Andhaarban

July- 2017

One of our family friends whom we met during our Valley Of Flowers trek, recommended this one day trail. “Andharban”, which means Dark Forest is situated in Tamhini Ghat. Trek starts at Pimpri village dam and ends at Mulshi dam near Vile village (near Vile Bhagad MIDC).

We booked this trek with Pune based trekking group. Joined them at 6.30 am at Panvel station where a mini bus was arranged for approx 15 participants from Mumbai. 2 more buses were arranged from Pune which were to join us at starting point of trek in Tamhini ghat. We traveled via expressway- Khopoli- Pali- Tamhini ghat route. Had our breakfast at Khopoli and reached trek start point after almost 3.5 hrs bus travel from Panvel.

Climate was perfect and stage was ready for our trek. We had to shut windows when bus started ascending ghat. It was a treat for eyes as bus was taking us to heights amidst numerous small beautiful waterfalls and green hills along road. We got down from bus near Pimpri dam. Group members freshened up, relaxed & warmed up. Started our trail @ 11.00 am after a whistle blow from one of leaders. A small Pimpri dam is gateway of this trail and we all walked in a queue on a wall of dam with one leader at front & other at end.

Pimpri Dam

Since we wanted to enjoy at the fullest, we did not carry any rain protection. It was a muddy path with pretty misty all around and rain playing its vital role very honestly. Entire group was marching ahead slowly but steadily. Since surroundings were picturesque everyone was busy with camera. Weather was just ideal, complementing to the trek mood.

After an hour long walk we entered real Andharban. It was a dense forest with tall, big trees all around. Although it was 12.30 in the noon, forest was restricting sunligh making it truly dark inside.

The track was murky and watery. We came across couple of river crossings and our leaders were ready with all safety measures. We all crossed the river safely making a human chain with support from our leaders. Meantime we halted for a while on big rock and munched some snacks to energize ourselves.

After walking through this forest territory for almost 1.5 hrs, we reached a plateau covered with eye pleasing lush green grass. Since it was not raining now, we had our packed lunch of Methi thepla+pickles and relaxed for a while. Everything around was appropriate for a perfect rainy trek. Clouds moving in sky, a cool breeze, quiet water stream nearby and leafy green ground.

Very soon the rain resumed its duty and so did we. Now it was a plain terrain with paddy fields along the route.

We passed through a small village and suddenly there was a steep, rocky, slippery descend. Everyone had to slow down. People found it little troublesome as it came as a surprise after smooth pass through Andharban. We walked very carefully & cautiously for almost 2 hrs on same path and one moment we thought it is never ending. Leaders were motivating, cheering and supporting us. Indeed this patch was a tough job for leg muscles and knee joints.

Finally @ 4.30 pm we reached a plain topography where a 10 feet wide river was gushing across. Everyone just jumped into river water and chilled out after completing the strenuous descend. Since we had to catch a train, we relaxed for a while, said good bye to group members and carried on our walk on plain grounds. Reached Mulshi dam in half an hour where our bus was waiting for us. This is a fairly big dam which supplies water to Tata’s Hydro Power plant.  

Mulshi dam

(Little more info on this dam & power plant- Tata started this 150 MW plant in 1927. Existing cap is 300 MW. Mr. Pandurang Bapat led ‘Mulshi Satyagrah’ to protect interests of local residents when this dam was under construction in 1920-21. Since then he is known as Senapati Bapat. The part of tail water from this power station goes into Kundalika river where people go for river rafting)

We collected our sacks from bus & headed towards Mangaon in a ‘tumtum’ via Vile-Nizampur. Somehow reached station at 6.30 pm, had some refreshments and boarded Matsyagandha exp at 7 pm. Reached home at 12 midnight with lots of pleasant memories after completing yet another monsoon trek.

(Few of above photos are clicked by other group members from Mumbai & Pune. Let me thank them for sharing those)

Some stats

Trek distance-           13 kms approx.

Time required-          5 hrs

Attractions:                Tamhini ghat, Forest walk, Numerous tiny waterfalls, Excellent picturesque surroundings, River crossings, Historic Mulshi dam

Best time to visit:      Mid July to Mid Sept. Better to do it on a rainy day to enjoy most. It will be interesting in Dec & Jan also.

Tips: First half is relatively easy on plain terrain. Next half is steep descending on rocky path. Guided tour is Must since it’s a forest.

   

rahul