A trip from Pune Tamhni Ghat Shreevardhan Harihareshwar Mandangarh Mahad Poladpur Mahabaleshwar Panchgani Wai Narayanpur Pune - STOP
Its a 473 kms round trip run in two days using a Chevy Tavera , with a couple of friends.
It was a usual late Friday evening party (usually a routine stuff for techie guys) bit of boozing, music, food as usual going around. The crap of the office discussions almost unheard by everyone except the one speaking
going on the table in the midst of the loud music.
There's no escape to it ,as I said its a routine stuff
Suddenly with the chivalry of the Pub (Lounge) owner the topic took a turn and went to the drive zone ,just a change in the channel of the big LCD TV featuring the Singapore Grand Pri on ESPN / Star Sports (Poor Memory) ,deviated from the boring stuff to the Car Race .
Everybody in the group Formula 1 drivers in their own sense .Started the talks on the amazing speeds ,Oh did I use the correct word .. No I didnt, should be "started the Gossip talks on the amazing speeds". Boys do Gossip man !
Finally the discussion changed ends from this to that
and ended up to plan a travel to some Fun zone... a beach over some weekend... Somebody from the group suggested how about the next day .Finally everybody agreeing to it the trip was set,almost planned .
Day 1: Morning 5:45 AM:
Alarm rang for me ,wakeup time
Day 1: Morning 6:30 AM:
Calling up the lazy techie folks.
Day 1: Morning 7:00 AM:
Car started, for the individual pick ups.
Day 1: Morning 7:45 AM:
We were at the start of the Paud Road. This had to be the first of the pit stops in the drive for the morning tea... Usually the Bed Tea. Everybody had tea / Ciggie. And it was time to make a move. We took the route Chandni chowk-Mulshi-Tamhini Ghaat -Via- Mangaon-Shrivardhan.The road conditions are the better than the ones in Pune, if not in mint condition they can be called as a do well stuff . No big pot Holes .
It was drizzling when we started from the Paud road, turned into some perfect cats and dog's droppings as we headed towards the destination.
The run continued and we were crossing the Mulshi Dam by our side .It was already raining heavy and the clouds cover made it look more pleasant.There was a start of a fog cover all around the lean patches of land that were covered with fresh green grass on the side of the roads , due to heavy rains in the catchment areas for a couple of days .
Day 1: Morning 9:00 AM: Almost 50 kms from Pune we were at a steep curve on the Mulshi Tamhni Ghaat section. It was raining in loads and there were (Bhutta (corn)) stalls by the road side. We decided to have some mouth watering stuff .Cold weather comparative to Pune. It was again a pit stop.
There was a wide road as it was a corner and there were a lot of cars \ bikes parked already. Most of the Teenagers (college going) youth enjoying their bike rides ,wet to their skins. The view was spectacular. Though it wasnt that great a height. We had some hot coal roasted. Typical village style salted lime " Bhutta"- corn . Along with a Ciggie or two . Was time to move on .
Day 1: Morning 9:45 AM
Started the run again on the journey ,the turns went by ,the curves kept coming. The beautiful valley was covered with light fog ,it kept raining ,the wipers making that hizzing sound as they went from left of the wind screen to the right of it, ziggg siggggg .
The rain was only seen on the windscreen until somebody from the back seat uttered how musical are the rain drops on the roof. There were smiles all over ,the loud music running on a Sony Xplod was turned down to zero and concentration was on the roof sound .It was really good with those side glasses up to the top
.. Minimal vehicle sound attenuated the rain sound .Well this wasnt a big thing but the overall ambience was being cherished. Well the music started again after a handful of that tip top rain on the roof , the tracks like Sultan's of Swing , Hotel California Acoustic , MLTR ,testing the gravity of the Xplod system ,the mood was on full swing .
Another 50 odd kms crossed and there were several rain created waterfalls on the mountains that crossed alongside the road . The nature was at its glory .
Day 1: Morning 10:45 AM
Then was the time to take a break again . Just for the sake of everybody . Being able to enjoy the natural green valley. Stop was the call ,and it had to be followed to keep the mood up .
Approximately 100 kms away from Pune was a point from where the view of the Valley Roads already crossed , was visible .
Had some Cold Drinks ,Ciggie and a couple of Pics of the nature .Some fun here and there .
