CHINCHOTI WATERFALLS

Chinchoti waterfalls located to the east of Vasai is an ideal place for one day picnic and adventure. The Chinchoti falls can be reached through Kaman Village on the Mumbai - Ahmedabad National Highway.

Located amidst lush green forests, Chinchoti waterfalls are comprised of a bunch of small and big waterfalls. During monsoon, the falls flow continuously giving us the breathtaking and picturesque view.

The place is a popular picnic spot amongst youngsters and remains crowded during weekends. It is a very good place to do some basic trekking, as it is scenic, and has a few small treks around and to the waterfalls.

Best time to visit Chinchoti
During the monsoon (June to September), when the falls are in full flow.

Nearby Attractions
Tungareshwar Temple, Kamandurga

Important Things to Carry
Camera, Snacks and Mineral Water Bottle, Good pair of Shoes, Cap, Rain Jacket (if you are visiting during monsoon), Some extra clothes, Rope, Torch, and First Aid Kit.

Things to be kept in mind

⦿	Not to stay back at the place after 5.30 pm as it is a jungle area and there are some wild animals seen which are dangerous.
⦿	Avoid visits Chinchoti on a rainy day as the waterfalls and the river current is very strong.
⦿	Water around the ponds is deep more than 6 feet to 8 feet so unless you can swim avoid jumping on it.

How to reach Chinchoti Waterfalls
Nearest Railway Station
Vasai Road Railway Station

Nearest Airport
Mumbai Airport

Distance
Vasai Road to Chinchoti Waterfalls - 6 Kilometers (By Road)

MANDWA - KIHIM

About 20 kilometers from Alibaug and easily accessible from Mumbai, Mandwa is a beautiful and clean beach. The beach lovers come here for the pristine, isolated sea side.

Mandwa Village too has a charm of its own with its beautiful groves of coconut palm. On a clear day, one can enjoy a breathtaking view over the sea to the Gateway of India.

Nearby Mandwa is the Kihim Beach, where unusually well-equipped tents are provided by MTDC to the visitors to the shelter. Kihim has woods brimming with wild flowers, rare butterflies and exotic birds. This was one of Dr. Salim Ali’s (The world famous ornithologist) favorite retreats. Kihim’s inspiring scenery and soothing climate make it perennially attractive place.

Kulaba Fort, situated in the sea, just a little away from the Alibaug shore, is the place worth visiting. The fort has freshwater wells in its premises even though it is a seaside fort which is a major highlight of this fort. The fort also houses Siddhi Vinayak Mandir which was built by Raghoji Angre in 1759.

There is a place called Chaul, which is 15 Kilometers from Alibaug where one can see the historic Portuguese Ruins; fascinating Tower of St. Barbara, the Hamam Khana, Buddhist Caves, a church, the Kankeshwar Temple and even a synagogue.

Accommodation

Shaant Beach Resort (Alibaug) # 9819945452 / 9833645452
[Tariff : Rs.1000/- to Rs.3200/- (Accommodation and all Meals)]

HOW TO REACH THERE

Ferry Boats and Catamarans ply frequently between Gateway of India (Mumbai) and Mandwa (Services available between 6 AM to 7 PM except during monsoon)

Nearest Railway Station

Panvel Railway Station

Distance

Mumbai to Alibaug - 100 Kilometers (By Road) Via Sion-Panvel Express Highway
Panvel to Alibaug - 62 Kilometers (By Road)
Mumbai to Mandwa - 10 Nautical Miles (By Sea)

SANGAM MAHULI

The tiny village of Mahuli is situated on the confluence of Krishna and Venna rivers, just 5 kilometers away from Satara City. Due to the confluence of the rivers this place is also called Sangam Mahuli. It is especially known for the temples of the Lord Kashivishweshwar, Lord Rameshwar, and Lord Someshwar. Pilgrims often visit the place with devotion.

This is the birthplace of Ramshastri Prabhune, the impartial Justice in the regime of Peshwas who had given the death sentence to Raghunathrao Peshwa for helping the assassination of his nephew, Narayanrao Peshwa.

