Pune, Maharashtra
This place sure has something to it. It has this luring effect to it that just pulls me towards it and I easily get enticed by the same. I’ve been in the region for several times before and have experienced its weather that it expresses in its various moods. it the Ghat section near Lavasa, or some region encompassing Mulshi or the main Tamhini village itself. I would say, it’s one of the few places in Maharashtra known for being dramatic. This time I went there during the very beginning of September and have seen it being its moody at the most.
It was a pretty sunny day even in the early morning when I left around 6 am. Weather was same until we reached Mulshi and greeted by the large Mulshi Lake. It was moist and fresh green although no trace of rain drizzle at all. And just we crossed the Mulshi border, bright sky turned into gray and an outstretched arm-like deciduous branch was trying to give us chills by its presence as it was the only deciduous one among the other green ones. Yes it was Tamhini already, we realized, as the Mulshi Lake had waived ‘bye’ to us and Palse Waterfall waived us ‘hi’. Grayish cloudy sky with patches of blue peeking in, misty hillocks with cascading falls surrounded by and velvet green blankets wherever eyes follow.
Within approximately 5 km across the area, an artificial bridge leads to the main settlement in the region – Tamhini village. Small, red-slated picturesque houses nestled within the twisted paths looked upon us as we passed by. A temple of the regional goddess – Vinzai Devi also catches attention highlighting itself through the scenic trail. Also, a pebbled stream followed us through out the way.
The stream is the origin of the river Mula – one of the two major river systems in Pune. The twisted road then stumbles upon a small primary school in the woods and the school directs you to the graveled path that finally leads up to the river. One can stop by there itself but we proceed even further and to move further, one has to cross the river, get to the stream on the opposite side and approach the road alongside the stream, and we did so! Getting down into the river is surely a shivering experience especially if the river is flowing too fast. The water of the river is crystal clear yet the bottom is quite unseen and judgement have to be made by touching the bottom whether it is slippery or solid. Clouds were also relaxing themselves by showering some drizzle onto us. The pebbled-bottom is mostly slippery but once you move towards the stream to the opposite side, it is shallow and the flowy water doesn’t bother you anymore. Just after crossing a few more slippery rocks, we approached to a slopy path alongside. Following the path as we moved even further, there comes the most highlighting part of the trail – an old river dam. It has this ancient charm about it that makes you feel fantasized about it. We again got ourselves dipped into the lake created by the dam. We weren’t over as yet as we went into the flow of the dam. Dipped, drained, drenched and showered – we had been wet in all of these categories till now.
Getting to the stream, crossing the sheivering river, following the graveled path and finally approaching the twisted road and oh, a few sunbeams also accompanied us on our way back – this is the reason I described this place being moody in the beginning. So many distinguished family members are found the Tamhini Family – waterfalls, misty hillocks, cottony clouds, pebbled streams, drizzling showers, a little sunshine, a prideful free flowing river and a newly added member (or should I say the oldest amongst all?!) – Vinzai Devi Temple – all are heartiestly welcoming. Tamhini has been gelling them all since millions of years with the help of the magnificent Sahyadris. Located just about 1.5 hrs drive from Pune, Tamhini calls out for the city dwellers all year round yet its calling in the monsoon is the strongest, I suppose. The Sahyadris are looking forward to you to join their family as well!