Lonavala-Bhimashankar!
Our original plan read like this:
Day 1: Friday
Pune->Lonavala->Udhewadi->Kondeshwar->Dhangarwadi->Kusur
Day 2: Saturday
Kusur->Salve->Wandre Khind-> Padharwadi
Day 3: Sunday
Padharwadi->Bhimashankar
The over aspirational me had also added Bhimashankar-> Khandas :P
Now below is the actual account of our trek :)
After an entire week of drudgery in office and little to none sleep on Thursday night , I left house at the break of dawn on Friday.On my way to Pune railway station,I was in an apprehensive state of mind because I was doing an overnight trek and carrying a heavy bag after a long long time(this is a 76 kms trek).I did not know if my body could take it and to add to it was the October heat and a forecast by MET of a likely rainfall coming weekend.But as always,excitement overruns apprehension.'Jo hoga dekha jayega':) I boarded the 5.45 am local to Lonavala with some friends at Pune station while others joined us at the other stations.It was 9 of us.
We reached Lonavala at 7.10 am.After a heavy breakfast,we started trekking at 9 am. We soon reached the Tungarli dam.This is our '5 mins' resting spot.We had trekked the Rajmachi route a number of times and would always rest behind the dam wall but because it was always the night time we had never explored the dam.This time we spared a few minutes and went over the dam .Just 20 mins away from the busy NH4 and Lonavala 'second homes' thoroughfare is this extremely beautiful and calm place.
After a small stroll on the wall ,we resumed trekking with the plans of revisiting this place again for camping :).
As we trekked along the familiar route,we were greeted by beautiful varied colored flowers and butterflies.
This is also the year when Karvi flowers are in full bloom.(Karvi blooms once in seven years.)
Around 11.30am ,we were at the Rajmachi-Valvande junction.
It took us another 30 mins to reach Valvande.We were expected to be at Kondeshwar around 1pm as per our 'plan' so we were certainly behind our schedule.We had done the Lonavala-Dhak Bahiri trek before and we were pretty sure of the route ahead.But as the Sahyadris have their own way of dealing with the over confidence ,we lost our way a number of times, thanks to the Karvi bloom :P However after a little searching we were back on track.But the creeping heat had slowed us down.We had also lost a lot of time.
Finally we could see Dhak and Kalakrai on our left and then we sped up.After a while we could spot the Kondeshwar temple tucked in the valley but we could not find a way to go down.And as the MET had predicted,it started drizzling.But fortunately ,Kadam mama from Jambhavali,who we had informed a day before to prepare lunch for us spotted us from a distance from the temple and hinted us the slippery way down.By the time we reached the temple,it started raining heavily.It was 2.30 pm! 2 hours behind the schedule!! To add to it was a little miscommunication. Kadam mama thought we would be going to Jambhivali to have food at his place whereas we were supposed to have food at the temple and leave from there itself.Now,Jambhivali is another 20 mins from Kondeshwar. That would have wasted another hour so we requested mama to get the food at the temple.
As any trekker must have experienced,the mamas and the maushis ,who treat us to the tasty repast and leave no stone unturned when it comes to hospitality,served us food like we were their grand kids :)
After our lunch,it had started pouring heavily .Now,we could not see Dhak.It was fog all over.A few villagers at the temple suggested we stay at the temple for the day and avoid going in such heavy rains and fog as it was already late(4.30pm) and we did not know the route.Kadam maushi suggested we stay at her place for the night. We were indecisive as staying would mean a day behind the schedule when we were supposed to reach Kusur. But finally we made up our minds and decided to stay back at Jambhivali.
The lunch had made us all drowsy.Besides our bags were too heavy.After resting at the Kondeshwar temple,we now headed to Jambhivali village.Heavy rains continued all through the night but Kadam maushi's house was extremely cozy and we spent a beautiful evening having long discussions which we usually don't get to do on overnight treks.As the rains wouldn't stop, doubt raised its ugly head and soon we had made up our minds that we would not be trekking the next day and head back to Pune by the first bus to Kamshet in the morning.As the decision was made,we slept with no intentions of getting up early,packing bags and trekking again.
