Mahabaleshwar, Tapola 14/3/2009 to 15/3/2009

Places visited: Mahabaleshwar, Tapola
Date: 14/3/2009 to 15/3/2009
Purpose: Picnic.
Persons: Harshal, Juilee, Aai, Baba.

14/2/2009

I was planning something for aai-baba's marriage aniversary ( 12/3/2009 ) since long back. Juilee agreed on booking a trip to Mahabaleshwar. I booked MTDC family suit online. MTDC was the cheapest.

It was very hot till thursday. But on Friday, suddenly rains came and the atmosphere became very pleasent in Pune. We were expecting the same weather in Mahabaleshwar.

We started early in the morning 7:30 AM from Pune, took the Katraj-Bahyavalan marg and made my santro touch 100km/hr again after a long time. Today it completed 1 year of my ownership with santro automatic.

Khambatki ghat was very good. Automatic santro drives very well in ghat road. No gear shifting and no efforts.

After Shirval and Khandala(Pargav), there is one overbridge in Surul. Do not go on the bridge. Go from the sideway and turn to the right below the bridge.

On the Wai road, we took a hault below a tree. We had sabudana khichadi ( aai, babancha upas hota ), uncle chips and Mango Slice drink. The weather was very pleasent and cool. It was a perfect romantic mood. We then took Pasrani ghat and via pachgani, we arrived at Parsi point to see the beautiful valley view. We reached MTDC at 10:30 am. We have to pay pollution taxes at Pachgani and mahabaleshwar entrance.

The MTDC person, guided us to the suit and was very helpful and courtious. He also told us to fold the mirrors of santro, otherwise monkies would pick them up.

The family suit was very good, neat, clean and very huge and spacious. It has 1 hall, 2 bedrooms each with bathroom+comod. Bathrooms have electric water heaters. The weather then was cold and shivering. We washed hands and went to MTDC canteen for tea. We ordered 4 tea but as the tea was not hot enough, Baba asked them to take back 2 teas.

After that, we started for market. Market was 1.5 km away from MTDC. It is behind the S.T. stand. We parked the santro near Hotel Panorama and had hot tea. We took a walk on the road and purchased mapro sarbats, raspberries etc. Then we had lunch at Hotel Panorama. Kaju-Paneer masala was delicious. While returning back, we saw Makarand Deshpande. Hahahaha, I took photo with him. This was my first photo woth a filmstar.... :-D.

When we arrived and parked car in MTDC, suddenly a monkey arrived in front of the car and at the same time Juilee got down from the car. Tini makdala shukshuk kela, taar makdani tichyavaar zep ghetli, ti patkan gadit yeun basli. Then that money jumped on the front glass and climbed on the car. I was feeling like in Jurasic park where the dianasour jumps on to the car. After 10 minutes or so, many monkies came. After 5 minutes, we came out from car one by one and ran into the rooms. Then I came out again and took the luggage one by one in the room.

At room, we slept for a while and at 4:30 pm, we started for Venna lake. On the road we arrived at Lodwick point fata, so I decided to go to that poin first. We parked our car at Lodwick point. The point is 0.5 Km ahead of the parking. Mi and Juilee climbed on the horse "Shakuntala", while aai-Baba relaxed at the bench and enjoyed the view. The Shakuntala took Rs. 200 for two of us and took us to the Lodwick point. We did not go to Elephent head point, otherwise we would have to miss Venna lake. ( taxi takes Rs. 40 one way to Venna lake. )

Venna lake was a bit crowded. But as exams of all the schools were going on, the crowd was much less compared to the crowed we see in April and May. We took paddle boating. It was fun because of the clouds and nice atmosphere. We were paddling for around 1 hour. Then at the shore, when Aai was getting out of the boat, she could not balance herself and fell inside the boat. Baba got a bit angry. Mi and Juilee ate makyacha kanis. It was very tasty.

We then started to come back and found all the roads flooded with cars. It was because of some conference of Lion's Club. They booked many hotels and parked cars everywhere. Because of that many roads were blocked. After reaching home, we decided that me, Juilee and Aai go out for dinner. Baba wanted to have Ramfal only, as tyanna baher jevun upas sodayala aavdat nahi.

