governor of Bombay laid the foundations of the development as a future hill station. The British developed Matheran as a resort to beat the summer heat in the region.

Travel and Trek Experience

    One of the memorable trips, Enjoyed a lot. After executing the Karnala Fort trek plan successfully we have decided to plan for Matheran trek. We started our journey from Mumbai – Dadar station by boarding Karjat local around 7:23 AM (You can also take Kasara, Titwala, Asangaon, Khopoli locals) and reached at Neral station at 8:48 AM it takes 1 Hr 25 mins. We had breakfast in the hotel outside the Neral station. Around 9.30 we hire a jeep or van to reach Matheran hilltop, they charge 80 Rs per person (rates in the year 2019) it may increase in the future. there is a toy train from outside Neral station to Matheran but it takes 2hr 30min to 3hrs, to save time better to take vans from the outside station. Within 30 Mins at around 10:00 AM we reached the top of the mount Matheran entry gate.

Aman Lodge railway station at Matheran

View from Malang point

    We paid entry fees of Rs 50 for each person. After entering into the gate and a few minutes’ walk we reached a toy train railway station named Aman lodge. There is one more entrance we entered and started following the rail track. Even in summer season view from the top is awesome we took some photos and moved ahead after 30 Mins of walk around 10.30 AM we reached at selfie point of “I LOVE MATHERAN” we took selfies and group photos, here we left the rail track route and started walking towards the market, after waking almost 1 Hr 30 Mins we reached at Louisa point from this point we are able to see Prabalgad (Kalavantin fort) clearly. We took some rest and had the snack while enjoying the beauty of the Sahyadri mountain range.

Pisarnath Mahadev temple gate

Shivling at Pisarnath Temple

    From Louisa point we headed towards Malang point we spent some time at Malang point and decided to see Alexander point from Alexander point we headed towards Echo point we had fun at echo point by shouting names of each other, etc. near echo point King George point, Charlotte Lake is there we had group photo over there and headed towards Pisarnath Shiv Temple, done prayer and meditation in the temple, now it almost 3:15 PM hence we decided to take lunch. We return to the market, as per plan at Hotel Kumar Plaza we had lunch, post-lunch after 30 Min, everyone enjoys their first horse ride which cost around 100 Rs per person, around 5:30 PM we started the return journey.

    At around 6:30 PM we reached exit point (entry and exit point are same). Hire a van and reach Neral railway station. We had tea and snack at a restaurant near the station and board Mumbai CSMT local train and get down at Dadar.

Places / Points to seen at Matheran

To complete all point in one day need to start the journey in the early morning and recommend to hire a horse so that you will save your energy, time and enjoy the trip.

1. Echo Point
2. Louisa Point
3. Panorama Point
4. Porcupine Point
5. One Tree Hill Point
6. Honeymoon Point
7. Charlotte Lake
8. Chanderi Caves
9. Monkey Point
10. Shivaji’s Ladder
11. Alexander Point
12. Heart Point
13. Chowk Point
14. Belvedere Point
15. King George Point
16. Mount Barry
17. Dhodani Waterfalls
18. Olympia
19. Rambaug Point
20. Khandala Point
21. Pisharnath Mahadev Mandir

Places to see nearby

To complete all points of Matheran and visit Vikatgad/ Peb Fort need a plan of 2 days 1 Night.

Important Note

1. Carry 2 to 3 liter of water, snack, and energy drink.
2. Carry Map and plan your route
3. Better to hire a horse or van to save energy and time.
4. Best time to visit in the rainy and winter season.

Group photo at railway track route

View from echo point

View from Louisa point

View from Alexander point

Lonar Lake: Crater formed by an Celestial Event

Journey Date : 23 Jan, 2020
Mode of Transport : Train and Bus

History of the Lonar crater

    Lonar Lake, also known as Lonar crater, is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument, saline, soda lake, located at Lonar in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, India. Lonar Lake was created by an asteroid collision with the earth's impact during the Pleistocene Epoch. It is one of the four known, hyper-velocity, impact craters in basaltic rock anywhere on Earth. The crater's age is usually estimated to be 52,000 ±6,000 years, although a study published in 2010 suggests an age of 570,000 ± 47,000 years.

Travel Experience

    We started the journey from Thane via Devgiri express at 9:00 PM. It was a pre-planned journey, hence we had made a reservation. We reached Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) at 04:00 AM, had a cup of tea outside the railway station, and waited for a bus to reach Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) CIDCO bus depot. At around 04:30 am, we boarded the bus and within 10 mins we reached CIDO bus depot. There was a slight change in the plan. We decided to go to Ellora caves first, then to Lonar. Around 4:00 PM we came to the CIDO bus depot from Ellora caves.


