Vajrai Waterfall July_2019

Vajraai Waterfall

About: It is claimed one of tallest waterfall in India and the tallest in Maharashtra. It runs only in monsoon season. I visited on 21/07/2019 with my Trekking Paltan Group, Pune

How to Reach from Pune : It is about 140 km from Pune and 35km from Satara. There are two ways to reach waterfall after Kaas plateau.

1.Waterfall view : It is easy and gives full view of the waterfall you can see all phases of the waterfall. Good photogenic view from here.

Pune>> Satara city >> Kaas-Bamnoli road >> Kaas plateau >> Kaas lake >> Take left turn after the kaas lake dam wall, there is an archa opposite Kasaidevi temple >> it is a small and rough road through a small village >> after 5/10 mintues muddy drive you will reach to the parking. The parking is paid.

2. Base of the Waterfall : If want to go the base of the waterfall means under the water then follow the route

Pune>> Satara city >> Kaas-Bamnoli road >> Kaas plateau >> Kaas lake >> Take left turn after the kaas lake dam wall, there is an archa opposite Kasaidevi temple >> Take left after the village >> road is narrow and rough, drive carefully >> reach to Bhambavali village >> Park vehicle near Vaghaji mata Temple

Parking: Parking is paid and supervised and ample to park bus, car and bike.

Food and Stay: Food and home stay available at Bhambavli village. If you looking for professional stay then prefer to stay at Satara, Kaas or Bamnoli.

There are no sure facility of food at the base village. There some small restaurants and homemade food suppliers, but you need to confirm first by calling them. Sai Tours and Travel - 081085 29619 

Best stay and food is available at Bamnoli contact Hotel Bhairvnath, Mr. Dhanaji Sapkal, Sarpanch 9421216232. He has boating and camping facility too. He makes arrangements to Vasota fort trekking and boating. You can see details on Google map. 

You can see the waterfall and go for the lunch to Bamnoli which is 30 mins drive from the waterfall. 

Mobile Network: Network is moderate.

About the trek:

Waterfall Top view – After parking vehicle Just walk for 15-20 mins then you will reach on top, the waterfall view not really giving idea of the height from this point but view is very beautiful.

Waterfall Front view – If you want to see waterfall view then its simple walk of 15-20 minutes. Follow the trail which very clear, just follow it. It takes you view point. It is on the edge. So be careful while photography. The view of three phases of the waterfall is clearly visible form here. You will get a poster shot view of the waterfall. This is best point to see the waterfall with all its glory.

Waterfall base view – You need atleast an hour trail from Bhambavli village to reach the base of the waterfall. The trail is very risky and slippery in the monsoon. Better not go with children and senior citizens. Take a local guide from the village. They ask nominal charges like Rs 300/500. It is must for safety because the way is on the side way of the fast running water coming from the waterfall.  When you reach just take all the precautions before going in the water. Better not to enter in the water stream. There are many whirlpools are found. Here you can see the mighty waterfall. Of course you not able to see all the phases of the waterfall but you feel it with the force of the water.

Precautions:
§  Land is slippery in rainy days.
§  Avoid to go in the water.
§  Better to see the waterfall front view.
§  Waterfall generally appears in the monsoon period that is June to September.
§  Avoid to go during heavy rainy days because lots of mud and land becomes slippery, on the other hand due to the moist and fog, you can’t see the view of the waterfall.
Nearby Places - Kaas plateau , Kaas lake, Bamnoli lake, Vasota fort, Tapola, Mahabaleshwar

Pratapgad Fort

Pratapgad

How to Reach :
About 150 km from Pune. About 20 km from Mahabaleshwar. 
Pune- NH48- Satara Road- Shirwal-Khabataki ghat-( Keep vehicle slow and left side because the the divergant to Mahabaleshwar is not visible clearly  from running vehicle. The board is small.) Suroor- turn to right side under the  over bridge - right turn for Wai leave highway-Wai-Pasarani ghat-Pachangani-Mahabaleshwar- take right turn from Mahabaleshwar bus stand to Poladpur road-Ambenali ghat-Jawali village- right turn for Pratapgad ghat (through the The Welcome Arch) -Pratapgad Parking.

You can see the fort from Ambenali ghat. The ghat is single road with rush.  The ghat has lots of  and sharp turns with not so maintained road. Generally visitors from Mumbai, Konkan and Goa come from this ghat. There are many waterfalls in the ghat. Tourists park their vehicle near it which creates more trouble to traffic. You need to drive carefully. The ghat is on its most scenic view between July to November. 

 

 

Poladpur to Mahabaleshwar (Ambenali Ghat)

Pratapgad fort from Ambenali Ghat

 Welcome Arch

Parking :
The paved parking place available,  although not enough on weekends, holidays and vacations. May have to park before parking in the ghat. The parking is FREE.

Parking

Food and Stay :
Many Veg restaurants are available for individuals and groups. They give special concessions to educational visits. Bottled water available. 

About Trek : Hardly any trekking possibility. All visitors goes by vehicle. Vehicles reach near to the steps. So this fort is not for trekking.

What to See :
There are official guides available at the entrance of the fort. Its worth t take guide who narrates the history and features of the fort in Hindi, Marathi and English.

The fort is full of restaurants and houses from historic period. People lives on this fort. You have find the historical signs in the crowd. 

The Tehalani Buruz ( Watch Bastion) is very famous of the fort, which has become most attractive place of the fort. The fort is pictured by the image of this watch bastion.

The Shivai temple, Handicraft centre, Bhavanimata temple, Statue of Shivaji Maharaj, Kadelot tok ( Death Punichment cliff), Mahadarawaza (Main Entrance gate), Chorwat ( Hidden paths and Balekilla ( Small and Most safe part fort) etc. are the other places to visit on the fort.

You need at least 3 hrs to see whole fort.

 Restaurants on Pratapgad

चोरवाट 

Ambenali ghat

Mahabaleshwar from the fort

 

Jawli village from fort 

 टेहाळणी बुरुज 

 शिवकालीन खेडे 

 शिवकालीन खेडे 

You can see scenic panorama of Mahabaleshwar (Arthur seat point, Savitri point, Elphiston point, Sunset point( Bombay), Lodwick point(Elephant head point), Makarand fort, Ambenali (Poladpur-Mahabaleshwar) ghat, Koyna dam back water, Savitri river, Chandragad, Raigad fort, Torna fort, Rajgad fort, Jawali forest etc from the fort.

Trek-Safety :

• Driving on Pasarani ghat, Ambenali ghat, Poladpur ghat and Pratapgad ghat should be done carefully. All ghats are single and rushed with traffics.
• Should avoid in heavy rainy days.
• Half of the fort is crowdy upto Shivaji Maharaj Statue, next to that the fort is lonely. Rarely visitors go there. So go in the group.
• Don's throw plastics and other wastage on the fort.