Wizards of Life!

Tag: monsoon

  • Driving Through Tamhini Ghat: An Experience of a Lifetime!

    Driving Through Tamhini Ghat: An Experience of a Lifetime!

    Tamhini Ghat is a 15 Km mountain passage located at a distance of about 40 km from the city of Pune. Tamhini Ghat is famous for its scenic route and awe inspiring natural beauty especially during the monsoon season.

    Ghat Roads Near Pune City

    The city of Pune is surrounded by many ghats. Being located in the middle of Western Ghat Ranges there are many ghats surrounding the city. If fact there are so many ghats surrounding the city that it is not an exaggeration to say that Pune City is surrounded by Ghat Roads from all the sides. There are many famous ghats nearby the city which are as under:

    1. Naneghat
    2. Malshej Ghat
    3. Bhor Ghat
    4. Tamhini Ghat
    5. Dive Ghat
    6. Bopdev Ghat

    These ghat roads become extremely beautiful during the monsoon season with clouds on the roads and waterfalls in the surroundings. A drive through these ghat roads has been one of the most fascinating experiences in my life till date.

    A View of Malshej Ghat in Rainy Season

    Tamhini Ghat

    Tamhini Ghat is located in the crest of Western Ghats around 1 hr drive from Pune City. The ghat road is located between Tamhini and Mulshi Village. This ghat road did not exist earlier and has been recently built to give a new passage to Konkan region. Tamhini ghat connects Pune city with Konkan region. The ghat road is well known for its natural beauty, waterfalls and Mulshi Lake.

    Driving Through Tamhini Ghat

    In my two years of stay in Pune city I drove through Tamhini Ghat thrice. Ever time the experience was unique and the views were mesmerizing. The recommended time for visiting the Tamhini Ghat is from the month of July to October i.e from the onset of monsoon till the end of it. There are many waterfalls along the way where you can just stop by and take a bath in the waterfall. Apart from the waterfalls there are views of the mountains which will amaze you.

      View of a Waterfall in Tamhini Ghat
    View of a Mountain surrounded by clouds and Waterfalls

    Driving through the Tamhini ghat you can stop by and enjoy a sweet corn from one of the local villagers shop. There are many good restaurants which offer authentic Marathi food which you can enjoy. The Tamhini Ghat road is ideal for driving during the rain. However the only downside is that due to its popularity it becomes heavily crowded during the weekend and on the rainy days. I would recommend to take the drive the Tamhini Ghat early in the morning the avoid being stuck in heavy traffic.

    Places to Visit in Tamhini Ghat

    Tamhini Ghat is an ideal place for trekking, hiking, sightseeing, driving through or even spending a weekend with your loved ones. The most famous places in the list include:

    1. Mulshi Dam
    2. Devkund Waterfall
    3. Tikona Fort
    4. Andharban Trek

    Mulshi Lake

    Mulshi Lake is one of the primary attractions of Tamhini Ghat. The lake is a man made lake formed due to Mulshi dam built on Mula River. The view of the Mulshi Lake in the monsoon is mesmerizing.

    View of Mulshi Lake

    Andarban Trek

    Andharban trek is located in ‘Tamhini Ghat’ and takes around 6 hrs to complete. The trek is of easy to moderate difficulty level however being a journey of around 15 km a high level of endurance is required for Andharban trek. Andharban trek is one of the few treks in Sahyadris where the starting and end points are different. The trek starts from Pimpri Dam in Pune district and ends at Bhira dam in Raigarh district covering the wide variety of landscapes of Sahyadris like Valleys, plateaus, waterfalls and river streams. For more details please refer to the article- http://jitendrasinghirps.in/blog-details.php?nid=29.

    View of a valley in Andharban
    Views of Western Ghats from Andharban Trek

    Tamhini ghat has been one of the most memorable journey of my life till date. Partly because of its natural beauty and partly because it is one of the first scenic journeys that I took in my life.

  • Andharban Trek: A Unique Journey Through Sahyadris’ Dark Forest!

    Andharban Trek: A Unique Journey Through Sahyadris’ Dark Forest!

