Ogda Waterfall in Palghar district in Maharashtra

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Ogda Waterfall is located in Palghar district in Maharashtra. Directions to the waterfall are easily available on Google Maps.

One has to travel on the Western Express Highway, exit the highway at Manor, from there travel to Wada. From Wada one has to travel by the internal roads leading to Khodala. Ogda Waterfall is on the way.

The tip of Kohoj fort covered in clouds

 We comprising of Manohar, Dominic and Fathima decided to visit the waterfall.

That's us, Manohar, Dominic, Fathima and Me

We met up at Andheri (intersection of the metro line and the western express highway) around  6:50 AM. Stopped for a CNG tank fuelling at Dahisar and then headed over the Western Express Highway.

The sun was shining, not a drop of rain nor a rainy cloud in the sky. As it was the  month of July, we were hoping to have some showers to make the trip a memorable one.

Rain drops on the window pane

We traveled to Manor,  exited the highway and traveled on the state highway to reach Wada. It had rained here as the ground was wet also there was water accumulated on the side of the road, meaning that it has been raining heavily here.

Wet roads leading to Ogda Waterfall

I looked up in the sky, and saw us surrounded by dark clouds, so the rains were due anytime soon. With the rains, the view from the roads was scenic. Lush greenery all around, small water streams all over the place, muddy water accumulated all around and saw people farming too. It's been a long time, I have stepped in a farm. Maybe will do it in our next trip. I remember as a child, I used to accompany my Mom to the fields. 

Pond we located on our way to Ogda Waterfall

That's us at the pond premises

We crossed by Kohoj Fort, It took me three attempts to conquer it. Also do read about my camping trip at the Shelte Water Lake, at the base of the fort. This was my first attempt at camping. Hehe.

We travelled on the narrow and winding roads to reach Wada. Wada was packed with people, the narrow roads, filled with people made it impossible for us to drive through. Not sure why the roads are so narrow on a small town.

Ogda Waterfall

Fathima and Me at Ogda Waterfall

Nevertheless we decided to carry on to our destination, Ogda Waterfall.

It is advisable to, tag the places on Google maps at the start of the journey, as the phone looses network signals often. We had Vodafone and Reliance JIO SIM, but no network in the interiors of Maharashtra.  As the places are marked on Google maps, GPS helps you to know where you are on the maps.

A large river near Ogda Waterfall

It took us around 3.5 hours to reach the Ogda Waterfall (taking time spent at CNG fuelling and having breakfast ) into consideration.

Let me inform you, that the only way of reaching this waterfall is by travelling by private mode of transport. I hardly saw an rickshaw, tum tum nor ST bus while reaching this place.

A large river near Ogda Waterfall

Not many people are aware of this waterfall. Apart from the four of us, there was a group of locals, who were also there, they had had their dip in the waters and were busy preparing lunch.

An old bridge we saw on the way to the Ogda Waterfall

The water was flowing down a hill in a distance and so the flow of the water was a strong one, we decided not to get into the water but to sit at the banks so that we can wet our feet in the water.

Soaking one's feet in the ice cold water was relaxing to our feet. I wasted no time in soaking my hands and also washing my face in the water. I felt so relaxed. All the tiredness was long gone.

Fields

Manohar and Me love travelling to these offbeat places, as we don't like crowds and like to have nature all by ourselves. I have been to a couple of waterfalls before,  some crowded and some not so crowded. Here click on the names of the waterfalls to read about them. Bhivpuri, Palasdhari, Zenith, Chinchoti, Dhabosa at Jawahar and Kalote.

Farmer ploughing his field

Sat there while Dominic, had a good time in the flowing water, when then crossed the road and headed onto the other side, only to see a confluence of the water from the waterfall and a river flowing. The water was muddy, so we didn't venture in it, nor did we go for a swim in it.

Note: There is no provision for food and water here, so one has to carry it. We had picked up our supplies from the highway itself.

That's lunch

Khodala is a small town, a couple of KM's away, there is provision for food and water here. We were happy that we managed to get ourselves Chinese food here. It is a norm on our trips to have Chinese food for lunch and dinner. Though it is just 20 KM away it took us around 1 1/2 hours to reach there, as the roads are narrow and curvy and not in very good condition, but it offers a scenic view of the surroundings.

Another water body on the way

The weather suddenly changed and the rains set in. It accompanied us all the way back to Mumbai. We had to drive slowly on the narrow roads and so it consumed a lot of time and finally we reached Mumbai around 8PM.

That's us again

We had a good time in the trip, thanks to the rains, the weather was even better.

Kalote Waterfall aka Dhabdhaba in Kalote Mokashi near Karjat

Monday, August 10, 2015

Kalote Waterfall aka Dhabdhaba is located near to Kalote Mokashi. The closest Railway stations are Karjat and Khopoli. If you travelling by road, then it is located off NH4. 

Kalote Waterfall aka Dhabdhaba

As planned Dominic and I decided to go visit the waterfalls of Kalote and Vangani on Saturday. Original plan was to visit Vangani first and Kalote later. 