Next morning we got up like any Sunday morning,late and lazy,but we could hear a lot of activity happening in the nearby house.It was a group of trekkers who had reached Jambhivali the other night and were getting ready for the trek to Bhimashankar.The rains had stopped and the skies were clearer.Again,we thought we should drop our 'plan' of heading back to Pune and continue with our 'plan' of continuing the trek.After a lot of dilly-dallying,we finally made up our minds and decided to trek again :) Waking up from the slumber was not easy.We trudged our way back to Kondeshwar from where we took the route to Dhak Bahiri caves.This was around 9am in the morning.
After a trail of about 45 mins we reached the junction.
Now is a small ascend of about 30 mins through the jungle that leads us to a plateau.After walking over the plateau for another 30 mins,we encountered two paths.I had carried some maps (courtesy Sagar Mehta :))suggesting that there was a pond as we walk along the plateau but we could not find it for a long time.
Finally,the trek lead of another group that was also following the same route caught up with
After lunch at Dhangarpada,we now headed to Kusur village.It was already 1.30 pm.
After one and a half hour we reached Kusur village from where we had decided to take either an S.T till Khandi and then walk to Savale or take a jeep directly to Savale.As there were already two trek groups who were to head to Salve by jeep and there were only two jeeps available,we knew we would again be resting this evening like we did in Kondeshwar. It was cloudy again and since the jeeps were going to take time,we finally decided that instead of staying at Salve we would be going to the next village Talpewadi that would save us time and boring walk on the tar road.
From the village school in Talpewadi is a route through meadows that leads to Wandre Khind.
Two mamas on their way to Wandre showed us the way.However,they were too agile and we could not cope up with their speed.But the route was traceable.
On the way was a beautiful waterfall which was a much needed respite and recharge for us.
The way from here was traceable until a point where there was a small rock patch.
Another mama who had come to graze his cattle,helped us find the way and accompanied us till his house. Mama and his family were the only family staying in the jungle to be able to look after their farms.Another lovely family we met on our journey :)
Padharwadi was another 30 mins from this house.It was 11.30 by the time we reached Padharwadi.
Padharwadi was day 2 target as per our 'plan'.But first half of day 3 and we were still in Padharwadi!We had to cover a lot of distance.So,without resting in Padharwadi we proceeded to the tar road.From one of the houses near Padharwadi is a road that leads to Bhimashankar.Villagers helped us with the route.
After reaching a plateau,we found another mama who asked us to take a route through the jungle.
After a little ascend we reached a motorable road(not a tar road,road suitable for off-roading!).
By now,we were exhausted and were confused if were to go left or right.As per the maps,Peth fort was to our right and no matter how much we tried we could not find a way.There was no villager to turn to this time to ask the route.
While we were still standing clueless and exhausted in the middle of the road,we found another group of trekkers approaching from the other end :)
This was a group of hunky men who had taken the route from Savale.They do this trek every year.They helped us with the route.
To the left of this motorable road,some kind person has tied an orange ribbon to a tree to identify the route to Bhimashankar.One can easily miss this!!
The route from here was pretty straight with no possibility of losing the way.
There were no ascends and descends but the body was exhausted.Also, most of us were unnerved by the blisters!We plodded heavily.
After a long time(1 pm) we could see a construction site.
A lady from Pune has bought this land to build a 'bara jyotirlinga' temple with accommodation facility!
I am unsure how devotees will reach this remote place given that it is in the mountains with absolutely no access but I am pretty sure that this is going to be a resting place for trekkers hereafter.
After a straight walk of 20 mins ,we started descending.
From hereon the terrain varied.We sometimes walked along the grasslands,thick jungles and sometimes on rocky terrains.Fog had begun to take over the overwhelming heat.Minus the heat we were now grappling with exhaustion and the blisters!
After an hour or so (3 pm),we were now walking on a rocky terrain with soil burrows in between.A closer look and it was crab habitation spread over acres of land.People from nearby village have made marked a way to walk so that their habitats are not trampled upon.