    The word Andharban means dark dense forest and those who have visited Andharban will say that the place justifies the meaning of the word. The trek is located in the famous ‘Tamhini Ghat’ and takes around 6/7 hrs to complete. The Andharban trek is of easy to moderate difficulty level however being a journey of around 15 km a high level of endurance is required for the trek. It is one of the few treks in Sahyadris where the starting and end points are different. The trek starts from Pimpri Dam in Pune district and ends at Bhira dam in Raigarh district covering the wide variety of landscapes of Sahyadris like Valleys, plateaus, waterfalls and river streams.

    Pimpri Dam-The Starting Point of Andarban
    Trekking Group
    Beginning of Andarban Trek

    How to Reach Starting Point?

    Pune is the closest located city for Andharban trek. The distance of Pimpri dam, the starting point of the trek is around 60 Km from Pune and it takes around 2 hrs to reach the starting point from Pune. It is recommended to start the journey from Pune early so that trek can be started latest by 8 o’clock. We started our journey from Pune by 7 o’clock and then we has our breakfast at a restaurant near starting point before starting the trek. It is always advisable to have a proper breakfast before starting the trek.

    On the Way to ‘Andharban’

    The Andharban Trek: Key Highlights

    1. Dense Forest

    • The Andharban trek is unique because much of the trail passes through a dense forest, which is often shrouded in mist, especially during the monsoon season. The name “Andharban” literally translates to “dark forest,” and the trek lives up to its name with the thick canopy that blocks much of the sunlight, creating a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere.

    2. Scenic Views

    • The trek offers stunning views of the Kundalika Valley, Bhira Dam, and the surrounding mountain ranges. On a clear day, you can see the green valleys stretching far into the horizon. During the monsoon, the trail is adorned with countless small waterfalls and streams, adding to the trek’s beauty.

    3. Waterfalls and Streams

    • Along the route, trekkers will encounter several waterfalls and streams. These natural water bodies are most active during the monsoon, providing a refreshing experience as you traverse the forest.

    4. Flora and Fauna

    • The Andharban trek takes you through a biodiversity-rich region. The forest is home to various species of flora and fauna, including many types of birds, butterflies, and small wildlife. The dense foliage and the presence of various plants make it an exciting trail for nature enthusiasts.
    Views of Western Ghats in Andharban Trek

    Trekking Route

    1. Starting Point – Pimpri Village

    • The trek begins at Pimpri village, which is the base camp for the Andharban trek. Pimpri is accessible by road from Pune, Lonavala, and Mumbai. The village serves as the starting point where trekkers can prepare for the journey ahead.

    2. Into the Dark Forest

    • As you start the trek, you’ll quickly enter the dense forest. The initial part of the trek involves descending through the forest, with the trail gradually leading you downhill. The path is well-defined, but it can get slippery during the monsoon, so proper trekking shoes with a good grip are essential.

    3. Hirdi Village

    • About midway through the trek, you’ll pass through Hirdi village, a small settlement in the middle of the forest. This is a good place to take a short break, rehydrate, and enjoy the serene surroundings.

    4. Descending to Bhira Dam

    • After Hirdi village, the trail continues to descend, with views of the Bhira Dam becoming more prominent. The final stretch of the trek involves navigating through the forest and emerging at the backwaters of the Bhira Dam, where the trek concludes.

    The Andharban trek takes you to the lush green forest of Sahyadris and to the views which you may not have witnessed in your lifetime. The trek route passes through some of the Most beautiful places in the Tamhini Ghat. It has all the places that a ‘perfect’ trek has to offer viz. beautiful valleys, astounding water streams, dense forests and a wide variety of flora and fauna. The trek tests the endurance level of the trekker and once you complete the trek it gives you a sense of achievement. Since the trek is long it is preferable to have lunch at a village located in between the trek route. The food quality is good and one gets to taste a local food.

    The End Point of Andharban Trek

    The end point of the trek is Bhira dam which is located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. From here one can take his vehicle and commute to his respective place. The only issue in this trek is that one has to get a vehicle with driver as the start and end points are different and the distance between both the points via road is around 40 Km.

    Overall Andharban trek is a must do trek at least once. Along with stunning natural beauty one gets to know his endurance level and his willpower also in this trek. The trek is especially recommended in the Monsoon time as the views are stunning during this time.