Pune to Shirdi in the Monsoon
Author(s): Archana PermiThe monsoon is arguably the best season to experience along the west coast. With the cloudy skies and fresh greenery of the Western Ghats, I cannot just sit and home and admire the rains. Rather, I find myself...
The monsoon is arguably the best season to experience along the west
coast. With the cloudy skies and fresh greenery of the Western Ghats, I cannot
just sit and home and admire the rains. Rather, I find myself a cab (if I don’t
feel like driving) and head out for a road trip to nearby places. Sometimes,
it’s an aimless trip to the countryside, and sometimes, the trip has a specific
agenda. From Pune, I usually like to go westward towards Lonavala and around,
to enjoy the rains and the refreshing natural environment. But a few weeks ago,
my parents made an impromptu decision to drive down to Shirdi. I found the taxi fare from Pune
to Shirdi to be quite cheap so we decided to keep the car with us for the
day and come back the same night.
On the road
It was going to be a five-hour drive on NH 60 on a cloudy morning.
It had rained overnight and the tar roads were washed clean. As soon as we
crossed Hinjewadi, the natural landscape became more prominent. It was not
really a pilgrimage and yet, everything around felt so divine. The hills of the
Sahyadris came alive with new foliage and the rain-fed streams cascading
through the mountain bluffs made it an amazing visual. I have probably seen
this countless times, but somehow, the sight of the misty mountains, the
feeling of cool air on the skin, and the smell of the soil, never gets old.
The road from Pune to Shirdi passes through the interiors of
Maharashtra and exposes one to its rustic countryside. We continued on NH 60
for a couple of hours, until we reached Sangamner, where we stopped for a short
break. Although Sangamner is a town, we were skirting through its perimeters,
which was quiet and less populated. We enjoyed a cup of tea at a small roadside
shop and soaked in the atmosphere. That was when my father suddenly commented
that it would be a waste not to explore the area a little more in such amazing
weather. It is usually me in the family who comes up with such random ideas. It
was pleasantly surprising coming from my father who is known to be a
well-planned, organized individual. We asked the driver about a detour towards
Bhandardhara.
A brief tour of Bhandardhara
The further we moved away from the highway and into the interiors of
the district, the shades of green seemed to multiply. I had been to
Bhandardhara once, but never during the rains. They say the monsoon is the best
time to visit this hilly town. When we reached, I could see why. Tucked in the
folds of the Western Ghats, Bhandardhara is said to be one of the best but the
least commercial hill destinations of Maharashtra. It is home to the state’s
highest peak- Mount Kalsubai, and yet, you will not see the typical tourist
crowd as in other hill towns. With rolling hills, waterfalls, and quaint
country homes, the sleepy town was like a classic painting.
We headed straight to the Arthur Hill Lake. The huge lake area was
the highlight of the town. On one side, the trekkers camped in their colorful
tents, while on the other sides, the mountains loomed over the lake. The rains
had created a fine layer of mist over the surface of the water, making it look
dreamy and eerily beautiful. There were ferry boats docked on the banks,
offering rides to the tourists. I let my parents go for a ride on the lake and
enjoy a romantic moment, while my brother and I decided to explore the nature
trails that surrounded the lake.
Next, we stopped at the famous Randha Falls. Although it is a
perennial waterfall of the Pravara River, it assumes a bolder form in the
monsoon. Even before we reached the site, we could hear the sound of the
roaring cascade, falling from a deep and steep gorge. And then the sight! It
was powerful and enchanting.
Embraced by natural lakes, waterfalls, and abundant greenery
Bhandardhara offered us an amazing treat for the mind, body, and soul, and made
our entire trip worthwhile.
Back to the highway
After a couple of hours of exploring, walking, and absorbing the
beauty of Bhandardhara, it was time to get back on the road towards Shirdi. As
our car cruised along the wide highways, I rolled down the windows and let
myself soak in the monsoon air as much as I could. Far away in the distance, I
saw the Kalsubai Peak, peeking out of the misty clouds, bidding me adieu for
the day.
Pro tips:
·
If you are traveling in a big
group, it is better to get a spacious and
well-maintained tempo traveler on rent in Pune
·
If you have time, you can also
make a detour to Igatpuri and visit the International Vipassana Center, before
heading towards Shirdi.