    At Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) CIDCO bus depot we came to know that the last bus for Lonar got canceled. *Note: Be prepared for sudden changes, keep other options ready. Inside the bus depot, some private travel agency people will come and ask your destination and they will arrange a vehicle. As there is no other option, we decided to go in a private vehicle, but the journey was very hectic, because these people would take 12 to 14 passengers in 9-seater vehicles. Because there is no other option, no passenger will refuse. If you do so, they ask you to get down.

Stepway at Gomukh Temple, a way to Lonar lake

Springwater pond at Gomuk Temple

    We reached 06:30 PM in Lonar. It was almost dark due to sunset. We decided to check in at the Krishna lodge opposite Lonar bus depot. *Note: we had booked prior. There are very, very fewer restaurants available for non-veg people to have dinner or lunch at Dhaba. It will be better to arrive early and plan your dinner accordingly. The next day, in the morning around 08:00 am, we started walking towards Lonar lake. With the help of a Google map, within 10 minutes we reached the gate of Gomukh Temple. We made an entry in the register at the gate and started walking towards the lake following the steps. There is a spring water pond (Kund) where devotees are taking a bath. Without disturbing anyone, we proceeded towards the government check-post where we paid 60 Rs entry fee. *Government had declared the surrounding area of Lonar lake as a wildlife sanctuary. Near the check-post, there is an ancient temple in a ruined condition named Kumareshwar temple. It was a pleasant surprise for us. Until now, we had seen a peacock in the cage, but this time behind the temple we saw two peacocks. They immediately fled away when they saw us. Watching a flying peacock is one of the wonderful movements of my life.

Kumareshwar Temple

Yadneshwar Temple

    After a few minutes, we walked to one more ancient temple in a ruined condition named Yadneshwar Temple. After spending some time, we started walking through dense forest and reached Lonar Dargha. From there, in a very few minutes we reached Lonar lake. Entering into the lake water is prohibited as lake water is seven times saltier than seawater. We spent some time on the bank of the lake. There is an ancient temple named Kamalja goddess temple and an ancient water well, but we skipped due to hungry stomach as we had not done breakfast.

Dense forest way towards the lake

View from Lonar crater

Top view of Lonar lake

    After having breakfast, we decided to visit Daityasudun temple of God Vishnu. We spent some time over there and decided to go back to the room. I had some rest in the room and at 12:00 PM noon we checked out of the hotel, but we kept our bags and belongings in the hotel and went for lunch near Lonar lake. This time, we hired an auto-rickshaw and asked him to come back at 5:30 PM to pick up. After having lunch at Gulmohar restaurant, we again went to Lonar lake for sunset photos. the opposite Gulmohar restaurant, there is a gate of govt. guest house, the gate was closed, but there is a small way through metal wire fencing, from there the top view of Lonar lake is beautiful, we spend some time in taking timelapse and sunset photos.

Daityasudun Temple

Daityasudun Temple

The idol of Lord Vishnu at Daityasudun Temple

    Around 5:15 pm, we called the same auto-rickshaw for pick up. We went to the hotel and collected our bags and belongings. On the opposite side of the hotel there is the Lonar ST bus depot. From there, we boarded the Lonar - Jalna bus at around 6:30 PM and got down at Jalna bus depot, we had dinner and took an auto-rickshaw for Jalna railway station. Note: sometimes they cancel the Lonar - Jalna bus without any intimation. If it happens, then another option is to visit Sultanpur with the help of private vehicles like (six sitters, jeep, etc) and board the Jalna bus for that check timing of buses with local as well as on mobile apps.

Places to see nearby

        1. Daityasudun Temple

        2. Limbibarvi (step well)

        3. Motha Maruti Temple

        4. Gomukh Temple

Important Note

• Check public transport timing and plan accordingly also keep other options ready if any sudden changes in the timing of public transport.
• Prefer package drinking water to avoid health issues, if you are ok with local normal water then go with it.
• For normal rooms with a reasonable rate, you can contact Krishna Lodge opposite Lonar bus depot for booking. contact number +91-7262221728, +91-9420623777, +91-705731655
• You can visit Lonar directly from Jalna, instead of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad).

Sunset at Lonar lake

Sunset at Lonar lake

Ellora Caves an Ancient Engineerning Marvel

 

Mode of Transport: Train / Bus

Per head cost: 800 Rs

Journey Date: 23-January-2020

History of Ellora Caves

    Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, earlier known as the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, It is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world, featuring Hindu, Buddhist and Jain monuments, and artwork, dating from the 600–1000 CE period. Cave 16, in particular, features the largest single monolithic rock excavation in the world, the Kailasha temple, a chariot-shaped monument dedicated to Lord Shiva.

