Sandan Valley, Bhandardara

Location-  Bhandardara lake 

District - Ahmednagar

State - Maharashtra

Best time to visit - Summer and Winter

Called The Grand Canyon of Maharashtra,it is also referred to as The Valley of Shadows.

It is a popular tourist attraction for adventure seekers, trekkers, nature lovers etc.

It is visited for the purpose of trekking, rappelling, rock-climbing, stargazing  and overnight camping.

It is a combination of valley and canyon , the valley's height being 4255 feet.

Barring only the time when the sun is directly overhead,  sunlight does not reach to the ground and it is always low on natural light  and chilly .

It is surrounded by the mighty Kalsubai and Ratangad in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra as also the historical forts of Alang, Ajoba, Madan and Kulang.

Due to the continuous erosion over the years by the water, a gorge is formed which is 2 km long and 200 feet deep with narrow walls.The trekkers have to cross this and also walk through the chilly waters that reaches up to the waist and also the chest depending on the month.

There is a 60 feet high rappelling spot on the trail along with 2 smaller ones of around 20 feet each that need rope ladders to climb.

Trekking is of medium to challenging level and needs expert guidance by experienced trek leaders.

The trekking base village is Samrad. 

Trekking trips are arranged by various agencies that are led by experienced leaders.

Each group may include up to 20 trekkers.

It is a two-day trek. 

Children under the age of 15 years are not allowed to join in the trek.

Monsoon season is to be avoided due to the dangers of slipping as also the valley being inaccessible.

Winter season is the most ideal due to the pleasant and cool climate while summer season may become hot and bothersome for the physically strained trekkers.

Picture - trailsandtreks.org

Shivtara Retreat, Tardobachiwadi, Maharashtra

Located amidst the natural beauty of Ghod river backwaters, The Shivtara Retreat, Tardobachiwadi, Maharashtra is a fun filled place for the whole family. It provides a glimpse into the rural way of life and going back to the nature vibes. Bullock Cart Rides, Agro - Farming, Camping along with a host of other adventure activities enthrall the city dwellers who have not experienced the rural way of life or perhaps it's going back to one's roots after spending a lifetime in the urban set up. The play areas for kids are fun and the thrilling rides add to the excitement for both children and adults alike.

Here is more information about the place. 

Previous Name -Shivtara Krushi Paryatan Kendra 

Developer - Shri Baburao Kashinath Pacharne and Family 

Location - Backwaters of Ghod River and Chinchani Dam

Purpose - To introduce city dwellers to aspects of  rural life that include agricultural activities and life of a Farmer 

Distance From -

Ahmednagar - 58 km

Pune City - 68 km

Lonavala - 115 km

Mumbai City - 198 km

Timing - 10.00 am to 9.00 pm

Packages and Charges -

1. Single Day 

Price - ₹ 999 / -

Time - 9.00 am to 6.00 pm

Includes -  Breakfast, Lunch, Hi Tea ( Pure Veg )

Adventure Activities -  Camping, Zip-line, Zip Cycle, Sky Roller, Artificial Climbing Wall, 360° Cycle, High Step, Multi-vine, Tyre Bridge, Commando Net Traverse, Stick Walk, Net Crawling, Swinging Bridge, Hanging Walk, Boating, Train Ride, Cycling, Waterfall and Rain Dance.

Games like Badminton, Cricket, Volleyball, Carom, Table Tennis, etc

2. Evening Package 

Price - ₹ 799 / - 

Time -  4.00 to 9.00 pm

Includes - Hi Tea and Dinner 

Adventure Activities - Camping, Zip-line, Zip Cycle, Sky Roller, Artificial Climbing Wall, 360° Cycle, High Step, Multi-vine, Tyre Bridge, Commando Net Traverse, Stick Walk, Net Crawling, Swinging Bridge, Hanging Walk, Boating, Train Ride, Cycling, Waterfall and Rain Dance.Games like Badminton, Cricket, Volleyball, Carom, Table Tennis, etc

Time - 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm

3. Senior Citizens and Children Package

Price for a Single Day - ₹ 799

Includes Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Hi Tea 

Price for a Single Evening - ₹ 599

Includes - Hi Tea and Dinner 

Activities Included - 

Games like Badminton, Cricket, Volleyball, Carom, Table Tennis, Boating, Train Ride, Camping, Cycling, Waterfall & Rain Dance

