Plato point and Kings chair, Mahabaleshwar

Date: 27th Dec 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None.

Distance: 800 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: Small snack available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Kate point, Arthur Seat, Hunting point, Lingamala waterfalls and many more.

The trek to the plato point or the kings chair starts from the Ganesh temple on satara-mahabaleshwar road. The hike is through the forest and it is around a km, took us 20 min. We hired a guide from the temple for Rs 50. The view from the plato point was breathtaking with the trees looking like green carpet. A rock was formed naturally looking like a small chair and thus named kings chair. Our guide said King Shivaji used to rest on the stone while traveling from satara and was named Kings chair.

Few pics from the place.

Yet another view point in Mahabaleshwar, however the view from this place is much more beautiful that some other view points.

Lingamala Waterfalls (Mini), Mahabaleshwar

Date: 27th Dec 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 15.

Timing:  8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Distance: 805 Kms one way.

Parking: Available.

Food: Small snack available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Kate point, Arthur Seat, Hunting point, Lodwicks point and many more.

The lingamala waterfalls is another tourist attraction in Mahabaleshwar. There was two falls one mini waterfalls about 1.5 kms from the gate and main waterfall around 2.5 Kms from the gate. The as name suggest mini waterfall is very small but it forms a nice pool where one can play. The main waterfall is around a km from mini falls. We cannot get near the main waterfall and we did not go there. We spent sometime in the pool. The water was clean, very cold and refreshing. We spotted a giant Indian squirrel, the state animal of Maharashtra.

Few pics from the falls.

There were lot of steps and was tiring but it was worth the effort.

Lodwick Point, Mahabaleshwar

Date: 27th Dec 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None.

Distance: 810 Kms one way.

Parking: Available.

Food: Small snack available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Kate point, Arthur Seat, Hunting point, Lingamala waterfalls and many more.

Lodwick point is one of the many view points in Mahabaleshwar. The place was named after British general who reached the point after roaming through the dense forest in 1824. He was the first European to set foot in Mahabalaeshwar. The pillar was erected by his son R.W Lodwick in 1874.
The place was about half a km walk from the parking.

View of elephant head point.

The pillar was struck down by lighting in 1973. It was later reinstalled by mahabaleshwar hotels association in 1995.

Strawberries of mahabaleshwar.

We were here.

One of the many view points that are located in Mahabaleshwar hills.

Activities in Panchgani

Date: 26th Dec 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 200 per person for zorbball and Rs 200 per person for quad bike.

Timing:  None. Best time 9 AM to 5 PM.

Distance: 800 Kms one way.

Parking: Available.

Food: Small snacks available.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby:

We left Amboli and drove to our next destination Mahabaleshwar. We reached satara earlier than planned so decided to take panchagani route. Table Land is a famous tourist destinations and the highest point in Panchgani. This is believed to be Asia’s second longest mountain plateau. We had read about paragliding from the table land in Panchagani. However the paragliding activity is stopped and it doesnt happen there anymore. We tried couple of activities available there. Harsh wanted to try zorb ball but since his height less than minimum he could not play that. We both then tried quad bike. There was also few other activities for kids like balloon shooting, camel ride etc.

Few pics from the visit.

The amazing view from the top can be better enjoyed if visited early morning or late evening. 

Sunset Point, Amboli

Date: 25th Dec 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None.

Distance: 600 Kms one way.

Parking: Roadside.

Food: None nearby.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Mahadevgad point.

We saw the sunset point board near the Amboli waterfalls on our way to the MTDC resort. After visiting Hiranyakeshi temple we decided to go to sunset point. On the way to the point we saw another spot near the resort where we could get a good view of the sunset. We went back and parked the car in hotel and reached the sunset point by walk.

Few pics of sunset in Amboli.

Before the sunset point we visited the Shirgaonkar point, it was the view of the forest from the top. Parikshit point was closed. We saw there was very less water in Amboli waterfall so we skipped nangarta waterfalls as well. On the way back to room we visited Datta mandir.  

Hiranyakeshi Temple, Amboli

Date: 25th Dec 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: Parking Rs 20.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Distance: 600 Kms one way.

Parking: Available.

Food: None nearby.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Mahadevgad point.

Hiranyakeshi temple is located around 6 Kms from the MTDC resort. The temple is where the Hiranyakeshi river originates. The source of the river is somewhere inside the cave of the temple. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvathi. Hiranyakeshi meaning the one with golden hair refers to goddess in the temple. The temple is around a Km walk from the car parking. The temple was open but there was no priest. There was way to enter the cave but we did not check it out. The water flows out of the cave into a small pond in front of the temple from where it flows as Hiranyakeshi river..

Few pics from the temple. 

The temple located amidst the serene environment is one of the important tourist attraction in Amboli.

Mahadevgad Point, Amboli

Date: 25th Dec 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: Rs 20.

Timing:  Sunrise to Sunset.

Distance: 600 Kms one way.

Parking: Available.

Food: None nearby.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Hiranyakeshi Temple

The Mahadevgad point is located around 3 Kms from the Green Valley resort. A narrow road on the left of sawantwadi road lead to the view point. A fort was supposedly located there but now not even the ruins can be seen. We went there around 3:20 PM and no one was there except couple of police guards resting under the shades.

The fort was built by Fond Sawant II also known as Anasaheb. The fort is no more there, the walls have fallen and the ground inside turned into meadows.  Bhonsle Dynasty was established by Khem sawant I bhonsle in 1627. Khem savant I Bhonsle broke of with Bijapur sultanate in 1627 and ruled the sawantwadi state from 1627 to 1640. The mahadevgad fort was built by Phond Savant II Bhonsale who took over sawantwadi after the death of Khem Savant II Bhonsale in 1709. He built forts of hanumantgad at fukeri, narayangad at gole, narsinhgad at sonvade, bharatgad at masura, sidhagad at ovaliyen, nivty at kochren and mahadevgad at Amboli. Fond Sawant II ruled over sawantwadi from 1709 to 1738. The mahadevgad and narayangad fort was attacked and captured briefly by Jivaji Vishram once an administrator under Khem savant III. The fort was recaptured again by Khem in 1767.

Few pics from the visit.

A small climb down to the view point.

View of the valley.

Couple of pics clicked by Harsh with his new P&S.

We were here.

As in many hill station the view points are the main attraction in Amboli. Mahadevgad is one of the few view points. 

Polem Beach, Goa

Date: 24th Dec 2017

Visitors: Arun, Shilpi and Harsh

Fee: None.

Timing:  None but recommended Sunrise to Sunset.

Distance: 555 Kms one way.

Parking: Available.

Food: None nearby.

Photography: Allowed.

Other attractions nearby: Palolem Beach

Polem beach located in south goa was untouched by the tourist (yet). The beach is just few kms right after we cross the Karnataka border. We had booked our stay in Kamaxi beach resort. The resort was located right in front of the beach. Though the room was not great the view from the room and the food was awesome. We reached around noon so we decided to check out the palolem beach first. Palolem beach is located 25kms north of polem. The place was in sharp contrast with polem, it was crazily crowded. We were made park the car more than a km from the beach. We spent just 15 minutes there and decided to go back. We took an auto and reached car parking. We played in the water for about three hours. When the sun was about to set we got the camera to click some sunet pictures and thats when an accident happened. Couple of drops of water entered the camera. After few pics the there was a small burst and smell of some electronic component burning came out. First thing that came to my mind was it was only the second day of trip how will i take pics in other places. We opened the lens and left it in room. We had Chapathi, panner, jeera rice and dal. From that day Jeera rice and dal fry became one of the fixed dinner item for next eight days. Next day morning first thing i did was to check the camera and it did work. I still could not understand how after some component burns it can still work. Till today the camera is working fine, a big relief.

Few pics from the beach.

Next day morning we saw a fisherman bringing his boat and taking out his catch. He had caught very few fish and that too small.

Few tourist started come in after 5 PM else the beach was totally empty.

Nice clean beach. Though other beaches were crowded they too were relatively clean.

Last pic before the roasting.

You want to visit Goa that too in December and you want a beach all to yourself? This is the place to go.