Climate of Sangam Mahuli

Tropical Wet and Dry

Temperature

During Summer 39°C to 45°C
During Winter 5°C to 20°C

Accommodation / Hotels

Aakar International Hotel [Landmark : Near S.T. Stand,Satara] # 02162-232026
Anandvan Holiday Home [Landmark : Wai – Jor Road] # 09822 443328
Maharaja Regency Hotel [Landmark : Shivaji Circle] # 02162-233667

Nearby places to Visit

Mahaganpati Mandir Wai, Pandavgad Fort

HOW TO REACH SANGAM MAHULI

Nearest Railway Station

Satara Railway Station

Nearest Airport

Pune International Airport (Code : PNQ / VAPO)

Distance

Satara to Sangam Mahuli – 5 Kilometers (By Road)

WAI

WAI, an ancient city, situated on the bank of the Krishna River, is 95 kilometers south of Pune City. Wai, located in the Satara District is known in Maharashtra for its ghats. The ghats on both the banks of the River Krishna are fascinating. There are many temples along both the ghats on the river, of them the temples of Dholya Ganapati, Shree Vishnu and Devi Laxmi are structurally beautiful. WAI is regarded as ‘South Kashi’ or ‘A Town of Temples’ due to the large number of temples and its architecture.

In modern times, Wai, is known for its Sanskrit School (Pradnya Pathshala) and the headquarters of the Board of Marathi Encyclopedia, a gigantic task undertaken by the Government of Maharashtra.

This place is also famous for film shootings. Shooting of many blockbusters like Deool, Gangajal, Dabbang, Omkara, Swadesh, Ishqiya, Singham are shot here.

Places to visit in Wai

Dholya Ganpati Mandir, Kashi Vishweshwar Mandir, Krishna Ghat, Dhom Dam, Wakeshwar, Bhadreshwar

Festivals of Wai

Krushnabai Utsav - celebrated during January-February

Accommodation / Hotels

Rutu Farm # 09822 777551 / 09823 099727 [Tariff : Rs.2500/- to 7000/-]
Hotel Sanai Residency # 02167-222038/39 / 223739 [Tariff : Rs.2500/- to 6500/-]

How to reach WAI

Wai falls en route to Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar

Distance

Satara to Wai – 35 Kilometers
Pune to Wai – 95 Kilometers
Mumbai to Wai – 250 Kilometers

Photos WAI

TUNGARESHWAR

Tungareshwar Temple

Tungareshwar, located on Vasai Road (East) in Thane District of Maharashtra, is a holy destination for the devotees of almighty Shiva. The temple of Lord Tungareshwar nestled in the beautiful landscaped gardens of nature.

The Tungareshwar Temple is small but well maintained. In the interior of the temple you can also find many other shrines includes Lord Ganpati and Goddess Khodiyaar. Photo frames of Ganpati Bappa, Durga Mata and Prabhu Shree Ram hang from the ceiling wall. In the center of the temple is the Nandi Bail.

The temple is thronged in by devotees all the time, and during the time of Mahashivratri, the number of devotees coming here goes up to 2 Lac.

The main feature of this temple is that the surroundings of the temple. It is lush green, thickly wooded and offers many opportunities to trekkers, mountaineers and nature lovers.

Also interesting things are in the temple precinct you will find many harmless monkeys’s jumping here and there with their kid monkeys.

Tungareshwar Temple's Daily Schedule

05.00    Aarti
09.00    Aarti
12.00    Naivedya
17.00    Aarti
18.00    Aarti

* Bhandara - On Mahashivratri, Mondays in the month of Shravan

Temple Festivals

Mahashivratri, Tripuri Pournima, Vaikuntha Chaturdashi

Accommodation Tungareshwar

The Temple has his own hospice (Dharamshala) [Eight Rooms are available for stay]
# Tariff Rs.50/- per Day + Utensils for Cooking are also available Rs.15/- extra

Temple's Main Rules

* In the Temple premises do not eat meat, consumption of alcohol, smoking
* If pilgrims want to stay in the hospice for more than 3 days then they have to take the    permission of the Trustees
* Strict prohibition  on hunting in the Tungareshwar Forest

Best time to Visit Tungareshwar

During Mahashivratri, Mondays in the month of Shravan and During the Monsoon (June to September)
* During monsoon, this area looks like heaven on earth.