4. Stay Package 

Price per Adult  - ₹ 2200

Time - 24 Hours 

Tent - 2 persons 

Includes Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Hi-tea, Dinner 

Adventure Activities Zip-line, Zip Cycle, Sky Roller, Artificial Climbing Wall, 360° Cycle, High Step, Multi-vine, Tyre Bridge, Commando Net Traverse, Stick Walk, Net Crawling, Swinging Bridge, Hanging Walk, Boating, Train Ride, Cycling, Camping, Waterfall & Rain Dance 

Games like Badminton, Cricket, Volleyball, Carom, Table Tennis, etc

First Aid

5. Hot Air Balloon Festival - VIHAAR 

Days - Saturday and Sunday

Morning – 6:00 am. to  9:00 am.

Evening – 04:00 pm. to 6:00 pm.

Ride Timing – 10 to 15 min.

Capacity - 4 person per ride ( as per weight distribution)

Flying height – 150 to 200 feet 

Charges – ₹ 599 /- per Adult and ₹ 499 /- per Child

Note - 

1. The decision regarding timing, its curtailing and / or  emergency landing depends on the weather and climatic conditions as judged by the pilot

2. Minimum 10 people needed to arrange Balloon flight

3. 4 people per trip ( Depends upon the total weight ) 

4. One - Day Prior booking Compulsory 

5. Rides include Bullock Cart / Horse Cart and Camel Cart ( Additional Charge )

6. Pure Veg Meals Only 

Contact Information -

Shirur Rd, 

Tardobachiwadi, 

District Pune,

Maharashtra - 412210

Call @ (+91) 70646 43232

E-mail Address - info@shivtararetreat.com

Instagram Account - @shivtararetreat

Website - https://shivtararetreat.com

Images - Website

Monteria Village - Taking You Back To The Roots

Spread over an area of 35 acres is a unique picnic / weekend destination named Monteria Village in the district of Raigad, State Maharashtra.  What is different about this place is that it is a life size replica of a prototype Indian village that takes the visitor to the rural village life right here in the midst of a modern civilization. The village has been constructed to give the city dwellers a glimpse of our country's village life. Hence the construction of houses, shops, and restaurants is keeping in mind the rural architecture. The visitors are welcomed in a traditional way of performing aarti, applying tikka and putting on flower garlands. The food is rustic and totally down to earth, healthy yet delicious in its simplicity. There are farms, lakes, temples, village square, village market, village fair, shops of tailors, bangle sellers, barbers, goldsmiths, potters, carpenters, weavers. The staff is trained to play their roles in the assigned activities and the artisans are genuine where one can learn their skills in the workshops held.The experience includes farming, travelling in a train that takes the visitors around the village and its outskirts. More than 40 activities majorly related to rural life give the visitor a chance to experience first - hand a life different from his own. Folk dances, songs, performances along with a provision for the guests to get clicked in rural costumes by an assigned photographer add to the enjoyment. The staff is trained and courteous. The guides provided are knowledgeable and friendly. 

Here is more detailed information about the place. 

Distance from Mumbai - 59 km

Distance from Pune - 91 km

Distance from Alibaug - 65 km

Activities

Cave Tunnel with internal waterfalls  

Giant Harness Swing 

Walks in the Nakshatra Garden

Lakshman Jhula Replica 

A swing circle 

Modified 'bullet chakda' Ride

Swimming Pool

Hydroponics Polyhouse

Traditional Village games like Lagori, Marbles, Tops, Cycle Tyre Rolling

Rain Dance

Cycling 

Cycle Rickshaws

Hammocks

Costume Photo Studio

Farming Course in the Dhanvantari Garden

Village Anand Mela 

Village Market 

Fish Pond

Balloon Shooting 

Rural Folk Songs and Dances

Theatre Performances

Kutchi Bhunga

Kathiyawadi Chakdo

Bamboo Oxy - Park

Wooden Carving Workshop

Khaat ( खाट ) Weavers

Stone and Metal Arts

Tailoring Workshop

Carpentry

Pottery

Barber Shop

Goldsmith Workshop

Mahila Gruh Udyog

Aanganwadi

Monteria Railway Station with Gariyadhar Express Train 

Swimming in the Lake 

Nukkad Shops selling Ice - Gola, Candy Floss, Raw Mango, Goti soda, Peppermint, Imli, Paan etc

