Unhavare Hot Water Springs near Panhalekaji Caves near Dapoli in Maharashtra (India)

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Unhavare Hot Water Springs near to Unhavare Village which is around 33 KM away from Khed ST bus stand in Khed. There are not on NH17 aka NH66, but one has to travel on the Vakavli Karanjali Road from Khed to access these caves. At the village Fanasu. The right takes us to Panhalekaji Caves and the left to Unhavare Hot Water Springs.

Unhavare Hot Water Springs

After visiting the Panhalekaji Caves we headed over to see the Unhavare Hot Water Springs. The narrow bumpy roads took a lot of our time. Again these roads will test your car/bike suspension. The directions to the springs are available on google maps.  The roads are deserted. 

Finally at around 7PM we were at Unhavare Village, the hot water springs are located very near to the village. There is provision for refreshments available here. But again the shops close at sundown. 

I managed to take some snaps in the low light at the spring premises. There was a group of boys who were in the water. 

Unhavare Hot Water Springs

We dipped our feet in the water. The temperature of the water was the hottest amongst all the hot water springs we covered on our itinerary as of today. Even at this time the temperature was roughly around 40 - 50 degrees. 

We chatted with the boys who were bathing in the spring premises. Two of them had come from Mumbai, for a marriage in their family. 

They informed us that there are two pools, this one is for the men, and the one enclosed is for the women and children. The spring premises is not lit at night. But we could still see around thanks to the moonlight. 

We then headed over to the shop to have some Falooda, which was very refreshing after hot water dip.  

Unhavare Hot Water Springs

The time was now 7:30 PM on my watch. We had to head back to Khed, as there is no lodging facility available here. 

Not sure if ST buses ply from Khed bus stand or Dapoli to reach this village, as it is totally isolated. But we did see a rickshaw or two on the way. Meaning shared rickshaw are available. 

We had to follow the same track back, to reach Khed, there is no street light so one has to rely on the car headlight. With continuous dropouts in the phone signal, there were times when we were lost on the dark roads, nevertheless we still managed to ask locals and head back to Khed. 

That night we stayed in Khed itself. Next morning we had Malvan on our itinerary.

Panhalekaji Caves near Unhavare Hot Water Springs near Dapoli in Maharashtra (India)

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Panhalekaji Caves are located around 30 KM away from Khed. There are not on NH17 aka NH66, but one has to travel on the Vakavli Karanjali Road from Khed to access these caves. At the village Fanasu. The right takes us to Panhalekaji Caves and the left to Unhavare Hot Water Springs.

Panhalekaji Caves

Panhalekaji Caves

After visiting the Khed caves we traveled for around 30 KM to reach the Panhalekaji Caves. The roads are very narrow and to top it, they are not in  very good condition, so one has to drive slow which consumes a lot of time. The road will also test the car suspension. Directions to the caves are available on google maps. There are signboards at irregular intervals. 

Panhalekaji Caves

Finally at 5PM we were at the Cave premises. There was just one cave and a couple standing there. I asked the couple, " Is this the only Cave?" to which he replied, "Yes". "Did we travel for a hour's time just to see this one cave, not worth the time" I said to Manohar. 

Panhalekaji Caves

We met a local, who was trying to sell us some home grown bottle gourd, he was selling at a cheap price. But as cooking was not on our bucket list for the day, we didn't buy any from him. We asked him if this is the only cave here, to which he replied that there are more. 

Panhalekaji Caves

He became our guide, he showed us around the caves. The caves were beautifully carved and had carvings of Ganpati, Saraswati and even Buddha in its premises. Manohar told me that these Caves are a mix of Buddhist and Hindu influences. Manohar offered him Rs.50 for his services, without him, we would have not seen the rest of the caves.

Panhalekaji Caves

The caves are located very near to the forest premises, there is a small rivulet near the caves. There are trees (mango trees) near the caves. But no mangoes. It was nice and calm here. 

Panhalekaji Caves

Not sure if the rivulet had any fish in it, else one could make it a picnic destination. Camping in the shade of the trees and fish for food. This place looks un inhabited, as there was no human footprint here. 

Panhalekaji Caves

Not sure if ST buses or shared rickshaws ply on this route from Dapoli or Khed. We were not able to spot any. There were hardly any people on the road to ask for directions. Private transport is the only mode of transportation.

Panhalekaji Caves

Panhalekaji Caves

There is no provision for food and water. 

Panhalekaji Caves

The time was now 6PM, we had Unhavare Hot Water Springs next on the agenda for the day. 

Khed Caves aka Bouddh Caves near Khed ST bus stand in Khed in Maharashtra (India)

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Khed Caves aka Bouddh Caves are located on a hillock very near to the Khed ST bus stand. The lane opposite the ST bus stand leads to the caves. There are no signboards near the caves, so one has ask people about the same.

Khed Caves aka Bouddh Caves

After visiting the Gandharpale Caves we headed over NH17 to reach Panhalekaji Caves near Dapoli. Just when we were about to reach Khed, Manohar spotted a signboard which read Khed Caves. I immediately started researching on the internet about the whereabouts and photos of these caves. Though these caves were not on our itinerary, they were now added to our itinerary.

Khed Caves aka Bouddh Caves

As not much information is available about the caves on the internet. We decided to ask a couple of locals about them. We approached a rickshaw driver and he gave us directions to the caves. He also informed us that they are neglected and that there is nothing much to see there. These caves are not tagged  on Google Maps.

Signboard

I finally managed to reach the caves. There are houses built all around the caves on the hillock. Something similar to Jogeshwari Caves in Mumbai. There are five caves here. There are neglected and not in good condition, there is dry grass growing all over them. The cave structure are similar looking to the ones at Gandharpale Caves. Though the first cave has got a gate and grills around it as there is a statue of Buddha in its premises.

Khed Caves aka Bouddh Caves with Buddha statue in its premises

The time on my watch was around 4 PM and we had still to cover Panhalekaji Caves and Unhavare Hot Water Springs near Dapoli.