Raireshwar fort is a hill fort in Bhor Tehshil of Pune district, and 85 km away from Pune city. Raireshwar has a temple famous for its historical importance where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took the oath of foundation of ‘Hindavi Swarajya’ in 1645.
We started our journey at 8.30 am and reached the base of the fort around 10am, we followed route via Bhor which is very narrow and not recommended for large vehicles. There is another route via Wai which is good.
There is a small village settlement of the top of the fort. You have to climb iron ladders to reach the top and is the only way to reach the fort. Ensure that you carry plenty of water with you. After reaching the top we had breakfast and enjoyed kanda bhaji, wadapav and kokam sharbat at the only stall available there, its open only on weekends. We visited all the places on the fort except seven coloured soil.
Raireshwar Fort
Raireshwar Temple
This is a beautiful place to visit during the monsoon or the winter season. The views from the fort are just breath taking. Ideal place for a one day trek and can also be made a two day trek if you plan to visit Rohida and Kenjalgad.
Kenjalgad Fort seen from Raireshwar Fort
We left the fort around 1.30 pm and visited Sardar Kanhoji Jedhe and Jeeva Mahale samadhi at village Ambawade.
Sardar Kanhoji Jedhe Statue
Sardar Kanhoji Jedhe Samadhi
Jeeva Mahale Samadhi
There is a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva called Nageshwar, which is family deity of Sardar Kanhoji Jedhe.
Nageshwar Temple
Lord Nageshwar
After taking blessings from Nageshwar we reached at Sardar Kanhoji Jedhe wada at village Kari in 20 minutes. Its renewed house and a small museum where you can see few historical things. Descendants of Kanhoji Jedhe live there and who greet and speak with utmost affection to everyone who visits.
Diveagar is on the western coast of India in
the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It is one of the safest beach in the
Konkan region. Diveagar is extremely popular for its beautiful beaches.
We are looking for 2 days quick trip before
summer vacation ends. The first 3 weeks of May were very busy with various
summer camps. There was no activity in the last week and since it was our
wedding anniversary, we planned a trip on 29th May. Considering time and
distance, we decided to visit Diveagar and Harihareshwar as it is 4 hours drive
from Pune. And Aaravya (my son) had to go there since, the famed 'Golden Ganesh
Temple' Diveagar got back its gold idol on the auspicious Angaraki Chaturthi on
Tuesday 23rd November 2021, which was stolen in a daring temple heist after
killing two security guards in March 2012.
Date – 29th May 2022
We began our journey @ 8 am after having
breakfast at home and reached Diveagar around 2 pm after having few quick stops
at Tamhini for Karvand (berry-sized fruits). The route is amazingly beautiful
especially during and after monsoons. Road is in good condition except 1-2
rough patches in tamhini ghat.
The route to reach Diveagar is Pune – Paud –
Tamhini Ghat – Mangaon – Mhasala – Diveagar.
If you do not want to drive and only want to go to Diveagar, then there is a ST for Shivaji Chowk, Divegar from Swargate, Pune. It leaves Swargate at around 2 pm, reaches Diveagar at 7pm. The same ST leaves Diveagar for Pune the next day at 5:30 in the morning.
Somewhere at Tamhini Ghat
It was my second visit to Diveagar and third
to Harihareshwar.
We had brought food with us as my in-laws were
accompanying on this trip, he was on medication so didn't want to miss his
mealtime. We booked 2 rooms at Aai resort as the booking was done just a day
ago, AC rooms are not available, so we booked non-AC rooms. We wanted to stay
at Aai resort as our previous stay was very comfortable there. Nowadays in
Diveagar, few new hotels are built up and available for accommodation.
After some relaxation in the afternoon, we went to the beach at 5:30 and
enjoyed swimming and water sports.
We @ Diveagar Beach
The beach is on walking distance of 10-15
minutes, almost a kilometer away. The beach was not very crowded though it was
Sunday, but more people were there than usual. The beach is a broad, sandy, and
clear water; it is separated by a road. The climate was not very pleasant, but
it was fine as expected at end of summer.
Sunset @ Diveagar beach
We came back to the resort around 8 pm. After
freshening up, we visited the resort and its surroundings and chatted with the
resort owner and other guests in the courtyard. We had dinner at Aai Resort and
the food was good. If you want to dine at any hotel or khanaval in Diveagar,
you have to let them know in advance.
Date – 30th May 2022
We got up around 7am as we don’t want to visit
the beach in the morning. Our plan was to visit Suvarna Ganesh and Rup Narayan
temples in the morning and then to Harihareshwar. We went to Roop Narayan
temple first as Suvarna Ganesh temple opens at 8am.
Rup Narayan temple is located close to the
beach. It is a very old temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Temple is made up of
laterite red bricks and it is beautifully sculpted, and idol is carved
meticulously on black stone in a way that all ten avatars (Dashavatar) of
Vishnu are visibly seen in a clockwise direction. The Lord Vishnu idol is with
Sankh, Chakra, Padma and Gada in four hands and is so beautiful and mesmerized.
