Mini Trek to Kondhane Caves, Karjat

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4

I think that wherever your journey takes you, there are new gods waiting there, with divine patience -- and laughter....Susan M. Watkins

A boring Saturday afternoon at home doing nothing except exercising my fingers on the TV remote. Thought to head out somewhere, but no idea where. Decided mid-way to go to this unknown caves of Kondhane. These caves are on the western slope of Rajmachi plateau (on Karjat side) and were carved in the period around 200 BC.


Its an easy half an hour trek from Kondhane village passing through a nice blanket of trees- so no sunny exhaustion. The caves too are not huge and vastly spread as Karla or Kanheri, but such beautiful ancient architecture situated deep inside a forest is something amazing. I was slighly exhausted- but the first sight of the caves just sucked away all the tiredness.




On the return thought it wont be dark as early as 6.30- but it was. Lost my way and landed up at a farm of Emu birds with 4 huge and dreadful looking dogs coming running towards me. I always have a knife in my pocket whenever I go on treks- and I can repel one dog, but 4- no ways. A quick scamper backwards was a better option that time and a quick walk bought me to the right diversion. Came back to where my bike was parked- was already very dark then.



The moment I switched on the HID it was insects all over the spot light, the front of the bike and lot of them on my body too.


A short slippery and bumpy and near-crashing ride bought me back to Kondhane village. It was an easy ride all the way home.


Not much of a great ride- but it was worth the time and felt privileged of having explored a relatively uknown place and experiencing exotic examples of ancient architecture which still exist. Dont know when they might just disappear.

My route: Mira Road-Thane-Vashi-Panvel-Chowk-Karjat-Dahivli-Kandpe-Kondhane and back.
Didn't note down the distance but would be around 220-240 kms both ways.

The complete set of pics HERE

Solo Round Ride

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9

One main factor in the upward trend of animal life has been the power of wandering....Alfred North Whitehead.

Was a sheer mental torture to see the trio of Parimal, Alkesh and Dhananjay disappear to Chorla Ghat and me left behind with a hanging face at home. Mom had just freaked out of my ride plan of three days just having come out of viral fever. The itch was too much to bear and no ways could I stay back at home- at least a day away from this chaotic city. Finalised a round ride to Chiplun via NH17 taking Kumbharli Ghat and circling back to Mumbai via NH4. Called up the Chorla trio conveying my riding plan and catching up with them at Chiplun.

Late again to sleep the earlier night and plans of leaving at 5.30 got 4 hours late. Finally was out of the house and ripped all the way to my first halt for a casual click at the JNPT connector.



Was a long time since I road on NH17- except a few bumps here and there, it was still as good as you can find all year round. The cool climate and the pleasure of riding after long on this stretch simply refrained me from taking stops. With great persuasion to my ownself- stopped over for a scenic click just before Mahad.


A quick sprint all the way to the start of Kashedi Ghats. Our sweetheart this ghat is- the pics would tell you why.


 
Shifting body weight from one side of the saddle to the another, changing directions in quick motion...was fun all the way before my next stop at Parshuram Ghat, this time too just for a click.


Quarter to two and I finally catch up with the gang at Chiplun and no heading anywhere except Hotel Abhishek for lunch.


Souls satisfied with a nice heavy lunch and half the ride done on my part- we're on our way home. The roads from Chiplun till the start of Kumbharli Ghats were a treat to ride. Same goes for Kumbharli ghats- except a few minor bumpy patches- it was enjoyable all the way. The last patch till the top was a race-track, amazing stretch of tarmac. It was so good that I couldn't stop to take pics. But did manage to click a few on the way including the scenery.



 
Stopped over in between for a wash on a near-drying out waterfall.


Well this one was still prospering.


With the ascend being such a lovely experience, the descend towards Patan was equally horrible-  thankfully it wasn't too lengthy. A ciggy break for Alkesh and Parimal once we got through with the bad patches. 


To our bad luck- it started raining and we were slowed down by the slippery patch leading to Patan. A tea-break in between before we diverted towards Umbraj and on the run-way like NH4 rushing back home. From Pune to Khopoli was a mad ride and a complete torture for my P150 chasing Parimal's ZMA. A couple of fuel stops and a hearty dinner at Rishabh- Khopoli concluded a lovely ride.
 
This was my route and distance:


Mira Road-Thane-Panvel-Wadkhal-Mangaon-Mahad-Poladpur-Khed-Chiplun-Kumbharli Ghat-Patan-Umbraj-Satara-Pune and back: 729 kms.
 
