A scenic road surrounded by a majestic mountain pass, covered with lush greenery and waterfalls, the Varandha Ghat (Sahyadri Range) makes for a perfect long drive from Pune.
It cuts the western ghats to join Bhor town and later this Mountain pass road connects Pune to Konkan. Varandha is incidentally just 108 km from Pune.
Varandha Ghat was apparently a trunk road in the ancient days. The Ghat has numerous waterfalls on the way to Konkan, a huge valley on one side and steep cliffs on other.
Though are many places from where you can enjoy the beauty of those big milky waterfalls and green valleys, but the best spot suggested is the Waghjai Mata Mandir from where you can experience the magnificent beauty of mother nature.
This point has strong winds, so avoid standing near the edge. There are also several steep sloping valleys at a height of around 3000 ft and facing the Konkan with roads leading down.
Getting There:
It is recommended that you drive through to this picturesque Ghat from Pune. Get on to NH4 and you will notice the left turn for the road to Narayanpur Balaji Temple. There is a very small route ahead of this point on the right which leads to Bhor Ghat. This road further leads to Varandha.
By Bus: Pune – Bhor Bus Stand of MSRTC is the closest bus station to reach this spot.
By Train: Pune is the nearest & convenient railway station to reach Varandha Ghat road.
Food:
There are a few small eateries on the way but ensure that you carry enough food along with plenty of water.
Though Waghjai Mata mandir has a few tea stalls, they offer nothing apart from tea. Post this nothing is available for the next 40-50kms through the dense forest. Ideally, eat at Bhor and head to Varandha Ghat.
What To See:
Kavlya Fort
An hours distance is the beautiful fort of Kavlya The path leading to the fort is slippery and muddy- watch your step in the Monsoons. Villagers say that Yesubaai (wife of Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj) helped Rajaram Maharaj to escape from Aurangzeb and during the escape Rajaram Maharaj used this route to reach Jinji from Raigad Fort. One can spot the Rajgad Fort and Torna Fort from Kavlya.
Shivtharghal Cave
Shivtharghal also known as Sundarmath is another famous tourist attraction of the Varandha Ghat. Shivtharghal is located at a distance of 9kms from Waghjai point. Though there are two routes to reach Shivtarghal one is surrounded by dense forest, very small and narrow roads and sharp slopes.
The other road is less precarious and it takes you to the banks of the river Shivthar and the mountains. Shree Ramdas Swami ancient saint of Maharashtra lived in this place for 22 years and dictated Dasbodh to Kalyan Swami.
It is also believed that the first meeting between Shivaji Maharaj and Samarth Ramdas took place here.
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#All images are details are purely indicative and readers are advised to check finer details at the respective destinations.
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