We boarded the 7:03 AM Fast local to Karjat. The local trains to destination Karjat commence hourly so plan wisely as the trains could be crowded. The train was to reach Vangani at 8:15 AM and Karjat at 8:39 AM. The train was empty when I boarded it at Dadar. The train got packed at Thane, Dombivli, Kalyan, so much so that we had to drop the plan of alighting at Vangani station and head straight to Karjat.

Puri Bhaji for breakfast outside Karjat Station in the west

Apart from us there were many trekking groups who had boarded the train, not sure as to where they were headed. There was also a band of boys (school boys) who played the drum in the train, so loud that the I could feel my heartbeat racing. Loud music energizes you to dance, sadly there was no place to stand in the train. LOL.

Finally we reached Karjat at 8:39 AM. Crossed over to the West and had breakfast in the form of Puri Bhaji. I have had vada pav here when I visited Kondana Caves aka Kondivade Caves with Mike. it was crowded then and so it is now. It cost us Rs.20 a plate we headed over to the Shriram Pool (bridge) to board a tum tum to Kalote Village. 

View of the lake and the green water body behind

When we inquired with the Tum Tum drivers, they just stared at our faces. They informed us that no Tum Tum ply to that place from there. Strange as I had read on one of the blogs that they boarded a Tum Tum. It then occurred to me that they boarded it from the East. I immediately inquired if we were in the East or West. To which we were informed that we were in the West and that we had to cross the station and go to the east. 

I was sure that we would get lost as we did on most of our trips. We headed to the east and asked the Tum Tum drivers. They said they would go, but the journey would cost us Rs. 400 one way. "Rs.400 one way, while the return ticket from Andheri to Karjat cost me Rs.60." I didn't want to spend Rs.400 and so we started to walk, hoping to get a rickshaw or ST bus taking us there.

View of the fields and hills in a distance

In 10 minutes time we were at the ST bus stand of Karjat. We asked the Bus Conductors and locals about Kalote Waterfall and they too looked at our faces. Strange isn't it. People in the West and East have never heard of the village we want to go to.    

Finally a ray of hope. A man told us that there is a village a Kalounte where there is a waterfall. So much for the pronunciation. That's the place where we wanted to go. He told us to board a bus to Chowk aka Chowk Phata and from there we will get a Tum Tum to Kalote Mokashi. The entrance to Kalote Mokashi is off NH4 on the way to Khopoli. Though we had crossed it while we went to Khopoli, but due to no signboard we missed it. 

Road leading to the waterfall

Tum Tum outside the station on the eastern side drop one to Chowk aka Chowk Phata at a cost of Rs. 15 and the ST bus charges Rs.13 for a ticket. From Chowk aka Chowk Phata board a bus or Tum Tum going to Khopoli. The Tum Tum ride cost us Rs.10 each.

The time was now 11 AM on my watch when he exited the Tum Tum. There is small tea stall at the entrance road of Kalote Mokashi. He inquired for directions and headed straight on the road. The road is not in very good state, it had pot holes, muck and small stones. Thanks to the rains that the condition of the road has deteriorated. No wonder the Tum Tum drivers were charging us Rs.400 to reach here. 

The bungalow surrounded by water

We decided to walk it out as that was the only way of reaching the waterfall. As it had rained a lot, greenery was all around us. Like I always say the color Green was so soothing to my eyes. We saw a small well near a water body, due to the algae in it the water body looked green. Crossed a couple of villages. I asked one of the local's the name of the village. To which she informed that all are Kalote. Strange as all of them have only one name. 

We then saw this beautiful bungalow surrounded by a lake. The entrance to the bungalow is via a bridge. I wouldn't mind staying in it  and sitting by the lake to catch some fish for lunch. Patience is the key to catch a fish. Look at this pic, ain't it amazing.

We then headed onto the road to reach the waterfall. I believe plots of land have been sold to build vacation homes, as new houses are being constructed on either side of the road. The approach road is bad. 

Children from the village posing for a photo

Finally after walking for about and hour's time we were at the waterfall. Note that there are no signboards here, again  we asked the locals and they guided us to the waterfall. This waterfall cannot be seen from the road. One has to walk in the stream to reach it. 

Now we were not the only ones there, a big fat goan family had also come there. Now you will want to know how they are goans, based on they way of speaking konkanni. There is no charge to see the waterfall like at Bhivpuri Waterfall (Umroli) and at Palasdhari. 

We immediately jumped into the icy cold water. The villagers had put up stones around the waterfall making it like a small swimming pool so that people are not washed away by the flow of the water. The water was around chest deep but the rocks below were uneven and slippery. 

Stream leading to the waterfall

On Dom request I sat below the waterfall. The force was so strong that I felt like someone was throwing stones on me. I couldn't sit there much longer and hence sat on the other side. There is also a small but less forceful waterfall happening,  

The sound of the waterfall was deafening. It just cut me off from the rest of the world. I sat there thinking about having bath below the natural waterfall instead of the shower in the bathroom. It will  have a problem once the rains are over. LOL.

There is no food and water available here.We had carried snacks and beverages, which we had. The waterfall surrounding was clean, and that's the way it needs to be. After spending a hour in the mesmerizing waterfall we decided to move on as we had to visit Vangani Waterfall too. 