From here was a jungle marked with red ribbons tied to trees to suggest the way.
After a while was a stream that led us to the Kalamjai temple.We rested here for a good 20 mins!!
A couple had come to the Kalamjai temple and were on their way to their village near Bhimashankar.They had started from Padharwadi just like us but two hours after we had left Padharwadi and yes they caught up with us!!!The villagers and their stamina!!
As we readied to leave to our next destination Yelavle,the couple cut in and said that was a longer route ahead and that there was another direct route.That certainly made us happy :)The road exactly in front of the temple door leads to Yelavle.The route to the left is a shorter one.
The route from here is straightforward and in 45 minutes or so we were near the stream.A very very familiar stream!!!
We had done Bhorgiri-Bhimashankar trek before and we could easily identify the stream.We exclaimed with joy as we now knew that we were very close to our final destination :D.We couldn't thank the couple enough :)
After the refreshing water stream we were in a better mood.Two of us decided to go the usual route while others wanted to take a route via Gupt Bhimashankar.
The Bhimashankar forest is a pleasant trail with evergreen trees,subtle current of cool air.
By 5.15 pm we reached Bhimashankar.
It took a little time to assimilate that we had finally completed our trek!All the fatigue went away and we were now sitting silently on the temple stairs feeling accomplished,calm and settled.
We waited for others who had taken the gupt Bhimashankar route.
After a cup of tea,we hurried to the bus stop as the last state transport to Pune was at 6pm.
Walking up the stairs of the temple was our last great ascend before we we could declare that we had formally completed our trek.:).We were a little late but the bus had not come yet.But there was a heavy rush at the bus stop.As soon as the bus arrived,people thronged to the door of the bus.
We did not know that we had a few gymnasts with us too!! Two guys crawled their way in through the bus window :D :D and reserved the seats for us.To everyone's delight,each one of us had got a seat to rest our tired bodies :). While some were sleepy,others were cheerful and enjoyed the journey as the bus driver took us on a roller coaster ride.By 10.30pm we were in Pune :)
Photography : +Amol Kotkar
Team : Amol Kotkar,Rajat Panagria,Vishwajeet Dange,Ankush Desphpande,Rajannya Santra,Amrendra Singh,Kavish Jain,Shantanu Mishra,Sai Upalekar
Special thanks : +सागर मेहता for helping with the trek route and the maps.
History of the route:
Kusur and Bhimashankar passes were primarily used for communications and supplies by the Marathas.They also had great strategic importance.Marathas used the Kusur pass to guard the Borghat that was seized by the British as it had many routes between Pune and Bombay.
Bhimashankar pass has witnessed much traffic in spices, oil, and raw-sugar from the Deccan to Panvel and a return of salt from Panvel to the Deccan in the 18th century.
References :
http://pune.gov.in/punecollectorate/gazette/poona-ii/trade_communication.html#
The First Anglo-Maratha War,1774-1783:A Military Study of Major Battles - M.R. Kantak
Pointers:
For more details,write to me at saiupalekar@gmail.com or drop a comment.
This range trek was long overdue!We were planning it for two years but put off doing it for some reason or another.But it was fated to happen this time and you will know why :)
After reading a lot of blogs and some serious consulting from friends who had already done it,we decided to do this trek in 3 days and scrapped my original 'over ambitious' plan of doing it in 2 days :D.We made a "PLAN".But it seemed our plan reeked of too much perfection .Treks are not meant to be predictable especially when you are doing the route for the first time and so naturally our plans went haywire.Our original plan read like this:
Day 1: Friday
Pune->Lonavala->Udhewadi->Kondeshwar->Dhangarwadi->Kusur
Day 2: Saturday
Kusur->Salve->Wandre Khind-> Padharwadi
Day 3: Sunday
Padharwadi->Bhimashankar
The over aspirational me had also added Bhimashankar-> Khandas :P
Now below is the actual account of our trek :)
After an entire week of drudgery in office and little to none sleep on Thursday night , I left house at the break of dawn on Friday.On my way to Pune railway station,I was in an apprehensive state of mind because I was doing an overnight trek and carrying a heavy bag after a long long time(this is a 76 kms trek).I did not know if my body could take it and to add to it was the October heat and a forecast by MET of a likely rainfall coming weekend.But as always,excitement overruns apprehension.'Jo hoga dekha jayega':) I boarded the 5.45 am local to Lonavala with some friends at Pune station while others joined us at the other stations.It was 9 of us.
