WEEKEND TRIP TO SATARA (9-10th Oct'18)
Places visited in 2 days:
Kas Plateau / Pathaar
Bamnoli Lake (boat ride to the Dutta Mandir)
Yamai Devi at Kinhai Village (Sakhargad)
Kalyangad (Nandgiri fort) at Dhumalwadi/ Nandgiri
Visited Satara from Mumbai on 9-10th October,
2018. It was a family outing and 5 of us left from Mumbai at 1 am by our private car and reached Satara at
6.30 am by taking a couple of pit stops en route.
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| Mumbai to Satara via Express Way (Source: Google Maps) |
We came across FOUR Toll plazas en route and and had to pay 415/- Rs one
way :(
DAY 1:
1. KAAS PLATEAU / कास पठार
It is located around 25 Km fro the Satara city. Locally known as 'Kas Pathar' or 'Plateau of Flowers'. The major portion of the plateau is Reserve Forest.
Kas plateau is listed under the Protection Working Circle and is a UNESCO heritage site for being rich in the biodiversity and for its endemic plant species. More than 850 species of flowering plants are reported.
The main season begins from August and lasts around the end of September.
Please visit the official website for all the details and for making online bookings / suitable slot
https://www.kas.ind.in/index.php
We reached the Kaas plateau at 7.30 am by taking a right after Adaalat wada (Google map is helpful). There are prominent sign boards too! En route, we saw this amazing sunrise over the Ajinkyatara fort overlooking the beautiful Satara city. The road is in good state and the air was refreshing!
There is forest check post as we approach the Pathaar where we are supposed to pay the entry fee or show the proof of the Online payment made. The staff clearly admitted that there is not much blossom so it is your call whether to take the ticket and proceed but we were aware that there is a nice lake atop so the visit won't be that disappointing thus continued.
The entry Fee charge is Rs. 100/- No entry fees Children below age
12yr.
No entry fees for Senior citizen ( age above 65 yrs ) subject to show of the
age proof ID.
Note:Only 3000 visitors per day will be allowed to visit (750 X 4 slots per day). Parking is Free. Bus Service available from Parking place to Kas plateau and from
plateau to Parking place @ Rs.10/- per person from parking & Rs.10/-
per person from plateau.
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| The bus for to n fro transportation from the parking lot |
within 5 mins, we reached the main entrance gate and started our walk towards the Kumudini lake situated at 2 kms. On both the sides, there are fences. Some blossom was seen.
In half an hour, we reached the Kumudini Lake...it is a beautiful site for relaxation and clicking some nice pictures. You can walk opposite side of the lake towards the cliff and see a nice view of the Kaas lake that provides water to the Satara city by gravity.
at least 30 odd locals selling Pithale-bhaakri at 20-30 Rs. (subject to ur bargaining
skills)..tea/ cucumber/ buttermilk 10
each can be seen along this walkway....Please support them and buy something...Near the parking lot, pohe, vada paav etc snacks are available..
2. BAMNOLI LAKE / बामणोली
Our next stop was Bamnoli village.Same road from Satara to Kas continues
to Bamnoli.a small ghaat road where you descend towards this village situated at the Banks of Shivsagar lake created by the Koyana dam backwaters .You can have boating in the Koyana backwaters..rates vary from 100
-300 Rs per person depending on which point you want to visit and number of
people on the group.
Boating available to reach the famous Chakdev and Vasota (Vyaghragad) forts plus the Mini Kashmir, Tapola, the Triveni Sangam (confluence of 3 rivers) and Shri Dutta Mandir..You can check the rates in my youtube video on Bamnoli (link at the end)
We visited Shree Dutta Mandir ..cost us 177 Rs. pp for this
90 mins complete trip ..highly recommended! The temple premise is well maintained and is very peaceful. The underground tunnel to visit the Mahadev Mandir is a unique thing. Plenty of pics you can capture!
After completing the boat ride, we had the lunch in the nearby Bhairavanth Hotel..nice Veg thaali
(Unlimited) @120/- and the chicken thaali @160/-with Bhaakari / Roti as per choice!
Bamnoli is slowly becoming a popular attraction for the off beat travellers and thus represents a lovely location for camping, boatrides, stargazing, bonfire etc. You can contact on the local numbers..they even provide tents !
Returned to the Satara city. Had a bad experience with the goibido app...showed some hidden prices so we searched a nearby budget hotel on the Radhika road and checked into Hotel Sagar Deluxe..Overall it was good with plenty of parking space but no wifi..
(If you have time and energy then you can visit the Ajinkyatara fort overlooking the city in the evening / sunset time...you can reach almost to the top by your vehicle but it is a widely-spread fort so needs time, if you want to explore sincerely)
Had snacks /dinner in the Shahu chowk…great value for money
paav bhaaji and mastani icecream/milk shakes..The taste was divine and this street food is a must try thing if you are in Satara.
Day 2:
Had the breakfast at the nearby Asmita
Hotel..Coffee, Pohe, Upma, Dosa…all well and pocket friendly..service was nice too!
3. YAMAI DEVI/ SAKAHARGAD NIVASINI (KINHAI VILLAGE) / यमाई देवी किन्हई
After the B/F, we checked out from the hotel by 10 am and started towards the Yamai Devi on the Sakhargad, Peth Kinhai Village, 26
kms from Satara..It falls under Koregaon District..It can be reached via Satara ROAD railway station and regular ST buses are also available..Please watch my separate youtube video ..
