Jambhali - Mahabaleshwar Trek.

Initially Harishchandra gad was on our plan but we decided to postpone it as we there was a gap of almost two months.  We wanted a small trek.  We were suggested that we can go to Jambhali - Mahabaleshwar trek.  It is climbing two hills nearly of Sinhagad height and a walk of around 4/5kms.  We finalized the trek and taken the confirmations as well.  

Trek Mates

Now when I started planning, I came to know that it would not be an easy one.  It looked we would take 2 hrs. to climb from Jambhali, Roughly 2 hrs. of walk and climbing down and another 2 hrs. climbing.  So as per my plan we would take round about 7 hours to finish it comfortably with breaks.  We wanted to start early (4:30AM) but looking at the season (cold in the morning) we decided to start late (5:00AM).  Finally we were only 12 who were going for the trek.

Krishna Backwater View

Krishna Backwater View

We started in the morning at 5:00AM.  To save time we decided to carry the breakfast with us.  As there were less pickup points we could move out fast.  At 5:30AM we were out of Pune and heading towards Wai.  Before taking a turn it was must required break for having Tea.  We took a short break and headed towards Wai.  The route was Pune, Wai, Dhom Dam and right turn go towards Jambhali village.  Dhom dam was a small dam by height but was having a big spread.  We took a break and had our breakfast.  We headed towards the Jambhali village.  We reached near school where we were asked to move ahead.  From a small road (vehicle can go) we started ahead and reached near a temple.  

Raireshwar Platue Left

Raireshwar Platue Cont.

We thought that we would have a shop where we can get tea.  As we were early nothing was available.  We needed a guide who can show us the way forward.  We enquired but as it were a Sunday morning and nice cozy weather no one was available.  Finally 3 kids agreed to show us the route.  Meantime an old lady agreed to prepare tea.  She managed to get the material from nearby houses and made tea for all of us.  I was expecting it to be a black tea but to my surprise it was with milk.  This was very much needed to start the trek.  We had a quick round of introduction before starting.  Youngest person was 72 years and 18 yrs. respectively.

Raireshwar Platue Cont.

Around 9:15 in the morning (we have already spent 35/45 minutes to search guide) we started climbing.  All instruction was given to driver (who was supposed to meet at Old Mahabaleshwar) and kids (to keep the pace with all of us).  We were guided by Abhijit, Aniket and Vijay and it seemed there regular routine to climb that area.  Because of winter and the path was going from the forest, so we did not had the problem of heat.  We continued at steady pace.  After around two and half / three hour walk we reached on the top.  From here we can see complete stretch of Raireshwar platue (Around 16 kms), Kenjal gad, Kamal gad and Mahabaleshwar hills.  The view of Krishna river back water of Dhom dam was awesome.  

Guide - Kids in center

The height of the bushes/grass was very high, kids who were showing us the route was not sure if they can show us the route.  We found a milkman who agreed us to show the path of Jor village. After discussion we decided to see off the kids and head towards Jor village.  Many of us were of opinion that we would have lunch after we reach Jor, but we decided to have the lunch at top only.  And it was a good decision as from Jor village one has to climb steep for Mahabaleshwar.  It would have been very difficult to climb up with full stomach.  We had our lunch, the Sweet Poli brought by Saudamini was very nice.  And quantity was also sufficient for all of us.  Bread, Burji, Bhaji, Gul Poli, Usal, thepale and chapati were other dishes got by others.  We had to start immediately as we had to reach Jor village and again climb up Mahabaleshwar.  

Village at top

 


On route we have seen few houses, an old temple.  If they require anything either they had to go to Jambhali or Jor village.  The path was about to descend and guide mentioned that you can follow the route and go down.  It was expected that he would take us up to Jor village, but he mentioned that the route directly goes to Jor village.  Somehow we convinced him and took him little downwards.  We were worried that if we get lost then it would be very difficult.  When the village was visible and we could see the path we agreed and released him.  Now we were on our own heading downwards.  We had to climb down and again climb up almost too same height to reach old Mahabaleshwar.  

Krishna Backwater from other side

We were climbing down at slow pace as the path was too slippery.  And few of us were tired. We felt that few of us would drop out at Jor village.  But we decided to take decision when we reach to JorWe were also not sure if there is any arrangement of vehicle.  When enquired we were told that there are vehicles but would take around 50 Rs per person or would ask around 2000 Rs for special trip. Finally we reached to Jor village.  We were offered water which was ice cold.  We sat for some time had water and continued our trek.  We had to cross the Krishna River again.  After careful steps we reached other side of river.  There was one person on other side who guided us the route.  Now we had to climb the last patch.  We were told that they take less than half an hour to climb so we would take one hour.  Clock was already showing 3:30PM.

We started ascending again.  By now all of us were tired.  Deuskar kaka came twice with us but both were difficult trek.  I hope he joins us next time.  Path was from dark forest now and our worry was we should reach top before sun sets.  Otherwise it would be very difficult to search and climb up.  We were told that the forest has presence of Leopard and other wild animals.  And as it is Jawali forest so we were sure there would be something.  This was another reason we wanted to move fast and come out.  We split the group in three (four each) so that first group can go up and find a path or get some help if required.  Few of us heard some growling sound.  We were not sure what it was.  We were nearing to finish.  Shaunak and Vidish who were now with Deuskar kaka literally forced him to climb up.  He was breathing heavily.  At last we reached top near Ganesh temple and rested.  Our target was to reach near temple.  We headed and reached near the temple around 5:15PM. 