We went to the Market again to have dinner at Panorama, but because of those Lion's club members, there was no space for parking. I went into one bol and parked car there. One person from the hotel came and asked me not to park there as that was his place. So I requested him to let the car be there for 20 minutes. I lied him that I am searching for a room. He said that he does not have any room. So I told him that please see if a room can be made available, till then I will go in the market and come. Then we went to Panorama and ordered for parcel. After parcel was ready, I took the car and then we arrived at home. The dinner items were heavy and we could not finish them big aloo paratha and many poories.

15/3/2009:

The night was silent, but since 5:00 am, Monkies started jumping all over the roof and making big noises. I woke up at 7:00 and we all were ready by 8. We checked out and got strwberrys at the MTDC gate. Then we went to Bombay point. It was a nice green view of the valley. As it is a sunset point, there were only 4 of us at morning there. I enjoyed starwberries there also.

We again went to market and parked car near the ST stand. Tithe pan ek manus mhanala ki ithe car lavu naka. Mi mhanalo "Kay zala". Taar to manus mhala "mi tumhala sangun chuk ch keli". Mi mhanalo "Thik ahe" ani nighun gelo. We had breakfast in one gujrathi hotel.. upama and dosa and coffee. It was Rangapanchami and many local people were colored.

We then first went to Wilson point, which is near to market. This is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar. It was really nice point. But it was getting hot there. At 11:00 am, we started from Wilson point to Tapola. In between Tapola road, there is a Mohan Beer Shop, from where you can get a gorgeous view of Shivsagar talav. We took many photos there. On the way, we saw some strawberry farms, so we decided to stop at tem while coming back from Tapola. Tapola ghat was very difficult for manual cars, but I thank my automatic santro for making my life easiest. It was around 25 km ghat road. The ghat ends directly at Tapola - Shivsagar talav. As we did boating at Venna lake, I decided to relax below one and only tree there and enjoy stawberries. After amhi sgale kathavar panyat pay sodun baslo. Majja ali.

We were feeling hungey at 1:00 PM. Aai was not going to have lunch ( because of the ghat, I guess. ) Baba and Juilee took Daal-Rice and me took Misal-Paav at Hotel Sagar just near the Lake. Then we started and in Tapola ghat, stopped at one of the strawberry farm. We took 1KG starberries. We also went in the farm and plucked around more 0.5 kg of fresh sweet strawberries. It was a memorable experience. ( There was one more group, who wanted 14KG starberries. hahahaha ).

Juilee is very nice girl. She built confidence in my Aai to do some activites like climbing up a small hill, boating, panyat pay sodun basne, etc.

We arived back to Mahabaleshvar at 4:30 pm. People were enjoying Rangpanchami. We stopped at Bagicha Corner near Venna Lake and had a cool cool Strawberry with Cream. It was really awsome.

We took road to Pune. In kikvi, ( after shirval ), we stooped at Kamats and sipped coffee. Then arrived at pune at 7:00 PM. Lots of strawberries are now there at home. I am eating strawberries everyday.

Santro gave average 11kmpl.

Total travel was 290 Km.

Pune to MTDC was exactly 110 Km.

Expenses:

khambatki toll = Rs. 45
Vai toll = Rs. 14
Pachgani pollution tax = Rs. 30
Mahabaleshwar pollution tax = Rs. 30
Mahabaleshwar road passenger tax = Rs. 15 X 4 = Rs. 60
Strawberry while entrance = Rs. 30 la 2 vate
MTDC = Rs. 2200 + Rs 220 tax = Rs. 2420
( + Rs. 200 refundable deposit )
Chaha = Rs. 16
Chaha in panorama = Rs. 96
Mapro = Rs. 763
Ramfal = Rs. 30
Raspberry = Rs. 30
Jevan Panorama ( paratha + kaju-paneer masala ) = ( Mi and Juilee ) = Rs. 163
Dane + Futane = Rs. 75
colddrinks water bottles = approx Rs. 200
Venna lake parking = Rs. 10
Venna lake boating = Rs. 400
Makyacha kanis = Rs. 10 X 2 = Rs. 20
dinner at hotel panorama ( 1 onion uttapam = 60 + 1 puri bhaji = 80 + 1 aloo paratha = 45 Total = Rs. 185
Strawberry = Rs. 30
Tapola - shivsagar parking = Rs. 10
Jevan = Rs. 165
1.5 KG strawberry = Rs. 150
Starwberry = Rs. 30
bagicha corner = Rs. 70 X 4 = Rs. 280
Vai toll = Rs. 14
Coffee at Kamat = Rs. 60
khambatki toll = Rs. 45

