My TripAdvisor Review No.146: Sutarwadi Lake, Kolad, Raigad District.

“Beautiful Lake surrounded by Green Hills.”

Reviewed 3 days agoNEW

Sutarwadi Lake and Dam is a calm and serene water body ringed by emerald green hills of the Sahyadris all around it. It is located in the village of Kolad in the Konkan region of Maharashtra.

There are a number of farms and resorts surrounding the Sutarwadi Lake. One can stay at one of these resorts for a few days and enjoy a quiet getaway from the city life, observing the bird life and serenity around the lake.

The Kundalika River, famous for white water rafting expeditions and camps, is nearby. One can combine the adrenaline rush of white water rafting with a soothing stay next to the Sutarwadi Lake.

The best time to visit Kolad is during the monsoons, between July and September.

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Visited July 2015

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My TripAdvisor Review No.139: Tamhini Falls, District Raigad, Maharashtra.

“Nature's Beauties.”

Reviewed 30 October 2015 NEW

The waterfalls of Tamhini Ghat are a sight to behold during the monsoon season, between July and September. Being a hilly region the rain water trickles down from the top of the mountains in the Sahyadri Hills (Western Ghats of Maharashtra) forming huge waterfalls as the streams cascade down the slopes towards the plains of the Konkan region.

A lot of weekenders from Pune and nearby suburbs drive to Tamhini to enjoy these beauties of nature in the rainy season. To avoid the crowds it may be better to visit the falls on a weekday. The two lane road is good in parts, but patchy and pot-holed in some sections.

Tamhini Ghat is a 50 to 60 km drive from Pune, and may take about an hour or two depending on the traffic. You have to follow the Paud Road route from Chandni Chowk in Pune. After passing Pirangut and Paud villages you will come to the Mulshi Lake. Travel further down the ghat to reach the Tamhini Ghat. Soon you will start seeing small waterfalls trickling down the hillsides. There are many small eateries along the way where you can stop for a snack and a cup of coffee. About 15 km after Mulshi Lake where the road takes a bend there is a small natural platform which forms a kind of look-out point from where you get an amazing 360 degree view of the hills with waterfalls all around you.

The falls were not gushing down due to less rain this year (2015), but they still looked refreshing after the recent rains.

If you carry on further down the road you will reach the ‘Orchard Resort’ where you can stop for a meal or overnight stay, or carry on towards Kolad or Mangaon towns on the Mumbai – Goa highway.

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Visited August 2015

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My TripAdvisor Review No.138: Shri Varad Vinayak, Mahd, Khopoli, Maharashtra.

“Talk to Lord Ganesh Yourself.”

Reviewed 30 October 2015 NEW

Shri Varad Vinayak Ganpati Temple is one of the eight Ashtavinayak Ganesh Temples in Maharashtra. For a pilgrim doing the complete conventional ‘yatra’ this temple would come 4th in the sequence.

This temple is located in the village of Mahd, near Khopoli on the old Mumbai – Pune Highway (NH4). It is not to be confused with the town of Mahad which is on the Mumbai – Goa Highway. Mahd is about 6 km from Khopoli, 63 km from Mumbai and 85 km from Pune. One can exit at Khalapur if travelling via the Mumbai – Pune Expressway.

What is different about this temple is that a devotee can perform his own puja, and pay his respects to the Lord Ganesha himself. There was no rush or pushing from other pilgrims when we visited and we could pray in peace.

Visited July 2015

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My TripAdvisor Review No.121: Lord Suvarnaganesha Temple, Diveagar, District Raigad, Maharashtra.

“Golden Ganesh Idol not restored.”

Reviewed 17 September 2015NEW

The Lord Suvarna Ganesh temple is located at Diveagar village which is about 20 km from Shrivardhan. This temple was earlier famous for its golden Ganesh idol which was stolen a few years back. The thieves were nabbed but the idol had already been melted for its gold. It has still not been restored.

When we visited in August 2015 the temple was under renovation, but we were allowed to enter and pay our respects to the omnipresent Lord Ganesh. After all it is a question of faith, and we felt the presence of the Lord in the calm and serene surroundings. There was a stone idol of the deity instead of the original golden one.

Diveagar is a quaint, clean and peaceful fishing village, but is fast becoming a tourist destination for its beautiful beaches and natural rustic surroundings. Earlier the temple was the main attraction here.

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Visited August 2015

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My TripAdvisor Review No.120: Kondivali Beach, Shrivardan, Raigad District, Maharashtra.

“Virgin Beauty amongst Konkan Beaches.”

Reviewed 16 September 2015NEW

This beautiful beach is not in Shrivardhan town, but about 5 km north as you drive along the coastal road towards Diveagar. After passing Aravi village the road emerges on to this exquisite strip of golden sand and literally takes your breath away!

The road lined with casuarina trees, and the virgin beach run parallel to each other for almost 2 km. You have to stop and admire the natural beauty and click a few snaps. It is an excellent beach to take a long walk or relax for a while.

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Visited August 2015

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My TripAdvisor Review No.118: Lord Shiva Temple, Harihareshwar, Raigad District, Konkan, Maharashtra.

“Holy Shiva Temple by the Sea.”

Reviewed 11 September 2015NEW

This temple is beautifully located at the edge of the Arabian Sea at the southern end of Raigad district in Maharashtra. The temple and the beach together make Harihareshwar a must visit for the spiritually inclined tourist. It is 18 km from Shrivardhan town.

There is a narrow road leading to the temple entrance, and there is a parking lot about 100 metres before the temple gates. The road is lined with a row of shops and eateries. One can buy temple offerings and souvenirs from some of the shops.

The temple has a simple construction with a tiled roof. There are actually two small buildings, one housing the Kal Bhairav mandir, and the other is the main Shiva temple with the stone Shivling. One has to enter the Kal Bhairav temple first and then the Shiva temple.

After a visit to the temple many of the pilgrims do a ‘pradakshina’ or circumambulation of the temple which takes them around the hill at the base of which this temple is located. One has to climb the hill till they reach a cleft in the hill, known as ‘Ganesh Gully’. Then there are steps leading down to the sea and it is believed that there is a Ganesh idol about 30 feet below sea level which can be seen during low tides. The ‘pradakshina’ is a small adventure by itself, and a good way to get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful beach and landscape around the temple. However it is a bit risky to do it during the monsoons and high tides.

Do visit the 2 km long beach after a darshan of the temple. There is also a viewing platform near the temple if the weather is too rough to venture onto the beach. It is fascinating to watch the approaching storm clouds from here during the monsoons.

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Visited August 2015

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My TripAdvisor Review No.117: Harihareshwar Beach, Raigad District, Maharashtra.

“Two Beaches. Too Beautiful.”

Reviewed 10 September 2015NEW

Harihareshwar beach is about 18 km south of Shrivardhan town on the Konkan coast. It is actually two beaches divided by a hill in the centre. At the base of the hill is the famous Lord Shiva Temple from which this beach town gets its name.

The north beach next to the temple is a long straight stretch of blackish sand for about 2 km. This part is more crowded with stalls and activities like quad biking and pony buggy rides. You may see some holiday makers venturing for a swim into the sea, but it’s not very safe at low tide and especially during the monsoons. The temple end of the beach has a look out platform, and this end of the beach is rockier.

The L shaped south beach is more isolated and beautiful, but it is not safe to swim here too. In fact the authorities have put up a warning sign for swimmers to be wary of the rocks and quicksands. The MTDC Resort has direct access to the south beach.

Harihareshwar is a good place to visit for its temple and for long walks along the beautiful beach, but not for water sports or for a swim in the sea.

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Visited August 2015

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