Though we had visited Sewri in Mumbai for Flamingo watch, we missed the visit to Bhandup pumping station, where agencies offer boat ride through the lakes to get the better view of winged beauties. I had come across many of my friend's photographs which had been clicked on boat ride, and they couldn't be missed. Bhigwan in Pune Sholapur border also attracts Flamingos and immigrant birds from Dec to almost May. So when we planned our visit to Padharpur in Feb, we thought of connecting Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary. Its an hours drive from Dahigaon to reach Pune-Sholapur Highway and another 25km till you reach Kumbhargaon Flamingo Point. There are many agencies in Kumbhargaon who offer the bird watch service, we had booked with Agneepankh Flamingo Point. We had been coordinating with Mr. Sandeep Nagare, the owner of Agneepankh for the visit. But the phone network was really bad towards the end, however the localites easily guide you. Mr. Sandeep Nagare, owns a house there and offers home-stay option. There is enough parking near his house, and a member of Agneepankh took us to the lake. The boat ride is around 20 mins(to reach the bird), they take you to the deeper waters with motor boats and then row as you near the birds. The number of birds when we visited was really low, when compared to those we had seen in Sewri, and didn't spot a single Flamingo. Even the mangroves of Kalwa and Bhandup in Mumbai offer you with Flamingos during the season. We were really disappointed, but the only good thing was we were able to view them from near.
Herons
Seagulls
Storks and Gulls
Herons and a stork
A stork in flight
Just go with least expectation and you will be happy to find even few. Happy Birdwatching...
Bhigwan is 115km from Pune on Pune -Sholapur road. The drive from Bhigwan village to Kumbhargaon is another 15km.
The first temple you encounter as soon as you enter the first fort of Vidhyagiri hill is Odegal Basadi. Odegal meaning support stones, the temple stands completely with the support of the stones arranged at an angle to the raised temple platform. Its a great architectural marvel, to construct a temple of its kind decades back.
The temple said be built in 10th century by Chamundaraya, is a thrikuta basadi, with three sanctums dedicated to Adhinatha, Shanthinatha and Neminatha Thirthankara. Like in any Hoysala temple, the mahamadapa which houses the three sanctum has a raised circular platform at the centre with pillars around. These circular platforms in Hoysala temples were used by Shantala, queen of Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana to dance with devotion in front of the lord.
Check our the complete Mahamasthakabhisheka Series here.
Had been busy with festive celebrations and our vacation to Bangalore-Mysore-Chennai-Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry. So was my blog neglected since last few months. Am back with one of my favourite posts of a wonderful trip to Kaas.
Kaas Plateau was in my visit list since couple of years, and finally we made it this Sept. Known as the Valley of Flowers of Maharashtra for the wild flowers that bloom during Sept and Oct every year, this plateau in western ghat became a part of UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in 2012 and over the years the visitor count has been growing.
The pic was clicked sitting on the rocks, no flowers or sapling were spoiled while clicking the pic..
Kaas Plateau in Satara District is around 135km from Pune, we wanted to plan a day trip along with Thoseghar Falls and Sajjangadh Fort, but a delayed start and with few break downs, we were on Mumbai - Bangalore highway by 10. We had booked online for the entry to the plateau which is under forest authority. It was 1-4PM slot and accordingly we planned to have lunch on the way and reach Kaas. We stopped at Vittal Kamat for lunch, the food is ok especially for Kamat group. Plateau is on the other side of Satara city, so you need to cross the city. The uphill starts just at the end of the city and its another 20km drive before you reach the plateau. The rout becomes heavy on traffic during peak, since we visited at the start we didn't get any traffic except after reaching the plateau. Even the stretch as soon as you reach the top of the hill is beautiful, with wonderful shades of green stretch. At the ticket counter you can show the online ticket and drive to parking area. Parking area is almost a km from the first entry gate and shuttle bus is available from parking to the plateau. Here are the beautiful flowered we got to see,
Suichi Bhaji - Dipcadi montanum
Nilima - Murdannia Simplex
Gulabi Terada - Impatiens oppositifolia
Seetechi Aasave - Utricularia Purpurascens
Gend - Eriocaulon sedgwickii
Gend - Eriocaulon sedgwickii
Undri - Linum mysurense
Chavar - Hitchenia caulina
Bud of Abhali - Cyanotis tuberosa
Lal Terda - Impatiens oppositifolia
Lal Terda - Impatiens oppositifolia
Hubby Posing at one of the lakes in the plateau
I lost my Cannon Mirrorless few months back and these were the pics I clicked with my Vivo V5S, I guess my phone too has done a good job, but missed by DSLR for these Macro shots. Its really disheartening to see visitors clicking pics laying on the flowers. Even though there are authority people and locals warning from spoiling the flowers and saplings, people are in their own world.
Few things to know before you visit Kaas,
1. Book your entry online on their website here, Morning and evening slots are pleasant, even afternoon slot are ok if it drizzles.
2. The stretch of flowers changes over the 2 months, you can buy this book Flowers of Kaas Plateau which gives you detailed information on the flowers which bloom over the 2 months along with their botanical names. Our visit was too early as per authority and were told the blooms are at their best during early Oct.
3. The vehicle parking place is almost a km from the plateau entry and there are shuttle buses which play between the plateau and parking, don't hesitate to ask for lift if you find anybody driving empty from parking.
4. Be hydrated and light as you need to walk around a bit and there are no food stalls to serve any snacks or even water in the plateau.
5. Carry rain jackets or umbrella, as its at its best in monsoon and can start pouring anytime.
6. Wear walking shoes with enough grip as the plateau becomes too slippery even with slight drizzle.
7. Lastly be a responsible traveller to walk only on the pathway or rocks and not to spoil the beauty, the place offers.
