Date: 18.07.2015
Nevertheless, I couldn’t resist the opportunity
this time as it was asked by an experienced guy like Prasad Mayekar.
Fortunately, my nephew Mihir also agreed to join me – my long time wish! :D And
because of him, his buddy Nishant Ambre too
showed enthusiasm for such a demanding trek - really great!
The actual trek resulted in awesome fun in the
company of my trekking friends – Mahesh Raut, Jagdish Sawant, Ajit
Rane, Khare, and Kiran. It was overall a fantastic weekend spent in the
presence of non-stop pouring! Still, there were plenty of opportunities to keep
my camera busy during the hike.
The shidi ghat route has now become quite safe
- thanks to such a long ladder put up there. Though it has destroyed all the
thrill this trek had in the past, it should have been done to provide better
facility to the worshippers who flock to the Jyotirling darshan atop in the month of Shravan.
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| The newly installed ladder at the Shidi ghat route |
After ascending this ladder, the skies became somewhat clear and we could witness the
beauty of Padargad on this route. Those who have already been to Padargad can
recollect that from the cave therein, one can view this ladder with keen eyes.
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| Fort Padargad |
The trail was
enjoyable and soon, we could reach the point where the route from the Ganesh
ghat meets that is longer compared to the shidi ghat. However, if one is
interested in visiting Padargad or to capture it from various angles then
Ganesh ghat is the chosen one.
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| The joint where Ganesh ghat route meets! |
At last, we reached
the top. Due to monsoon, the surrounding was really mesmerizing! I wish, Bhimashankar would have been less crowded, but alas! Nevertheless, reaching at the top from the Konkan region (Khandas) through the dense forest was quite wonderful.
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| Entrance to the Jyotirling Temple |
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Beautifully carved Ganesh near the Jyotirling Temple
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Bheema River originates here! |
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Sakshi Vinayak on the way to Gupt Bhimashankar!
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Scenic beauty near the Gupt Bhimashankar! |
This
time also, I do not have fond memories of the night stay. Due to the monsoon
season, we had to take shelter in a small dharmashala. The next day, we
returned via Ganesh ghat route.
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Toward Khandas!
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This tarred road is now
developed till the base of Ganesh ghat and there is enough space for parking if
one plans to come in his own vehicle. (We did the same when we planned to visit
Padargad afterward). From the bridge near the village - Khandas, we got into
the rickshaw (tam-tam) for Karjat for the return journey.
(Clicks using Canon
1100D – modified to some extent in Digital Photo Professional.)
