We started planning a week ago and it was final on Friday. I left
office at 5:30 PM and reached Vashi at 9:00 PM. I was lucky to get a seat in
bus as there was huge crowd at Wakad (Diwali Rush). Bus came from Satara and
therefore I could board the bus. I had
to go to Thane at Yogesh’s room. Plan was to wake up early in the morning and
get first train to Kalyan and first bus to Ahmednagar which didn’t work. We got
train at 5:30 AM which was at Kalyan at 6:05 AM. We had Samosa and tea at
Kalyan station. We filled thermos with tea.
As we entered Kalyan bus station, we saw a bus to Ahmednagar. It was about to leave. Conductor told that it was Diwali special
bus. We requested conductor to tell us once
Khubi phata comes. Khubi phata is about 80 Kms away from Kalyan. It is just
after we cross Malshej Ghat. We had
heard that this route is along the dam. But after getting down at Khubi phta,
we didn’t see any dam nearby.
We asked people there the way to Khireshwar and they
helped us with route. It was shorter route than the famous dam side route to
Khireshwar. On this route you pass by one old temple of Lord Shiva. You
must visit this temple.
We reached khireshwar at around 10:30. We confirmed route
and filled thermos again.
We reached Tolar Khind at around 12:30 Noon. You can see
Vyaghra Shilp (sculpture of Tiger) at Tolar Khind.
After 15 min break we started climbing and reached a place where we met another group from Satara. In between, you pass through a patch where railing has been provided. It is just for moral support. Without railings, one could climb with precautions.
At this point we met a person who came with us till
fort. He provides food on fort. We are
thankful to him as he showed us a way which saved at least half an hour than a
route which needs to cross 7 hills. We reached fort at around 2:45 PM. We had
heard that Ganesh Guha is best to stay as it has flat surface. We were first to
occupy. We were so hungry that immediately we started eating Sandwich. We had
all material to make them.
We were feeling so fresh that we decided to visit Konkan
Kada directly from there. Kokan Kada is a place of attraction on Harishchandra
gad. One can see Rohidas Shikhar, Nalichi Vat, Nane ghat, Jivdhan from Kokan
kada. People visit kokan kada to see Sunset. Lots of tents are available on
rent here. Rent is around Rs. 400 for medium sized tent and 4 people can easily
stay.
We left Kokan Kada at 6:10 PM and came back to cave in 25
mins. We asked Amol (cook) to make Zunka and Bhakar for us. Till then we had
discussion on getting down from Nalichi vat but later decided to get down via
Pachnai as we could get bus to Rajur from Pachnai at 11 AM.
We enjoyed star gazing at night and were surprised at
frequency of planes. There was a plane after every minute on same route. In night one group came towards our Cave but
Amol, our cook, told them that there was no space inside. So request you to
check once before you turn to find another place to stay.
We took around one
and half hours to go and come back to the cave. After coming back, we settled
dinner bills. We paid him Rs. 40/ plate for Zunka-Bhakar. We left fort at 9:50 AM and started coming
down via Pachnai. We reached base in an hour. At sharp 11:15 AM, bus came and
we left for Rajur. It takes around an hour to reach Rajur. From Rajur one can
get buses to Kasara. If you want to come to Pune, you should continue with same
bus which goes to Akole. From Akole there are direct buses to Pune. But it is
very long route.
I spent around 5 Hrs to reach Pune from Akole via Sangamner.
Yogesh and Onkar reached Thane via Kasara at 5:20 PM.
It was nice Diwali
season start. J
