Rover's Rakhadpatti: Maharashatra

Sahyadri Range of Western Ghats - spread across Maharashtra state - is one of our favourite visiting places. Usually it’s our impromptu decision that takes us to beautiful Landscapes of Sahyadri Range, Lakes and Hills. A week-end trip to Kamshet was one of such impromptu decision.

We set out early one winter Saturday morning and decided to take old Mumbai-Pune Highway. Driving on old highway has its own charm. Unlike expressway, the old highway has lush green surroundings with trees on each side, twists & turns of ghat and passing villages make the drive pleasant and joyful.

Kamshet

Our aim of visiting Kamshet was to take lessons on paragliding, one of its major attractions. As a matter of fact it’s one of the famous paragliding destination in Asia and therefore widely known as the “Para-Glider's Paradise”. This small and sleepy village in Maharashtra along old Mumbai-Pune Highway has been developed as a major paragliding destination. The world-class paragliding facilities attract large number of flying enthusiasts across the globe.

Not aware of the address of institutes that conduct coaching on paragliding, we drove straight to the Kamshet village. The picturesque village is surrounded by paddy & sunflower fields, hills and serene lakes.

Kamshet railway station is located in the Western Ghats, runs parallel to the Indrayani River.

Rangoli Restaurant, right on highway, is a place where you can meet most of the gliders and trainers.

At first we were disappointed to learn that because we were a bit late and they were all off to nearby Tower Hill or Shelar (located 8 Km from the highway), a few of the main destination for gliding. Some of the hard-core paragliding enthusiasts have gone off to Kondeshwar Cliff, a spot 20 Km from Kamshet.

Nevertheless, we learn of a few of the famous paragliding schools in Kamshet viz. Temple Pilots, Indus Paragliding and Flying Nirvana.

Temple Pilots, Indus Paragliding and Flying Nirvana are a few well known paragliding schools that offer week-end courses for beginners. There are advance courses too for those who want to take it up as serious sport. They also arrange joy rides, with a pilot piggy backing on you, which usually lasts 10 to 15 mins. Fees for beginners are usually affordable and include training material, glide for training, stay, food and local travel (to & from gliding spots).

We drove on highway in the direction of Pune to reach a housing complex approx. 4 Km away from Kamshet. Here one of the bunglow acts as administrative function as well lodging & boarding for learners of the Temple Pilot School.

We wanted to fly and glide over the beautiful scenery below. Avi, owner of Temple Pilot, informed us that the wind condition of the day was not favourable for paragliding and hence none of the gliders were able to take off that day (Saturday) morning. Even weather forecast for rest of the day and next day is not very encouraging. Hence we decide to give paragliding a miss on this trip and explore Kamshet & its surroundings instead.

We excused ourselves and again back on highway heading towards Kamshet. By the time it was already afternoon and we were hungry. As we drove we saw Hotel Gurudev, a Dhaba right on Highway near Kanhe Fata, offering Punjabi Food. We parked our vehicle in a vast parking area and stepped inside. It was a dhaba with a modern look. It had tables & chairs as well as ‘Charpoy’ - a typical Pubjabi Dhaba feature - for seating. We obviously preferred ‘Charpoy’ and ordered food. The food was delicious.

Once our tummies were full, we deliberated on what to do next. Do we head back home or explore some other place? Where to stay for the night?

On a casual enquiry with hotel staff, we learn that Hotel Gurudev also has lodging facility adjacent to the dhaba. It offers AC as well as Non-AC stay options. We wanted to have a look at it before deciding. To our surprise it was not only a neat place to stay but also cost effective too. We decided to log in, take rest for a while and then venture out in evening.

While sipping an evening tea at a Tea Stall on Kamshet Phata, owner informed us about Pawna Lake. And next moment we headed towards Pawna Lake.

Pawna Lake

Drive around 20 Km. off the old highway, in opposite direction of Kamshet Village, to reach a tranquil Pawna Lake. On our way we came across a huge flower nursery and couldn’t resist stepping out of the car to take a few snaps.

Pawna Lake is formed by the Pawna Dam built across the Pawna River. The area around the Lake and the Dam is a scenic spot. It’s a picturesque site with imposing natural ambience, cool climate and mountains across the water body. One can opt for riding in a boat or simply sit along the banks enjoying scenery and cool breeze.

