Jul 01, 2005 07:18 PM
22704 Views
(Updated Jul 01, 2005 07:18 PM)
Imagine this..its pouring..the rain is thrashing ..you are among sahyadhari's with garam garam batata bhaji (potato pakoras )and special chai..You tell yourself god what else can I ask for ???
People you all know Shri Shketra Bhimashanker as one of the 12 Jyotirling Shrines in India. You are also aware of the Bhimshankar Wildlife sanctuary.
The Question is what are they protecting?
The giant Indian Squirell (Shekru) and the Hyneas.
The other species found in the dense forests are Panther, Sambar, Mouse Deer, leopards and the Wild boar.
The dominant species of flora are Mango, Hirda, Behda, various medicinal herbs, bamboo and fern
This review is about visting Bhimshankar, trek through Nagfani, Wildlife Sanctuary and also I very special place called Blue Mormon
Location. 140 kms from Pune on the Nasik road via Manchar. You can reach from Mumbai about more or less same distance(proobably more than 250kms from mumbai). You can take state transport buses and reach Bhimshankar from anywhere.
Stay: You should stay at Blue Mormon Trekkers haven only. This place happens to 10 kms prior to entering Bhimshankar. Of course you can opt to stay at the MTDC resort also. This particular place Blue Mormon is admist the jungle good for sighting
wild life (peahens, rabbits and leopards[Forest Administration will not allow that ie they will not allow you to go deep in the jungle] ).
All this they serve hot good maharahtrian food with pakoras and all that.
(This place Blue Mormon Deserves a review)
Duration : Min 2 Days (1 day (nagfani) another day gupt bhima. 3-4 hrs each. Spend the rest of time observing the birds and flora fauna )
Places to see :
Bhimshankar Shrine and the Bhima Ugam: Bhima Ugam happens near the temple. There is a small pond like water body which is the source of the mighty Bhima river. It is known as Bhima Ugam. ''Idhar hi bhima nadi gupt ho jati hai'' (I cannot translate that in english. in english it really looses the essence and thrill).
From the Temple you descend down in the jungle (Bhimshankar happens to be on the considerable height of sayhadhari). This is the Gupt Bhima trek that you do. Bhima re-emerges down below.. And that is the scene boy that you need to view. I small stream into a big river all that in front of you!!!!
Nagfani: Next is you scale the mountain on top known as Nagfani (Serpents hood). The peaks of mountain form the serpents hood.
Other places to see: There are Buddha style carvings of Amba-Ambika, Bhootling and Bhimashankar in the hills of Manmod near Bhimashankar.
I am not talking anything on the view and ''nazara'' as such, since I feel sayadhari's don't require any introduction. If you are planning the trek then you will require to do some hoemwork. Best would be join the trekkers groups.
They do all the arrangments for you plus you also get to know more experience people who add the your knowledge. BTW you can plan this with your wife and kids. This happens to be a mild trek. There were few families (kid above 5 yrs)with us and they faced no hardships at all.
I am putting this under wild life sanctuary because it is less to trek and more of exploration of Bhimshankar Wild life sanctuary.
BTW while walking keep your eyes wide open and also on the top you will get to see the shekru.
