Monsoon miracles from Mumbai

MONSOON MIRACLES FROM MUMBAI

Resting on the front seat of the car as it meanders on the mountain slopes traversing an array of landscapes, through the dark woods in the cold rainy climate, life seems worth living.

Mountains are known for the unpredictable weather patterns which makes the journey fulfilling and rewarding.
When you least expect something to happen, there it is right in front of you almost manifesting from the unknown to leave you in a state of splendor.

That's the Adventure pattern one can relish. When life is predictable there's no fun in existing but when it takes an adventurous turn it ignites one's enthusiasm and passion for living.

Rain in the mountains is something that you cannot compare it with rain in the cities.
The hilly slopes least intruded by humans bestow an impeccable aura of Peace & tranquility beside the cool climate that brings solace to the traveler soul.

Dark clouds surround these hills. it is still silence in the valleys, with the storm turning towards the North with the lampshade light flickering at unusual intervals.
The rustling leaves on the canopy of trees indicate the winds arrival and everyone seeks shelter in such a situation with the impending thunderous rainfall.

As the traveler, joyously proclaims-

While they were busy seeking shelter inside,

I ecstatically rejoiced in the rains outside.

MONSOON TRIPS FROM MUMBAI

1) Mahabaleshwar

Situated in the Sahyadri mountain range, Mahabaleshwar is the picturesque hill station you're looking for. Famously known for its strawberries, the cool climate and evergreen forests have much to offer you.
For a monsoon break, these places will give you a good riddance.

OLD MAHABALESHWAR

7 kilometers from Mahabaleshwar and you have reached Old Mahabaleshwar.

This holy and revered place has 3 temples namely-

Pancha Ganga temple

As the names suggest, panch means five and Ganga means the holy river of India. inside this temple, 5 rivers of Krishna Veena Savitri Kitna and gaytri originate here.

Mahabaleshwar temple

where the Lord Himself sleeps, it is believed that at night god himself comes and rests due to the crumpled bedsheet that marks the arrival. This temple is the house of Shiva, contains the bed, Trishul, and damru.
May God bless you.

Krishna temple

Mythology has it that the river jumped from here where now remains the structured temple.
The festival of mahashivratri is celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm during summers by the locals.

Ah! I lost myself in the way,

and attained eternal bliss.

I have with me not any words to say,

Such has been life's kiss.

After attending the festival, Which ushered the grace of the supreme, my life indeed had a turning point and I woke up to happiness and everlasting joy.

2. Panchgani

TABLELAND

Yet another famous hill station in Maharashtra. Monsoons make this place favorable as the humidity remains quite low throughout the year.
The strawberry farms are a delight for the senses and monsoons add Cherry on the cake.
it's a perfect romantic location for the nature lover.

At a distance of 285 km from Mumbai and 28 km from Mahabaleshwar, this place offers a plethora of sights and sporting avenue where rains don't play a spoilsport.

Vast and expansive flat Lands lay barren with the surrounding beauty.
You can taste the wind and fly in the air as there are Avenues of Parasailing.

Horse rides also offered Which takes you through Pandava feet, Pandava caves, tiger caves & wonderful Lakes,
And once you reach the top of the Tableland, the spectacular view of the Panchgani Town.

Sydney point

Two kilometers from the Panchgani bus stand and you have reached the Sydney point from where the Dhoom Dham waters graciously glitter in nature's pristine glory.
the Krishna valley is right in front of your sight and the splendid sight makes you spellbound.

Mapro garden

The road that lies between Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar have this beautiful strawberry garden and it also holds an annual strawberry festival.
it's monsoon time and you are in a strawberry farm. The heavenly abode.

3)Lohagad Fort

With the green cover, and the foggy mists engulfing the Fort it exudes vibrations of ancient history.
Situated at a distance of 52 km from the hill station of Lonavala, it rises to an elevation of 3389 feet and the sight of the nearby areas and forest are just pleasing to the eye.

The fort has various structures built inside which has a historical resemblance to the ancient culture.
The climb to the top becomes a bit challenging during monsoons, what is the silence of the mountains, and the peculiar voice of the cricket makes this journey a mysterious one.

4)Kolad

A small village in the Raigad district,
At a  distance of 117 km in Mumbai, it lies on the banks of river kundalika.

It's the monsoon season, water from above & water below. Yes, you got me right it's rafting time. The 14 km stretch of the kundalika river makes this an adventure lovers Paradise.
though this remains open even during monsoons, pauses for some duration due to bad weather conditions.


