Maharashtra is blessed with Sahyadri Range in Western Ghats that houses Hill Stations with many beautiful landscapes, lakes and dams.
Twin Hill Station of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgini are very famous hill stations. The scenic beauty we see from top facing valley look very beautiful and enchanting. The Krishna River, Dhom Dam, Villages situated on Krishna River’s bank and Colour of sky during Sunset, as seen from top, took away our breath.
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| Krishna River & Dhom Dam near Dhom Village as seen from Kates Point in Mahabaleshwar |
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| Balkawadi Dhom Dam - Balkawadi Village as seen from Kates Point in Mahabaleshwar |
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| Magnificent Colours of Sky during Sun Set at Kates Point |
Ever wondered how it must be when you actually go down below in proximity of the beauty we see from top? We were curious to know how one can reach the magnificent place as seen from Kates Point, Echo Point, Needle Hole Point (also known as Elephant Head point) of Mahabaleshwar.
One of the ways to visit these places is to trek down a very narrow walk-way that villagers take to reach their home every day. It’s just a 20 minute trek from Kates Point and you would reach Balkawdi Village of Wai Takula. However, climbing up to reach your hotel in the hill station would be tremendous task, especially if you are not used to trekking.
Another way is to drive 12 Km downhill, take a left (well before Wai Village, thus bypassing it) towards Dhom Dam via Eksar village and then finally to Balkawadi Village.
Dhom Lake
Dam at Dhom is an Earth Fill Gravity Dam constructed in 1976-77. This is downstream dam located at 17.94°N 73.88°E. Entry on the Dhom Dam from this side of Krishna River is restricted. As you drive further toward Balakwadi you would come across a huge Dhom Lake formed due to the dam.
You would surely be tempted to park your vehicle and head straight towards virgin bank of the river. The beauty you see around & across the river would embrace you and make you feel crossing over the river to reach the opposite side. It’s also popular location for film shoots. Hindi films like Gangajal, Omkara, Dabbang, Swadesh, Ishqiya, Singham, Deool, Bol Bachchan, Zila Ghaziabad and many others are shot here.
Overwhelmed by serenity, we wanted to cross over the other side. But alas, there is no way you could have crossed over the river using the road on the dam. It’s a restricted area and you need to have contacts within government authorities to climb over the dam.
But we were determined to reach the other side. Enquiry revealed that the only way is to go back towards Wai and cross over the bridge. We decided to do so but not before visiting the upstream dam at Balakwadi.
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| Dhom Dam |
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| Dhom Lake formed by Dam on Krishna River Banks of Dhom Lake |
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| Banks of Dhom Lake |
Balkawadi
Drive 10 Km further from Dhom to reach Balkawadi Village. Most of the road is constructed near banks of Krishna River. Every twist and turn brings its own beauty. Enjoy the drive as you pass through Daswadi, Mugaon, Malatpur, Ghavati, Borgaon and Vaygaon villages before reaching Balkawdi
It’s here a new dam - called Balkawadi Dhom Dam - is constructed. This is an upstream dam that you clearly see from Kates Point and Elephant Head or Needle Hole points in Mahableshwar.
Take a left from main road and drive steep road leading upwards to Balkawadi Dam. A makeshift barricade of stones prevents you to take your vehicle right on the dam. Park your vehicle and walk right over the dam to a breath taking view of clear water, magnificent mountains, valleys created by natural curve of water bodies. Look upwards and you’ll find the same Elephant Head or Needle Hole you visited in Mahabaleshwar.
On the edge of the dam a small trek takes you straight down to the silent water body spread on stone wall of the dam. Enjoy cool breeze passing over clear blue water and orange sand cutting an edge on mountain base.
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| Kal Bhairav Temple |
On your way back, do not forget to visit Kal Bhairav Temple situated a little uphill of the road approaching the dam.
Wai
Wai town is situated on banks of Krishna River and surrounded by mountains of Sahyadri Range in Satara District of Maharashtra. The Takula is named after Wai town. It is termed as Dakshin Kashi and famous for Temples and Dam. Ganpati Temple, Kashi Vishveshwar Temple, Menavali Ghat, Dhom Dam and Balakwadi Dhom Dam etc. are a few of the places to visit.
Mountains and Ghats turns green that would mesmerise and take you to other world. Even locals vouch for that and invite you to visit Wai during monsoon. Winter is also a good season to visit too.
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| Kashi Vishweshwar Temple - Wai |
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| Kashi Vishweshwar Temple - Wai |
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| Ganpati Temple - Wai |
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| Kashi Vishweshwar Temple - Wai |
Menavali Ghat
Menavali village is a small village in Menavali Ghat. It is famous for ancient Wada. Wada is a term used in Maharashtra for large residential structure.
The Nana Phadnavis Wada is one of the famous wada. It’s a large residential structure in Menavali Village with two temples built on a huge piece of land right on Krishna River.
