Exquisite waterfall rappelling at Vihigaon – Kasara

The one the kind experience that I had so far… for a moment I felt that as if I am no more in this world, but the experience was worth exploring and here I am giving you the details about my first experience of waterfall rappelling which I traversed….

My adventure group “Natureknights” had catalogued Waterfall rappelling at Vihigaon, Kasara. Keen Venturers and Trekkers call forth all the venturers for an exceedingly incredible experience at one of the most the astonishing topographic point near Mumbai, the Vihigaon waterfall. Vihigaon is a Village in Shahapur Taluk, Thane District, and Maharashtra State. Vihigaon is 77.34 km distance from its District Main City Thane and 91 km distance from its State Main City Mumbai.

The journey began at 6.00 am from Malad, me and my friend were picked by our group leader Asif from Amar Mahal near chembur and others were later picked up from other locations we later formed a group of 18-20 people for this trip. Once we hit the NH3, had a terrible experience of some bad roads and bit of traffic till Bhiwandi-Kalyan Phata. The 4-lane work on NH3 has definitely improved the traffic, although, there are still some roadblocks where the work is incomplete or in early stages. We halted for breakfast at Shree Dutt Guru Restaurant and there we got introduced with the other adventurous people, we introduced ourselves in two words and then emanated our journey. As we crossed shahpur, I was overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery which was spread across only because of the beautiful monsoons and started capturing them for my memories.

The bus halted and we got down near the school where we parked our bus and started with the small trek to reach our destination. The humongous waterfall is a site to watch over and admire the beauty of nature. Rappelling in such a riotous flow is an adventure everyone should experience.  Since this was the first time that I was doing rappelling I was filled with apprehension as well as stimulated. Asif gave us the training as to how we should do rappelling. As soon as the session got over some started with the rappelling and some went near the waterfall. We first thought to unwind ourselves in the waterfall. Then we went at the site where our group members were doing rappelling, as I saw them rappelling with the heavy flow of water gushing down I started getting Goosebumps. I didn’t imagine that I can ever do such activity, but then I was determined that I will do this act and overcome my fear from water. I saw many of them were not able to do this activity and after looking at them I was aghast whether I will be able to do it. I was second last in the group, and then finally my number came and I was all rope equipped. I was so agitated, as I entered the waterfall I was just recollecting as to what asif told us. But all in vain as soon as i saw the waterfall coming towards me, it was a killer. I started taking baby steps and started in the descending order. First few steps was ok but once I was few feet’s down I fell, and  guider Shivaji helped to stand up and I was on my toes rappelling. After some more few feet down once again I tumbled and got up.

The last cleave was a disaster with only few feet’s left of the rappelling, I lost control and huge water plunged on my face and I was left swinging in the middle of the waterfall.  I tried to balance my body and was trying to descend my rope but since the water flow was so strong all went to vain. I started panting and was breathless; I tried to be calm and after sometime when I was not responding, people who were supporting me through rope pulled me down. The moment I was down, the guy who was holding the rope from down hold and asked me “I am sure you must have love the whole adventure” I was gasping hard and told him that “yes I loved it” and also told him that I want to reach the other corner of the waterfall but he told me to be patient and try to control my breath. He took me to the other side where I sat there for some time and tried to walked barefooted all the way to the place where all my other group members were there. 

Finally, at 4.30 P.M we started our journey for home, all were so exhausted but still everybody was so excited that we all the way chit chatted and reached Home sweet Home…….

I just want to conclude by saying that it’s the best exercise to overcome the fear of height. Just feel the thrill of suspension at the height of about 100 feet’s. Come experience the incredible feeling of success and accomplishment when you touch the ground. 

Trip to Majestic place - Bhandardhara

Finally the sweat and the scorching heat of Mumbai were relieved with the romantic season’s arrival in Maharashtra - The Monsoon. Since this is a perfect season to start our travel journey, we three traveler friends were ferreting as to which location to go to have a weekend plan within Maharashtra. We were perplexed that out of three places Bhandardhara, Saputara and Mahabaleshwar which location do we have to streamline with, finally after heated discussion we summed up to go to a beautiful and majestic location Nestled among the Sahyadri Hills, Bhandardhara.