Tamhini Ghat waterfall

One of the main attractions of kolad, it beckons you with the lush greenery and the Peaceful waterfall. For the visitor's quick info, the rapids of the river are due to the presence of a dam built by the Tata group.

In Silence time flew by,

The rains ended the season dry.

Ghosla fort

Towering at great heights, in between the revdanda and salav creeks, it is known for its architectural opulence.

Two shrines and Dargah are found in the temple complex which indicates the true spirit of spirituality and acceptance of various religions which have the same goal.

Plus Valley trek

Most fascinating trek, the valley is in shape of a plus sign.
The silent atmosphere, the challenging terrain, the picturesque scenery infuses a new spirit in you.

5)Kalsubai peak

The highest peak in Maharashtra, often known as the Everest of Maharashtra provides you with an undaunted view of the natural beauty of natures Glory which states that since time immemorial.

There is a mythological story behind the naming of this peak. As The Story Goes, a woman named kalsubai was punished by the villagers living at the base of this mountain was driven out of this village but she being a reluctant woman climb the very mountain and established for settlements there until she died.

Hence, watch out for any roaming spirit on your way up to the peak!

The Bari village on the eastern side of this Hill provides the traveler with the view of the kalsubai Hill.

The trek-

The distance between the base of the mountain and the peak is approximately 3 hours. Monsoons inadvertently bring about strong winds and Misty fog which makes the trail a challenging one.
Ladders installed by the local villagers at crucial stages make it comparatively easier for the trekkers.

For the first time, we have a plateau as the peak very Temple has been built In reverence of the local deity.
With the fluttering wind breezing past the hilly slopes, this is your next best monsoon Trek.

" High amidst the skies,

The eternal song was heard.

It fueled your joy,

Fulfilled your journey.

At this moment, the heart sings-

Peace- be still."

6)Bhandardara

UMBRELLA FALLS

Is a spectacular holiday resort village near Igatpuri in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, a distance of 185 km from Mumbai.

Monsoons perfect season to witness the umbrella Falls which can only be sighted during this season.
The water descends down from the Wilson Dam, and the natural structure of the rocks shaping the water like an umbrella makes the sight a humble one.

The Peaceful music blows in the sanctity of the mountains and the Pristine beauty of nature reveals itself in its ultimate grandeur.

The Wilson Dam is the feat of ancient engineering marvel which has thick forest cover at the base, and which is the source of the Umbrella Falls.

Ratanwadi village hosts the famous Ratangarh Fort and the revered Shiva temple of amruteshwar.
Considered to be a prime trekking location, the Fort dates backs to 2000 years &  temple was built by the Pandavas in just a single night.

Lakeside camping at Bhandardara.

With the Arthur Lake providing Crystal Clear Waters, and the surrounding greenery, simply cannot miss this camping Experience At Bhandardara.
The campfire at night under the stars studded Sky makes the experience even more memorable.

7)Matheran

TOY TRAIN!

Hill station in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, it is the smallest hill station in India, at about 90 kilometers from Mumbai.

Travelers would be glad to know the this is Asia's only automobile-free hill station and is declared as an eco-sensitive region by the Ministry of the environment, forest, and climate change, Government of India.

Matheran hosts a variety of flora and fauna, with our mind-boggling 28 points of visit do it is the smallest hill station.

LOUISA POINT

Louisa point provides a breathtaking view of the city and the vestiges of Prabal and Vishalgad Fort.

Panorama point opposite 360-degree view of the Western Ghats and the nearby villages in the plains.
Those who pay the price for trekking up to this point can enjoy the fresh air and the perfect photo.

Moving over to the most popular spot of this hill station is the monkey point.
Gorgeous of the Western Ghats and the scenic beauty exerted by the lush green mountains and the forest cover, the troop of monkeys marches upon the trails giving you the perfect company.
If you happened to watch old movies, this is the place voice echoed scenes were filmed. Try for yourself!

Shivaji's ladder, is a set up underneath The One Tree Hill, challenging the most genuine tough trekkers.

Rambagh point, on the other hand, provide the distant view of neighboring towns of Karjat and Khandala.
Meandering across the hill slopes, the toy train embarks from Neral to Matheran Hill Top.

8)Igatpuri

 The Western Ghats mountains of Maharashtra anchor this hill station and it leaves you in a state of awe and Wonder as you drink the ambrosia of life which peace and tranquility compounded.