We decided to sit along the bank. We were thrilled by magnificent view of sun setting in the backdrops of the mountains, water in foreground offering a beautiful view and of course a cooler winter breeze. During sunset, we experienced many different shades of sky. Shade changes every minute that’s worth watching. A few of them captured in our Nikon D5000 too!!!

Our suggestion to people visiting Lonavala-Khandala would be to visit this place as well. For tourists like us, monsoon or immediately after monsoon is the best time to visit. Set up an itinerary that includes a trip to the Pawna Lake and we’re sure to never regret it.

We also learn of few of the forts of Lohgad, Tikona and Tungi nearby the Lake. Obviously we wanted to make it to these forts and get lost in a piece of history. But it was already getting dark and chilly. Hence, made a point to plan trip to these forts some time later and headed back towards Hotel Gurudev.

After freshening up, we set out of hotel for dinner at same dhaba. The moment we stepped out, we heard good music playing nearby. Wondered what it was about, we walked towards direction from where music was emerging. We discovered Big-Wheels Resto-Bar.

Once inside, we saw a bar and café with Motoring Theme. It has been designed keeping motoring enthusiasts in mind. Most of the furniture and artifacts have been made from recycled material used in cars, trucks etc. The ambience, the mood lighting and a bar offering wide variety of choices of wine and food was something we never imagined could exist in such village.

Witty sign boards, again based on traffic rules & sign posts, placed all around the bar is something to read about and enjoy. Can’t put them on this blog!! Overall, it’s a place to visit once for sure.

Next morning we had breakfast at a restaurant on Kanhe Fata (apologies, forgot to make a note of name) serving hot steamy Kanda Poha, Batata Vada, Misal and tea.

Here we learn of YMCA Camp Lakeside at Nilshi, a very remote village 40 Km deep inside Kamshet. Once again wonderer inside us prompted us to dash out to the place.

NILSHI

Nilshi is about 40 Km from Kanhe Fata (between Kamshet and Vadgaon on NH-4 i.e. old Mumbai-Pune Highway). After crossing railway lines, you would pass through many factories. Tetra-Pak & Mahindra factories are prominent among others. The road is little bumpy for a few kilometres but gets smooth and pleasant as you pass by. Drive through Villages like Takawe, Vadeshwar, Khandi (and many small villages in between) before you reach Nilshi.

The entire stretch runs alongside Andhra Lake. Every twist and turn on the way emerges beauty and sure to thrill you. After initial bumpy ride, the drive towards Nilshi was very pleasant. Every passing kilometre takes you to a different world away from hustle-bustle of city. The villages are still not affected by city culture and commercialisation. You would even not find a single shop that sells cold drinks, chocolates, biscuits etc!!!

After a pleasant drive, we reach YMCA Camp Lakeside, an international standard Camping Centre, at Nilshi. Nilshi is a tiny village right on bank of beautiful Andhra Lake situated in the lap of the Sahyadri Hills of Western Ghats.

The International Camping Centre is spread out over 37 acres surrounded by the Andhra Lake has its own natural habitat and used as weekend getaways.

It’s a perfect campsite and not a resort. Adventure activities such as Rock climbing, Archery, Swimming, Nature Treks, Development Games, Treasure Hunts, Rappelling, Kayaking, Ropes Course, Camping Out, Cook Outs, Camp Fires etc. are held.

The camp site complex was designed by architect Prof. Christopher Charles Benninger keeping environment & its relationship with landscape in view. Most of the structures are underground, tucked into the hillside and naturally lighted and cooled. It is constructed in a way to provide natural ventilation and soft, energy free lighting.

In our opinion, YMCA Camp Lakeside is one of India's best examples of energy efficient and sustainable architecture. Far away from city into the wild, one can plan staying in Tent or Cabin to take up sporting and adventure activities (listed above).

A cabin has capacity for 8 people to stay (4 Bunk Beds with mattress, pillow, linen and 8 wardrobes) with attached bath. There are 10 such cabins. Tents are of various sizes. Bigger ones can house 8 people, medium ones 4 and small ones can house one person. Tents are provided with a ground sheet and sleeping bag.

The campsite also has a Dining Hall and underground Conference Hall too. Many organisations plan workshops and activities here

We were tempted to stay here for the night and contacted the manager of facility. He informed us that the facility is booked to the capacity. He said that one need to book in advance as the campsite is fully occupied most of the year and especially during weekends.