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. 

Mumbradevi Temple in Mumbra

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Mumbra Devi Temple is built on the Parsik Hills. The temple can be accessed via the National Highway 4 (NH4) or via the Mumbra Railway station located on the Central railway line. 

Mumbra Devi Temple atop Prasik Hills

We had visited the Shiva Temple at Ambernath and Kondana Caves in Karjat and had planned to visit Mumbra Devi Temple and Lonad Caves today. 

As decided we boarded the 7:32 AM fast train for Asangaon from Dadar railway station on the central line. We alighted at Mumbra railway station at 8:09 AM. The Mumbra Devi temple can be seen from the railway station. 

View from atop Mumbra Devi Temple

We had tea and asked for directions and then started our climb to the top.  As the temple is visited by devotees throughout the year,  steps have been made right till the top.  

I didn't count  no. of steps but it should be around 300 plus. Though there are steps the climb is difficult and will put pressure on your knee's and calves. The climb is very similar to Gilbert Hill. Though Mumbra Devi temple is on a higher altitude in comparison to Gilbert hill.  

Steps leading to the top

NH4 is located very close to the foothill.  

As we kept climbing up the stairs the sound of the trains and vehicles plying on NH4 started reducing. We could hear the chirping of the birds.  The sun was shinning softly on us.  It was a bit hazy outside,  we were hoping that it gets better as we reach the top. 

It took us 35 minutes to reach the top with plenty of intervals. There are plenty of people who come here for their morning walks. They were so fast in the ascend and descend. 

Strings (people wishes) tied to the tree

The view from up here is amazing.  It offers a beautiful view of the sunrise if you come early in the morning,  the creek surrounded by mangroves,  the central railway line and offcourse winding NH4. Apart from the residential buildings around. This place should be a watchtower as it offers a great view of the surrounding. 

As the devotees offered prayers I took photos up here. Photography of the temples is not allowed.  

Breakfast at Mumbra

It took us 15 minutes to descend the hill.  

Had breakfast in the form of omelette and scrambled eggs and Lassi for drinks.  

Wilson Point (Sunrise Point) at Mahableshwar in Maharashtra

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Manohar and I had decided that we would be making a trip to Panchgani, as we couldn't complete it, the last time we visited Mahableshwar. We had visited most of the Points in Mahableshwar and Pratapgad Fort. But as we traveled by public transport we missed out on Wilson Point (Sunrise Point) and Lake Venna.

 So this time we decided to travel by the car instead of public transport, at such a short notice Dominic volunteered to join us.  Three's Co. We decided to kick start the trip with Wilson Point (Sunrise Point) followed by Lake Venna, Points of Panchgani and later the historic temples of Wai.

As decided we met at Ghatkopar Station at 10:15 PM. Manohar was to drive us all to Mahableshwar in his Maruti Swift. 

Dom stunned me with the size of his bag, The size of the bag was that of the one I carry for a 10 to 14 day trip. I was curious to know as to what he was carrying in the bag. Keep reading to find out more, as to what was in his bag.

We stopped at the Food Court on the Expressway, now the temperatures had started dropping we were feeling the cold. We decided to have some Vada pav. As we inquired, the vendor informed us that   the outlet will remain open till the Vada pav is in stock, post that the outlet wil close down. We had our share of Vada pav and in a minutes time, the lights went off. The Vada pav's were over and so they shut shutters. 

We were to travel to Pune by the Express Way, to refuel CNG at Kothrud in Pune. As travelling on a car which runs on Petrol and CNG is much more cheaper than a car that runs on petrol alone.

We relied on GPS to show us the way throughtout the journey. Missed out on a couple of correct turns and so spent the next one hour lost on the roads of Pune. Not a soul on the road at 3 AM, who could help us with directions. Finally we met a couple of rickshaw drivers who then  guided us with directions, and finally we were at the Kothrud CNG station for refuelling. 

We then kickstarted the journey, exited the Express Way and onto NH 4. Now the roads keep getting broader and narrower so if you travelling at night, be careful and to top it you have  slow moving trucks and racing cars  for company.

Manohar drove for a hours time, we braked for a quick nap. Manohar was the only person driving, as I can drive only automatic cars and Dom doesn't know how to drive. It is advisable that on a long journey, you have a backup driver who can take turns at driving so that you save on time and you don't overexert yourself. Meaning I need to start driving geared cars.

Time was 5 AM I guess, when Manohar was up and we started our journey to Mahableshwar. I was sleeping like always, finally due to hickups on the road, I was wide awake. A small power nap comes in handy when you feel sleepy. 

Now it was a race to Wilson Point (Sunrise Point) in Mahableshwar. As per Google , Sunrise was to happen at 6:55 AM.  Now we had to race if we had to reach on time to view the sunrise. 

We relied totally on GPS and Google Maps for directions. We exited NH 4, onto the Wai Surur Road, crossed Wai, then onto the Wai-Panchgani-Mahableshwar Road crossed Panchgani to reach Mahableshwar. Manohar drove as fast as he could on the hairpin bends on the roads so that we reach on time. Roads are full of people who are there for morning walks. Do drive carefully.

We won the race against time and were there at Wilson Point, in a nick of time. It was already dawn. The sun was not out yet but the clouds in the sky were beautiful, the patterns they had formed was just amazing. If you plan to visit Wilson Point, please be early else you will not be able to see the cloud patterns.

Finally the sun rose and it shone on the clouds, like a golden lining. The sky was golden in color and the view from Wilson Point was amazing. But it was so cold, that even after wearing a jumper I was still shivering.  Manohar and Dom, were shivering too. I believe the temperature would be less that 10 degrees. With the sun shining on us, we were still feeling cold. Enjoyed the sunrise and then headed off in the car to ST Bus stand, with glass rolled up due to the cold.

The road to Wilson point is narrow and a bumpy road with rocks on either side of the road, so drive carefully else you might damage the lower end  of the car. 

You must be wondering why ST Bus stand.