Day 1: Morning 11:15 AM
Was time to get going .And it was planned that next stop would be Shreevardhan directly. Without any break overs ,altered the plan with the mouth watering Vada Pao buy stop at Mangaon (NH17) as we crossed by .
Day 1: Morning 12:30 PM
Driving through the left 79 kms for the next 1.5 hrs ,was running on the narrow wet roads of Shreevardhan. Through we went and reached the MTDC approved so called Guest House not naming it as this can be considered as some sort of promotion (people can PM me for the name of the place) . The place was decent enough with the courteous owner for welcome.
Note : Taking a Lodge rather than hefty charged hotels here is the best option as you would only need a place to have a shower after beach and a place to stay intact at night depends on individual needs and expectations .
Day 1: Afternoon 01:30 PM
Having asked a few locals figured out a trusted place for good quality food,again not naming it thinking of the promotional aspect (PM me). The place is renowned and one of the best known places in Shreevardhan for good delicious food .Serves Veg / Non Veg both as per your needs .
Note : The only place to serve food till 4:00 PM .
Having kept our belongings and changed and was off to the beach to enjoy the roaring water. That could be heard standing outside on the lodge road . It was so calling .This wasnt the first time I was travelling to the beach,but it still remains a fun and excitement every time.
Moved to the beach with changed clothes, a Volley ball , had a few hours of fun there in the waters, with your sight being the limit
Returned from there to the Lodge had a shower to rip off the salts on our body and finally moved to the Hotel for food .
The food served was seriously good.
After a bit of rest in the evening the trip was headed towards the beach once again ,continued till 6:30 and was decided as a call off for the day.
Returned to the Lodge ,Showers taken , Knock ,Knock ,Knock and dinner taken ,few other stuffs considered as censored
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for family viewing not posted .
Day 2: Morning 07:30 AM
Wake up call ,routine activities,Tea ,Ciggie.
Day 2: Morning 08:30 AM
Started the journey to Harihareshwar almost 23 kms from Shreevardhan ,is a beautiful place ,has rock sort of beaches .
Day 2: Morning 09:15 AM
Almost 45 mins of drive and we were at Harihareshwar ,started with the famous temple visit. The " Parikrama " marg at the back of the Temple is the one that leads to the dangerous beach .Just at the back of the temple are the stairs that go the top of the mountain from where the way is for the beach .
Note: Rock beach visit is closed for the rainy reason... due to the high levels of the sea water and the tides being high. Anybody going through the rock beaches please beware of any heroics . Not even for photography heroics .Too risky .
We went through the rock beaches had a safe gala time sitting there. Enjoying the strong winds that come in from the wide spread ocean .
Day 2: Afternoon 12:30 PM
Some eating stuffs grabbed and was time to move on . Now comes the unusual way taken for the return home. Usually the way home is backtracking the path already covered. We opted for a new unusual path.
We started on the road heading towards the Junction for Shreevardhan / Harihareshwar where we came from. Just crossing approx 3 kms the road bifurcates into 2. One leading to the Shreevardhan - Harihareshwar junction. The other to the boat called as "Jungle Jetty". Followed the road to Jungle Jetty and finally we arrived at a sea shore with a steep ramp downwards .
Day 2: Afternoon 12:50 PM
Followed the road to Jungle Jetty and finally we arrived at a sea shore with a steep ramp downwards .We had to go to the opposite side of the water on the mountain on the other side ,Jungle Jetty was the name of the boat that was supposed to take us through.
Well the boat can easily carry 6-10 big sized vehicles (Tavera types) along with several 2 wheelers .We decided to take a ride on it .Runs every 30 mins from this side to the other side .The cars and the individuals are all charged (details provided in the last)
This was a approx a 25 mins ride in the midst of the water with vehicle parked on the boat and you standing on the deck of it , this was really awesome .
Day 2: Afternoon 1:15 PM
Well after taking the tickets we waited for the boat (ferry) to return back on our side .The Ferry came 15 mins later and the vehicles loaded from the other side were unloaded on our end.
Now was the time for us to drive through onto it .The ferry ramp was inline with the shore ramp and we were set to drive .
grrrrrr was the sound the wheels made and the car was standing on the boat .We disengaged ourselves from the vehicle and it was left as we went upstairs to enjoy our ferry ride from the top deck .
