Life..

"Life should
NOT be a Journey to Grave with a Sole Intention Of Arriving In Safe And Well-Preserved Body, But Rather To Skid In Side-Ways, Body Thoroughly Used Up, Covered With Scars, and Screamin with Joy,
Wu...hhhuuuuuuuuu, What a Ride!"

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Showing posts with label Lonavala. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lonavala. Show all posts

Friday, September 2, 2011

One day trip to Palasdari Waterfall.

Hello guys and gals!
After a hectic college schedule and lack of synchronization of schedule, finally we synchronized a Sunday. Rain god had already blessed and turned everything green, and he did stop briefly, and that coincided with our synchronized Sunday.

We've had enough of Waterfalls and forts past years. And i was the one who was fed up with waterfalls. I've been to many, and tell you each one is hell on public holidays. :(
Also i was in college at Bhivpuri, and during monsoon we use to register our attendance every monday for almost 3 months. The newly built toll naka guy use to let us in just by seeing my face! LoL!!
That's just to make you understand how fed up i was and that too on Sundays? Oh, a big NO!!

After negotiations and debate on waterfalls, we tapped our desk for Palasdari.
The planning commission and information conveying ministry was left to me.
After a thorough literature survey, which was ofcourse very scare (which is also symbol of not so famous and peaceful) the information was conveyed.

The plan was finalized for 14th August 2011.

We took the morning Khopoli local (8:30 am at thane) and alighted at Palasdhari roughly at 10.10am.
Palasdhari is the next station after Karjat on Khopoli route.
Dont be disheartened if you catch Karjat local, coz Central railway runs special Karjat-Khopoli locals which are in synchronization with locals reaching karjat. (Came to know when i was doing literature survey!)

Coming back to palasdari, there are two ways to reach village. By walking on track to the visible village, or turning right whch leads to Palasdhari dam, and then to village. The changing room is located here near the dam and is for men only! You can still give it a miss coz there are plenty "Open" changing places.

Reached the village at 10:45 with brief stopovers for snaps and changing clothes at the dam
Took some utilities from shop in the village, and then headed on straight to waterfall.

As a rule of thumb. or a nature's law, or an engineers law, whatever you call it, "Waterfalls are always located on hills, and railway tracks are not"
So anywhere you go, the waterfall is always located away from railway station! And so is this! You have to walk for 20 minutes from station to reach there.

The walk passes through lush green surrounding, and that's enough to turn you on, even if you've been there tens of times!
The first sight of waterfall was disheartening. especially when you are obsessed to relative "big" ness of Bhivpuri, Pandavkada.
Nevertheless, the crowd was minimal. And it was actually a private waterfall for many couples having fun! :p

The real fun comes when you go under the falls. Due to heavy rain the previous days, and a brief break, the waterfall was at its medieval, still was at force..
Without a second thought we just jumped in to water! Viiola, it was really cold! As cold as ice! But within minutes, our body gets accustomed to it! and then we stayed in for nearly 2 hours! :D

After a series of posing for photos, we decided to give it a call!!
Returned to station, had some biscuits from shops at village and took the 2:10pm Up local for CST.
Reached thane till 4:00pm and home till 4:30pm.

It was a good respite from chaotic Mumbai life, and when you are running out of options, and if you are seriously looking for privacy, Palasdari is a where to head for!!

Would like to share some photos! Enjoy :)
Forgive me for poor pic quality. It was shot using Samsung mobile phone 3.2 Mega pixels.

The beautiful roof less station!
See behind, the building is changing room.
Palasdari Dam.
Pano near Palasdari Dam.

 15 minutes of trail, like this makes way to waterfall.
Trail
First view of waterfall.
Side view!
Yoga by Poga!

Some fun!
Then we went Upstairs from where the water was falling.
It was amazing sight up.
The small water stream upwards.
And this is the only video of Palasdari


Thanks for watching!
"You live only once, so go out there and explore"
Enjoy :)

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Malavali Lohagad trek, Vinchukata Rocks!

I've been to Lohagad last year (2011). And also written a blog on it!
Due to nasty yet lovely weather and constant fogging, we had cancelled visit to "Vinchu kaata" also due to time constraints, we had abandoned Bhaja Caves.

But this year, we begun early and covered all!

First some tips;
1) Timetable of Lonavala-Pune local has been changed. So here's the new timetable, w.e.f 1/07/11.

Mumbaikars can take early morning Deccan express, coz it is the best suitable for this trek.
If you go by early Indrayani or Intercity, you get stuck at Lonavala as there's no connecting local to Malavali.
Deccan express connects to local, which leaves within 5 mins according to new timetable.
So first tip is to take express ticket upto Talegaon. Which cost 5-6rs more than that of Lonavala. This way you avoid ticket que hassels at Lonavala and you can hop into malavali/pune local.

2) From Malavali to Bhaja caves, there's tar road, so no hassels in walking (you can even take a rick, cost rs 80). Bhaja to Lohagad base is literally off-roading! And the tip is, Not to take shortcut trails, rather follow this off-road. There is risk of  slipping, or falling from steep trails.

3) To reach Vinchukaata, one has to go downhill series of rocks, so shoes/Sandals with good grip are advised. People suffering from Vertigo should back off. There are sheer cliffs on every side.Better to stay put at Lohagad.


