Karjat has been a weekend retreat for many mumbaikers a second home next to options like lonavala. Karjat has attracted affluent crowds to built farm houses. A pristine beauty, Karjat has something for one and all.

Dhak Bhairi base village

Karjat has many isolated charming villages which turn charismatic in monsoons. The vast stretches of paddy fields, and flowing rivulets and streams, green enveloped hills all dress up to make a breathtaking view.

There are ample waterfalls in Karjat tucked in small villages. Some of the most visited are –
1. Bhivpuri waterfall
Alight at Bhivpuri station which is the next station to Neral on Mumbai-pune central railway. Ask a localite for directions. Bhivpuri waterfall is further 30 mins walk from the station. Bhivpuri attracts loads of crowd in monsoon.

On the way to Bhivpuri Waterfall

Bhivpuri waterfall

Bhivpuri Waterfall

2. Palasdari
Palasdari is a tourist destination on Karjat-Khopoli route of Mumbai Suburban railway. Palasdari is based on Karjat –Khopoli highway. Palasdari is known to attract crowds for its velvety green lawns and carpeted hills in Monsoon, Couple of waterfalls and a dam. Palasdari also houses the secluded famous Shree Swami Samarth Akalkoth Math, a pilgrimage destination in beautiful environs.

A train zipping through the velvety hills at palasdari

3. Subedar Waterfall

Subedar Waterfall from distance

Subedar Waterfall

Karjat offers surplus amount of magical locations in monsoon. Every edge and corner gets adorned with beauty in monsoon. Numerous waterfalls , clouds stooping down low , green palettes of vegetations, gurgling streams and crisp cold weather is what karjat will offer.Karjat has to be visited once and more as there are ample places to discover for the travel thirsty eyes. A drive down the road adjoining ulhas river is a surreal experience for the landscapes it unveils.

Ride along Ulhas river



Dhak Bhairi base

Karjat can be easily reached through train or through Mumbai-Khopoli highway. There are quite a few good resorts in Karjat , but if you are travelling on a weekend try and book in advance to avoid discomfort.

Ride along Ulhas river

Places Near Karjat- Matheran , Neral , Palasdari, Morbe Dam , Bhilawade Dam

For more photos and information Visit - http://www.myodysseys.com//Trips/Maharashtra/kArjat/karjat.html

Artist Village Waterfall(CBD waterfall)

Sector-9 nursery is more explored in the last couple of years by students pursuing botany, zoology and herpetology. Unlike normal nursery where saplings are sold, Sec-9 Nursery is a vast stretch of undeveloped land with plethora of trees accessible by proper road. Nursery has varieties of medicinal plants. Insect life is in surplus and offers a study ground for students. Butterflies, flowers, mushrooms, reptiles also form the major population here.

BNHS Group

All along the trail, water runs into small streams, forming ponds with knee deep water. Listen to the sounds of only birds singing. The trail offers various specimens to the alert eyes. BNHS and other nature groups get students here for study outings.

Nursery is a promising place for nature lovers. One can explore this place better with a localite or with a group. Best time to visit is in Monsoons. On the harbor line towards Panvel, get down at CBD, Belapur station. Exit from the left hand side of the station. Take an auto till Sector-9. Vehicles are not allowed inside nursery.

Artist village is based in CBD only and can be clubbed with Nursery trip
For more details and photographs check this link - http://myodysseys.com/Trips/Maharashtra/Navi%20Mumbai/CBD/CBD.html/

Places near CBD, Belapur – Artist Village waterfall (CBD waterfall) , Kharghar Hills.

Forest Canopy

A trail leads us uphill from the base village. The Vasai creek is seen interrupted by the forest. The trail leads further covered on either side by dense vegetation. As you go on the vegetation gets denser. The entire region is packed to the brim with activity, only you should have curious eyes.

Forest Trail

Nagla block offers a good habitat for flora as well as fauna. The forest forms an uninterrupted canopy at places and therefore the forest land is blessed with sunlight only occasionally. Variety of birds, butterflies, insects, shrubs and herbs are found here. Leopards have got this area into limelight.

A hint of sunlight

The occasional rain showers kept us from exploring much. We went with the intention of bird photography and therefore our cameras came much empty handed. We went to spot Indian Pitta and did spot it, but couldn’t capture it.

A machan

Nagla block is a good place for trekking , nature trails , bird spotting , butterfly watching , but it’s safe to go with nature groups or with a company who knows this place well. An ideal place within city’s limits for being close to nature. No permission required from authorities to visit this place , but mind you this place is dominated by mosquitoes.

Jawhar receives the maximum rainfall and ironically is the driest region in summer as water is not conserved properly. Truly inhabited by the tribals Jawhar remains distant from tourists and developments. One can visit the Jai vilas palace in Jawhar to have a glimpse of tribal life. The tower clock in the center of the town is another attraction here. Sunset point, which overlooks a dense valley and most of all the warli art which can be seen and bought from a local arts shop. Though this place deserves to be seen in monsoons only,the monsoons are too fierce here. We stayed at Sunset Point Resort.

Decorative Warli Painting in the Resort we stayed

On the way to Jawhar we came across Vihigaon village waterfall,a silent, secluded waterfall. This place rarely has any visitors and therefore an ideal place to spend time. The waterfall can be seen from the main road, but one has to climb down the small hill to actually reach it.

Vihigaon Waterfall

Another attraction on the way to Jawhar is the Devbandh area. An ancient Ganesh temple is based here. Devbandh is a tranquil paradise. You might be the only souls around here. After visiting the temple, we went around this place. An ancient stone bridge over a river gushing with mercky water, rain clouds stooping low, the green hills and green background made this place look like a painting.The river suddenly turns placid as it moves further. We spent couple of hours here hesitant to move ahead. A truly magical place. Devbandh waterfall is about 15 mins trek from Devbandh temple, but we couldn’t make for the waterfall.

An old antique carraige

Dabhosa falls is another place worth visiting, the energy this waterfall displays is astounding. Water falls from around 300 feet in a ravine which is wild to the core. The green valley and the ravenous waterfall are an exciting thing to see. A plateau nearby gives the best view of Dabhosa falls.Dabhosa falls is around 16 kms. from Jawhar on the Silvassa road. The last 1 kms. Stretch has to be done walking as vehicles are accessible only till Dabhosa village.

Dabhosa Falls

Places Near Jawhar - Vihigaon Waterfall , Devbandh Ganesh Temple , Devbandh Waterfall , Dabhosa waterfall

For more pics visit - http://myodysseys.com/Trips/Maharashtra/Jawhar/Jawhar.html