At The small town stands the Myanmar Gate, and has multiple attractions like the golden Pagoda, Hilltop tringalwadi Fort.

As we move south-east the trail leads up to kalsubai peak & harishchandragad  Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a home to leopards and deer.

Just when you are about to enter Igatpuri from Mumbai you witness the bhatsa river valley, which is such a delicate and picturesque spot with lush green cover and the Rocky structures make you stop for the perfect photo.

"Buddham Saranam gacchami"

Dhammagiri meditation center serves as the landmark of Igatpuri, and the various meditation courses offered in vipassana, which is an insight meditation believed to be taught by Buddha in India is dissipated over here.
Royal Golden Pagoda, is in resemblance which the central theme of dhammagiri.

The Camel Valley is a natural formation just a few meters ahead of bhatsa River Valley where water gorges down from over 1000 feet.
The part of this waterfall is that it is formed by rainwaters.

Well advancing on our journey from the Camel Valley, we visited the Ghanta Devi Temple which is believed to be the protector of Ghats in India.
Mountain ranges envelop the vicinity with the cool wind making it just the right spiritual place to be.

Tringalwadi Fort
At a towering height of 3000 feet, it inadvertently why the 360-degree view of the neighboring towns and the mountain ranges.
Top of the Fort is Turban like attracting crackers from all over the globe.

9)Malshej Ghat

Glanced at the sun,

Through the tinted glass.

Trail of life is fun,

Through the mountain pass.

Our Exciting journey into The Hills continues as we move ahead to Malshej Ghat.
Several types of Avian population and especially flamingos, it has a variety of flora and fauna to keep the visitors enthralled.

For the avid trekker, we have multiple trail running in the valleys with the dark Woods, gushing waterfalls, colorful flora, and fauna for the nature lover.

One should definitely plan to stay at the Flamingo Hill Resort run by MTDC.

Harishchandragad Fort, at a stone's throw from Malshej Ghat, has a unique story to tell.
The kedareshwar cave, who is the revered statue of Lord Shiva, which is surrounded by icy cold water preventing anyone to reach the statue.
the cave initially was built on four pillars but as of now a single remains and it is believed that its destruction will cause an end to the material world.

10)Alibaug

The glittering dazzle of reflections,

Sweet sunshine amidst sea's whistle.

Freshness flies the spirit high,

As the wind glides in the sky.

Alibaug beach has a flat land where I took the long walk down the memory lane.
Which the hard sand, the water caresses your feet at regular intervals.

Alibag Fort was built by Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1680, define The Mighty navel prowess of siddhis.
Ganesh temple and the Dargah are also famous tourist attractions of this place.

11)Lonavla

HOMESTAY

Hill station which needs no description, surrounded by lush green valleys, this place is famous for the hard candy called chikki made of jaggery and peanuts.

Monsoons are the peak season for tourism, make sure you have booked in advance for a hassle-free journey.

The Karla Caves, are of Buddhist origin and contain samplings of ancient cultures with the paintings and carved our structures of animals, men, and women having a coded message.

The Bajha caves are similar to Karla caves and it contains stupas signifying the presence of Siddhas and their penance at the very place.
The very basis of carving out caves during olden times was to architect a place for penance devoid of any natural harm of animals or nature.

I then traveled my way Rajmachi point, where Shivaji Maharaj Fort is sighted.
I was left in the state of deep gratitude, as I entered the Ryewood park here.

These old trees have a long story,

The gardens infused life within.

Gently & humbly revealed their glory,

Creating memories on the hill.

If you are a street food lover, a visit to the Lonavala lake shall prove to be the best deal of your life as besides nature's treat, you have smoke corn, Vada Pav, chaat and hot ginger lemon tea.

12)Khandala

At a stone's throw of 3 km from Lonavala, it serves as a popular hiking destination.

Duke's nose, is an intriguing point of interest which was named after the Duke of Wellington what a pointed nose resembling the Cliff.

This is an adventure lovers paradise, as various adventure activities of trekking, Valley crossing, Rock climbing and rappelling are conducted here.
The most challenging trek of your life wherein you would be traversing difficult paths and the best one is where you have to cross an entire section on hand power without any foothold on a rock inclined at over 90° angle.

13)Mulshi dam

IN THE VICINITY OF THE DAM

Nested among dense trees, this proves to be a worthwhile venture.

the area near the waterfall holds many forts, bridge, and waterfall giving you a nice weekend treat.

