Sydney Point in Wai

Monday, March 16, 2015

We returned from Rajpuri Caves near Panchgani and had a hearty meal at the bazaar area near the Panchgani ST Bus stand,  we decided to head over to Sydney Point to see it. BTW,  when you are tired any meal no matter good or bad is tasty,  the after effects are known the next day.  LOL. 

There are instructions in the form of signboards which will guide you up a hill again to get a great view of the hills around. We need to take right on Wai-Panchgani-Mahableshwar Road after the Panchgani ST bus stand.   

Again the view is very much similar as to what is offered by Parsi Point and Tableland.  

Now it was growing darker. The weather had started changing,  we were surrounded by dark clouds at 2:30 PM in the afternoon.  But that didn't stop us from exploring Sydney Point. 

Again if offers a beautiful view of the hills and valleys with River Krishna flowing through it. But the bright skies was replaced by rainy clouds.  I wouldn't be surprised it would rain that night. 

After enjoying the cool breeze here we then headed off to see Wai, the land of temples. 

We had to reach before dark as we had to find a place to stay for the night.   

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. 

Parsi Point and Tableland atop Panchgani in Maharashtra

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Panchgani is located around 20 KM away from Mahableshwar. It is located on the Wai-Panchgani-Mahableshwar Road. Panchgani is a smaller hill station in comparison to Mahableshwar. It is located in Satara district of Maharashtra. Parsi Point, TableLand and Sydney Point apart from Devil's Kitchen (located near to TableLand) and Mapro Farm (located on the Wai Surur Road) are the main attractions here.

After enjoying the beautiful view of Lake Venna we headed off to Panchgani.

View from Parsi Point

Me at Parsi Point

Dom and Me at Parsi Point

Parsi Point is located on the Wai-Panchgani-Mahableshwar Road.  So we did this point first.  The point offers a beautiful view of the countryside.  The hills and valleys and River Krishna flowing within it was just beautiful. The blue sky was filled with white clouds,  some of which were so huge and dense it shadowed the hill below.  A few houses were located in the valleys surrounded by trees all around. Could't stop myself from taking selfies here. 

As Manohar was taking a short nap,  it was Dom and Me who did the honor of taking selfies. 

Tableland

 Now there was a beautifully decorated heart here,  Charge is Rs.10 per person to take a snap here.  What a waste of money.

We then headed off to the bazaar area where the Panchgani ST bus stand is as it has signboards to the other points in Panchgani. Remember GPS and Google Maps are unreliable here, so asking people around will surely help. 

Group Pic near one of the caves near Tableland

We then followed the signboards and instructions provided by the locals to reach Tableland. Now Tableland is a flat top atop the hill. The car went right atop Tableland.  There is car parking available here.  But be prepared to be harassed by the horsemen for horse rides here.  Sadly there were no takers for horse rides here. We didn't opt for it either. 

Group Pic

Tableland is a flat piece of land that stretches over two hills with a divide between them.  There is not a single tree atop it.  Barren land.  The soil is red and loose too. So do wear a cap in the summers and rain wear in monsoon. In the rains it would be madness here? The strong wind and the rain,  it will hit you hard on your body. 

Another view of Tableland

There are two caves located below the Tableland.  But they are converted into theme parks.  There is a fee of Rs. 10 to take snaps here.  But the caves didn't excite us much and so we exited them.  The theme parks are restaurants and serve food and drink.  But have to admit the caves are nice and warm. Nothing much to explore in the caves. 

The view from the tableland is very similar to that offered by Parsi Point. Only change was that the sky was just amazing.  Now it was a bit windy here and when mud mixes with wind.  It's dust all around and over you.  

The only camel we saw on our trip

The Tableland is huge, it also has a football ground atop it, I won't be surprised if horse races are held here

The entrance has a couple of food stalls that offer refreshments but for a premium price. 

After getting ourselves covered in dust we headed off to see Rajpuri Caves,  which is located around 10KM away from Panchgani.