Rajpuri caves near Panchgani in Maharashtra

Thursday, March 12, 2015

We had visited Parsi Point and Tableland in Panchgani. The sun was over our head now.  We had to make a choice, if we wanted to have lunch or go visit the caves.  Caves was priority and so we headed off to visit it. 

Again please  not refer  GPS and Google Maps as they are misguiding. There are signboards at the initial stretch of the road,  post that have to refer to people and vehicles plying in opposite side of the road for directions.  The directions offered by people are accurate and in a matter of 20 minutes we were at the base village of Rajpuri Caves.  Now the road is a rollercoaster ride so drive safely plus to top it,  it is a narrow road.  I won't be surprised if a ST bus plys on this route. 

The village is small comprising of a few houses and temples in its premises. Some children were playing near the temple. As we were not locals all eyes were on us. Though we were not followed,  but were given directions to visit the caves. 

From the base village one has to descend via stairs to reach the Rajpuri caves.  

The view of the hills and valleys is just amazing.  We walked down the steps and soon were at the caves.  There are around five caves here. The caves are guarded with trees all around.  So we had cool breeze for company. It was fun to sit in the shade of trees.  The sound of the wind blowing and the birds chirping was soothing to our ears. We could see the water trickling down the rock surface above the caves. Though we are done with winters and approaching summers,  this place has still got water flowing,  which is just amazing. 

One has to take off ones shoes to visit the caves.  Manohar was just not in favor of taking off shoes here.  But you remember the famous saying,  "In Rome do as the Romans do."

Near the caves stands a beautiful of statue of Nandi. Surrounded by four pillars with a roof atop it. Means there was a temple here and this is all that remains of it. 

The first cave is filled with water.  It also has a gaimukh from which flows water.  But one can see the cave in entirety by balancing oneself on the dry borders around the cave. 

The second and the third cave houses stone tablets which are inscribed with sculptures. 

The fourth cave is converted into a temple,  there was a puja currently performed here.  So we didn't check the cave out. 

The fifth and sixth are small caves and empty. 

The time was one 1:30 PM on my watch we then headed to bazaar area in Panchgani to have our lunch post which we had Sydney Point and thereafter head to Wai. 

Lake Venna at Mahableshwar in Maharashtra

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Now you will be curious to know why we were headed to the Mahableshwar ST Bus Stand in the Bazaar area.  As it was cold, we decided to have bath at the restrooms behind the ST bus stand instead of renting a room, as we were to travel to Panchgani and from there to Wai. 

 The last time we had visited Mahableshwar,  Manohar had bath here and was urging me to do the same,  but I was too lazy and decided to stick with my jumper.  The bath was a blessing in disguise due to which he had stopped feeling cold. 

This trip the three of us decided to have bath here. This place ain't all luxury.  Basic bathrooms for both men and women travelers, which serve a bucket of cold water at a price of Rs.5 and hot water at a price of Rs. 20. What should I say,  I was feeling difficult to part with my jumper before my bath with hot water. Once done again I started feeling the cold, but this time the cold was short lived and I felt really good.  I should have taken the bath the last time I visited this place. 

Kick starting our journey with Wilson Point, in the cold, warm water bath at the ST bus stand we headed off for some South Indian breakfast at one of the local eateries in the bazaar area located just outside the ST Bus Stand.  

After having our full we decided to head to Panchgani.  As Lake Venna was on the way, we decided to do it.

Like always we relied on GPS and Google Maps for directions and again we took the wrong road and kept going in circles in the market area.  Finally we started asking locals around and relying to signboards to head to Lake Venna. 

A couple of wrong roads and finally we reached Lake Venna,  but we reached the otherside of the Lake,  not a soul was there.  But the view was just amazing.  

We were greeted with broken beer bottles, so I understood that this place is used for a beer party.

The view of the lake from here is amazing,  The light blue skies with white clouds forming wonderful patterns in it was just amazing.  The water was quiet and silent.  A couple of dry wooden branches stood in it. Among-st all the greenery around we located a beautiful temple here. 

This European styled House is beautifully perched on the hilltop with greenery all around

After taking a couple of selfies with my new travel companion we then headed off to see Parsi Point in Panchgani.