Overall, I think 2019 will definitely be a time of great experience and fulfillment. This is my first blog in 2019. Like every year, this year too I am going to visit a lot of places. But now I am going to visit forts, with my sweet baby, "Swanandi". I will bring all the fun, good and bad experiences of my journey to you through this blog and YouTube video.
Wandering with Swanandi means choosing a place, by thinking of many big and small things, according to her comfort. All the places, selected this year are within 60-70 km from Pune. A list of places has been prepared so that you can return home early and it will not be a problem to go to the office on Monday. The wandering of 2019 has started, from Rayareshwar near Pune.
No matter how modern we become, even today we start a new venture, a program with God-vision. I also wanted to start my journey in 2019 from a place that will continue to inspire us throughout the year. While thinking about this, I remembered a temple Shivalaya, which was known as a witness of the establishment of Hindavi Swarajya - that is "Rayareshwar".The great Maratha Warrior Chhatrapati Shivajiraje!!!
We left Pune at 7 in the morning as scheduled and reached Bhor. Swanandi was picked up, as in sleepy condition, and taken to the car. After breakfast, in the morning, we took the road to Rayareshwar. About an hour's drive from Bhor is the hill of Rayareshwar. On the way to Rayareshwar, Kenjalgad was peeking out of the fog. Oh! Its high ramparts keep calling us till the end.
Kenjalgad in front
Even if you stay on the Rayareshwar Plateau that day and visit Kenjalgad the next day, you will not feel tired and you will be able to enjoy the mountains and nature. (If you have small children with you, plan for 2 days, it will not be possible to visit both places on the same day).
Around 10.30 am we reached the foothills of Rayareshwar. It seemed as if the mountain, which was reaching the clear sky, was about to start climbing. We parked the car and enjoyed bhaji and tea on the tapri at the foot. In the cold of the morning, such hot, crunchy bhajji and tea is ....... you understand what it is now !!!
Swanandi getting ready for the climb
I also concluded that it takes time for everything to come together according to the mood of the children. It took about half an hour for Swanandi , to adjust the atmosphere. After all, she gets ready for climbing, and we started climbing the hill around 11 o'clock.
Along the iron stairs with Swanandi
Oh! My God !!! Is it possible to climb the huge mountain of Rayareshwar? Such doubts indeed arose in my mind because when I looked up from the foothills to the mountains, I could not see the steps. But without much thought, we started walking towards the mountain. As we started moving forward, all the doubts disappeared. There are neat steps to climb the mountain. The iron staircase built by the fort lovers made the climb even easier. If this one stage is climbed carefully, then the whole journey is on a flat plateau, so there is nothing to worry about if you have small children with you.
I will never forget the panoramic view of the Sahyadri mountain ranges and winding roads (ghat) from this hill. There is no doubt that this area will be further beautiful by the greenery in the rainy season.
Panoramic view
As soon as you reach the top of the hill, the plateau begins. There is a paved road leading to the temple. Due to this paved road, there is no fear of getting lost to our baby or wandering somewhere.
On the way to the temple, we came across a tank - "Gomukh Kund". I wanted to drink the clean water of the spring that falls in this pool. Sitting in the shade of a dense tree, we also drank water from this pool. Great !! Drinking this cold, sweet, and pure water at 12 in the afternoon, feels like nectar!!!
Gomukh Kund
After walking for 20-25 minutes, we reached the temple of Rayareshwar. This temple was built In the time of Pandavas. It is small but very lined up. The silence in the sanctum of the temple enlivens the weary body. This small temple standing in the black rock is a witness to the great history of Maharashtra.
Temple
Shivaji Maharaj cut his finger and anointed the blood on this Shivlinga and took an oath to establish Swarajya in this Rayreshwar Temple. It is my good fortune that I was able to visit the place sanctified by the foot touch of Shivaji Maharaj.
The gabhara of the temple
It was 1.30 pm for us to leave the temple after taking darshan. The crows began to howl in our stomachs. We started walking towards the top of the temple. Wheat and sorghum are grown in large quantities on this plateau and fruits like tomatoes and brinjals are grown in small quantities on this plateau. These crops don't need watering, on the water taken from the ground, these crops grow, near nature. This is a great example of how nature takes good care of everyone!
Even today, 50-55 families live on such a high plateau. They arrange the dining facilities of the tourists, who come to visit Rayareshwar, in their houses. The locals buy papad, pickles, salt, spices, vegetables, and other ingredients from the weekly market of Wai. They carry all these things, up the difficult path of the mountain and they arrange food for you. This is a matter of great appreciation.
Our lunch was at Uncle Jangam's house. It was fun to eat in a farmhouse with a big yard. Seeing hot pithale, nachani and sorghum bhakari, a tangy paste of chili, crab bhaji, and sweet onion, we broke down at dinner.
After the meal, we left our unwanted belongings at their house and went to see the surrounding area. "Rainbow Sand Mine" is a special attraction here. Here you can see the soil of seven different colors. The only way to get here is through fields and bushes. As we proceeded, the green-yellow beauty of the plateau became even more apparent. Similarly, the distant mountain ranges and the surrounding forts like Kamalgad, Kenjalgad, Vichitragad, which stand tall in it, looked more attractive.
Plateau with various colors and forts in front
After a long climb, we came to a rainbow mine. As written on the board, We were also amazed to see these many-colored patterns of clay.
Seeing this magic of nature, we started on our way back. It was 4.30 pm when we reached back to Jangam Kaka. 4.30 is our tea time! So we took a rest for a while, by sipping masala tea. Then we started descending the mountain, shouting with, Har har Mahadev!
With the help of my sisters Monica, Chetan, and Adinath, I was able to take Swanandi to such a place. It is my prayer that this Rayareshwar, who is a witness of the Marathi Empire, will give me strength for the future. Har Har Mahadev !!!!
When to go - best time - rainy season (it is difficult to climb a mountain with small children in the rain) so you can plan in November to February.
How to get there - From Pune - Bhor, Korle village at a distance of 25 km from Bhor. Take the road from this village. The State Transport Board bus runs from Bhor to Korle.
Time to visit Rayareshwar Temple and its surroundings - 5-6 hours (10 kms)
Meals / Accommodation - You can climb a hill and pitch a tent on a plateau or you can stay at the house of a resident for Rs. 600-700. There are no hotels nearby.
What to take with you - It is very cold in winter so keep warm clothes with you. Sweating also occurs due to its proximity to the Konkan coast. Therefore, it is necessary to carry 1-2 liters of water, goggles, and a hat. The water in Gomukh Kunda on the plateau is clean so there is no problem in drinking it without any doubt in mind.
Parking facilities - There is plenty of space at the foot of the hill but there are only 2-3 trees for shadow.
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