[Kas] - A Fragrant Sunday of Life. Review on Satara

Place: Kas Lake and Valley of Flowers

Nearest town: Satara, Pune

Distance: 150 Kilometers from Pune

Attractions: Natural Spectacles, Landscapes, wildflowers, lake

Now all of my friends had been there, even my roommates. I had been hearing about the place for more than a couple of months now, since we were experiencing the peak of Monsoons. Kas-valley of flowers was the destination this time in mind, and like most of my trips, this was also a last moment decision.

I got a call from the thumper on Saturday night, about a sunrise ride to Kas. Since I also wanted to experience so called world heritage tag contender, I took part in the plan without much hesitation. We had decided to start from Chandani Chawk at 0430 in the morning to see the sunrise at the plateau region of Kas, amidst the flowers.

Theoretical plans are almost certainly subjected to variations when it comes to execution. Though we had decided on leaving at 0430, because of me and a fellow biker, we started at around 0500 from Chandani Chawk and headed towards Satara. It was still dark, and the soft feel of winter embraced the atmosphere. We took our standard halt at Shirval, waited for one more bike scheduled to meet us there. When we left from there, unfortunately the sun was already up on the horizon and Kas plateau was nowhere to be seen. The coldness still prevailed in the air that brushed our faces, but the warm rays of the sun gave an energetic feeling to the weather.

To reach Kas, you have to go through the Satara city. You have to take a right turn just before the tunnel you come across when you go towards Sajjangad or Thoseghar, the road then starts winding and feels like a ghat in Konkan section, I felt it similar to Pasarani ghat which you have to cross to reach Mahabaleshwar from NH4. Kas is around 20 odd kilometers from Satara city, and the condition of roads is really good, especially considering the onslaught of monsoon this season.

Since few weeks, Kas was much in news for the possibility of it getting the status of world heritage site. So naturally, there was a sudden surge in the tourists, who wanted to visit Kas. I was told, many people are visiting the same these days. Thankfully, we getting up early helped and we reached there well before it got crowded. If I recall right we reached near it at around 0830 and indeed it was bliss.

They say during the post monsoon season, the place changes its color every 4-5 days. The species of the wildflowers come and go one after the other, quenching your thirst for beauty and satiating your eyes with pleasure. I agree we were late, so what we could see was mostly yellow and a few violet ones. Felt like a rich carpet on the ground, or a gorgeous colorful shawl worn by the earth. We enjoyed those little patches of flowers, and imagined how it would be when the whole ground would be covered with millions of such tiny flowers radiating loveliness and splendor.

After clicking a few photos we moved on towards the Kas Lake. All along when we travelled on the road taking us there, we could see vast backwaters, of the Kas dam. Almost a cloudless sky, gave us highest brightness. The coldness in the weather still existed, so the sun-rays didn’t harm us much. The pleasure of biking on the winding roads going towards a destination which you can see coming closer, has a satisfaction in itself, it’s not something which can be expressed, but felt.

I would have compared the beauty with Rivendell, but this magnificence had a touch of humans, in a particularly bad way. I don’t know how one’s conscience would allow him to contaminate the sanctity of the place. This cribbing has been customary in my logs, but I cannot ignore the presence of plastic and litter in tourist places, its feels like acid droplets on Monalisa, or rusted sections on an antique vehicle. All over the banks of the lake, I could see garbage hindering the fulfilling comprehension of the landscape. But the water I saw took my breath away.  So clean, so transparent, in its purest form. I touched it, felt the waves coming on it due the flowing winds. That feeling greatly reduced my discomfort.

After few peaceful moments, we left the place and started the return journey. One of the biker went on to explore the visuals of Sajjangad and Thoseghar, and we all headed towards Pune. We had some snacks when we came out of Satara; I also fed my lord of the roads there. While coming back I was having backache, and so we thought of taking a detour towards Baneshwar.

Flowing water may it be a river or a waterfall always attracts me. We visited the waterfall at the back of the temple and then sat in the garden for a while. After the sun moved towards the West, we packed our bags and started the journey back to Pune. By 1730 we were back in Aundh.

Long since I craved to visit this place, and last Sunday gave me that opportunity. Plans made on the fly give you unexpected joys, and this was not an exception to the rule. Kas was not at the peak of its exquisiteness, but it offered us a great deal; peace and serenity that made the whole exercise worthwhile. Such quick outings rejuvenate you; give your mind the reboot sequence it desires. This was a ride after a long time, the experience made sure there would be many more to come, on such Sundays of Life.:)