We have seen the Mahabaleshwar temple and Panchganga temple.  As name suggest, at Panchganga here is origin of Fiver Rivers Koyana, Krishna, Venna, Savitri and Gayatri respectively.  From Gomukh the water is continuously flowing for last thousand years.  Now we had to reach back.  We had tea light snacks and started our return journey.

End of trek - Heading towards Temple.

Manikgad Trek

Sunday we went for a long pending trek of Manikgad.  Manikgad is located near Panvel.  On old Mumbai Pune highway you get a village called "Chowk" take a turn here for Vadgaon (Vashivali) which is the base of the Manikgad.  

After having the Wada-Pav at Ramakant, the old shop which was very famous before the expressway.  We reached the base at around 9:00AM.  When we inquired about the guide the first person whom we met asked for Rs. 1000/-.  We decided to go ahead on our own.  When we inquired we came to know that  there is this person called Ganesh who helps groups as guide.  Because of this he is famous in that area.  After deciding an amount (Rs. 500) we started our trek.  Earlier we met a person who asked us Rs 1000/- so this was a nice deal.

Initially it looked like we could have managed on our own.  But later it was good that we had taken Ganesh (guide) along with us.  It would be very difficult to find the path without a guide.  After we came out of village it started inclining.  Initially it felt good as we all were fresh.  Manikgad was on our left.  We reached plateau and it was a straight path going towards fort.  As per the guide the best season to visit is the rainy season.  From the path it felt that recently no one had visited.  Path was fully covered with grass.  As usual, we were at the last because we were busy in photography.  The comment made by Jayant uncle was he goes for Trek and in between he takes some photos.  On the other hand we come for Photography and trek in between.  But whatever said we make sure we complete the trek.

We had a very nice view of near by forts Irshal gad etc.  If you are going from Vadgaon (washivali) then you will have to go the other end and start climbing.  I am sure if we had not taken Ganesh then we would have started from in between.  It was already hot and we started climbing up. Many of us had almost finished our stock of water.  We thought we have to climb for 15/20 min max and we will reach at top.  But the route is completely takes a round and we took almost one hour to reach top.  It was bright sunny when we reached top.   

Ganesh was assuring us that there is plenty of water at top.  When we asked him where is the water and he showed us a pond.  On a normal day I am sure no one would have used it for washing even...  Here we had to drink it.  He showed us how to fill the water (first shake it very fast and then fill it, do it at-least twice before filling complete bottle).  First he drank it.  We were not sure if we should drink or not... but we were so much thrust y that we drank it.. He mentioned that he drinks same water whenever he comes to fort.  Now we wanted to have lunch.  But we did not find any tree there.  We decided that we will go down and have lunch under some shadow. Deouskar uncle was completely exhausted by now.  He was tired when we started climbing but some how we forced him and he managed to reach top.  Few of us decided to explore the fort.  We wanted to take a glimpse of the highway.  There we found a nice tree.  Immediately we decided to have lunch on fort only.  Tree was big enough to give shadow to all of us.

Everyone exchanged their lunch with each other.  We also had an introduction session here.  After some rest where some of us decided to explore and take photos we started descending.  As usual we were at last and busy in photography again.  We reached the plateau (base of fort) and increased our speed.  We wanted to reach base before it gets too dark.  Finally we reached the base around 5:00PM.  Initially we decided that we will pay Rs. 500/- to guide but looking at the weather and distance we traveled we paid him Rs. 600/-.  This was the amount asked by him initially.

We boarded the bus and started our return journey.  We had tea which was very much needed and decided to go via expressway till Lonavala to avoid traffic. Here we came to know some benefits for travelers.  If you planned your trip by old highway and taken the return tolls and now if you enter the expressway, you can show them the old highway receipts and get the discounts on the expressway toll.  It is worth sharing with everyone as we can change our plans from old highway to expressway.    

Raireshwar Trek - It was decided again after cancelling 2/3 times. We planned it almost a month in advance but still last minute follow-up were required.  The number was nearing to 8/9 only.  It is an odd number as either you need 6/7 people for small vehicle or around 14/15 people if you plan to book little bigger vehicle.  Finally we booked 17 seater vehicle and decided that we will bear the cost even if it is at little higher side.  Whatever happens we do not wanted to cancel it again this time.



Finally on Sunday we were 9 who started for trek.  We planned to start early morning but due to some miss-communication we started little late but not very late.  As we started early everyone needed a tea.  Around 8 AM we stopped at Kamath for a breakfast cum tea break.  