Contacts:

Hotel Panorama, 28 M.G. Road. Phone = (02168)260404/260604
Bagicha Corner, near Venna lake, mhbswr 412806 ( Phone (02168)260894/260194 )
MTDC resort, near bombay/sunset point. Phone = (02168)260318

More information gathered from the internet:

Strawberries: Mahabaleshwar is synonymous with strawberries. There are many strawberry farms enroute to Panchgani. May - June is the general season for strawberries as they ripen at that time. Farm owners will invite you to feel the farm fresh berries and let you pluck strawberries from the bushes. Of course, you will be expected to buy strawberry milkshakes and ice creams from the farm. If you visit the farm early in the day, you can see farmers plucking and packing the strawberries.It is a highly perishable fruit and is packed in flat shallow containers -card board, bamboo and paper trays immediately after plucking. Mapro gardens on the way to Panchgani make delicious milk shakes and sandwiches. You can take a break at one of the strawberry farms when you are traveling towards Panchgani. If you are visiting off-season, strawberries will be missed.
Venna Lake is a major attraction at Mahabaleshwar. The boat rides are excellent and you can spend couple of hours just relaxing by the lake. It is unfortunate that boisterous crowd often spoil the ambience and litters the otherwise beautiful lake.
Wilson Point is the nearest to the market and the highest point in Mahabaleshwar. It is a vast bare rock with three observation towers erected at different spots. It is a major attraction for tourists as it offers a beautiful view of the sunrise. If Wilson point offers excellent sunrise view, Bombay point ( near MTDC ) is known for the spectacular view of the sunset.
You will come across Connaught peak and Hunter Point as you travel towards old Mahabaleshwar. Connaught Peak is the second highest peak of these hills. It offers a panoramic view of the Vena Lake and Krishna Valley. From here one can see Old Mahabaleshwar and Elphinston Point to the north; Pandavgad and Krishna Valley to the east.
Arthur's Point is Mahabaleshwar's most famous point overlooking the densely forested valley. It is at 1473 mtrs. and 13 kms. away from main market. Other great attraction at Mahabaleshwar is the Lodwick Point named after the first European to set foot on the Mahabaleshwar hills. A monument at the top of the promontory has been erected in his memory. Beyond Lodwick Point is the extreme end of the mountain range known as Elephant's Head. The cliff resembles an elephant’s head and is the most popular Mahabaleshwar photograph. Kate's point on the Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani road, is popular for its view of the Krishna Valley. Near Kate's point is the Echo Point, which, true to its name, echoes the words and is popular amongst children.
Old Mahabaleshwar : Old Mahabaleshwar has three important temples - Mahabal and Atibal and Panchaganga Temple. At Panchganga temple, five rivers originate - Koyna, Krishna , Venna, Savitri and Gayatri. It is very humbling to see modest origin (Cow's mouth) of mighty river Krishna - one of the longest rivers in India. It travels 1,300 Kms from Mahabaleshwar before it joins Bay of Bengal at Andhra Pradesh. Economically, Krishna is one of the most important rivers as its basin extends over 258,948 square Kilometers (nearly 8% of India). River Krishna has religious importance too, as Hindus believe that Krishna is Lord Vishnu himself and its tributaries Venna and Koyana are Shiva and Brahma.
Around Mahabaleshwar

Tapola near Mahabaleshwar
Tapola Lake : Dubbed Mini Kashmir, this lake 30 Kms from Mahabaleshwar has become very popular. This lake is part of Shivsagar (Dam across Koyana river). There are excellent boat ride options available at Tapola lake. This used to be relatively quieter earlier, but now Taplola lake attracts a fair amount of crowd. Maharashtra’s ST buses have special Tapola darshan trips in high season.