Was another day well spent and thankfully got rid of the itch and the depression. Thanks to Alkesh, DJ and Pari for the wonderful company mid-way.
 
A few more PICS HERE

Half-day kalti to Pawana Lake

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0

Half the fun of the travel is the esthetic of lostness. - Ray Bradbury



A perfect example of a golden opportunity and grabbing it with both hands.

Was down with high fever on Sunday and seeing me still cough in office on Monday, boss granted me a half day leave. Well wasn't at all feeling down or feverish- though my expressions might have been that of a patient, decided to make best use of this half day and rode to Pawana lake- a few kms from Lonavla.

Clicked a very few pics- though not very sharp as clicked from my mobile with the battery dying out.  

The lovely roads of Khandala, I get nostalgic about this place- this was the path I took on my first ride.

Cut between two:

Glimpses of the huge lake

A view such as this could sooth the most confused mind.

Couldn't help stopping every now and then to look back at the serene view left behind.

Was a very short trip, hence nothing much to narrate either- but in the end it was worth the time. Though not much, but a small extended album HERE

Driving/Riding directions: Mumbai-Vashi-Panvel-Khopoli-Khandala-Lonavla. Once you reach Lonavla take right from the main road with the board pointing to Amby Valley. Just keep going and take left from the statue of Shivaji Maharaj. Carry on through the crowded market till you hit a fork- take the right one and keep going till you come across a very narrow road which goes straight and a right turn, take the right and just keep riding till you hit Pawana.

Trek to Sudhagad

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3

I learn something every time I go into the mountains...... Michael Kennedy

Trying to make the best of the climate with rains still around and on a lookout for a good trek to a fort, came across Sudhagad aka Bhorapgad/ Bhoraicha Killa. Reviews of relatively being a well maintained fort and not being too far away from Mumbai, Sudhagad it was for the weekend with my colleague Nilesh joining me on the trip.

We both met up at Ghodbunder Naka and sped up eager to leave the city far behind and our first casual stop on the JNPT stretch- this place is too tempting to avoid a click. Wish whole of Mumbai had roads like these.


Nothing in our tummies, this was our second halt for breakfast at our regular 'Rishabh Hotel' near Khopoli.


Broke away from the old Mumbai-Pune highway from Khalapur towards Pali rolling over narrow but lovely roads.


Barring a few bumpy patches with overflowing civilisation- most if the roads were lovely to ride till Pachapur.


Finally we made it to Thakurwadi the base village.


Kept our helmets at one of the homes of the friendly villagers.


Thankfully it wasn't sunny and it was a non-sapping comfortable hike.


The best facilitated ladder you can find on any fort- well at least to the ones I've been.


Caught glimpses of the giant wooden spider on the way- captured one on the cam.


Nilesh was quite quick on this feet, galloping over the rocks.


The mystic stairs leading to the entrance.


Was all foggy around, and raining as well- but fortunately we were above the rain clouds.


In a matter of minutes and to our good luck- everything cleared off. Thats the gorgeous sight of Takmak Tok.


We were carrying a map of the fort and it was easier finding the attractions on the way. A few resting moments at the lake. 


Remnants of the Wada....wish I could go back in time to see all the bustle that went on in those days.


The Pant Sachiv Wada....great place for an overnight stay even in rains. Nice dry shelter.
 


That Daarukothaar (would have been blooming with arsenal in its day...now like a haunted grave)


 
The Bhorai-devi temple and the lotsa samadhis everywhere.



This was an amazing sight...the Mahadarwaja supposed to be the exact replica of the one at Raigad.


Next destination was Takmak Tok...Nilesh had a larger vertigo issue than me and stayed back. I just carried on to the edge as I could on trembling legs. But I can never forget the view from here in my life.



We were done with all the site-seeing and the watch ticking closer to 6, we had to hurry our way back- but still had time to explore the Chor Darwaza.


Stopped over at Pali for Lord Ganesh's Darshan, had some snacks and scampered back home.


Sudhagad is indeed beautiful and generally its the more challenging forts that offer a better view from top. But Sudhagad is an exception- its an easy trek and you can witness paradise on a very small effort. Just a small word of caution. If its raining too heavy- avoid going up or if you're up the fort, wait for the rains to clear. Had been here again after this trek and I realised how it feels to see death closing on you.
 
Here's the route:
 
Mumbai-Panvel-Khalapur-Mahad Ganpati-Pali Ganpati-Pachapur-Thakurwadi: Distance approx 160 kms.
 
Here's the COMPLETE ALBUM