                                                वीएव ऑफ़ भंदार्धरा 

We did our backpack and started our journey by road from Vashi at 9am which is about 150kms drive, you need to turn right just a few kilometers after Igatpuri and enter Ghoti. Just few kilometers away from Igatpuri, the city called as ‘Fog City’ was truly breathtaking. As soon as we entered the location, the entire 2 kms of the belt was surrounded by Fog. The road was covered by the scenic view of fog and cars have put on their Parking lights. We got down for having the perfect view of that city with the mountains covered with fog and greenery. This small town leads to a long narrow road, which cuts across the lofty mountains and ascends to the marvelous retreat. Although it is just about an hour’s journey, the sights are spectacular. Fluorescent green paddy fields contrast with bright blue skies above and the murky brown streams that crisscross the whole land. When it rains, and clouds descend from the sky to blanket the earth, the sight is truly breathtaking! 

                                                       फोग सिटी 

                                             

Bhandardhara sits by the Pravara River, and is a blend of natural beauty, waterfalls, mountains, tranquility, greenery, invigorating air and pristine ambiance. The Bhandardhara Lake and the Randha falls are major tourist attractions. We reached Bhandardhara at 1 pm and started ferreting as to which hotel we have to stay, after hunting at many places we freeze in to stay at “Yash resort”, the resort served veg and non veg food and had a big recreation centre which includes table tennis, cycling, carom, basketball centre and swimming pool. We then dumped our bags in our room and started our retreat. We first went to Bhandardhara dam, where many tourists flocked and stay there for a long time to hang out in the dam unlike like other falls and dams, just a little ahead there was Wilson dam built way back in 1910 on the Pravara-River and standing 150 mts high, Wilson Dam is the largest earthen dam in India. At the base of Wilson Dam there is a garden endowed with thick greenery, streams and gigantic trees- the latter. During the monsoon, when the level of the lake rises, the dam opens its gates to release a torrent of water that finds its way down to the plains below. You could stand at the edge of the garden embankment and enjoy the cool spray, or visit the picturesque Umbrella Falls, which are another major attraction during the monsoon. As we further drove to about 4 km away from Shendi Village was the Randhaa Waterfalls - Randha Falls is the third largest falls in India. The roaring River Pravara descends down from a height of 170 ft into a beautiful gorge. Apart from these major attractions we also visited some small and small spots of waterfalls which had no name but they were truly mesmerizing. We got drenched whole day visiting all the majestic spots but still it was like why the day is setting down? On our way back to the hotel, we halted at a very beautiful location which was the backside of the Bhandardhara Dam and we didn’t want to miss the exotic view, as soon as we got off from the car the windy monsoon was hitting us and we starting shivering badly, we sat there for few minutes and it was like we are in Seven Heaven. As I was strolling in that spot I saw one location where nobody was going and the location was the Dam’s liver area which was extremely huge, greasy and slippery. I went further down taking the staircase and whoa….. In front it was an exotic view of Pravara River which I can’t take my eye off….

                                                                 विल्सन दम 

                                                             भंदार्धरा दम 

                                                    रंधा फाल्स 

Day two of our trip started with visting Amriteshwar temple, this temple was 20 kms ahead from Bhandardhara. As we were driving to reach out to this location, there were beautiful panoramic views of Sahyadris, small waterfalls coming down from mountains and Bhandardara. As we reached atop of the Bari village we saw this temple, an ancient and old. The temple was made in around the 1100 AD. The style of architecture used in this temple is hemadpanti. The exquisitely crafted temple still stands tall. This temple has a shivling wherein from below the shivling River Pravara flows, and since in rainy season you cannot see the shivling because the river water gets assembled there. There are very few options for eating out in Bhandardara. The local staple of varan bhat (dal-rice) is easily available but can be spicy. Some tandoori and non-veg food is available but should be ordered in advance or you can expect a long wait while it is prepared for you. The Maharashtrian regular fare of usal pao, misal pao and vada pao are all easily available. The area is famous for a rather sweet peda that you will find being sold everywhere. It is even used to sweeten the tea you drink at the local chai stall. 