That's some tips for a safe trek! Now enjoy the pics.

Reached Malavali Stn, started the trek at 10:45.

Reached Malavali Station.

Within 20 mins, reached the Bhaja caves.
For Your Information!


Bhaja Caves, First view!

Beautiful Walls!

The Big stupa! And some Idiotic names.


From a distance

4 Stupa's lined.

The Vihara is the resting place!

Elephant god?


Some one great?
This board was lying literally in crap!
Now we begin trek for Lohagad.
Get down to the "off road" via a small but slippery downhill climb.


View of Bhaja caves from a distance.


Waterfall enroute.
It was Sunday. so there were hawkers selling some "Bhutta" enroute!

Bhutta's!
After a greulling trek for 2.5rhs, we reached the Lohagad village.

Enroute is the Visapur fort.
This village marks the base for this very fort.
20 mins of steps, the "IRON" walls of Lohagad are visible!
Aren't they strong?

Strong walls


Some more walls!


The slippery steps!


Meant to defy the Elephant attack!



First view,. Pawna dam!

I just can't get my eyes away from those walls!



The Qabr of Muslim pir near the summit.


Had the Lunch full of Theplas and Pichkoo sauce!
Then proceeded to Vinchukaata. I was very excited!

The Theplas!


The Mammoth, Vinchu kaata!

Human's stand nowhere!

Took some 30 odd different poses of this Vinchu kaata, experimenting in various manual modes.
Few good one's to share. :)

Another view!

Look behind, and you'll be stunned by this!


The flowering season has begun!



Reached the Summit! The achievement was like we won some battle or climbed mount everest!
Words cannot express, the sheer joy of reaching the summit. :)
Everyone was silent, enjoying the achievement, and suddenly this appeared!
Nasty weather coming, it was signal to run off!



Nasty weather approaching!
That approached us, when we were out of vinchu kaata, thank god!
But we were bluffed! It was not rain but fog!
Within minutes, the scene changed! And that tomb looked this!


Tomb and Fog!


Some fun in fog!

The Summit! There is a Mata temple.

We were down! Slowly and steadily, had some nashta and left for Malavali.

Visapur fort and the fog kiss!


Lovely!





The lonavala Plains!



Waterfall and Long shutter!


Some long shutter shots on waterfall!
That's it!
We reached Malavali and took train to Lonavala.
From lonavala took the express to Mumbai CST, reached home till 11.00pm!

Hope you enjoyed the log :)
Happy and safe trekking.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Malavali Lohagad Trek

After a Long Period, it was tym for some fun!
So we had Planned a trip to Tikona fort,
unfortunately we had to change our plan at the Last moment..

We were in a group of 5,
Me, Amitt, Kiran, Sachin and Hemant..
Intially as directed by Dongresaheb, we decided to go to Tikona fort,
but it was raining heavy, so the locals suggested to go to Lohagad fort, from Malavali station, coz the trek to Lohagad from Malavali would also include Bhaja caves and a big waterfall nearby..

Starting off; we took the Morning Deccan express Departing from thane at 7:50am, and Alighted Lonavala at 9:50am.
As planned, we moved on to Kamshet (to go to Tikona fort) by Local train which departed at 10:05am, and reached in 15 mins..

There on, we came back to Malavali station by local train which was 30Mins late, we had a buddy coming by this local from Pune.
Started the Trek at 11:30am from Malavali station to Lohagad fort..
The Trek was of 3Hrs One side.

An Armature trek in Rainy season, and A beginner trek in other..

How to go
:
There are two ways to Approach:
1) From Lonavala (Using Personal Vehicle), You can reach directly to the Fort base. (Note: No local transport is available, few Tum-tum's do go, but only "On-Demand" Rate: 50Rs Per person)
2) From Malavali station (By Trekking)
Initially there is Road upto Bhaja caves for which the Rickshaw wala's charge you 80Rs per Rickshaw, and then a Grueling trek of 2hrs and 30Mins to reach Fort.

A view from Monkey hill (Hill station between Karjat and Lonavala.)



Alighting at lonavala station.


Lonely Truck and A beautiful backdrop..

At Malavali Station.


Beginning of the Trek..


Sweet ain't it?



Mighty Waterfall near Bhaja Caves..



Group getting ready to trek..


Initial Track from Bhaja Caves to Lohagad.


Leaving behind those Lonavala Plains..


Me and Amit Trekking!


My group posing in front of aweful scenery!


Scenery on the way..


Good Back-drop! Ain't it?

Rotting wooden log!


Visapur Fort!! A First View!!


Visapur Fort, Another Angle!

Ruined Leaf!!



First view, Lohagad Fort!


Pawna Dam a Beautiful View!


Side wall!



Mammoth entrance of that fort!!



I wonder how they would have Built this!!


View from Third Floor..


Road to Heaven.


Awesome na??
i wonder what is meant for??



Qabr of a Muslim Pir!
This symbolizes that Shivaji Maharaj was not Anti-Muslim.



Then there is a Shiv temple next to it, This is the Summit of that Fort!!
An Awesome experience, Lohagad is mesmerising during Monsoons!!!