Trekking, photography and bird watching are common actions contemplated by visitors here.

Accommodation near the dam is quite easily available at affordable rates.

Durshet

We embarked on our adventurous journey into nature, by starting off with durshet forest lodge.

The vast 35-acre natural forest area holds natural waterfall during monsoon, has magnanimous oak trees and expansive trek trails.

A complete package indeed!

Mornings witnessed me indulge in various activities like rappelling, zip line, Burma bridge,  wall climbing & kayaking... And when this was not enough for the adventurous soul I went for night walks in the forest ended it with barbeques and campfire.

Being a guitarist, the people appreciated the soulful melodies I played on the instrument.

The night Safari was one of its kind to be remembered of.

It's pitch black and the headlights turned on, with the Milky way galaxy in its pristine form and the wind breezing past us...we could make out owl shrieks, call of the wild jackals howl.

An exciting yet scary night in the woods.

15)Amboli

Before the coastal highlands of goa starts, amboli is the last hill station in Maharashtra which such pristine beauty and a multitude of natural attractions.

The Amboli waterfalls Are the main attraction spot, and with the advent of monsoons, this becomes a real feast for the eye.

The shirgaonkar point also Rises to the occasion with the arrival of monsoon and provides a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding Hills &  forest cover.

The hiranyakeshi temple is built in the vicinity of the caves from where the water flows down into the hiranyakeshi river. The caves are also a possible site for exploration.

The Madhavgarh Fort has scenic views of the vast landscape from the top and even the Arabian Sea can be sighted from here.

16)Harihareshwar

Surrounded by The Hills of harihareshwar, harshinachal and pushpadri the Savitri river flows into the Arabian Sea via this town.

The beach is undoubtedly the most fantastic experience of this town with the clean waters of the sea splashing at bayside.

The region is not polluted by human intervention and therefore serves as a great experience for the visitors.

The Ganesh gully is a narrow path nestled between two mountains and it reminds one of those adventurous Hollywood movies.

The Kaal Bhairav temple serves as an important place of ancient wisdom as it is believed that Lord Shiva who created Kaal Bhairav and blessed him with all the mantra Shastras.

Apple also contains beautiful carvings which can be enjoyed as the cool wind from the Sea makes this journey a delightful one.

17)Tapola

Also known as Mini Kashmir, this town is bestowed with natural beauty, having a dense forest in the inner regions of the town not easily accessible, which makes it a lifetime adventure. Trek to vasota Fort is a must for all budding enthusiastic travelers.

And for family people, we have boating in the Shiv Sagar lake.

"In the innocence was the magnificence,

Bloomed within a joy incandescence."

18)Thoseghar Falls

Located near the small village of thoseghar 20 km from Satara, this is a series of waterfalls ranging from 15 to 20 m and one big one falling from 200m.

Monsoons add icing on the cake,

With abundant water supply, a clean environment & peaceful weather to relish the beauty.

19)Bhimashankar 

Bhimashankar temple is a Jyotirlinga Shrine located 50 km north west of khed.

The Term Jyotirlinga means of light,

A manifestation of the universal Supreme God.

Carvings of ancient cultures are prominent here.

Legend has it that Brahma and Vishnu had a duel on the mystery of creation, so in order to test them, the supreme God divided  the three Worlds into eternal pillars of light.

Both of them parted ways to find the beginning and the end of such light, but were unable to do so as per the will of God.

But Bramha, deceived Vishnu buy falsely proclaiming that he had found the end of the pillar of light.

The supreme God, cursed Brahma that Vishnu would be worshipped for the ages to come, and Brahma would not have any such luxury.

There are 12 such Jyotirlingas which radiate the cosmic vortex of the infinite light of the universal Supreme Lord.

As I conclude this chapter of my travel story, I really count upon those days spent in sheer joy, peace, and oneness with nature. This poem expresses my state of being-

Infusing a spirit fresh,

Into the dry earth's flesh.

Descending gently from stormy skies,

Life's renewal as rainy winds sway by.

There was storm, thunder & lightning.

Not seen before, such was rain's homecoming.

Sharing sweet memories, with joyful smiles.

Sharing an umbrella, we would walk miles.

The hot tea sips in the backyard.

Cuddling & tapping to rain's rhythm.

Monsoons invariably bring about their distinct aroma of freshness and clarity. Venturing out in these nearby places from a rhetoric city life is by far the best gift you can present it to yourself.

*PC-(Google Images)