It was the day of Ghatsthaapana and we were fortunate to visit this Goddess temple on such a auspicious day. It was undoubtedly one of the most peaceful temples we have
visited..with lots of positive vibes…
The temple is located on a hill top and the area is fortified, called as the Sakhargad. The car goes almost to the gate..you have to walk just 20 odd steps to enter through a well fortified grand gate. The view seen are beautiful. So a treat for both nature lovers and religious people.
The light pedestals (Deep-Maala / Deep Stambha) have beautiful carvings...there are some interesting stone carvings on the wall of the main temple..angels, gods, animals, war, courtship everything seem to be presented..
The temple was awarded for its restoration work and you can see why! A small but beautiful temple.
Please note that there is another temple of Yamai devi at AUNDH...this is at Kinhai village..The one at Aundh is huge and considered as the main temple and is very popular among devotees whereas this one at Sakahargad is lesser known but highly recommended!
4. KALYANGAD / NANDGIRI FORT / कल्याणगड
Next stop was Kalyangad fort which in on the same road that
goes to Satara…So while coming from Satara, we first cross this fort and then reach the Yamai devi, Kinhai.
History-
This fort was built by the Shilahar kings and there are statues of Lord Parshavanath (Jain guru) on the fort. After 1673, it became a part of Hindavi Swarajya. Later on, it was ruled by Pratinidhis of Peshwas. In 1818, it came under the British control.
How to Reach-
By public transport, you can reach Satara road bus depot or Satara road railway station from the Satara city. The base village lies 3-4 km from the Satara road is buses going to Kinhai are frequently available. Tumtum / jeeps can also be shared.
There is a dhaaba / small restaurant named Hotel Kalyan right on the main road. Opposite to which, we can see a Dharamshaala being built by the Jain community. a Kuccha road starts right next to this building and goes towards the forts by traversing the entire mountain from its back side.
Those who prefer to walk, should go to the base village, dhumalwadi / nandgiri and a trail goes to the fort starting from the village school following the electricity towers.
We went by our car..the road is not in a great state and you need to be careful with your car..better suited for the bikes...
After slowly moving on this Kuccha road for 15-20 mins, you will reach a point where you have to park your car and start walking towards the fort (4-5 mins gentle climb)...before this parking spot, you also come across a nice photo point where you can see series on windmills on your left hand side.
There are two gates on this fort. After entering the first gate, one road goes on right side whereas one going straight, descent to the the main attraction of this fort which is the cave temple having statues of
Parshwanath Jain and Dutta Guru…the cave is filled with water (max knee height) and being pitch dark, a torch is a must..there are railings placed for safety..it is a must have experience...please check the youtube video for the actual feel..hardly a minute walk inside so anyone can manage it!
Coming back to the main gate, we take the route going atop the fort and reach the second gate in hardly 2 odd mins..there are temples, water tanks, Samadhi atop the fort...All can be covered in less than 10-15 mins..
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| The perfect photo-spot as you are about to reach the fort.. |
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| Returning Mumbai ...No need to again back to Satara.. |
Having covered these two lesser visited spots, we started our return journey to Mumbai.
Had a super lunch en route at the Gokul Dhaba , Satara Phaltan
Road, Aarle Village ( a few km before the highway)
Bought the Kandi pedhas (specialty of Satara) and returned
Mumbai at 8.30 pm
Total expense (all inclusive – fuel, toll, food,
accommodation etc) was 2250/- Rs per person!... Private trip organizers charge minimum 4500 Rs. for the similar trip :D
Here are the links to the youtube videos covering this trip-
An overview of the entire trip
Kaas plateau/ Kas Pathar
Bamnoli lake boat ride
Yamai Devi darshan
Kalyangad fort/ Nandgiri
Hope this blog and videos will be helpful is planning and executing a memorable visit to the beautiful Satara region!
You can also visit the following places in Satara (subject to time and your interest)
1. Ajinkyatara fort (Overlooks the Satara city) 3.5 km
2. Sajjangad fort (the final resting place of Sant Ramdas) 17 km / 35 mins from Satara
3.Thoseghar Waterfall (a series of grand waterfalls) 25 km from Satara
4. Chalkewadi windmills (3 kms from the Toseghar falls / 29 km from Satara
5.Yawateshwar (Shiva temple on the Kaas road) 10 km / 22 mins from Satara
6. Jarandeshwar Hanuman temple (Unique statue of hanuman with a Mustache) 17 km / 35 mins
Plus, few more attractions along the Pune to Satara road via Wai
1. Shani temple at Solashi
2. Bara Motechi Vihir at
Limb village ( a unique well)
3. Dholya Ganapati at Wai (Massive sized Ganesha)
4. Pandavgad fort
5. Dhom Dam
6. Nana Phadanvis Waada, Menwali near Wai
7. Krishna river bank/ Ghaat, Menwali and Wai
8.Rajpuri Caves/ Karthik cave
9. Vairatgad fort
Love and respect the nature...Happy Traveling :)
Suggestions and comments are most welcome :)
Nice Sir
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