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| Day 1 route : Lonavala-Valvand-Kondeshwar |
We reached Lonavala at 7.10 am.After a heavy breakfast,we started trekking at 9 am. We soon reached the Tungarli dam.This is our '5 mins' resting spot.We had trekked the Rajmachi route a number of times and would always rest behind the dam wall but because it was always the night time we had never explored the dam.This time we spared a few minutes and went over the dam .Just 20 mins away from the busy NH4 and Lonavala 'second homes' thoroughfare is this extremely beautiful and calm place.
 |
| Tungarli Dam |
After a small stroll on the wall ,we resumed trekking with the plans of revisiting this place again for camping :).
As we trekked along the familiar route,we were greeted by beautiful varied colored flowers and butterflies.
This is also the year when Karvi flowers are in full bloom.(Karvi blooms once in seven years.)
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| Karvy |
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| Shieldtail snake(Khapar khawlya) |
Around 11.30am ,we were at the Rajmachi-Valvande junction.
It took us another 30 mins to reach Valvande.We were expected to be at Kondeshwar around 1pm as per our 'plan' so we were certainly behind our schedule.We had done the Lonavala-Dhak Bahiri trek before and we were pretty sure of the route ahead.But as the Sahyadris have their own way of dealing with the over confidence ,we lost our way a number of times, thanks to the Karvi bloom :P However after a little searching we were back on track.But the creeping heat had slowed us down.We had also lost a lot of time.
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| Valvande Jalyoukta Shivar |
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| Full fledged Karvi bloom |
Finally we could see Dhak and Kalakrai on our left and then we sped up.After a while we could spot the Kondeshwar temple tucked in the valley but we could not find a way to go down.And as the MET had predicted,it started drizzling.But fortunately ,Kadam mama from Jambhavali,who we had informed a day before to prepare lunch for us spotted us from a distance from the temple and hinted us the slippery way down.By the time we reached the temple,it started raining heavily.It was 2.30 pm! 2 hours behind the schedule!! To add to it was a little miscommunication. Kadam mama thought we would be going to Jambhivali to have food at his place whereas we were supposed to have food at the temple and leave from there itself.Now,Jambhivali is another 20 mins from Kondeshwar. That would have wasted another hour so we requested mama to get the food at the temple.
As any trekker must have experienced,the mamas and the maushis ,who treat us to the tasty repast and leave no stone unturned when it comes to hospitality,served us food like we were their grand kids :)
After our lunch,it had started pouring heavily .Now,we could not see Dhak.It was fog all over.A few villagers at the temple suggested we stay at the temple for the day and avoid going in such heavy rains and fog as it was already late(4.30pm) and we did not know the route.Kadam maushi suggested we stay at her place for the night. We were indecisive as staying would mean a day behind the schedule when we were supposed to reach Kusur. But finally we made up our minds and decided to stay back at Jambhivali.
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| Dhak Bahiri and Kalakrai from Kondeshwar |
The lunch had made us all drowsy.Besides our bags were too heavy.After resting at the Kondeshwar temple,we now headed to Jambhivali village.Heavy rains continued all through the night but Kadam maushi's house was extremely cozy and we spent a beautiful evening having long discussions which we usually don't get to do on overnight treks.As the rains wouldn't stop, doubt raised its ugly head and soon we had made up our minds that we would not be trekking the next day and head back to Pune by the first bus to Kamshet in the morning.As the decision was made,we slept with no intentions of getting up early,packing bags and trekking again.
 |
| At Kadam mama's house in Jambhivali |
Next morning we got up like any Sunday morning,late and lazy,but we could hear a lot of activity happening in the nearby house.It was a group of trekkers who had reached Jambhivali the other night and were getting ready for the trek to Bhimashankar.The rains had stopped and the skies were clearer.Again,we thought we should drop our 'plan' of heading back to Pune and continue with our 'plan' of continuing the trek.After a lot of dilly-dallying,we finally made up our minds and decided to trek again :) Waking up from the slumber was not easy.We trudged our way back to Kondeshwar from where we took the route to Dhak Bahiri caves.This was around 9am in the morning.
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| Day 2 route : Kondeshwar-Dhangarpada-Kusur |
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| Towards Dhak Bahiri |
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| Enroute Dhak Bahiri |
After a trail of about 45 mins we reached the junction.
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| A board put up by Sahas Adventures _/\_ |
Now is a small ascend of about 30 mins through the jungle that leads us to a plateau.After walking over the plateau for another 30 mins,we encountered two paths.I had carried some maps (courtesy Sagar Mehta :))suggesting that there was a pond as we walk along the plateau but we could not find it for a long time.
 |
| Kusur pathar |
Finally,the trek lead of another group that was also following the same route caught up with
us and led us to the route that went to the pond.Sparing no time ,we moved ahead with a 10 mins ascend from the pond and were again confused with the paths.Rather,this time there were no paths,it was only a plateau spreading over a large area.Again ,the leader led the way and we followed him.We could now see the tower at Dhangarpada;mentioned by almost every blogger who has written about this trek Lo-Bhi.Now,instead of going straight towards the tower,we descended and were lost again.Thanks to the fog,we could not see the tower and we had lost our reference point.Again after cutting through the dense thicket,we were back to a plateau and now could see the tower exactly ahead of us.
After a point, the other trek group started descending. We were doubtful about that route and so we decided to go to the tower.After walking for another 30 mins ,we soon reached the base of the tower.There is a single house on the Dhangarpada plateau.At a distance we could see another group of trekkers having their lunch at that house.We heaved a sigh of relief !!All through the way there are small water streams that kept us hydrated.
After a point, the other trek group started descending. We were doubtful about that route and so we decided to go to the tower.After walking for another 30 mins ,we soon reached the base of the tower.There is a single house on the Dhangarpada plateau.At a distance we could see another group of trekkers having their lunch at that house.We heaved a sigh of relief !!All through the way there are small water streams that kept us hydrated.
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| The tower(reference point) |
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| Only home in Dhangarpada |
After lunch at Dhangarpada,we now headed to Kusur village.It was already 1.30 pm.
But the route from Dhangarpada to Kusur village is easily traceable.
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| Towards Kusur |
After one and a half hour we reached Kusur village from where we had decided to take either an S.T till Khandi and then walk to Savale or take a jeep directly to Savale.As there were already two trek groups who were to head to Salve by jeep and there were only two jeeps available,we knew we would again be resting this evening like we did in Kondeshwar. It was cloudy again and since the jeeps were going to take time,we finally decided that instead of staying at Salve we would be going to the next village Talpewadi that would save us time and boring walk on the tar road.
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| Resting at Kusur village |
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| Passing time as we waited for the jeep |
Finally at 4.30 pm ,the jeep came and the driver kaka agreed to drop us at Talpewadi and arrange for a stay in the village.:)
Talpewadi should be around 15 kms from Kusur village.We reached Talpewadi at 7pm.
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| Day 2 (no trek part) : Kusur- Talpewadi |
We were permitted to stay at a temple.The place was extremely pleasant.
After resting for a while,preparations for dinner started.The menu was our usual Khichdi.But the "gourmets" were craving for a gastronomic delight and we added 'kanda bhajjis' to our menu :P.
More eating items meant heavier stomachs but lighter bags :).Another gracious and lovely family, staying exactly in front of the temple said we could use their kitchen :)
After a sumptuous dinner,we went off to sleep.We got up at 6 in the morning.This was the last day of the trek and probably the longest.As we had not decided on a specific spot for lunch,we decided to have heavy breakfast.