There were seats placed along the sides of the ferry and we made ourselves comfortable .As we watched the locals driving in their cars , bikes onto the boat ,15 mins and it was time to start the engines again there was a sound of
grrrrrrrrrr . Much louder than the ones generated in the car .
The in charge (Captain) of the ferry ,that is what he is supposed to be called ,pressed on the horn .Ahem! ,its the hooter..
Woooooooo ,Was the loud sound ,the support staff on the boat started taking the iron ramp up using chain pulleys . No further entries we are set to go ,man we are in waters .
The thump of the engine increased as we were taking a turn ,slowly but steadily the ramp came up almost parallel to the floor of the boat and the boat took a 'U' turn .The engine increased its power ,another honk of the horn and the gear seemed to be engaged . It started travelling forward, Cutting through the waters with a speed around 10-20 kmph , couldn't read what the Speedo on the ferry said .
Day 2: Afternoon 1:15 PM
We were sailing in the waters ,across the strong breeze ,the wide spread of the water in sight with the hills on either side of us. 25 mins later we were approaching the shore at the other end. Across the sea .The boat leaving a trail behind as we crossed by.
Day 2: Afternoon 1:45 PM
Finally another hoot from the hooter and we were prepared for moving off board
the engine lowered its sound .The iron ramp was lowered again at the shore to make way for the vehicles to get off the ferry
The engines of the cars parked started and started backing off towards the shore, the land .We drove to the shore and were ready for the road journey again.
The connecting road to the main road was a patch of 3-4 kms that was steep and muddy and went through the narrow roads of the villages . Drove to the main road .A left turn on the main road and the road leads to Mandangarh.
Day 2: Afternoon 2:30 PM
Traversessed through the patch of 28 kms to Mandangarh .Taking a right for Mahad from the Mandangarh square towards Mahad kept continuing on our way back. Approximately 50 kms of drive and we were at the Mahad Square.
A straight road goes to Pune (114 kms run). The other way was through Poladpur Ghats. We opted for the later one the Poladpur Ghats.
Day 2: Afternoon 3:15 PM
Another 35-40 odd kms of drive and we were at the Poladpur Square leading to the road to Mahabaleshwar. We opted to have lunch as everybody was starving.
Had lunch. A welcome break and was reloaded into the car.
Day 2: Afternoon 4:15 PM
Had lunch. A welcome break and was reloaded into the car. The pit stop was over and we were prepared to drive through the hills of Poladpur. A run of approximately 40 odd kms to Mahabaleshwar. The Poladpur valley is a beauty in itself, had to stop at quite a few places on the way to capture the glimpses.
The fog on the road was dense with almost no visibility with rains. After an hour and a half of drive and stop finally reached Mahabaleshwar, bypassed it. Drove for another 15 odd kms and reached Mapro farms directly ,a planned stop .
Day 2: Evening 6:00 PM
Some tea / ciggie, headed off to Pune.
Day 2: Evening 7:30 PM
A drive of 97 kms and we reached Pune.
That was the end of the road for the week-end ,had to plan to get to work the following day .Wish the day never ended.
Caution:
Drive Slow in the rain as the roads skids due to loose gravels
Wear Bike gears at least a helmet (include a pillion rider) if riding a bike.
Use groups to drive , ride , adds to fun.
No mischief's on the Harihareshwar Rock beaches ,tides are too high.
No adventure beyond risks.
No mischief's with deep waters.
Shreevardhan is a safer bet to stay overnight, rather than Harihareshwar.
Take volleyball to play if in a group on the beaches.
Take enough food / snacks.
Rock beaches in Harihareshwar are closed officially as they are submerged under water in the rainy seasons, remain open in the summers.
Money Seizers:
******Motoring *******
Total run: 473 Kms
Vehicle used 2.2 NEO Tavera
Fuel type: Diesel
Fuel litres used: 37 litres
Fuel Economy (FE): 12.7 kmpl
******* Ferry Boat *******
Charges for the vehicle Rs 80 for a eight seater (includes driver) of the car
Rs 35 for a five seater (includes driver) of the car
Charges Per person Rs 6, children's \ drivers excluded.
Have Fun!
Enjoy Travelling!
Risk is one's own Appetite .. How much you pursue depends on you !