Aug 19, 2008 08:34 PM
15885 Views
Just 145 kms. from Mumbai’s heartland, past Thane, Kalyan
and Murbad, on the highway to Ahmednagar lies the majestic hill-station of
Malshej ghat. It was our chosen spot for an extended weekend holiday, in a dozen-strong
mixed family grouping. Very rarely do four related families get a chance to
gather at one place and it was partly due to providence and partly due to our
efforts, that such a coming together was made possible. In the lifestyles that
we lead nowadays, it takes a lot of determination and motivation to carve out
some free-time from our busy schedules, for reinforcing and re-igniting family
bonds.
After a lot of research, we had zeroed in on Malshej as a
neutral location for our rendezvous. Though July is perhaps the best season to
visit Malshej, circumstances made us go there in the month of June. In July and
August, Malshej is pure magic. Thousands of waterfalls spring up, vying with
each other for attention. Groups of revelers can be seen under every fall drenching
them selves in the cool spray. Flamingoes fly into Malshej in droves, painting
the area pink. But for us, this June holiday proved to be a memorable one. The
warmth of togetherness, the camaraderie, the joie de vivre felt by all of us,
would remain as a treasured memory with each of us for the rest of our lives.
Everyone were in high spirits, singing songs and playing the
usual antakshari, as our bus left the hustle and bustle of Mumbai city, behind.
Very soon we were negotiating our way up the ghats. The moisture-laden air
carrying the scent of the forests cast its spell on us and the sultry heat of
Mumbai was all but forgotten. The route was picturesque and the view
breathtaking on both sides. A roadside temple located inside a small partial tunnel
on the road was particularly beautiful. Almost every vehicle either slows down
or stops at this place, perhaps to thank the Lord for such a beautiful
hill-station so near to Mumbai. We were at our resort by 11 AM.
The MTDC’s Flamingo resort is perched fabulously on the top
of a plateau with a deep gorge on one side. It occupies the best location
conceivable in this area with no competition nearby. The only other resort in
Malshej is the ‘Sushant Resort’ and is also supposed to be quite good. Within
minutes of driving into the resort, a thick cloud-cover enveloped us, sending
us into raptures. Perhaps that was nature’s way of welcoming guests in these
parts. We realized almost immediately that we had chosen the most apt location
to spend the next three days. The USP of this resort was that it did not have
some of the major banes of today’s times – television, mobile connectivity and
polluted air. You could not even make a STD call from here. In case you are
shaking your head in disbelief, let me assure you that there are still such
places on earth and that too so near to big, bad Mumbai. For most of today’s
generation, the lack of connectivity could prove to be a big minus point but
for me it was an opportunity to temporarily bury all commitments, deadlines and
worries and let my mind soar free and unfettered onto the heavens above. The
Reliance network works faintly here.
The two cottages allotted to us were adjacent to each other
and connected; enabling us to stay huddled together The resort provided a
magnificent view of the mountains all around us, the sheer cliffs and the
winding roads that had brought us here. Near the suicidal cliff-edge the wind
howled loudly, threatening to almost sweep you off your feet. The bare body of
the vertical mountain sides, shined like gold whenever the elusive rays of the
Sun fell on them.
The Harishchandragad fort is the nearest fort to the
Flamingo resort and in the evening we drove up to its base past a large water
reservoir. However, the climb to the top is very tortuous and we instinctively decided
against going for it. It is more suited for hikers seeking adventure and not
for family crowds.
A late night after-dinner stroll on the concrete approach
road to our resort unto its main gate, proved exhilarating and a perfect balm
for our weary souls. The sounds of the darkness, the occasional rumble of a
passing vehicle and the wisps of mist floating in the air made a heady mix. An
early morning walk on the same path was equally uplifting.
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While at Malshej, one must not miss visiting Junnar, just 25
kms away. The Shivneri fort, where Shivaji was born, and the Ashtavinayak temple
are definitely worth a look. The Shivneri fort is robustly maintained, and
seemed to be quite popular. As you walk the flight of steep steps you pass a
series of lofty gates, the Shivai temple, chambers like the amberkhana, the hamamkhana
and the royal stables before you are at the spot where Shivaji was born to
Jijamata. Fresh lemon juice and masala tea counters alongside the path, serve
as refreshing pit-stops, during the climb. The idol of Parvati inside the
Shivai temple is housed inside a cave. The bearded priest in charge of the
temple took a lot in interest in recounting a bit of history behind the
importance of this fort. When she was seven months pregnant, Jijamata came to
stay here and used to come down to the temple everyday to pray. She asked the
Goddess for a son who would respect elders and women, help the downtrodden and
the poor and free the locals from the misrule of the Muslim invaders, thereby
establishing Swarajya. Thus, Shivaji Maharaj was born as a gift from the
goddess and named after her.
Our next destination was the Ashtavinayak temple, which is
just a short distance away. It is also located atop a hillock but is a much
lesser climb than Shivneri. Legend has it that the Pandavas had taken refuge in
these hills at some point of time. This temple, too, is carved fairly deep inside
the rock-face. The base of the temple is an ideal place to shop for raisins,
pedas and juices.
As we drove back to the resort, we encountered a very heavy
cloud cover and mist on the way and by the time we were back, it was raining. The
time to return back to Mumbai was approaching and our spirits were decidedly
subdued today evening. Good times never last long, while bad times seem to
stretch on forever.
The next morning, we got up to find our resort completely
taken over by the mist and clouds. The clouds seemed to be imploring us to stay
back but our worldly commitments beckoned us to get back and pick up the
threads of our regular lives, once again. After tea and breakfast, we bid
good-bye to Malshej and settled back in our bus. All of us sat forlorn
throughout the return trip. No singing of songs, or antakshari and very soon we
were driving back to the familiar environs of Mumbai.
