Type: Roaming in wilderness ideal for Family visit
Near: Satara
Where: 120 Kms from Pune
When to vist: Sept to early Oct only
Time visited: Sept 2009, Oct 2010, Oct 2011
Time to see around: 2-3 hours
How to reach: Just before the tunnel near Ajinkyatara theres a road to right which goes all the way to Kaas Plateau. Theres probably a State Transport bus too. Check on Satara ST stand for details.
What to carry: Water bottle, cap and some food items.
Warnings: Reach very early AM to avoid traffic jams. Police will fine you if you pluck flowers or try to wander in flowering areas or are found destroying the flowers. Avoid walking in the flowers.
After visiting Thoseghar-Chalkewadi we came back to the Tunnel and started for Kaas. The road gradually climbs up and entire view of satara city can be seen from above. Due to lack of time we postponed visit to Yawateshwar, the famous and old shiv temple which is about 5Kms.
The road goes across several hilltops with suru and other tall trees on both sides of the road.
The picturesque environment enthralls you with the calm blue backwaters far below on both sides, clearly replicating the cloudy skies above and lush green mountains on the edge fading into the clouds beyond.
Around 15Kms from satara city, Kaas/Kas is a volcanic plateau where millions of tiny flowers bloom in late monsoons.
If you start walking on the right towards the cliff, it’s as if with every 20 feet the color of flowers changes.
On the cliff you will notice large white colored flowers popping out from the green shoots and dancing lazily on tunes of misty winds.
The windy misty fog playing hide and seek really adds to charm as you walk in silence of calm.
.
Nature studying groups mention that there are more than 100 varities of flowers that bloom during this season.
Updates for 2011: Had been slightly late this time. Again this year too there were more yellows. Harly any blue flowers. Visted the area on left side. There is beautiful lake.
See pictures with more closeups here...
Kaas Lake
15-20 kms further Kaas lake, on thes bank of shivsagar lake formed by koyna dam lies the sleepy village of Bamnoli. The dense forest and the smartly shining roads washed under showers of rain make the drive enchanting. Throughout the ghat you get to see amazing view of backwaters below.
Once you reach the village the breathtaking view of expanse of the lake that spreads for hundreds of square kilometers amazes you. Except of noise of hundreds of bats swinging on the high Nilgiri trees all you can hear is the few silent waves slapping on the shores.
A boat ride deep inside the lake would do wonders if you have time.There are 2-3 eateries out here but hardly offer anything to eat except Vadpav and Omlette. You will have to go back to Satara for food. Bamnoli has a great potential of becoming a tourist destination. But sadly with that there is always of risk of being spoilt with litter and garbage. The road continues further to Tapola which is 30 Kms from Bamnoli. Bamnoli and Tapola both are situated around backwaters of Koyna Dam. Bamnoli is called- New Mahabaleshwar and in true sense you would fall in luv with this facinating place!
This trip would indeed be mesmerizing and I would cherish forverer the verdant green hills and the mist laden lakes.
Sajjangad-Thoseghar-Chalakewadi
Near: Satara
Where: 120 Kms from Pune
When to vist: Sept to early Oct only
Time visited: Sept 2009, Oct 2010, Oct 2011
Time to see around: 2-3 hours
How to reach: Just before the tunnel near Ajinkyatara theres a road to right which goes all the way to Kaas Plateau. Theres probably a State Transport bus too. Check on Satara ST stand for details.
What to carry: Water bottle, cap and some food items.
Warnings: Reach very early AM to avoid traffic jams. Police will fine you if you pluck flowers or try to wander in flowering areas or are found destroying the flowers. Avoid walking in the flowers.
Kaas Plateau
After visiting Thoseghar-Chalkewadi we came back to the Tunnel and started for Kaas. The road gradually climbs up and entire view of satara city can be seen from above. Due to lack of time we postponed visit to Yawateshwar, the famous and old shiv temple which is about 5Kms.
The road goes across several hilltops with suru and other tall trees on both sides of the road.
The picturesque environment enthralls you with the calm blue backwaters far below on both sides, clearly replicating the cloudy skies above and lush green mountains on the edge fading into the clouds beyond.
Around 15Kms from satara city, Kaas/Kas is a volcanic plateau where millions of tiny flowers bloom in late monsoons.
While magenta-purple flowers forms the majority of the designer green carpet by the roadside, the beds of Blue, Lilac, broad petal yellow, tiny white flowers try to fight for thier own share in between.
If you start walking on the right towards the cliff, it’s as if with every 20 feet the color of flowers changes.
On the cliff you will notice large white colored flowers popping out from the green shoots and dancing lazily on tunes of misty winds.
The windy misty fog playing hide and seek really adds to charm as you walk in silence of calm.
.
Nature studying groups mention that there are more than 100 varities of flowers that bloom during this season.
Updates for 2010: Last year it was so isolated that we had to go back and forth finding this place. Also since it was earIy september it was foggy. I was shocked to see a huge rush this year. I had been there on sunday in early October and at 10 AM there were close to 75-100 already cars parked and more and more mini vans and cars kept on coming! Hats off the to 8-10 police personnel who were managing the traffic on the small road and ensuring no body is disturbing the peaceful atmosphere. They were charging 200-500 rs fine too if you were found to pluck flowers. I could see sign boards at various places requesting people not to do photo shoots in flowerbeds or tramp/pluck the flowers. Could locate at least 2 Vadpav vendors inside... Last year we had seen a muddy trail going parallel to the tar road. It seemed this was pretty well built this year, although still muddy, where you could walk 2-3 kms ahead and keep on exploring the vast blooms. I could see more yellow flowers this year. Last year there were more magenta and whites. The tranquility still prevailed in the hot sorching sun...
Updates for 2011: Had been slightly late this time. Again this year too there were more yellows. Harly any blue flowers. Visted the area on left side. There is beautiful lake.
See pictures with more closeups here...
Kaas Lake
As you driving down the curves climbing down from Kaas Plateau you see a sign on left saying - Kas Talav. It is a natural tranquil Kaas lake surrounded by dense forests. To the left of the lake lies Sajjangad fort and Kanher Dam is to the right. You can park you car on the roadside and a 5 minutes trail leads you to the edge of the lake. It’s horizontally spread and is a more than 180 degree view. There are few rooms and huge shade nearby. Some of people had been cooking food over there and it seemed a popular picnic spot for day outing and large groups seemed to enjoy gatherings.
Bamnoli
Bamnoli
15-20 kms further Kaas lake, on thes bank of shivsagar lake formed by koyna dam lies the sleepy village of Bamnoli. The dense forest and the smartly shining roads washed under showers of rain make the drive enchanting. Throughout the ghat you get to see amazing view of backwaters below. 
Once you reach the village the breathtaking view of expanse of the lake that spreads for hundreds of square kilometers amazes you. Except of noise of hundreds of bats swinging on the high Nilgiri trees all you can hear is the few silent waves slapping on the shores. 
A boat ride deep inside the lake would do wonders if you have time.There are 2-3 eateries out here but hardly offer anything to eat except Vadpav and Omlette. You will have to go back to Satara for food. Bamnoli has a great potential of becoming a tourist destination. But sadly with that there is always of risk of being spoilt with litter and garbage. The road continues further to Tapola which is 30 Kms from Bamnoli. Bamnoli and Tapola both are situated around backwaters of Koyna Dam. Bamnoli is called- New Mahabaleshwar and in true sense you would fall in luv with this facinating place!
This trip would indeed be mesmerizing and I would cherish forverer the verdant green hills and the mist laden lakes.
Sajjangad-Thoseghar-Chalakewadi
- September 06, 2009
Thanks for sharing. I went there once and it was awsome.. wants to explore more.. I was writing about my trip http://travelexperienceblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/trip-trek-to-vasota-thick-forest-near.html when i found your post.. thanks
ReplyDeleteLovely...... After reading this we have packed our things for a trip tomorrow !!
ReplyDelete