Nearest Railway Station

Vasai Road (Western Railway)

Nearby Attraction

Tungareshwar Waterfall

Tungareshwar Photos

Shiv Linga

Lamppost

Khodiyaar Mata

Jagmata Devi

YAWAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

The Yawal Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Yawal Tehsil in the Jalgaon District of Maharashtra. The Sanctuary is 25 kilometers from the Raver Railway Station and it lies along the banks of the rivers Anner and Manjal that flows towards the adjacent border of Madhya Pradesh.

The Yawal wildlife Sanctuary has landscapes of incomparable beauty. The Sanctuary is spread over an area of about 178 square meters and has a great variety of flora and fauna.

The major flora found in the Yawal sanctuary includes Salai, Anjan and Teak trees.

The fauna here is very rich. The Sanctuary shelters many different mammals, such as Leopards, Tigers, Flying Squirrels, Sloth Bear, Deers, Sambars, Wolves, Blue Bull, Chinkara, Wild Dogs, etc.

The flying squirrel floating effortlessly through the forest canopy is an attractive sight here.

Accommodation

There is an old Forest Rest House at Langda Amba which was built during the British era.

Climate

A wet climate..   Avoid visiting during monsoon … 

Best time to visit Yawal

Between February to May

Clothing

Natural neutral colored cotton 

Nearest Railway Station

Raver Railway Station [RV] (Mumbai Bhusawal Khandwa Route) 

Nearest Airport

Aurangabad Airport (Code : IXU)

Contact Numbers Yawal Forest Department

Deputy Conservator of Forest # 0257-2262722 

Nearby Attractions / Places to Visit

Garbaldi Dam, Manudevi Temple, Parola Fort, Swinging Towers of Farkande, Patnadevi, Unapdeo Hot Water Springs, Saint Muktabai Temple, Changdeo Temple

Photo Gallery

TORANMAL

Toranmal Map

Toranmal is a beautiful and peaceful hill station tucked in the Satpuda mountains at an altitude of 1461 meters from sea level in Dhule District. Formerly it was the capital of Mandu Dynasty. The Hill Station gets its name from tree “Torna” which grows prolifically.

Sunset Point at Toranmal offers heart stopping views of Satpuda ranges and their peaks. Sita Khai Point offers a breathtaking view of deep valleys.

Other important places nearby are the Yashwant Lake, Lotus Lake, Coffee Garden, Macchindra Cave, Torna Devi Temple (the goddess of Torna Tree), and the Gorakhnath Temple. The Yashwant lake is very serene and has good boating facilities.

The State Transport (ST) buses ply from Dhule, Nandurbar and Shahada to Toranmal.

Accommodation Toranmal

Goraksha Kuti (Rest House of Forest Department) #02565-223485 [Tariff : Rs.400/-]

Climate Toranmal

Tropical

Best time to visit Toranmal

During Winter (October to January)

Nearest Railway Station

Nandurbar Railway Station

Nearest Airport

Vadodara Airport (Code: BDQ/VABO)

Distance

Nandurbar to Toranmal – 92 kilometers (By Road)
Vadodara Airport to Toranmal – 273 Kilometers (By Road)

THE FORTS OF MAHARASHTRA

Chhatrapati Shivaji

The forts of Maharashtra unfold before us the history, architectural style and cultural heritage. Standing as silent sentinels in history are the 340 odd forts. Smacked by the ocean waves, singed by the blazing sun, or lashed by tempestuous Deccan rains, stand imposing ramparts and crumbling walls – the memories of Maharashtra’s martial times.

