[parsh]

The orchids' riot continues

[parsh]

Originally Posted by SDP

parsh, wanted to wait for the entire story to unfold before commenting, but couldn't hold myself back any longer.

I have been to Mahabaleshwar a few times. Have experienced it in different seasons as well. BUT, the way YOU have captured it is absolutely amazing! Just love your perspective and eye for detail.

Enjoying it thoroughly. Please carry on.

Thanks SDP for your good words. Hope this will be useful to all when they visit Mahaby next. Hope this place too occurs to people as heritage site, so to treat. That way, we may see demolishing of Forest Damage Prevention Taxes levied at various points which is because people throw garbage anywhere and the forest officials have tough time keeping it clean.

Originally Posted by zingthing

Parsh - Beautifully written travelogue and amazing photography. I have never been to Mahabaleshwar, but after seeing your pics, i really want to go there (atleast for the drive along the Ghat section; It looks simply fantastic) and i guess you went at the right time as well - Just after the rains; the Greenish landscape and the odd waterfall in between, just looks divine

Thanks zingthing. It is definitely a place one must visit and through the old route to enjoy it more. Yes, timing was good. Generally, it is good to visit there just at start of monsoon or when peak monsoon is over. Especially the later duration, as the place really becomes enjoyable, out of this world by this time while retaining the wetness, and also there are still off-season discounts on hotel rates.

We continue with the orchids' riot, there are just so many of them

[parsh]

And nature has already lit up the torch in the sky





While the orchids' riot continues on land, the riot is the sky is nothing less with moonscape too making its presence felt

















The snacks counter of Mapro Garden



The Mapro Garden Restaurant



As the night draws near, we drive around town making a stop at market and return to MTDC resort for a good night happy meal (no drinks ) and retire to our Cottage Room to call it a day on Day 2 on 20 Sep 2012.

The night is pitch dark outside and short distances too become invisible in that jungle setup.

[parsh]

21 Sep 2012: Day 3

Well, what feelings did that monster monkey on first day and his relatives held for us, we do not know but surely they were not good. Early morning we are presented with this memento. Goodness gracious monkeys, this is what you had to do in the foggy weather when I was gonna need these most. Nevertheless, I did some patchwork with the wiper and set it to just be able to make it work without scraping the windshield. So much so for the hospitality of the jungle



Venna Lake view from the other side of lake, the recreation area is on the far opposite end of the lake with horse and boat rides available.



Birds on a Wire.





Beautiful meadows on way laid with velvet of different kind.





Marjorie Point

We head towards Arthur's Seat points conglomeration and stop at Marjorie Point en-route.

[parsh]

Arthur's Seat Point

Marjorie Point gives one side view of the Arthur's Seat Point. The views at both places are equally beautiful.



The rare jungle through which one has to go upto Arthur's Seat is equally enchanting. Enjoy the jungle while going to the point and one just forgets the tiredness because of trekking to the point through the rocky pathway.

A Needle Hole Tree on verge of last breaths.



The Fallen!















Exposed!

[parsh]

The Arthur's Seat Point views are just mesmerizing, one can easily run out of battery and memory card capacity. We were just plain lucky to catch glimpses before the fog engulfed the whole valley.













A close look at the stems and branches of trees reveal extremely diverse small worlds. Remember 'Horton' the movie!











Over-Exposed!



On return from the point, at the parking, the monkeys are attending their routine business.



With that we head towards the Kate's Point.

[parsh]

Kate's Point

Wouldn't it be fun to do paragliding with your car?



The wise monkey takes on his routine work on the edge



But probably soon realizes what he is doing and where (just a thought , not that it matters to them, they are more than adept at keeping their grip on the edge)

[parsh]

Kate's Point Waterfall at a distance, quite an appealing place and exploration is in order a little later once we finish with Kate's Point.







Balakwadi Dam



Dhom Lake



A broken Window to the World beyond











A Lone Ranger on the edge

[parsh]

Kate's Point Waterfall and Needle Hole Point

There are 2 routes to go there. One is by the side of the edge 'Pagdandi' and the other from near the parking on the main road that drives into the Kate's Point area. Well, you can choose whichever, you will land up at the same place. But then what is fun in going by the usual route when something more exciting is there at hand. It is not a route less traveled by though and quite a few people enjoy going by the Pagdandi near the edge.

But what is Mahaby without monkey business on the edge. They just don't budge from their attitude.





The stream that flows down to create the Waterfall. There is small dam in-between which one can walk upon to cross over. But what is the fun without crossing over using the rocks in the stream.







The plunge of the water to create that beautiful waterfall.



