Kawlya A.K.A. Kavlya Pictures

Neera Devghar Dam

One of the many bridges in backwaters of Neera Devghar

Life on Roads - Monsoons

The endless number of waterfalls you see on this road

View of the valley enroute Kawlya

Main range of Sahyadris

Approaching Kawlya - The mist covered mountains

Primate shot by a primate

View of the valley and waterfalls from Kavlya/Kawlya

Kawlya A.K.A. Kavlya

Ill cut the long story short this time around. We had multiple options. It was likely that we would have had to bike this weekend. Though, thanks to the elaborate efforts of Lord C...shwar. We found ourselves traveling in two Sumos to Kavlya/Kawlya fort with Lord C's apostles.

Historically, this fort has been described as the stronghold of Chandrarao More of Jawali, who was Shivaji's archrival. We were always taught stories of the thick jungles of Jawali and how difficult it was to get round those. Its to not to a good, though to a fair extent still holds the same charm.

We got going at 7.30 AM in the morning, had breakfast at Natraj on Satara road. After stopping down for good amount of time for photography at Neera Devghar dam we headed towards the destination. This route is the second route after Tamhini that connects ghat to Konkan and probably very few know it and I guess its very nice to be kept that way. What this ensures is that there are little tourists. No plastic, no trash, no drunkards and all and nothing but you and greenest valley with beautiful waterfalls emptying relentlessly in it.

Ill intentionally skip the directions part here. Its worth making that effort and figuring out this treasure on your own. We got going amongst heavy mist, reached the destination. Though due to mist, clouds went round it and went far too ahead and wandered. After some searching and adventurous stunts we gave up and decided to retire to base where the vehicles were parked.

There are quite a few interesting things around this place. There are traces of old steps off the route which is normally taken for hiking. If you talk to the locals you would find hell lot of information about some of the things which are still not much known to the regular traveler. We indulged in some of the greatest waterfalls I have ever ran into on the way back got some of the neatest shots I could ever get. Check out the complete imagestation album here.

Kangori - Mangalgad Pictures

Bridge on Neera river on Pune Satara Highway !!

Fireball !!Neera river on the way to Varandha from Bhor !!

Neera Devghar Dam enroute Mahad !!

Varandha ghat !!

Kawlya fort [ At the base is Shivthar Ghal ] !!

Kangori - Mangalgad Fort !!

Wildfire on Goa Highway !!

Savitri river by Goa highway near Mahad !!

Kangori A.K.A Mangalgad

Life has been pretty uneventful on the trekking front from September. AB just bought a new digicam recently so he was more interested in an adventure. It turned out on judgement day that it was only two of us. We still decided to go ahead. We biked till Bhor turn, had some breakfast and then brainstormed on the destination. Options were Vairatgad or Kangori A.K.A Mangalgad. We agreed on Kangori since that involved getting down Varandha ghat [ If you have been here, you would agree, the tricky turns and the sheer drop in Konkan..pure thrill ]. What we did not know was the distance was an issue for one dayer.

There are two ways to reach this place from Pune - Both 300Kms odd to and fro.
1] Take a right turn to Bhor from Pune Satara Highway and after crossing Bhor take a right to Mahad. The road is a pretty scenic with Neera-Devghar dam waters to the left and vegetation on the right. After getting down from Varandha ghat take a left to Pimpalwadi from a place called Dhalkathi [17kms of a mix of bad/good road from here] and climb the fort.
2] Travel from Tamhini - Mangaon - Mahad take a left turn to Varandha on Goa highway reach Dhalkathi take a right to Pimpalwadi and then proceed to fort. Option 2 is preferable considering there is some help available if you needed it. Option 1 if your locomotion breaks down in the middle, then Mahad is 36 and Bhor is 42Kms away with no signs of civilization.

We started our climb at 12.50 [ blame it on option 1 ] almost made it and then lost our way and then gave up to reach the base at about 3.00. Back at the village one lady told us about a how some girl died a tragic death while getting down from this fort. The news was there is accomodation on fort. Thought of taking some local's help but considering we had to travel 150 odd Kms via Tamhini and time we had on our hands etc dropped the idea.

On the way back spotted some wildfire on Goa highway near Mahad, wondered why noone knew about *this* road to Pune via Tamhini from there. Either case, heaven than spending those lazy weekends at home. Check out the complete imagestation album here.