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| Nana Phadanvis Wada |
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| Pandavgarh seen in backdrop of Nana Phadavnis Wada |
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| Wada - Inside |
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| Wada - First Floor |
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| Wada – Inside Courtyard |
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| Wada - Wall Painting |
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| Wada - Backside |
Back side of Phadanvis Wada has descending stone steps leading to temples; one temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and another to Lord Shiva (Meneshwar (मेणेश्वर)).
Standing here, one can see Pandavgarh at a distance.
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| Temples - Backyard of Nana Phadanvis Wada |
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| Temple - Backyard of Nana Phadanvis Wada |
Sizeable portion of film Swades (Shahrukh Khan, Gayatri Joshi) and Bol Bachhan (Abhishek Bachhan, Aajy Devgan) depicting these temples are shot here.
Other movies shot here include Yudh (Jackie Shroff/Tina Munim), Mrutyudand (Madhuri Dixit), Goonj Uthi Shahnai, Jis Desh Me Ganga Rahata Hai (Govinda), GangaJal (Ajay Devgan)
Dhom Village
Narsinh Siddheshwar Temple and Dhom Dam
Finally, we arrive at other side of Dhom Dam on Krishna River. It’s the same place we wanted to visit by crossing over dam but could not due to security restrictions.
A very little known but magnificent Narsinh Siddheshwar Temple of Lord Shiva made of black stone is situated on base of the Dhom Dam.
Nandi, the bull, outside Shiva Temple is riding on a Tortoise inside a huge Lotus. Enter the temple and you would see exquisite door & door frame. Again one more tortoise carved out on the floor right at the door step. You need to climb down a few steps to offer prayer to Lord Shiva. Light passing through a high window illuminates the Lingam. Everything is made of back stone.
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| Narsinh Siddheshwar Temple |
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| Nandi on top of a Tortoise inside a Lotus |
We could climb up the dam and come face to face with another enchanting view. It was sunset time and cool breeze passing over still water body immediately freshen you up. We wanted to sit here and enjoy for eternity wishing these moments to freeze. Soon the darkness descends and we came to terms by realizing a long journey back to Bombay. Reluctantly we got up, back into our car and accelerated the gas paddle.
Wai is 40 Km from Satara, 95 Km from Pune and 240 Km from Mumbai. Wai is a major town on the way to the hill stations like Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani.
Dhom is a small town in Wai Taluka of Satara District. Dhom is 10 Km distance from Wai Town, 50 Km from Satara City, 105 Km away from Pune and 250 Km distance from Mumbai.
Balkawdi Village is 22 Km from Wai.
It is accessible by road from Satara, Pune and Mumbai (Bombay). From Mumbai, one can drive down Expressway to Pune. Drive further down on Pune-Bangalore Highway and take right from Surur to head straight towards Wai.
Where to Stay:
A few good hotels are available in and around Wai.
· Anandvan Holiday Homes
· Srushti Resort & Agri Tourism, Wai Bavdhan Road, Nr Bavdhan Spinning Mill
· Hotel Sania Residency, 41/c Siddhanath Wadi, Before Panchgani Ghat starts, Wai - Panchgani Road
It’s also very close to Panchgani, Satara and Pune. Some would like to stay at these places as an alternate.
Other Nearby Attractions and distance from Wai:
· Dhom Lake and Dhom Dam (5 Km)
· Balkawdi Dhom Dam in Balkawdi Village (22 Km)
· Ganpati Temple in Wai Town (0 Km)
· Kashi Vishweshwar Temple in Wai Town (0 Km)
· Menavali Ghat (6 Km)
· Nana Phadanvis Wada in Menavali Village (6 Km)
· Vishnu & Shiv (Meneshwar) Temple in Menavali Village (6 Km)
· Narsinh Siddheshwar Temple in Dhom Village (10 Km)
· Panchgini (12 Km)
· Mahabaleshwar (28 Km)
Nearby Cities
· Satara (40 Km)
· Pune (95 Km)
· Mumbai (24 Km)
· Sasvad (48 Km)
Nearby Talukas
· Wai (0 Km)
· Jawali (20 Km)
· Bhor (24 Km)
Nearby Districts
· Satara (40 Km)
· Pune (95 Km)
· Raigad (100 Km)
· Ratnagiri (139 Km)
Nearby Air Ports
· Lohegaon Airport , Pune
· Kolhapur Airport
· Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai
· Sholapur Airport
Nearby Rail Way Station
· Wathar Rail Way Station (30 Km)
· Palsi Rail Way Station (32 Km)
· Adarki Rail Way Station (33 Km)
· Jarandeshwar Rail Way Station (34 Km)
I want to visit again !!
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be a really nice place!! I will have to plan for a trip there...
ReplyDelete