Timing - 

Day picnic from 9.00 am  to 6.00 pm

Pricing Structure-

• Adult ( Above 12 years of age )  - Entry + meals Rs. 1650 ( inclusive of taxes)

Inclusions : Breakfast, Lunch, Evening tea-coffee and The Monteria Village Experience

• Child ( Below 12 years of age )  - Entry + Meals Rs. 1350  ( inclusive of taxes)

Inclusions : Breakfast, Lunch, Evening tea-coffee and The Monteria Village Experience

• Offers and Group packages available

  
  
  

Contact Information - 

Address 

Monteria Village

Kalote Mokashi

Khalapur, 

District Raigad,

Maharashtra, India.

Contact @ 1800 532 9040

Email Address - reservation@monteriavillage.com

Note -

The place is available for destination weddings, shoots, birthday parties and family get - togethers. 

Images - From the website

Diwali Faraad ( दिवाळीचे फराळ ) Maharashtra

 Diwali is the biggest and one of the most important festivals of Hindus.

In Maharashtra it is celebrated on a grand scale just like the rest of our country, India.

Diwali faraad are the sweets and savouries prepared by Maharashtrian women to offer as naivedya to Goddess Mahalakshmi on Lakshmi poojan as well as to distribute in their social and friends circle.

Any guest visiting a Marathi house on the occasion of Diwali gets to taste a plateful of these goodies.

The work of the women folk starts much before the festival as the things to be prepared need to be planned, calculated and assembled as these items are prepared on a huge scale so as to distribute generously among family, relations, neighbours and friends.

Broadly the list of items prepared include the following -

1. Besan Ladoo (बेसन लाडू )  - One of the most delicious of Indian home made sweets, Besan Ladoo is made by roasting chickpeas flour in pure ghee to the point it gives a nice aroma. Sugar and cardamom powder along with grinded or roughly crushed cashew nuts and raisins are added to give it a rich taste.
   
   

2. Rava Ladoo ( रवा लाडू ) - Similar to the Besan Ladoos, Rava is firstly dry roasted or roasted in ghee to remove its uncooked flavour. Sugar syrup is added to bring it all together before shaping into ladoos. Adding cashew nuts, raisins and almonds is optional.

3. Nankhatai ( नानखताई ) - Nankhatai can rightly be said to be Indian cookie. A dough of  refined flour, ghee, powdered sugar and powdered cardamom is made.

Depending on the size preferred , Nankhatai is baked in a home OTG or from the nearest bakery. Adding half a cashew or almond or powdered pistachios on the top gives it a crunchy bite.

4. Teekha sev ( तिखट सेव ) - Dough of Chickpeas flour,oil, flavoured with red chilli powder and salt is shaped in the Sev maker and deep fried to crispy state.

5. Bhajani chakli ( भाजणी चकली ) - Rice, moong dal, urad dal , coriander seeds and cumin seeds are dry roasted separately and cooled. They are then pounded from the nearest flour mill to get a fine flour. Adding in hot oil, white sesame seeds, carom seeds, red chilli powder and salt a dough is prepared and spiral-shaped in the chakli maker. They are then deep fried till crisp and crunchy. 

   
   
   

6. Nariyal karanji ( नारियल करंजी ) - A sweet and savoury pastry can be an apt description of a karanji. A dough of refined flour is made and rolled into small rounds. Dessicated coconut, powdered jaggery, khus khus, cardamom powder mixture is  stuffed in the centre. The corners of rolled dough are packed with little water and pressed in a karanji presser. The karanjis are then deep fried, cooled completely before storing in airtight steel containers.

   

7. Shankarpali ( शंकरपाली ) - A dough of refined flour, ghee and sugar syrup is rolled like roti. Shankarpali cutter is used to cut into small 1 inch pieces with curly ends. Deep fried to remove the uncooked taste and bring it to the required crisp and crunchy state. 

