Tungareshwar in Vasai

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

We have been planning to visit Tungareshwar for quite some time now but none of our plans were working out. 

Ketaki outside Vasai Railway Station

Last minute plans work well with me. So on Thursday we decided to visit Tungareshwar on Saturday. Johnson, Michael, Vivian and Dominic decided to accompany me. Dates? I believe we visited Tungareshwar two weeks ago.

Misal Pav

As decided I met Michael and Johnson at Andheri Station at 6:45 AM. We boarded the 7:03 AM Virar Fast train to alight at Vasai Rd Station at 7:42 AM. For a change the train was empty and we managed to get ourselves a place to sit in the train. In Rush Hour it is madness travelling in trains. 

Tungareshwar hill range

Vivian couldn't make it. Dominic met us at Vasai Rd. Station at 7:50 AM. On time. Managing time is very important while travelling. 

We decided to break for breakfast at Hotel Ketaki as advised by Dominic. This hotel is located outside the station in the east and serves amazing Misal Pav. After having our stomach's full and then gulping down some hot tea we sat in Dominic's car zoomed off to Tungareshwar.

Gren Tungareshwar base

Tungareshwar is located on the Mumbai Ahmedabad Expressway. It is the highest point in Vasai. Tungareshwar is located around 2177 feet above sea level. Atop the hill is the temple dedicated to   Shiva.

One of the water crossings

It took us around 25 minutes to reach the base of Tungareshwar. As per Dominic this place is jam packed on Sunday. We were lucky that we decided to go on a Saturday. Three's Co. As Dominic couldn't make it to the top. As he had other priorities. A big thank you to him to make time to drop us to the base of Tungareshwar. 

Tungareshwar can also be reached by boarding a rickshaw from Vasai and Virar.  Cost approx Rs. 150 from Vasai, Not sure about the fare from Virar. Had Vivian come we would have known. Tungareshwar can also be reached by private mode of transport. 

Stoney Road to Tungareshwar

We picked up some bananas for a healthy snack and water to keep us hydrated till the top. 

Johnson was trekking up the hills for the first time so we kept a slow pace. a broad stoney road leads all the way till the top. Wth lush forest on either side of it. The uneven road is filled with stones of all shapes and sizes. Rickshaws ply till the top. Not sure how they manage to do it. People in it sure have a bumpy ride.  

Angry Birds Bike

On our way we had to cross a knee length nala (dirty water stream) and two more clear water bodies. It was fun crossing the ice cold water bodies. Leg Freeze.  the water bodies uphill we so clear that we could see the rocks below it. 

Merwyn, Micheal and Johnson - Group Selfie

As the trek starts, parallel to the stoney road runs the water body. The water comes down from the hills. So there are many waterfalls and mini waterfalls on the way. 

The weather was pleasant. Not rainy nor sunny. Thank God for the amazing weather. 

Road to Tungareshwar

On our way we noticed this bike, I guess the owner is a big fan of angry birds. The bike had angry birds stickers all over it. 

It took us 1 1/2 hours to reach the temple on top. The stoney road offers a amazing view of the surrounding hill ranges. As it had rained the hills were covered with thick forest. Michael expressed his wish to climb them. To this I replied, "Ya right"

Waterfall

Finally we reached the top. All were exhausted as our water supply had depleted and we had consumed the bananas also. 

Outside the temple premises are vendors selling Gola, Corn, Cold Drinks and light snacks. 

Stoney Road

We breaked here to refresh ourselves with some cucumber and Lemon Water and  Gola.  

We rested for a couple of minutes here and then decided to head back to start point. On our way we decided to take time out to do Insect Photography. Something I have never done in my travel expeditions. 

Selfie

We stopped at one of the mini waterfalls on the way to cool our feet in the flowing waters and to take some DP pics for Facebook and Whatsapp. There were tiny fish in it who gave us a Fish Massage. Fish Massage is free said Johnson. Else we will have to shell out 100 bucks or more just for one in the mall. 

After resting here for a while we decided to move downhill.  

Shiva Temple in Tungareshwar

Also I managed to take good selfies of us and myself on this trip. I could have tried this earlier. I never occurred to me.  

Michael, Johnson and I stopped by each and every insect we could lay our eyes on to take photos. Johnson managed in fooling us and we ended up taking pics of a dead frog. I was like how come the frog is not moving when we are so close to it. I was a feet away from it. Later I realised that it was dead.

Another view of Shiva Temple in Tungareshwar

Captured a couple of good pics of chameleons,  butterflies, moths crabs, grasshoppers, dragonflies and crickets. Maybe I should apply to Nat Geo for a photographer post. LOL. Please refer to the next post for photos on the same. 

Another Warter Crossing

Finally in an hours time we were at the base. Now we could see the crowd moving in.

Group Selfie

It was a nice and easy trek though the trip took it's tool on Johnson. But he will get over it soon and join me on another trip.

People packed Rickshaw crossing a waterfall 

From the base we boarded a rickshaw at a price of Rs.70 per head to Vasai Rd Station. In a matter of 30 minutes we were at Vasai.

Had Lassi and then headed home. 

Clear Waters

Damages were just Rs. 130 per head. Cheap and Economical Trip in the wild, I should say. 

To view Lifeforms Photography at Tungareshwar at Vasai

To read about my adventures at Chinchoti Waterfall at Vasai.  

Other waterfalls in have been too around Mumbai are Zenith , Kalote and Jawahar-Dhabosa.