Photo Drive to Tamhini Ghat in Monsoon 2016

This year (2016), during the monsoons I made a short half day drive to Tamhini Ghat. This was more of a photo drive than just winding up.

This was probably my fourth or fifth trip towards Tamhini but the place never ceases to amuse me with its breathtaking beauty. This year Tamhini received the most rainfall in Maharashtra (yes, surpassing even Mahabaleshwar), so the astounding greenery and the spectacular white streams were in abundance and perfectly complemented each other. 

We had to stop at several places and take photos to the heart's content.

Not a place to be missed during the monsoon, if you are in/around Pune.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IN MONSOONS.

The photos are clicked without any ND or CPL filters. I used a simple gorillapod to place my 5DMK3 on top of it.

The first spot where we reached by 8 am in the morning was the gigantic waterfall just besides the Mulshi Lake.

There were some tiny waterfalls around it as well.

And I certainly did not let go of any opportunity to try various angles and focusing techniques.

All these sources of water combined into one and a gushing stream was output through the bushes.

Everywhere as far as one could see, it was green all around...covered with white sheets of cloud...

...and small streams gently flowing to its destiny...

..and some tiny beauties...

..and some marvels of nature....

..and some fauna too...

Practicing with high shutter speed....

Monsoon brings out the explorers in us....

Sometimes only sitting in the car also can bring your attention to beauties around you....

And some more greenery on our way back...

We had a stopover nearby Mulshi Dam, and the beauty simply was breathtaking with the farmlands posing with a genuine grin (read 'green') in contrast to the last year's seriously dry spell..

Finally, before our ways part until the next blog, no monsoon photoblog can be completed without such pictures as below:

Time to say good bye. 

Thank you very much for taking your time to go through the post. If you like it, please leave your encouragement as a form of a comment.

See you!!

Mahabaleshwar in the Winters – A Different Experience - Part 1

After not a very long time since our visit to Konkan, we set out for a 4 day relaxing venture to Mahabaleshwar. The idea was to spend a few days in serenity and with peace. We booked ourselves in Mahabaleshwar MTDC which is a perfect getaway from the madding crowd, so we have heard.

Day 1

We started around 7 O’Clock in the morning. The familiar roads led us to Mahabaleshwar in almost no time. We passed by the known hilly terrains and entered Panchgani at around 10 am.

On the familiar roads once again

We made a stop at the Mapro garden – it was the season of the Mahabaleshwar’s one of the most famous attractions – Strawberries. The cute little red ones were sold in abundance on both sides of the roads.

Strawberry Season

The Cute Little Ones

Finally we arrived at MTDC at around 11 – the location was truly value for money if you want seclusion. Located at the outskirts of the overcrowded hill station, the old colonial buildings were spread across a vast expanse of area and were fully surrounded by dense vegetation.



MTDC Mahabaleshwar



We checked in to our rooms which were a good couple of kms from the main entrance – hence a car was a must. Without wasting much time we were ready to just roam across a city and see a couple of viewpoints nearby the MTDC resort.

We went towards the market first to devour some lunch. The Sher-E-Punjab served us great food, once again (we ate there during our first trip as well). Then we took a casual stroll around the market area once again where the ladies in the group engaged themselves in some quick shopping.

Market

When the momentary shopping was over (thank God), in the afternoon, we thought it would be a wise decision to visit a couple of points – Lodwick Point and Sunset point – both of which are in close vicinity of the MTDC resort, the latter being in the walkable zone from the resort.

To reach Lodwick Point, you have to park your car at the parking and then need to bring your best walking skills for a mile, if not more through the narrow earthen roads and through the thick woods where you have to beware of some vicious monkeys. We overcame all the obstacles to reach our destination – though it was supposed to be winters, the sun was radiating scorching heat and we were gasping. 

Way to Lodwick Point

An Asymmetric Flower on the way to Lodwick Point

The Lodwick point is basically a point which has a small monument erected in the memory of the General Peter Lodwick from where you can take a look at the valley down below. But the main attraction of this place is another point which is some half a km ahead of this point – Elephant’s head.

Lodwick Memorial

A different looking flower

May be I lack some imagination skills  - I leave it to the readers to find out the similarity – but I still could.

Elephant's Head

A view from Elephant's head

Though it was a scorching heat, people were flocked to the view points. And we encountered more and more crowd when we reached the sunset point before the sunset. The place had become like fair – tea stalls, snacks and juice bars, pony rides, corn on the cob, palmistry and many more entertainment to allure the crowd. And the name itself (“sunset point”) is enough to attract a significant amount of crowd, for the relationship between humankind and the sunset is an eternal bon – we always love to watch sunrise and sunset.

The sunset point lived upto its popularity – the sky became a combination of blue and crimson while the sun was setting at the horizon. The hillocks at the distance formed a wavy skyline under the fading light.

Sunset Colors

After the Sunset

As the dark prevailed, the weather became absolutely bone-chilling with the temperature falling down drastically and a gentle – it didn’t feel gentle thought at that time – breeze. It was indeed cold, very cold and felt like an ideal hill station in the winters.

We returned to our much coveted shelters in the resort where we spent the rest of the evening. We only went out for the dinner at the nearby canteen and then took a stroll, since the food provided some enthusiasm and energy within us, but not for long as all of us desired to slip under the warm blankets like anything.

Next - Part 2

Mesmerizing Mahabaleshwar - Day 3 - Wai

Aug 15 Monday 2011 - this was the last day of our trip so we were feeling a bit sad. But since the whole day is left we wanted to utilize it to the fullest. So after having beakfast we left the hotel and started driving towards Wai.

Enroute there is a view point called 'Harrison's Folly'. Not sure what Folly was committed by which Harrison here but the place was superb and I liked it the most in Panchgani. It is also a kind of mini-table land without that din and bustle of the bigger one. Offers spectacular view, this place. And since the weather was sunny, the golden sunlight reflecting on the Krishna river gave the place an out of the world feeling. This place is deservedly used for para-gliding in the non-monsoon season.

View from Harrison's Folly



Another view - the diversion to Harrison's Folly




A small part of the endless valley



View

View 2

View 3

We again proceeded towards Wai. We had a plan to spend more time at the Dhom Dam. First we visited the famous Maha Ganpati Temple - here we could identify that many films were shot like Swadesh, Gangaajal etc. There are two adjascent temples - the Ganpati Temple and the Shiva temple. The Ganpati temple was a newer one while the Shiva Temple looked older. It was very crowded since it was Monday.




The Maha Ganpati Temple



Shooting place for Gangaajal

The Shiva Temple

Remember the first scene from the film 'Dabaang'?

After spending a good 45 minutes here we proceeded towards Dhom Dam which is further 9 Km down from Wai through interiors. The road was narrow but the simple look and feel of the rustic villages was simply a great sight to behold. We finally reached a point where we could park our car and got down. We went very close to the water. The place was glorious. The lake was calm, the weather cool and the green hills kissing the sky - you will find yourself standing in midst of the mother nature. You may feel isolated but it gives you a chance of soul searching. Just sit and soak in the nature - which we did for more than a couple of hours. It was really a great experience. What else could you ask for?

Feels like a sea, doesn't it?

Curious and strange rock formation

Amazing greenery

Nothing much is left of this trip now. We then proceeded towards Pune through NH4 - in between stopped at one Dhaba to have a late lunch (or early snacks) and back to Pune by 6.30 pm.

All in all it was a great trip which gave me a lot of memories to cherish in my heart. And nevertheless, a promise to myself that I will come back again in the lap of nature.

Adios!!

Update: Road Directions -

Panchgani to Wai:

Wai to Pune: