October 24, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.395: Babington Point, Mahabaleshwar. Jungle Point.

Babington Point used to be a beautiful view point, and I remember walking up to it and enjoying the beautiful view of Koyna Valley from here many years back, but not anymore. The view was obstructed by overgrown trees and bushes and we could see nothing of the valley below. Even the beautiful garden in the centre was overgrown and unkempt, and looked more like a jungle.

This place gets very few visitors. Located only about 2.5 km from the Mahabaleshwar market, it is at best a walking destination to visit on an early morning or evening walk. The green cover is very good and the area has got an aura of peace and serenity about it.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 23, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.394: Vidyashankar Temple, Sringeri. Beautiful Temple With Intricate Carvings.

This temple is one of the main temples in Sringeri Mutt, which was founded by Adi Shankaracharya. It is on the left side of Sri Sharadamba temple besides the River Tungha, and has very beautiful stone carvings and sculptures all around it. It is dedicated to the 10th Jagadguru of Sringeri, Sri Vidyashankar, and was built in the year 1338 AD.

The temple is so constructed that the morning rays of the sun falls on the pillar representing the relevant zodiac sign for the month, for that entire month. There are 12 such pillars corresponding to the 12 zodiac signs and the phenomenon speaks volumes of the architectural mastery

Darshan timings of this temple is from 7 am to 1 pm, and evening 5 pm to 8.30 pm. Devotees can also partake in the free meals offered at the Prasadalaya from 12.15 pm to 2.30 pm (lunch), and from 7.15 pm to 8.30 pm (dinner).

The Vidyashankar temple is definitely a beautiful temple and worth a visit if you are touring in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 22, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.393: Saayali Restaurant, Mahabaleshwar. Gujarathi Thali Buffet Meal.

We had dined at Saayali earlier and tried out their ala-carte dishes which we had enjoyed. This time we decided to have their vegetarian Gujarathi Thali which they serve in the main dining hall in Shreyas Hotel itself. The parking lot is common for both the restaurant and hotel.

The pricing of the thali was a bit confusing. They charge ₹350 for the thali, irrespective of whether it is a limited or unlimited thali. Then the manager clarified that the limited thali can be shared by two persons, whereas the unlimited thali is meant for only one person, but he can eat as much as he wants. In the limited thali, additional servings of any item would be charged extra. We decided to go for the limited edition and found it to be quite sufficient for the two of us, both senior citizens.

The home style vegetarian food was very tasty and healthy. For starters they served mix pakoras and a tumbler of chaas. For mains there was paneer masala, tendli dry and aloo rasswala, along with masoor kathol, dal fry and sweet Gujarathi dal. There were four chapattis, papad, salad, pickle and steamed rice, followed by a very sweet gulab jamun.

We enjoyed the traditional style Gujarathi thali. People with large appetites should go for the unlimited version of the thali. Non vegetarian food can be had at the stand alone Saayali next door, in the same compound.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 19, 2018

My TriAdvisor Review No.392: Fasal Farm To Thali. Best Thali Meal.

‘Fasal Farm To Thali’ is the speciality restaurant in ‘Saj On The Mountain’ resort, which is located about 7 km before Mahabaleshwar, on the Panchgani Mahabaleshwar Road. They serve an excellent Gujarati Thali buffet meal, only at lunchtime, between 12.30 to 3 pm.

We were staying at the resort and had a very good meal in which they started with mini samosa and paneer cheese rolls, green salad, pickle, papad and chutney. This was followed by bhindi bhaji and a mix vegetable dish and paneer Lahori, two dals, masala puris, phulka rotis, steam rice, tomato rice and two sweet dishes, sevai kheer and chum-chum. Initial servings are small, but we could ask for a refill of any item which we liked. We also had nice kullhad (cup) of masala chaas to drink.

Service was very good and there were about three or four waiters ready to fill up our empty katories, with the different items. Price is on the higher side if you are only here for lunch, but more affordable for us since we had joined the all-day dining plan. They have a different menu every day.

We enjoyed the meal and ate till we could hardly walk after the meal.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

My TripAdvisor Review No.391: Wok On Wheels, Mahabaleshwar. Good For Breakfast And Fast Food.

As the name implies ‘Wok On Wheels’ is a mobile food stall, stationed just opposite JK Motels on the Panchgani Mahabaleshwar Road just after Metgutad village.

On one of my morning walks I picked up a couple of wada-pavs, at ₹10 each, and tea in a thermos. They also serve Maska Pav, Misal Pav, Bhurji Pav, Maggi noodles. and Poha in the morning, and some Chinese dishes like Fried Rice and Hakka Noodles for lunch or dinner. They don’t provide tables and chairs as it is located on the main road, so you either gobble it standing there, or carry a parcel.

The food is freshly prepared and very cheap compared to the regular restaurants.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 18, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.390: Garden Ice Cream Restaurant, Mahabaleshwar. Not Only Ice Creams.

Garden Ice Cream Restaurant is located near Lingmala, about 2 km before Mahabaleshwar on the Panchgani Road. It has very picturesque surroundings with strawberry gardens and the Venna River on the other side.

This was the second time we stopped here, once before for their corn patties and this time for their strawberry ice cream, with preserved strawberries picked from their own farms. We enjoyed both the items, and were surprised to learn that they serve regular meals and snacks as well, both veg and non veg. The owner Mr. Kasam even offered to prepare Chicken Dum Biryani for us for dinner, made to order, if we could muster up a group of about 5 or 6 biryani lovers.

It is a good place to stop for a quick snack, ice-cream, milk shake or even a regular meal.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 17, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.389: Delight Foods, Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani Road. Good Food, Good Ambience.

We stopped at Delight Foods, next to JK Motels in Metgutad, about 8 km before reaching Mahabaleshwar, to have lunch. The restaurant looked attractive from outside with good ambience, and two colourful model elephants to welcome us. There is sufficient parking space besides the restaurant, even though it is on the main Panchgani Mahabaleshwar road. The restaurant was neat and clean and the service was courteous. They serve veg as well as non-veg food. Though it was around 12 noon and a bit early for lunch, we were welcomed in.

We ordered ‘Dingri Mutter Do Pyaza’ (Mushroom Peas in Onion gravy) and Tawa Chapattis. As tandoor was not working they could not serve roti or naan. The vegetable dish was quite tasty, though a bit oily, and the chappattis were hot and fresh. We finished the meal with vegetable raitha. Prices were reasonable.

This restaurant is a good place to stop on the way to Mahabaleshwar from Panchgani or vice versa. Maybe next time we will try out their non vegetarian dishes.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 16, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.388: Atibaleshwar Temple, Mahabaleshwar. Small Shiva Temple at Old Mahabaleshwar.

This is a small Shiva temple which is often overlooked by most tourists who visit the temple complex at Old Mahabaleshwar. As we walked up to the Panchganga Temple, where the five rivers originate, the Atibaleshwar temple was on the left hand side, about 200 metres before reaching the Panchgaga mandir. We saw that there was a narrow passageway between the wayside shops and then there was a large Nandi bull at the entrance to this temple. The main Mahabaleshwar temple is on the right hand side. Both these temples were supposed to have been originally built 2500 years ago, but the Atibaleshwar temple still has the original structure.

According to the ancient legend there were two demons, Mahabal and Atibal, who were killed by Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu respectively. Both the demons requested that they be immortalised by building temples commemorating them and hence these two temples came into being.

However, most of the devotees who visit the temple complex skip the Atibaleshwar temple with the beautiful Nandi bull. Hence one gets a feel of peace and calm on visiting this temple and can worship the deity at their own pace without any hurry.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 15, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.387: Lingmala Falls, Panchgani. Beautiful Waterfalls Between Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar.

The beautiful Lingmala waterfalls, which is hidden away between two hills, is about 16 km from Panchgani, and about 7 km before you reach Mahabaleshwar. There is a sharp left U-turn about 1 km from Saj Mountain Resort leading to the falls, through Lingmala village. It can also be accessed from the Satara Mahabaleshwar Road, but the road is one-way, being very narrow and winding through dense forest. Entry is from Panchgani side and exit from Satara side. You can park your vehicle outside the Forest Office (Satara Van Vibhag) and buy your ticket (₹20) to enter the ‘Lingmala Nature Trail’. Gates are open from 8 am to 5.30 pm, parking is free.

The falls start at the head of the Venna Valley, with water overflowing from the Venna Lake. There is paved track, which is very well maintained by the Satara Van Vibhag (Forest Department), leading down to the falls. There are benches to sit and rest for a while, if you get tired climbing back.

There are two parts of the falls. The left track leads to the minor falls nearby, where the falling water forms a pool where one can take a dip. Be careful of the underwater rocks, though. The right track leads to the view point, about a 10 minutes uphill walk, from where one can view the main falls as it plunges about 500 feet down into the Venna valley below, forming the Venna River.

The Lingmala Falls are best visited after the start of the monsoons and between July to October. Then one can see and feel the force of nature in all its glory. During the summer months the flow reduces to a trickle, but one can still enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool formed near the minor falls.

The falls can also be seen from a distance if you do not have the time to spare (about an hour and a half) to walk down, and back up, the Lingmala Nature Trail. About 8 km from Mahabaleshwar, get down at Metgutad village and walk down to the edge of the ridge about 500 metres. You will get a long shot view of the main waterfall showering down into the valley below.

However, even at other times of the year it is a good place to visit, just to experience the walk through the forests on the Lingmala Nature Trail. We saw monkeys, squirrels, bulbuls, sunbirds, butterflies and other small creatures while walking down the trail. If you are lucky you may see the Giant Malabar squirrel which is quite common in Mahabaleshwar.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 14, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.386: Babbington Point, Mahabaleshwar. More of a Picnic Spot Than a View Point.

We went for the view but were sorely disappointed. The view was obstructed by overgrown trees and bushes and we could see nothing of the valley below. Even the beautiful garden in the centre was overgrown and unkempt.

This place gets very few visitors, but we saw some senior citizens enjoying a picnic with their beer and picnic baskets. It is also a good place for a long walk if you are putting up nearby on the Tapola Road and up to the market, since it is only about 2.5 km from the Mahabaleshwar market. The green cover is very good and the area has got an aura of peace and serenity about it.

Babbington Point used to be a very good point, and I remember walking up to it and enjoying the beautiful view of Koyna Valley from here many years back, but not anymore. The Mahabaleshwar Hill Council needs to clean up their act and at least maintain the little garden at the centre so that it becomes more attractive to the tourists.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 13, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.385: Parsi Point, Panchgani. Good View of Krishna Valley.

Parsi Point is en route from Panchgani to Mahabaleshwar, just 2 km after Panchgani town ST Stand. We stopped here for some time to admire the lovely scenery of the Krishna River and Dhom Dam below in the Krishna Valley. There was a carpet of greenery and some light purple flowers all the way down the hillside amidst the eucalyptus and silver oak trees.

We parked at the side of the road itself and paid a nominal parking fee. One has to be careful as there is a lot of high speed traffic to and from Mahabaleshwar. There are many stalls serving snacks like wada-pao and pakoras, as well as tea, coffee and cold drinks. One can simply enjoy the beautiful scenery of the valley, or gaze through a telescope for a small fee. The keeper of the telescope will give you a virtual guided tour of temples and houses in the villages below or on the hills on the other side. One can easily see the Kamalgad Fort on the opposite hillside.

It is worthwhile to stop here for a while, relax on one of the benches, and enjoy the scenery and the strong breeze which tries to blow you away.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 12, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.384: Saj On the Mountain, Mahabaleshwar. Good Self Contained Resort For Vegetarian Foodies.

Saj On The Mountain has recently become affiliated with Club Mahindra Holidays. It is located about 1 km after Metgutad village on the Panchgani Mahabaleshwar Road, and about 7 km before entering Mahabaleshwar hill station market.

We stayed here recently for 4 days and found it to be a decent place to have a relaxed vacation. The check in was quick and we were given a choice between two rooms. I must say that there is a wide disparity between the type of rooms, though all of them are reasonably well furnished and have all the basic amenities for a luxurious stay. The main difference is in the kind of sit-outs they offer. The first room we saw had a stone bench between two rows of rooms, while the second one had a small enclosure with a swinging sofa under the trees. Needless to say we chose the latter. Some other rooms did not have any sit-out, while the first floor rooms had a small private balcony.

The main attraction was the good variety of vegetarian food available, though the fare was priced on the high side. There was buffet as well as ala-carte. Breakfast was the best with a variety of fresh fruit, sprouts, idli, dosa, wada, puri bhaji, paratha, croissants, buns, toast, tea, coffee, milk shake and fruit juice available. At lunch we were served a sumptuous Gujarati Thali which was very delicious and filling. Dinner buffet again had a lot of variety, starting with a choice of soups, salads, pickles, North Indian vegetables, curries, dals, breads and a selection of Continental and Oriental dishes as well. Breakfast and dinner was served in the open ‘Wilson’s Café’ at the poolside, and for lunch we had to dine at the restaurant ‘Fasal’ for the thali meal. There was a separate bar for drinks and mocktails named ‘Darwin’.

For recreation there was the ‘Fun Zone’ for kids, a badminton court, a swimming pool, a play pen for toddlers, and watch towers in the gardens below the parking lot. Swimming pool was closed on one of the days for cleaning. The parking lot could accommodate about 12 cars with additional space near the main road.

The service was very good with House Keeping inquiring to find out the most convenient times to clean our room every day. Restaurant service was excellent as well. Though it is best to go by your own car from Pune or Mumbai, taxis for sight-seeing the points in Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani can be easily arranged by the travel desk.

All in all we had a very relaxed holiday and would not mind visiting again.
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Room Tip: Ask for a room with a good sit-out if you enjoy the open fresh air of the hill station.
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  • Stayed: September 2018, travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 11, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.383: Bhadra River Project Dam. Majestic Dam on the River Bhadra.

Bhadra Dam is situated on the River Bhadra very near to the towns of Bhadravati and Shimoga. It is located just off the National Highway No. 206 (Chittoor to Honnavar via Shimoga). We took a left turn off this highway after passing Tarikere, when we were driving from Bangalore to Goa. We passed the Bhadra Tiger Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary at Lakkavalli, where the Jungle Lodges and Resorts have a nice resort called the River Tern Lodge.

We stopped for a while to admire the imposing structure of the dam, but did not venture further as it was around midday and quite warm and sunny at that time. We crossed the bridge over the Bhadra River, which is known to be a habitat for the marsh crocodile and monitor lizards.

The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary nearby has rich flora and fauna, and it would be worth stopping for a day or two at the River Tern Lodge for a safari and a boat ride in the Bhadra Reservoir.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 9, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.382: Gajanur Dam, Shimoga. Nice Picnic Spot.

Gajanur Dam is a nice picnic spot for the local people of Shimoga. It is located about 12 km from the city, on the Mangalore highway. The dam is constructed on the Tunga River and is visible from the highway, but the entry to the dam is restricted only up to the dam walkway. The dam is surrounded by lot of green fields and plantations.

We had to pay parking charges of ₹20 in the parking lot outside the gates. We entered the dam premises and walked to the parapet wall to see a vast expanse of water stretching across to the edges of the fields. Some water was being released into the canal, but it was not a very strong flow. We loitered around in the shade of the small garden near the office building inside the gates, and had our picnic lunch there.

The dam is about 1 km from the Sakrebailu Elephant Camp. Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is another 16 km ahead of the dam, and one can combine these three attractions near Shimoga for a full day outing. The Shimoga Lion Safari Park, on the road to Sagar, can also be included in the full day itinerary, but the latter is closed on Tuesdays.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 8, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.381: Kundadri Hill, Thirthahalli, near Agumbe. Hilltop Near Agumbe, Good for Trekking.

After a visit to the Sringeri Mutt and the Sirimane waterfalls we drove up to the Kundadri Hill. The hilltop is a 28 km drive from Sringeri. We had to take a right turn about 10 km before Agumbe to climb up a very steep and narrow gradient to the top. The ghat road will test your driving skills as there are many dangerous hairpin bends, and the road is not in a good condition. A 4-wheel drive or SUV will make the steep climb easier. On our return we took a different route to Thirthahalli, which was a 36 km drive from the hill.

The hilltop is at a height of about 826 metres above sea level, with the dense forests of the Western Ghats all around. Agumbe is known to be one of the wettest places in the Indian peninsula, and the dense vegetation here is testimony to this fact. There is a 17th century Jain temple located on the hilltop, whose main deity is Parshwanatha, the 23rd tirthankar. Two small ponds formed by the rocks on one side provide water to the temple, and the pilgrims.

The view from the hilltop is indeed awe inspiring, especially if you visit early morning or in the evening to watch the sunrise or sunset. During the monsoons the low hanging clouds can make the scene look even more mesmerising. A trek to the hilltop from the base is an excellent alternative way of visiting the hill for the enthusiastic trekker. One has to be careful during the monsoon because it may be slippery, and there may be leeches along the way.

Very few tourists visit the hilltop due to its relative inaccessibility. Hence there are no restaurants or refreshment stalls, so do carry your own snacks and drinks.

Kundadri is a good destination to visit for the devout Jains, or if you want to admire the resplendent beauty of the Western Ghats, along with a bit of adventure to reach the top.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

My TripAdvisor Review No.380; Sirimane Falls, Sringeri, Karnataka. Superb Waterfalls Near Sringeri.

This is simply a ‘Must Visit’ place just 15 km from the Sringeri Mutt parking lot. If you have come to Sringeri in your own transport then do not miss visiting this beauty spot of nature, after your darshan of the Sringeri temples. We took the road to Kigga village which is about 10 km from Sringeri, and then drove another 5 km through the lush greenery and narrow road to reach the falls. There is a pay-and -park and a public washroom with a few small refreshment stalls in a small clearing in the forest.

We had to pay a token entry fee of ₹10 per head and then walk down a flight of steps for about 5 minutes till we reached the falls. We could hear the gush of the water much before we saw the beautiful spectacle of the water hitting the rocks with much force and fury. Even though the height of the falls in not much, probably only about 200 feet or so, but the energy and spray was so strong that it took our breath away. We saw a crowd of about 20 grown ups and kids enjoying the forceful shower with ecstatic shrieks and shouts. There are a few changing rooms, and a small watch tower from where we took some snaps.

The entry to the falls is open from 8 am to 6 pm, and the best time to visit is from September to February, immediately after the monsoons. It may be too dangerous to visit during heavy rains from July to August.

Compared to the much bigger Jog Falls, which can be admired only from a distance, or after an arduous trek to the bottom more than 800 feet, Sirimane Falls is much more accessible and enjoyable. Do come prepared with a change of clothes because you will definitely feel like jumping in for a shower when you see the tempting spray and mist of this magnificent display of nature.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC