Gondal To Pune

My Trip to Bhimashankar

Post by malspie | Mumbai | Nov 30, 2007

It is ideally located in Bhavgiri Village, Khed Taluka of Pune in Maharashtra. I visited this holy place in August 2007 and I wish to share my expedition with my friends here. May be it would help a few who have plans to visit this shrine. ROUTE We traveled by car from Panvel (via Express Highway) Talegaon (65 kms), Chakan (20 kms), Manchar (48 kms), Bhimashankar (65 kms). BACKPACKERS You may have to go to Karjat from there take a local three wheeler which reaches you to Khandas. From here you can trek your way to Bhimashankar either from Ganesh Ghat (more safer) or Sidhi (ladder) Ghat. The name represents the peril but all backpackers say the pleasure lies in adventure. You have cross a stream a lush green forest full of medicinal herbs and trees and the view from the top is breath taking. It’s worth the sweat that’s what trekkers say. WARNING There is no road route to Bhimashankar from Karjat. So if you have your own vehicle do not take this route. The Talegoan route is the best. PLEASANTRIES DURING JOURNEY • The whole journey is full of scenic pleasures and if you are a nature lover you will definitely enjoy the view. • Plenty of fuel stations on the way so need not worry if you are running out of fuel. • I always mention the ladies toilet facility in all my tour reviews. It may sound funny but regular travelers would appreciate it. There is a ladies toilet at Shree Datta Snacks on the Express Highway and also the HP Fuel Station at the far end of Chakan junction has ladies toilet facility. This toilet was very clean. I enjoyed the whole journey. Friends it was raining incessantly and it was a real pleasure to drive through the ghat. After our darshan we started our journey home. We had hearty meal halting our car on that high altitude enjoying luxuries green mountains, fields and the valleys, a breath taking view. Our return journey was more relaxed as we knew the road now. The guys worked hard this time to locate a ladies toilet, their neck was sticking out like a giraffe, else, we girls had told them we will just sit next to the car tyre and psssssssssssss……. They located a clean toilet at Chakan junction, One of the best public toilets I have ever visited during my long journey. So clean that my shoe prints were visible on the clean white marble tiles. I looked at myself in the half and full length mirror. The mirror was frightening me. My hair had become thin like broom.. wet, I told you, my liners had washed off, I was looking like one just out of a hospital ward. Never mind. The spirit is high. Rushed out. Even the car a.c. did not help to dry our clothes. We did halt at few places during our return journey and jumped out of the car. The weather was very chill out there, guys happily puffed some cigarettes and we were blowing hot air on our palms to keep us warm. Finally located a neat joint for “Chai”. It helped. We started feeling little better now. Suddenly it started pouring so heavily that we decided not to halt anymore, just keep moving, else we may be caught in jam and spoil our spirit. As we reached Express Highway, Shree Datta Snacks, tempted us to have a nice hot vada pavs (Indian Burger). As we reached near the joint we spotted more than 100 vehicles parked and tourists waiting in long queues to have a bite. We realized that our turn is would be not before an hour. We decided to drive our way toward home. We had chips and biscuits to saturate our hunger. The traffic was smooth all the way in spite of the downpour. We reached home.

Value for your money

Post by Anil | Pune | Apr 26, 2011

If your coming for Pune for the first time, ask for MG road Kakade mall its not more then 10 min away from railway station and 25 min away from airport.

Pune

Post by Sinsanjeev | Bangalore | Oct 31, 2012

Mahabaleshwar has developed this knack for making sure even the high flying types have an opportunity to enjoy it's cool climate. Video Games , Slot Machines , Boating , Horse Riding , Pool and even go-karting..it\'s all possible here. This is the Gateway for Honeymooners, Families and all those simply looking for a change from their hectic lifestyle.