After resting for a while,preparations for dinner started.The menu was our usual Khichdi.But the "gourmets" were craving for a gastronomic delight and we added 'kanda bhajjis' to our menu :P.
More eating items meant heavier stomachs but lighter bags :).Another gracious and lovely family, staying exactly in front of the temple said we could use their kitchen :)
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| Chef at work :) |
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| With the lovely family at Talpewadi |
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| Day 3 route : Talpewadi-Wandre khind-Padharwadi-Bhimashankar |
From the village school in Talpewadi is a route through meadows that leads to Wandre Khind.
Two mamas on their way to Wandre showed us the way.However,they were too agile and we could not cope up with their speed.But the route was traceable.
On the way was a beautiful waterfall which was a much needed respite and recharge for us.
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| Wandre Khind |
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| Waterfall (Wandre Khind) |
The way from here was traceable until a point where there was a small rock patch.
Another mama who had come to graze his cattle,helped us find the way and accompanied us till his house. Mama and his family were the only family staying in the jungle to be able to look after their farms.Another lovely family we met on our journey :)
Padharwadi was another 30 mins from this house.It was 11.30 by the time we reached Padharwadi.
Padharwadi was day 2 target as per our 'plan'.But first half of day 3 and we were still in Padharwadi!We had to cover a lot of distance.So,without resting in Padharwadi we proceeded to the tar road.From one of the houses near Padharwadi is a road that leads to Bhimashankar.Villagers helped us with the route.
After reaching a plateau,we found another mama who asked us to take a route through the jungle.
After a little ascend we reached a motorable road(not a tar road,road suitable for off-roading!).
By now,we were exhausted and were confused if were to go left or right.As per the maps,Peth fort was to our right and no matter how much we tried we could not find a way.There was no villager to turn to this time to ask the route.
While we were still standing clueless and exhausted in the middle of the road,we found another group of trekkers approaching from the other end :)
This was a group of hunky men who had taken the route from Savale.They do this trek every year.They helped us with the route.
To the left of this motorable road,some kind person has tied an orange ribbon to a tree to identify the route to Bhimashankar.One can easily miss this!!
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| The yellow arrow indicating route to Bhimashankar |
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| Orange ribbon tied to a tree |
The route from here was pretty straight with no possibility of losing the way.
There were no ascends and descends but the body was exhausted.Also, most of us were unnerved by the blisters!We plodded heavily.
After a long time(1 pm) we could see a construction site.
A lady from Pune has bought this land to build a 'bara jyotirlinga' temple with accommodation facility!
I am unsure how devotees will reach this remote place given that it is in the mountains with absolutely no access but I am pretty sure that this is going to be a resting place for trekkers hereafter.
 |
| Jyotirlinga temple construction |
After a straight walk of 20 mins ,we started descending.
From hereon the terrain varied.We sometimes walked along the grasslands,thick jungles and sometimes on rocky terrains.Fog had begun to take over the overwhelming heat.Minus the heat we were now grappling with exhaustion and the blisters!
After an hour or so (3 pm),we were now walking on a rocky terrain with soil burrows in between.A closer look and it was crab habitation spread over acres of land.People from nearby village have made marked a way to walk so that their habitats are not trampled upon.
 |
| Crab Inhabitation |
From here was a jungle marked with red ribbons tied to trees to suggest the way.
After a while was a stream that led us to the Kalamjai temple.We rested here for a good 20 mins!!
A couple had come to the Kalamjai temple and were on their way to their village near Bhimashankar.They had started from Padharwadi just like us but two hours after we had left Padharwadi and yes they caught up with us!!!The villagers and their stamina!!
As we readied to leave to our next destination Yelavle,the couple cut in and said that was a longer route ahead and that there was another direct route.That certainly made us happy :)The road exactly in front of the temple door leads to Yelavle.The route to the left is a shorter one.
The route from here is straightforward and in 45 minutes or so we were near the stream.A very very familiar stream!!!
We had done Bhorgiri-Bhimashankar trek before and we could easily identify the stream.We exclaimed with joy as we now knew that we were very close to our final destination :D.We couldn't thank the couple enough :)
After the refreshing water stream we were in a better mood.Two of us decided to go the usual route while others wanted to take a route via Gupt Bhimashankar.
