Members: Rajendra Gavas, Ganesh Utekar, Pravin Tawade (Our phoptographer) & Sambhaji Chopdekar
I had done this trek earlier twice in monsoon and that too from the shidi-ghat! It is one of the amazing treks as far as we reach the small lake atop! Then onwards the experience of staying there is a bit painful! The reason you all know if you had been there.
Therefore, when Pravin & Gavas asked me for this trek in monsoon, I was not ready. However, I could not resist their offer after the monsoon was over. Obviously, I was once again the guide for this trek (…just kidding!) and for the sake of safety; we decided to go by the Ganapati ghat. Actually, the route is so well guided that it does not pose any problem even for a naïve trekker!
We reached Khandas at about 0945 am via Kashele. Then we moved to the bridge through the village. The route to the left goes to the Katewadi from where there are two ways to Bhemashankar-one is the Shidi ghat and the other is the Ohol ghat.
We started our journey towards the Ganapati ghat for which the route goes to the right of the bridge keeping the river to the right. It is a tarry road that enters into the jungle. Though it was a sunny day, we couldn’t see the Padargad as it was covered with thick fog.
Soon we came to a small bandhara from where the way goes towards left. We arrived at a small hut at about 1015 am where we were welcomed by the display of the bheemashankar sanctuary. It took us just 30 minutes then, to reach the Ganesh Mandir. It is a small hut like structure that is an ideal place for taking rest.
The trek was calm & peaceful as we headed slowly towards the well that is situated at the base of Padargad. On the way, we took some beautiful snaps of our beloved Padargad. Its gopur type of structure reminded me of Markinda.
We had our lunch just before the well enjoying some thinned waterfalls jumping from the cliff. After 10 minutes, we came across a waterfall where some trekkers were enjoying their bath. We did not join them, as we wanted to reach our destination in time. Therefore, we scheduled this programme for the next day!
It was 13.05 pm when we reached the joint where the route from the shidi-ghat meets. The straight way from here goes to the Padarwadi where a temple of Shri-Kshetra Sahyadeshwar and an ashram of Shri Sadanand Maharaj are located.
From this joint, we should head towards right. The path now becomes steep. After ascending for some 45 minutes, we were at such a height that we could easily locate the sidhhagad ahead and Kothaligad (Peth) just behind the Padargad. Tungi is visible all the way from Khandas.
We were thankful to a small waterfall that had potable water on the way. Rajendra had a beautiful idea of using a big leaf as a droNi to collect the water. From here, the Khandas bridge can be easily seen. The way then goes through the dried waterfalls.
After some 20 minutes, we came at the plateau. The route through the jungle then led us to the lake at about 1450 pm. From here, the right way goes towards the Nagphani. (I was the happiest person at that time as we were not welcomed by the land-mines which is a usual scene in monsoon especially in the month of shravan).
It was cloudy at that time and we wanted to look for the shelter, probably at the dharmashala situated at the Jyotirling temple. Therefore, we abandoned the thought of visiting the Nagphani and headed forward towards the temple.
However, the accommodation was not available there and we had to book a room at the dharmshala run by the Varkari Sampraday of Ghatkopar. (But think a lot before staying as the main basic amenity such as call of nature is not available in such places!….) And, the pouring rain dashed our hopes of visiting the places like the gupt-bheemashankar!!
The next day we just quietly started our return journey, as we knew we would come here once again to visit those missed places. But certainly not in monsoon of course, as far as I am concerned, if you ask me!...
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The journey:
(1) Karjat to Kashele : by ST Rs. 13/- and by shared rikshaw Rs. 15/-
(2) Kashele to Khandas : by shared rikshaw Rs. 10/-
The snaps of this trek…taken by Pravin Tawade
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