Dom and me at the waterfall

The children of Kalote will approach and say "Paisa Do" meaning give money. 

Again we walked on the same muddy cum potholed cum stony road for an hour;s time to reach NH4, from where we got a Tum Tum to Chowk aka Chowk Phata. 

At Chowk Phata we met with one of the rickshaw drivers who had charged us Rs.400 to go there from Karjat. He was surprised and stunned to learn that we visited the waterfall and are back. It cost us just Rs. 46 (for two). I couldn't stop laughing from within when I saw the look on his face. 

Kalote waterfall aka dhabdhaba

We then boarded a ST bus to Karjat bus stand. 

Stay tuned to my blog to read about Vangani Waterfall.

Other waterfalls aka Dhabdhaba that I have covered are Chinchoti Waterfall, Jawahar Waterfall and Zenith Waterfall in Khopoli. 

Bhivpuri Waterfall (Umroli) at Bhivpuri near Karjat

Monday, August 3, 2015

I have been on many trips in many seasons, but I haven't covered many waterfalls, which is why I decided to visit Waterfalls around Mumbai in rains. As rains is the best time to visit them. 

Different shades of Green

I had shared my waterfall itinerary with Manohar, Dominic and Neha. Our itinerary was more or less the same. We then started our planning to visit the waterfalls, but due to some reason or the other the plans were getting cancelled. A couple of weeks passed by but no plans were getting materialized. I feared that soon the rains would be over and we would not visit a single waterfall.

A day in advance we decided to visit the waterfall. Fantastic Four (Manohar, Neha, Urvashi and Me). Manohar, Neha and I had done Jawahar Waterfall, last year. Urvashi and I had done Chinchoti Waterfall a couple of years ago. 

Manohar, Urvashi, Neha and Me

Our Itinerary had the waterfalls of Vangani, Kalote, Bhivpuri, Palasdari and Zenith in Khopoli. To cover five waterfalls in one trip is difficult if we travel by train, so we decided to travel by car so that we can cover as many as possible.

On most of our trips we rely big time on GPS and then we get lost. This time was no different. Time cost us dearly. We kick started our road trip from Ghatkopar Railway Station at 7:30 AM. Instead of taking the Karjat route we traveled on the Kasara route and that cost us dearly. Finally we decided to ask locals around for directions to Khopoli so that we don't waste any more time. Not sure which road we were traveling by, but we wanted to get to the waterfalls. 

Neha and Urvashi with backdrop of the waterfall

The weather around us had started changing now. We had left the hot sun and civilization back in Kalyan and were now being surrounded by hills, fields and houses in a distance. The weather had changed. The sun hid himself behind the rainy clouds. But no sign of the rains yet. 

No sooner had we crossed Neral Railway Station. (Base for Matheran) had it started raining heavily. The wipers were at their fastest, but we could hardly see the road. Soon the rain was gone and weather was pleasant. Different shades of green all around us. The color green was very soothing and refreshing to my eyes. Something very similar to Malsej Ghat and Jawahar. 

We traveled by the Neral-Badlapur Road, then onto the Karjat-Murbad Road to reach Umroli. 

Panoramic view of the waterfall

The hills had their heads in the clouds, the brightly colored houses stood out on the gloomy day. I had to switch on HDR mode to get the additional brightness. 

Different shades of Green

Bhivpuri Waterfall, was our first pit stop. It can be reached by boarding a Karjat local on the central railway line. Alighting at Karjat Railway Station, crossing over to the eastern side and boarding a rickshaw. Rickshaw fare can vary. Urvashi had asked one of the rickshaw drivers and he informed it will cost Rs 50. from Karjat Station to base village of waterfall i.e Umroli.

Crowd at Bhivpuri Waterfall

We parked the car at the base village (Umroli) to see the waterfall. The locals let out barren portions of their land for parking purposes but for a fee. Parking cost was Rs.50. To top it there is a fee to see the waterfall. Rs. 10 per person. From when did Waterfalls become chargeable? was the question in everyone's mind. The locals charge you Rs.10 but don't provide you with a receipt for the same. Cheap Jacks trying to make additional income, thanks to the waterfall. 

It is advisable to visit the waterfalls on the weekdays as the crowd is less then. After crossing two streams and then climbing up the hillock reaches one to the waterfall. It is advisable to wear sandals or floaters.  

Bhivpuri Waterfall

The different shades of green was so soothing to my eyes. The farms being cultivated in a distance, the hill locks covered with grass and the slippery and muddy path leading to the waterfall made a nice trek, We didn't break a sweat. But no rains either.

There was roadside make shift stalls selling cold drinks, tea and hard drinks along with corn smoked on charcoal and vada pav. 

Bhivpuri Waterfall in the background

The waterfall area was packed with people. Couples, friends, families who had come in large nos. to sit below the waterfall. The crowd up here was unbearable and hence we decided to visit Kalote waterfall in Karjat. 

As people we asked didn't know the whereabouts of it we went ahead and visited Palasdhari Waterfall.