Nigudghar 

We all were excited as finally we were going for the Raireshwar Trek.  Raireshwar we have 3/4 routes.  We chose to go via Rayari village which is a difficult route so should be avoided by a first timer.  To reach Rayari we need to cross the BHOR.  We headed to BHOR, at BHOR bus depot we decided to take left (outer route to avoid traffic), when we reach T junction take Right.  Now here you cross the Shivaji Maharaj statue.  This leads to Nigudghar where one has to take left for Rayari.  On the way we have many nice views where everyone wanted halt for photography.  But we decided to continue as we planned to trek Rohida as well if time permits.  

There was no mobile network.  It was good that I had turned on the GPS early only.  Still we were checking the route with villagers as we did not wanted to loose time.  Finally we reached at the Rayari village.  At beginning only there were two houses.  Santosh! The person in that house asks kids playing there if they can show us the route.  Looking at past experience we rechecked the amount that we were supposed to pay.  But to our surprise the answer was nothing is required.  Just you can take them along and provide the food that we will eat.  

Now we decided to park our vehicle in front of the house only.  Driver asked us if he can also join us for the trek.  This was the first time for us that driver also wanted to join.  We checked if he can drive after trek also suggested him if he wishes he can return from any point.  Three kid’s names and their respective pet names in bracket Akshay (barkya), Krishna (kaloo) and Trilok (Trilya) joined us, now we were 13.  Later we came to know that one kid Krishna is son of the person whom we were talking with.  

We crossed the ZP school from where our actual trek started.  Everyone in village was suggesting us that we should have taken the Korle route (this is comparatively an easy route).  2/3 of them even suggested us to go back by Korle route.  But as mentioned earlier, we have chosen this route knowingly.  The path was muddy and slippery.  It was difficult for us to walk through the same as initially we were trying to avoid getting our shoes wet/dirty.  Few of us could manage for some time but later there was a series of streams where each one of us was forced to wet our shoes.  


There were many small/big streams we crossed.  We started climbing up.  Between kids tried to take short cut and missed the direction.  Later they found the path but to reach we had to climb a patch which was slippery and between bushes.  We had no option but to bend completely and hold the roots to climb up.  When last 3 of us left, it has become worst.  The patch become more slippery and we were not able to climb up.  The kids we ready giving us hand to climb, but we were forced to take alternate path and finally we managed to reach the platue.  Later we came to know that the easiest way to remember the path is to follow the pipe line which is coming from fort to village.  But anyway we had a very nice experience because we took the difficult route.  



Now we have to climb up and route was going through dense bushes.  The slope which we were climbing called 'Nak' in local language.  We could manage to reach next platue.  The path is very narrow both side there was a deep valley.  But the pipeline was showing us that we are heading in correct direction.  When we went ahead it was last patch that we needed to climb.  This was a series of rocks kept in such a fashion that it made steps.  If it was not there then it would have become very difficult for us to reach further up.  

Temple - Here Maharaj taken oath

Bhagwa Dhwaj

Shivling

Raireshwar Information

Finally we could manage to reach at top.  But the path by which we came some of us were worried on how we will return.  Now we were at the top but we had to walk for some more time till we reached temple.  The Bhagva dhwaj in front of temple the view was astonishing.  Now the temple is completely renovated.  Except the Shiv-ling rest everywhere there is granite flooring.  But it is nicely maintained.  Few of us even tried to blow the Shankh kept there.  Here one can find the information about the fort.  It is nearly 11.5 kms platue at top.  

Trilya

Akshay

We decide to return early as we had to return by same route.  Few of us were of the opinion that we should take an alternate path via Korle village for returning.  But after convincing everyone we decided to return by same route.  Later we found the decision was very good.  Again kids were confused and took a wrong way.  But villager helped us and came till we are back to our known path.  The last patch that we climbed it was very difficult to return down.  We were forced to sit and crawl as it was difficult to climb down.  Because of our climbing the mud has loosen up and we cannot take same steps.  Somehow we managed to climb down.  The kids with us were jumping like monkeys.  We checked our route with the villagers there and made sure that we will take correct route this time.  

While returning we have seen lot of Monkeys, who started running seeing us.  We started descending fast as we had to reach base before the sunset.  We had to watch our steps as the path was slippery.  Finally we reached the base.  When climbing we have crossed many streams but on return journey there were only 2/3 small one.  At last we have seen the big stream where some of us decided to take a bath.  The water was very cold.  But after taking bath it was fully refreshing.  We rushed and reached near the house where the bus was parked.  Tea was very much needed.  We asked in the same house but there was no milk.  Santosh! Offered us black tea, nut somehow his elder brother managed the milk and offerred us tea.  It was really a nice tea and was very much needed that time.  

Now we all were tired and wanted to return home.  Hats off to the driver who completed the trek and was driving us back again.  We were lucky till Deccan that there was no traffic.  But on FC road due to Ganpati procession there was a huge jam.  Now we had no option but to wait till the traffic clears.  Luckily after 10/15 min two police constables came and tried to clear the traffic.  We took nearly an hour to reach from Deccan to Sus road.  It was a wonderful experience.  One should definitely go to Raireshwar and that too from Rayari village.  We already decided to visit Raireshwar again and plan to stay there overnight.

Some Pics!!!

Pratham

Anita

 

Harsha

Vids

Swan& & Prasanna

VG

Group

View from Top

Vidish - Watchful

Clouds

Nak