Nowhere in the world would you encounter such a profusion of forts and such variety in their architecture. Located on an island, as at Murud-Janjira or Suvarnadurg or guarding the sea as at Vasai, or up amidst the Sahyadris as at Toma and Raigad, whose circuitous walls and spherical bastions sit like a scepter and crown amidst high hills. As you trek you may come across caves dating back to pre-Buddhist times at Shivneri in a prison cell at the warrior queen Chand Bibi’s immortalized Ahmednagar Fort, where Pandit Nehru wrote ‘Discovery of India’.

Today the sentinels that stand quiet, singed by the sun and sleet, have not only been witness to changing times, but have also shaped them. That is where the heights of forts in Maharashtra lies, for example the fort at Shivneri. The triangular-shaped massif, overlooking the ancient trade route from Sopara to Paithan, was inhabited by Buddhist monks, who provided shelter to missionary monks travelling down the route. The early Hindu Kings, fortified the hill to ensure smooth traffic, to use it watch-post of wares and to protect the religion centered. Chand Bibi, the warrior queen of Ahmednagar sought shelter here from the raiding armies of Akbar. Shivaji who fought for ‘Swarajya’, was born here, his mother Jijabai being sent here by her husband, as Shivneri would provide a safe refuge. There are other forts which have always maintained their character as ‘Durgas’ derived from the Sanskrit word, meaning, inaccessible.

Most of the forts in Maharashtra whether upon Sahyadris or near the sea, are associated with Shivaji, not only a great warrior but also a great fort-builder. Shivaji embarked upon his career at uniting the locals against the Muslims suzerains by taking a fort ‘Torna’ when the commander was away to escape the ferocious monsoon. He strengthens his conquest by setting up capital on the neighboring massif, Rajgad and soon embarked on a fort capturing and fort building spree. The fort Pratapgad, immortalized by the ‘Waghnakh’ [Tiger Nails] tryst with Afzalkhan and Raigad, where he was Coronated are just two of the mighty hill forts Shivaji built.

More than that, it was Shivaji who consciously taught the people to look upon forts with reverence and affection , and associate with them as one would with a mother. In times of peace, forts provided the populace with an income, as they supplied the ‘Mother’ with food and fuel. Forts in Maharashtra were once mini cities. The fort Panhala, where you can yet view three large buildings called the Amberkhana – a granary with the capacity to store 50,000 mounds of corn – is now a hill station, Raigad, the capital which Shivaji built on a hill, has a mile-long market place and ruined store houses which once accommodated a garrison of over 2000 men. The fort Purandhar, which once served as a capital of the nascent Maratha Kingdom, now houses the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Academy.

The construction of Sindhudurg, a sea fort along the Malvan coast is credited to Shivaji. He built and strengthened fortification on the coast with a view to protecting the outer flank of the state from the invasions from the sea. As many as 13 forts were developed by Shivaji on the coastline, including Vijaydurg, rated as the perfect example of a great coastal fort.

Most of the forts in Maharashtra are in a state of ruin, with ancient walls, since long razed to the ground and practically denuded of early monuments, just wounds of desolate ruins. Even if the exact nature and character of the buried monuments is not known, the Ruins occasionally are so imposing that they give an unmistakable notion of the grandeur and the majesty, these places once must have owned. For Example, the fort doors have obviously suffered the maximum damage from all possible causes, such as destruction, re-Fortification, seizes, weathering, neglect etc. Despite, though snatched off their decorations of gold, silver and precious stones, a few of them even today retains ample evidence of their past glory. The Ruins do not merely reverberate with the memories of the past, the decayed fortifications also enhance the picturesqueness, of the rugged hills. In most of the fortification, various architectural styles : Hindu, Muslim, Portuguese, Maratha with all their shades have amalgamated or at-least co-exist, with every monument, showing the impact of its time. For instance even today, the fort Shivneri shows the traces of as many as seven proprietors, the ancient Buddhist monks, the early Hindu Kings, the medieval Muslims, the tribal Mahadeo Kolis, the 17th - 18th century Marathas, the British and finally of course the modern Indians, thus encompassing a mini-sketch of the history of the Deccan.