    There are over 100 caves at the site, all excavated from the basalt cliffs in the Charanandri Hills, 34 of which are open to the public. These consist of 12 caves of Buddhists from caves 1 to 12, 17 caves of Hindus from caves 13 to 29, and 5 caves of Jain from caves 30 to 34.

    All of the Ellora monuments were built during the Hindu dynasties such as the Rashtrakuta dynasty, which constructed part of the Hindu and Buddhist caves, and the Yadava dynasty, which constructed a number of the Jain caves.

Travel Experience

        We started the journey from Thane railway station by boarding Devgiri Express at 9:00 p.m.. It was a pre-planned journey hence we have made a reservation. we reached Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar at 04:00 a.m., had a cup of tea outside the railway station, and waited for a bus of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar CIDCO bus depot, at around 04:30 a.m. we boarded the bus and within 10 Mins reached CIDO bus depot. We enquired in the CIDCO bus depot for Ellora (Verul) bus. We boarded the bus for Ellora and got down at Verul village. *Note You have to get down at Ellora caves gate or junction. we started walking backward to Ellora caves with the help of Google Maps. It was around 6:00 a.m. and on the way, we saw an ancient temple on Lord Shiv named Ghrushneshwar Jyotirling we visited the temple did prayer, before entering the temple we kept our belongings like our wallet, waist-belt, cell phone, etc in the shop outside the temple.

Unesco Board

Map of Ellora caves

        It was almost 6:30 AM we had breakfast in one of the nearest restaurant, near the junction and kept our bags so that we could explore all the caves freely without any luggage load. we took only a small handbag, water bottle and wallet with us *Note Be careful from monkeys at the entrance Don't keep the camera or any valueable thing in your hand. We paid the entrance fee of Rs. 40 and went through the security check, after entering through gate cave no. 16 Kailash Temple is in front of us. 

    There are total of 34 caves in the area, but cave number 16 is the biggest and oldest one. we started exploring the temple and spent around 3 hours. The construction was made by cutting a single rock from upside down and the detailing in the statues is incredible. *Note to explore and to know the meaning and detail of statues and wall encryption of cave number 16, it required 4 to 5 hrs.

The entrance of cave no. 16

Inside cave no. 16, Kailash Temple

Shiva linga at Kailash Temple, Cave no. 16

        After exploring cave 16, we took a left and went to explore cave number 15 to 1. I have uploaded the map in the image section above for your reference. there is a two-story building and a three-story building in a single rock-cut. after spending 1 hour seeing the engineering marvel we again came to cave number 16 at around noon and waited for 30 minutes at the main entrance for the bus, to visit cave number 31 to 34. It takes a fare of Rs 20 for each person with a return journey and the bus frequency is every1 hour. during the wait time, we booked a train ticket for the next day for our return journey as we had a plan to visit Lonar Lake. I have already published a blog on Lonar Lake. *Note near the main entrance gate where we waited for the bus there, is a facility of washroom and toilets. 

Chota Kailash, Cave no. 30

Rameshwara, Cave no. 21

We board a bus and went to see cave number 30 to 33, after spending 30 to 45 mins we board the same bus to return at the main entrance gate, but we got down few meters before the main entrance, to see cave 17 to 27. After spending another 30 to 45 minutes we decided to do exit at around 2:30 PM. We exited from Ellora caves compound and came to the same restaurant to collect our luggage and had a lunch. after having lunch, we board a private sharing jeep to return at Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) CIDO bus depot, which was our big mistake. 

Take the help of local people and wait some time for the bus, if you take private sharing jeep then definitely you will waste your time also the journey will be hectic and congested. We reached at baba petrol pump around 4:30 PM from there we hired an auto-rickshaw for Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) CIDCO bus depot, from there we went to Lonar. you can reach the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) railway station from the CIDCO bus depot.

Placed to see nearby

1. Ajanta caves

2. Devgiri fort (Daulatabad fort)

3. Bhadra Maruti Temple

4. Aurangabad caves

5. Ghrushneshwar Jyotirling Temple

6. Bibi ka makbara

7. Jaiyakwadi Dam

Garden in front of the Ellora caves entrance

Cave no. 15 Entrance

Cave no. 11 (do tal)

Wall sculpture of Shiv

Cave no. 12 (Teen tal)

Cave no. 10

Bhagavan Buddha at Cave no. 7

Lord Mahavir sculpture at Cave no. 33

Karnala Fort Trek Witnessing the History

Journey Date : 21-Feb-2019
Mode of Transport : Train and Auto

History of the fort

 

    Karnala Fort is a hill fort in Raigad district, Maharashtra, India, about 10 km from Panvel city. Situated at 1440 feet above sea level. The fort was likely constructed before 1400, under Devgiri Yadavas (1248–1318). From the year 1540, it is under the control of Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj conquered the fort on 22^nd June 1670

 

    In the year 1879 freedom fighter Vasudev Balvant Phadke used to stay on Karnala fort with his army. Officer pother of the British army announced a bounty for the information of Vasudev Balvant Phadek. One night he got information and he reaches Karnala fort in the night and captured Vasudev while he is in deep sleep at the goddess Karnai temple.

