The route was very scenic.
I really liked it. Road condition was also very good and with very less traffic and natural beauty all around, this drive was superb. After 1.5 hrs. after crossing pavana dam, we reached near a spot developed for boating. My son was very happy, to know that we are going for boating. He also enjoyed, some ducks roaming around and swimming in water, one small turtle swimming in small pond, one peacock sitting very close to the fence.
The picnic spot was very good. One restaurant was also there and horse riding facility was also available.We took normal boat with 10 person capacity and Rs.40 p.p. charges. The round was for 1.5.km. It was just 10-15 minutes ride, but was very pleasant as the surrounding was very beautiful with clean water, pawana dam at one side and surrounding Sanhyadri ranges. We enjoyed the boating, took some photos .Speed boating was also available with Rs.400 p.p. for individual and Rs.300p.p. for speed boat with 6 person capacity and may be bigger round.Good facilities are provided by Maval Agro tourism.
After enjoying boating, we started our journey towards Lohgad fort.It was hardly 15-20 km from the spot, towards lonavala road.On the way we saw one good temple and some ashram by Baba Maharaj satarkar. but could not go inside. After that we came across another marvell.The road was made by cutting the mountain.
It is called Dudhivare khind (pass).Its view was also very beautiful. after this pass, there is right turn to go towards lohgad.The road has some very steep curvey turns and it is not in very good condition. So be cautious while driving. After almost driving for 5 km on this road, we reached the base of the Lohgad fort, the lohgad village. Some small restaurants are there , which can supply food and snacks etc. but not verymuch commercialised like Sinhgad fort. We parked our car, at roadside, had our packed lunch and started to climb around 1.30pm. The climb was not much difficult. We reached on the entry gate of the fort within 20-25 minutes. On the way we can enjoy the beautiful surrounding and want to click photos.
but you have to be ware of monkeys. They come very near to you and want to snatch whatever is there in your hand. With that caution of monkeys in mind, you can enjoy the fort.
The entrance gate is in almost good condition. The wooden doors still exist there with big chains and iron thorns. One can see one inscription in stone on the right hand side of this main entrance gate. We can climb up, there are some steps that lead to one buruj, another way leads to the main fort. With one more entry gate and a buruj , one small temple and water tank, there is not much to see on the fort. But one can look around and admire other forts Tung, Tikona, Visapur forts in the vicinity. After spending some time looking around and remembering Shivaji maharaj for creating these good forts and expecting some better maintenance at these places, we started our return journey. Some work of steps building is going on though, more efforts are required to preserve our heritage.By 2.45p.m. we reached near our car.
We decided to go to Bedse caves. So we took same route till pavana Dam(17 km). From Pavana Dam, took kamshet road, on this road travelled 7-8km. , tere is small board pointing towards left to turn for Bedse caves which are 1.5 km. inside the main road. This road is not in good condition. we have to travel till the road ends and we can see the steps leading towards the caves above in the mountain. We parked our vehicle. There were only2 other vehicles and 450 steps ahead. We were not expecting much above. But as we reached above after climbing 450 steps, the seen transformed. The area was neatly maintained and kept clean by the person appointed by ASI. No sign of bats inside the caves in this remote place with very less visiots. We appreciated his efforts.(But unfortunately these people have to work on contract basis,temperorily) He showed us around the caves.
The main Buddha cave temple has 2 full pillors at entrance and 2 half pillors. The pillors are huge and have elephants, horses and oxes sitting on the top with some human figures. The door is well decorated with flowers and semicircle big window is kept at the top to allow the sunlight to come inside in the evening as well. The stupa and harmika were in good condition and above them big wooden flower was placed. around the stupa , there were 26 pillors appeared to be in horse dhoe position but actually were in straightline position. It also had 2 jali windows to allow the sunlight to come inside in the morning.In morning the sun light comes directly inside the caves. That must be really good atmosphere to watch these caves.
There is another open hall, with small rooms on its side, for the bouddh bhikkhus.Water tanks carved in the mountain, with fresh and clean water gathered from the mountains was also available.Really very nice place to visit to appreciate our history, craftsmanship and serenity.
With this description I am ending my first blog here. Will meet soon with another place. Till then , bye !!
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