And on the other side, your mind is blown sky-high with the view of the Needle Hole Point having Kate's Point sitting pretty on its head.

[parsh]

Hotel Brightland Lunch Stop

Famished now with the breakfast exhausted after all the excursions, we have to make a stop and Hotel Brightland just as you exit Kate's Point bifurcation in jungle seems a good point to stop. It is a five star and rates are going to be damn high as per comparison. But the food turns out good although still really very costly affair (not that I mind paying high for a good meal). The place is located superbly amidst the jungle and provides some vantage points to Kate's Point ranges.



The guard at the gate feels proud to have assisted us in parking.











Two Mainas have their private talk on an outside tree.

[parsh]

Lingmala Waterfall Route 3 - Official Main Route to the Grand View

The Route 3 as I mention herewith is only because of the sequence we covered otherwise, this is the official route to the Grand sight of Lingmala Waterfall.

Having satisfied our cravings we head to this main route. We park at the Govt. Forest Guest House turn which is the official entry point to the Lingmala Waterfall.





A Needle Hole Tree greets us at the start of the stairs.





The nicely laid steps coming down to the stream. At some places there are no steps and only rocks.



And one withered stalwart just about making his brave stand, his time seems anytime soon now.



The stream becomes visible now after climbing down quite a few steps.

The Small Lingmala Waterfall - Stage 1, as can be seen partially from here, is to the Left here and the view is MUST and anyway it is not far. For the Grand View you have go Right of here.





The farthest right waterfall rock is where I was when on Route 1, just a couple of rocks behind it.





But hey, you do see only 4 here. For the fifth fall you have to go further Left on this route and walk through a bit of rocky (more of pebbles) and watery path.

[parsh]

The side profile of 4 falls from the rock near fifth.



The fifth one is hidden in the leftmost corner.



The Small/Stage 1 Lingmala falls are probably also called as Mandakini Falls. And they are really ferocious in peak monsoon unlike they appear so mild here.





The Grand Plunge of Lingmala Waterfall into its gorge.



The valley.



The larger view of the Grand Lingmala Waterfall starting to become visible.





Oooops! Well, what happens when your camera batteries die on you at the right moment when you need them most? You got to resort to the mobile cameras and thats what we were left to do right at the vantage point of Lingmala Waterfall. Bear with mobile camera quality.

The Grand Lingmala Waterfall. Not such a grand snap though and many beautiful snaps would be there online. Nevertheless, have to satisfy with mobile camera for now.



The bridge that would connect from Route 2 via some tricky pathway through rocks and bushes.



The stream water one needs to cross to get to the path with railings. Its a lovely feeling crossing through that lively cold water instead of using the rocks in the stream.



Nevertheless got 2 small video clips of the Waterfall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd42CA-KD_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KUR_KPYg3Y

In peak monsoon this and even the Stage 1 shows the most power packed performance.

The Lingmala Waterfall vantage point's view from road to Panchgani, just a little further ahead of Hotel Surya.





We drive in to satisfy our cravings with some snacks at Mapro Garden. Start from Mapro around 7PM. Have nothing much to do but a nicely driveable road ahead of Pasarani Ghat sees us have occasional stops in the Ghat to have views of night sky over mountains and the lovely lit up valley down below. Quickly drive through to Mumbai Pune EWay. Have a bite at Makku Da Dhaba, thats what I call McD , before exit toll, and head home to touch base around 12AM.

That ends our Mahaby sojourn this time, still wanting for more and hopefully soon.

[parsh]

Just a few more clips thought of sharing.

The waterfall high up in mountain on way on NH17 further ahead of Karnala Bird Sanctuary.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZK1sUCYMGE

The bird dance on the road in that remote jungle of Mahabaleshwar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYhTVVS-5Ws

[amitsingh08]

Parsh - awesome thread. Thanks for sharing.
For everyone's benefit, I'm sharing an interactive map with attractions. You can also edit.

[parsh]

Nice one Amit. Sure will try edit as time permits. Just few pointers if you could edit/mark:
1. There is Kate's point waterfall besides it and it can be crossed across to reach to a small platue. You can see a small gorge in Satellite Google Map.

2. The above platue is the vantage point for Needle Hole point which is missed by many. This is a MUST visit.

3. There are 3 stages of Lingamala Waterfall, Upper Streams, Mandakini Waterfall and then the Lingamala Waterfall. They are worth a visit if one wants to cover Lingmala Waterfall in completeness.

4. Additionally, there are points marked very well on http://www.mustseeindia.com/Mahabaleshwar-map/map.