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| The stream |
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| Bhimashankar forest |
It took a little time to assimilate that we had finally completed our trek!All the fatigue went away and we were now sitting silently on the temple stairs feeling accomplished,calm and settled.
We waited for others who had taken the gupt Bhimashankar route.
 |
| Bhimashankar temple |
Walking up the stairs of the temple was our last great ascend before we we could declare that we had formally completed our trek.:).We were a little late but the bus had not come yet.But there was a heavy rush at the bus stop.As soon as the bus arrived,people thronged to the door of the bus.
We did not know that we had a few gymnasts with us too!! Two guys crawled their way in through the bus window :D :D and reserved the seats for us.To everyone's delight,each one of us had got a seat to rest our tired bodies :). While some were sleepy,others were cheerful and enjoyed the journey as the bus driver took us on a roller coaster ride.By 10.30pm we were in Pune :)
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| At Lonavala station |
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| At Bhimashankar |
Photography : +Amol Kotkar
Team : Amol Kotkar,Rajat Panagria,Vishwajeet Dange,Ankush Desphpande,Rajannya Santra,Amrendra Singh,Kavish Jain,Shantanu Mishra,Sai Upalekar
Special thanks : +सागर मेहता for helping with the trek route and the maps.
History of the route:
Kusur and Bhimashankar passes were primarily used for communications and supplies by the Marathas.They also had great strategic importance.Marathas used the Kusur pass to guard the Borghat that was seized by the British as it had many routes between Pune and Bombay.
Bhimashankar pass has witnessed much traffic in spices, oil, and raw-sugar from the Deccan to Panvel and a return of salt from Panvel to the Deccan in the 18th century.
References :
http://pune.gov.in/punecollectorate/gazette/poona-ii/trade_communication.html#
The First Anglo-Maratha War,1774-1783:A Military Study of Major Battles - M.R. Kantak
Pointers:
- Avoid this trek in October and between February and April owing to the heat and lack of water.Water available in the streams for rest of the months.
- Stay available in Kondeshwar temple premises.Stay and food available in Jambhavali village.
- A short but steep route from the Jambhavali village directly takes you to the Kusur plateau.Guide needed and available in Jambhavali.
- Kusur plateau is spread over a large area.Possibility of losing your way.Use the tower at Dhangarpada as reference point.
- Single home at Dhangarpada.Food and stay not available.A road exactly in front of the house door goes to Kusur village.
- Food and stay available in Kusur..S.T from Kusur till Khandi.Private jeep can be hired from Kusur till Salve/Talpewadi.
- Stay and food available in Padharwadi.
- Stay and food available in Bhimashankar.
- Carry a lot of dry food and water.
- Carry maps
For more details,write to me at saiupalekar@gmail.com or drop a comment.
Superb blog...आणि माझ्या आधी तुझा ब्लॉग लिहून झाला :-)
ReplyDeleteDhanyawaad :)
Deleteमस्त लिहलयं सईबाई.. next trek ला मी येणार !! 😀
ReplyDeletedhanyawaad :)
DeleteNot quite tough but a bit protracted but amazing trek. I wish I could join you guys in the last one. Got to know the what-nots from Amrendra!
ReplyDeleteYes,Mishraji...we were expecting you.
DeleteBlog about that trek will also be put up soon :)
Nice blog. The details will surely help new trekkers on this route.
ReplyDeleteThank you Yatish :)
DeleteHi Sai, very nicely written blog and useful information. I am planning to do this trek this weekend, would you be able to help with the contact details of guides in the villages? Thanks a lot!
ReplyDeleteNice description... Its very beautiful in October... Yesterday completed LO-BHi from Lonavala station to Karjat station. in 2 days.... in 8-9 Oct.
ReplyDeleteUsing Pawna Campers to camp in Lonavala was an amazing experience! Amazing views of the lake, wonderful meals, and first-rate amenities.
ReplyDeletecamping in lonavala