   
   
   

8. Poha chivda ( पोहे चिवड़ा ) - Thin poha is either deep fried or dry roasted to crispiness. Peanuts, dry coconut slices, cashew nuts, raisins, chana dal, curry leaves, and green chillies are each fried separately in little oil. Everything is mixed with the roasted poha and a special chivda masala is sprinkled as per taste along with a teaspoon of sugar.The whole thing is again dry roasted together so as to assimilate the seasoning. Cooled and stored in airtight containers. 

   
   
   

Home made sweets and savouries are undoubtedly better than market ones due to quality, taste and lack of chemical preservatives.

Marathi Diwali Faraad is a treat non-maharashtrians look forward to each year that make this festival even more special.

( Pictures - Anju Bhagnari ) 

Kala Ghoda Annual Festival, Mumbai

 Venue - Kala Ghoda district, South Mumbai

Dates / Days - First Saturday of February to the Second Sunday of February

Duration - 9 days 

Time - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Entry - Free

Kala Ghoda is a happening, hip, trendy, creative district in South Mumbai. It is home to the top exclusive.designer cafes, Indie Art galleries, sidewalks full of innovative art installations, several heritage buildings like the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Bajaj Art Gallery, Educational institutions like Mumbai University, Elphinstone College, Jehangir Art Gallery, Rhythm House, Max Mueller Bhavan, David Sassoon Library to name a few of Mumbai's iconic landmarks.

Established in 1999, the Kala Ghoda Association holds its multicultural annual street festival that celebrates various fields like Films and movies, Theatre, Literature, World and Modern Art, Comedy, Food, Urban design and Architecture, that are divided into 12 sections.

Each section is handled by its respective team.

The purpose of starting this festival was to maintain and help grow Mumbai's rich Art and cultural heritage.

The twelve sections are - 

1. Dance - Shows are held for Indian cultural, contemporary and International dance forms. 

2. Food - Food Walks are arranged, Hundreds of food stalls serving authentic local fares, using local ingredients are put up, Demos and workshops by master chefs are also set up for public participation.

3. Music - A bunch of music concerts and shows involving Eclectic genres,, tributes to great music personalities, Interviews with musicians are arranged.

4. Heritage Walks - Heritage walks involve walking events as well as bus rides to various parts of Mumbai rich in culture, history, Arts etc.

5. Stalls - Hundreds of stalls are set up by the streets showcasing local artisans' works like paintings, ceramics, portraits, sculptures, clothes, shoes,crafts and home decor, traditional bags erc for the shopper to browse and buy to their heart's content.

6. Visual Arts - Innovative art installations are put up at various venues. 

7. Literature - Includes book launches, interviews and discussions with the authors, poetry reading.

8. Movies and Films - Off beat movies celebrating LGBT community, regional fare, documentaries, workshops on acting and various aspects of film making, discussions with industry greats are arranged.

9. Kids - Many interactive shows and workshops, movies, plays for kids is a special attraction.

10. Theatre - Plays in English, Hindi, Gujarati and Parsi languages 

11. Stand Up Comedy shows - An opportunity is provided to the upcoming as well as established Stand up comedians to showcase their talent.

12. Urban design and Architecture - Industry giants in the field of design and architecture participate in interviews, presentations, talks, discussions.

Here is a list of Venues of the festival -

1. Cross Maidan

2. Rampart Row 

3. Westside Cafeteria

4. Max Mueller Bhavan

5. The garden at the David Sasoon library

6. National gallery of modern art auditorium

7. Horniman Circle Garden

8. Tata store at Army and Navy building

9. The M C Ghia hall

10. The lawns and auditoriums at the Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

Goes without saying that the festival attracts thousands of visitors daily and most events, shows need pre-booking to avoid disappointment.

The Who's Who of the Mumbai Art scene, theatre, prominent writers, designers, film makers, musicians, singers, top chefs etc participate in some form or the other in the festival giving an opportunity to the public to enjoy their work and interact with them.

Entry being free, audiences and participants across all class ranges and social strata come together to celebrate the Spirit of Mumbai.

The festival cost is funded and sponsored by various corporations.

Vehicular traffic is not allowed for the duration of the festival.

Pictures - wikipedia