Drive through Varandha Ghat
Tamhini Ghat is the name which most people recollect if you were to ask for the best place to drive through for watching waterfalls during the monsoon. But this is mostly because of the famous mulshi dam in its vicinity. Not many are aware of Varandha ghat. A mention of this ghat usually is accompanied by comments like “not a place to go alone”, “lonely” etc. This is what makes Varandha ghat such a wonderful place to go to.
There are lot of waterfalls in tamhini, but most of them are hidden within the thick forests on the sides of the road. In Varandha, the volume of water flow in the waterfalls are much higher. The kids along with us kept referring to them as “Milk Shake waterfalls with the dirtier ones becoming the chocolate shake waterfalls! They are also easily accessible with dozens of big ones just on the road. It was difficult to keep an eye on the road while driving with every turn bringing another waterfall into view.
How to go to Varandha Ghat from Pune: Go to Nh4 and towards the kapurhol crossing. When going from Pune, you would see the left turn for the road to Narayanpur Balaji Temple. Just 10-20 metres ahead, a small road goes to the right. You can easily miss this, so watch out for the exit after you come to the Narayanpur road. This is the road to Bhor. This is a narrow road which goes through Bhor Ghat and then a long flat section and then climbs into Varandha Ghat. If you cross Varandha ghat and get down on the other side, you would touch NH17, the Goa highway. The third point marked in the map below is the main view point.
Some points about the drive through Varandha Ghat
- Going from NH4, the last civilization is at Bhor. After that it is around 40-50 kms of wilderness. It is better to go in more than 1 vehicle as a puncture will leave you totally stranded.
- There is no network coverage for most of the distance on the ghat. We were travelling 4 cars. One of them had gone a bit ahead while we were at a waterfall. The next time we could establish contact was at Bhor after 30 kms.
- The road is narrow, though in a better condition as compared to Tamhini w.r.t potholes. But the sides of the road are jagged and you have to be careful if you go too close to the edge of the tarred section
Though there are dozens of points along the way to consume your entire time, the main view point is the Waghjai Mata mandir, where you will find many tea shops. The view (when there is no mist) is incomparable. You can see waterfalls as far as your eye can see. There is a huge valley and on the other side, there are steep cliffs. There are two huge waterfalls visible to the north east corner (as you see from the road). These are worthy enough to be named (i am sure that americans would have done so!). It was also extremely windy at this point because of the surrounding valleys. The swaying of the grass due to the wind was a sight to behold. Watch the video below. Nature at her best!
We spent a lot of time close to this view point, not exactly close to the tea shops, but just before the u-turn at the end. We came to Varandha from Nh17 and just as we turned, the whole vista spread out before us.
if you have the time and interest, you can do a round trip from Pune – go through either Tamhini or varandha ghat and come back the other way. We went through Tamhini and came back through Varandha. It takes a toll on your body and vehicle, but it is worth it 🙂
Any of the beaches i.e. Kashid, Diveagar, Murud would be good. The ghats would be dry/hot.
hello mr.rajaram
which places we can visit in this month,we r planning to go out from 24th mar to 29th mar,can u plz suggest me places for one day (or)1nt and 2 days.wait for ur valuable suggestion.
thanks
aruna
Superb post. Thank you much very much for sharing valuable information. by the way What is the best time to visit these places. Can we expect the same experience u had when we go in April.???
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed! Very helpful info specially the last part 😀 I care for such info much. I was looking for this particular info for a very long time. Thank you and good luck. For me this kind of information is very important because I am not a regular traveller, as a traveller I have only experience of Indian Tiger Tour
This website is very informative. Thanks for putting in the info with the driving directions. Me and my family are planning a 1 week trip for places around Pune this december. It would be great if you suggest some good places to visit in december. Thanks in advance for your help.
This place is much better than tamhini. 🙂 :).. May be because of the silence or many be because of being less explored. But really much better. It made my monsoons worth this year… 🙂 🙂
Hi all, varandha is always a best place to visit esp. in monsoon & I would also suggest one more route I.e. ambadi ghat from bhor to wai via mandhardevi a good alternate to normal mahabaleshwar route. Another best option is to get down from tamhini on nh17 from pune, do raigad trek & climb from varandha do shivtharghal, & divert through ambade ghat to mahabaleshwar. WORD OF CAUTION: Don’t cross either ghats during night. WISH U SAFE & HAPPY DRIVING. ALWAYS FOLLOW TRAFFIC RULES.
Wow, this looks wonderful.
I visited this place on long weekend of 17th, 19th and 20th .. I started off from Pune –> Varandha Ghat –> Shivthargal –> Mahad –> Raigad –> Thamini –>Pune. This was amazing trip… 100s of waterfall .. on the all the way ..
We started from Pune at 8:00 pm .. Had breakfast at Natraj Hotel on Mumbai –Banagalore Highway and took right turn at Bhor. We enjoyed Varandha Ghat and then we went to Shivthargal. We took right turn after 2 km from Monkey Point for Shivthargal. From that right turns its around 9 Km but road is not that good. While coming back from Shivthargal, we went toward Mahad road this road is good as compare to earlier one. I would recommand to come down from Varandha Ghat and then take right turn for Shivthargal.
Then, we stayed at Mahad Hotel just opposite to Kamat Hotel. Hotel was decent and next day morning we went to Raigad. Raigad was amazing. Views were too beautiful, enjoyed waterfalls while climbing. We have to climb Raigad there was waiting for Rope way for along 3 hrs. Hence, we decided to climb up to the Raigad Fort. It took us around 2 and half hrs to climb with Kids. While coming also we could not get Rope way as waiting was for 3 hrs, hence we decide to coming down by walking, it took as 1 and half hrs. Then, we agian stayed at Mahad at different Hotel inside Mahad city.
Next day morning we started for Thamini and enjoyed it .. agian enjoyed lot of waterfall. We all were tired by the time we reached Pune.
All in its Gr88 place to visit Varandha — Shivthargal — Raigad — Thamini Best place to visit in Monsoon… Enjoy
This is very beautiful location for visit . Many waterfalls are waiting for you, to shower you. I have my own land in Varandha ghat area. I am regular visitor of this ghat. Anybody wants any information then please contact me on my cell no.