                                                                   अमृतेश्वर मंदिर 

Though we wanted to visit some more places like a peaceful Agasti Rishi Ashram, a historical Ratangadh Fort, there was shortage of time and Mumbai’s hustle bustle was calling us. Like all scenic spots, the magic of Bhandardara has to experience to be appreciated; if you are nature lover, this spot should definitely appear on the top of your holiday destination list.

King of the Forts – Raigad Forts

Since it was a long weekend 22 – 24^th April 2001 we friends as usual planned for the trip to Dapoli which is near ratnagiri district, 4 -5 hours drive from my place, since it was a long weekend everybody from Mumbai wanted to venture out traveling with their family and friends. I didn’t imagine that I will see so many cars flocking on the road, creating heavy traffic and congestion. We started our journey from my place at 8am hoping that we will reach dapoli by 12 – 1PM, but all thanks to heavy traffic and 2 break downs, one was car at Pen and the other was a truck break down at Nagothale where we got stuck in traffic for nearly an hour, but I guess we njoyed traffic time cos we discussed all sort of topics killing one hour of traffic time. After clearing all those traffic congestion we took a halt for lunch at 2PM at Hotel Neelkamal near Raigad, though it was scorching heat but the place was so picturesque with the beautiful lake that we didn’t feel the heat, though the food was not that appealing to eat so we somehow manage to fill our tummy.  Since we were too late now to reach Dapoli and we were on the one day trip it was useless to go to Dapoli, so we dropped Dapoli trip and planned to go to Raigad Fort.

I was of the opinion that this will be another one of the customary forts which I have visited earlier, but my opinion was altered as soon as we reached Raigad fort. This Fort Raigad was the capital of the most illustrious Maratha sovereign, nurtured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is a monument of his prophetic vision of Hindavi Swarajya. Built over 350 years ago, this main entrance to the Fort stands majestically. The Raigad Fort is perched in the widely spread Sahyadri Ranges at an altitude of 2,700ft above the sea level. A steep climb of nearly 1450 steps and three and a half hours of extreme demands on your physical stamina, leaves you too exhausted. The magic mantra - Raigad Ropeway - has opened a new chapter of sightseeing - the Fort Raigad. It whisks you to the top, through the clouds and whistling winds, in just 4 minutes. Now you have all the energy and time to enjoy the sightseeing! Well-trained and courteous guides are at hand to give you a conducted tour of the Fort. You will find structures galore on the fort worth seeing. The main among them include Queen’s Quarters, Watch Towers, Gateways, market place and the Public Durbar.

There are six spacious chambers in all in the Queen’s Quarters. This structure was specially built for the queen and her attendants. The construction of the main palace was a wooden work. Most of the parts of this construction are now in ruins. Only the bases of pillars can be seen now. You cannot imagine how strong these forts have been made in those days. Right in front of the palace ground, you find three watch towers. These are strategically constructed in such a way that the enemies trying to invade the fort could be seen and the attack could be stemmed. The beautiful Ganga Sagar Lake next to the main fort offers a soothing relief to your eyes. The ruins of the market on the fort take you back to the good olden days. You start imagining the lifestyle of the people living in those days here on the fort.

A replica of the original royal throne has been kept in the public Durbar of the king. The main doorway of the palace is known as Nagarkhana Darwaaza. This place amazes the people due to its perfect acoustic design. Whatever one says at the doorway can be heard at the throne. Apart from that Maha Darwaaza and Palkhi Darwaaza are solid constructions and evergreen attractions on the fort.

A big statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji in front of the market area here is yet another attraction. You do bow down before this great king; it doesn’t matter you know the biography or otherwise. Slightly ahead of it is the Jagdishwar Temple. The cenotaph of King Shivaji and that of his loved dog Waghya are the places of immense historic importance.

As we were coming out from the Cenotaph of King shivaji we saw Balwant Moreshwar Purandare (Born July 29, 1922) popularly known as Shivshahir Babasaheb Purandare is a historian, writer and theatre personality from Maharashtra. His works are mostly based on the events related to the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He is mostly known for his popular play on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Jaanta Raja was a hit not only in Maharashtra but also in Andra Pradesh. Babasaheb Purandare has also very closely studied history of Peshwa's of Pune. He was been taken in Palki at the Cenotaph with almost 50 people accompanying him including the Police staff and journalist.

My visit to raigad was truly one of the kind I experienced during my recent travel.