    Maruti B. Chitampalli born 5 November 1932 is a wildlife conservationist and Marathi writer from Maharashtra, India. He was instrumental in the development of Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Navegaon National Park, Nagzira Sanctuary, and Melghat Tiger Project; also constructing orphanages for displaced wildlife at the last two institutions. Maruti Chitampalli inspired by Salim Ali referred to as the Birdman of India, Salim Ali was the first Indian to conduct systematic bird surveys across India and wrote several bird books that popularized ornithology in India.

Travel and Trekking Experience

    We started our journey from the Dadar station (Mumbai) at 6.40 a,m via CSMT – Panvel harbor train and got down at Panvel station around 8:20 a.m. We had breakfast outside Panvel station (Homemade idli, upma, dosa). While having breakfast, he started collecting information about the transport going to Karnala fort. After breakfast went to Panvel ST bus depot and inquired, but buses were not available as per our time. We got information from an employee of MSRTC, that 6 seater rickshaw (tum-tum) is available from Mumbai-Goa National Highway, so we started walking towards Mumbai-Goa National Highway (take help of google map). As we approached the Mumbai-Goa highway, we turned left and saw a 6-seater rickshaw stand. They charge Rs.60 per person. Note: You have to bargain.

    Around 10:00 a.m with the help of 6 sitters rickshwa, we reached the base of Karnal fort or we could say gate of Karnala bird sanctuary. It took 20 to 30 Mins from Panvel station. Note: Rickshaws are not easily available on the Mumbai Goa highway, so take the contact number of the rickshaw driver, which will facilitate your return journey. Right at the start is the forest department check post, where you have to pay 35 Rs for citizens and Rs 60 for Non-Indian citizens and a 100 Rs charge if you carry a plastic material (like Polyethene bag, bottles, chips packet, etc) and a separate charge for the camera (excluding mobile phone camera). Also, they will check your bags for plastic material and make note of the plastic material count. They will return your 100 Rs if you bring all the plastic material back and only if the count matches as per their record.

Entrance gate of Karnala Bird Sanctuary

Peacock at bird sanctuary

Parrots at bird sanctuary

   After 10 minutes of walks, We saw some cages, In which some birds were kept, birds like (Eagle, Peacock, parrots, etc), so we spend some time taking photos. Very few species of birds were available for viewing in the bird sanctuary and the condition of the birds was also not good. We spent only 30 minutes watching birds, as we had to reach the top of the fort.

Information board

Jungle trail

    You will see some information boards about Karnala Fort and a letter written by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to his ministers on the information boards. Around 11:00 am the real trek started. Initially the path was very easy and straightforward, but further along the steep path and humidity made the trek difficult. It takes around 1 hour for regular trekkers to reach the peak, But it took us around 2 hours to reach the peak, our group had total 16 members and most of the members were first time trekkers. After every 15 to 20 minutes, there will be a shed arrangement to sit and rest, which helped us a lot. Around 1.00 pm we reached the top of the fort, it takes about 1 hour to see the fort completely as the fort is very small but the view of Raigad district and Mumbai Goa highway from the fort is very beautiful. Spent some time near the well known pinacle of Karnala fort. Inside the pinacle are some carved water tanks, one of which contains drinkable water. Earlier this pinacle was used as a watch tower. From the narrow gate, we reached the 2nd part of the fort where we all sat togather and had a snack. At around 2:00 PM, we started the return journey. We spent around 15 to 20 minutes at the small temple of the Goddess Karnai.

Goddess Karnai

Basalt Pinacle (sulka)

Fortification (wall)

    We reached at the base around 3:30 pm. At the checkpoint, we showed our empty polythene bags and plastic bottles. The count of the plastic material matched with their record. Hence, they returned our 100 Rs. On the opposite side of the Karnala bird sanctuary gate, or can you say another side of the Mumbai Goa highway, there is a hotel / Dhaba where we had lunch. We called and informed the rickshaw driver to come at the gate of Karnal bird sanctuary till they reached we had completed our lunch. Around 5:30 PM we reached Panvel station.

Places to see on the fort Karnala

Basalt Pinacle
Water cisterns
Ruined structure of the house
Fortification
Entrance gate

Sculpture on the entrance gate

Goddess Karnai temple

Places to see nearby

 

Shidhon village, Birthplace of freedom fighter Vasudev Balvant Fadke

View from top

Ruined house

Sculpture of Sharab on the gate

A short history of the fort on the bord