One can feel good positive vibrations in this temple. There is another temple
adjacent to it, it is of Lord Sundar Narayan. There is a well in front of the
temple with very well constructed steps to go inside.
Beach is at a walking distance from this
place, the road to this place is very narrow so better to park the vehicle
behind on the main road.
Roop Narayan Temple, Diveagar
Roop Narayan
Deepmal
Sundar Narayan
When we reached Suvarna Ganesh temple it was
opening. Good parking space available opposite Ganesh temple. We parked our car
and move toward the temple. There was not much crowd but were only 15-20 people
waiting for the temple to open along with us. As soon as we entered the temple,
we felt very pleasant. The Ganesh idol in this temple was made up of gold,
hence the name "Suvarna Ganesh". This temple earlier had a gold
statue of Shri Ganesh, unfortunately it was stolen in March 2012. Thieves
killed two security guards there. Later thieves were captured but gold idol and
ornaments were melted. But it has now been replaced with another similar gold
statue in November 2021.
This Temple is reconstructed with beautiful
design and the premise is very calm. It is situated at approximately 1 km from
the beach.
History of Suvarana Ganesh temple is quite
fascinating and interested one.
It was special day of Sankashti Chaturthi of
Hindu Calendar on Dated 17th November 1997, there was found a copper box in a
coconut farm while doing cultivation. The Box was Muddy as it was buried and
looked ancient. It has some words written from the old Sanskrit. This incident
attracts the interest of entire Village people of Diveagar. The box had a
sculpture of Lord Ganesha made of pure gold along with Gold ornaments of it. It
was then that god was named as Suvarna Ganesh. It is believed that Lord Ganesha
idol is approximately 400 years old.
Suvarna Ganesh Temple, Diveagar
The temple atmosphere is very calm and clean.
It’s a small, peaceful but a divine place. After spending half an hour there we
went back to the resort as we placed an order Ghavane and chutney for breakfast
there. Unlike Pune, in Diveagar, tea or breakfast is not available early in the
morning; you need to wait till 9 am.
At 9 o'clock we were very happy to get
white-soft-big ghavane and spicy chutney, the tongue is satisfied with
authentic konkani menu and we were served hot tea after that.
Our initial plan was to visit Harihareshwar in
the morning and come back to Diveagar and check out in the noon after some
rest, so we placed lunch order in Bapat Khanaval for veg thali with modak and
solkadhi. But considering distance and time to travel to Harihareshwar and of
course the bright sunlight we changed our plan and decided to travel Pune
directly from Harihareshwar. The distance from Diveagar to Harihareshwar is 35
km which requires almost 1.5 hours due to narrow and rough road.
After breakfast we packed our bags, checked
out the resort and headed towards Harihareshwar.
Harihareshwar village in Shrivardhan taluka of
Raigad district of Maharashtra, it is know for Lord Shiva and Kalbhairava
temples. The place is also known as Dakshin Kashi. This temple is most ancient,
and the main deity of the temple was the ‘Kuladaivat’ of the Peshwas, the prime
ministers of the great Maratha Empire. 'Pradakshina Marg' around the temple was
built by Chandrarao More. Even in 1674, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has also
visited the Harihareshwar temple. Later, the temple was even renovated
completely in 1723 by Bajirao Peshwa I after having been almost destroyed in a
fire.
The road is not in good condition but drives
along the sea is pleasant. We stopped a few times to buy Mango, Karwand and
Jamun and reached Harihareshwar in an hour. It was very hot at that time, after
parking a car and you need to walk a little to get to the temple and there are
steps in some places. My father-in-law would not have been able to walk so much
hence they both stopped at a restaurant and three of us went to the temple.
The architecture of the temple is unique and
attractive. Inside the main sanctum of the temple, there are idols of Shiva,
Parvati, Vishnu and Brahma in the shape of a linga. Quite close to the temple,
there is are other two temple - Lord Kalbhairav and Goddess Yogeshwari.
There was little rush due to Monday as it
being lord Shiva’s day, few people doing abhishek and pooja. We could take
blessings in 15-20 minutes and then went to halfway of the pradakshina path. We
have enjoyed tides and photography there but due to bright sunlight we were
feeling exhausted. There are few Sharbat stalls available where you will get
nice drinks, we enjoyed cold buttermilk which was must needed that time.
A pradakshina path goes around the
temple, along the seashore. It is not advisable to go on this route during high
tide. The day we were there was exactly the new moon(amavasya) hence
pradakshina path was closed due to high tide.
High Tide @ Harihareshwar Beach
Pradakshina Path during High Tide
After spending an hour there, we left and done
some shopping and came to the place where my in-laws had stopped. As it was
almost 12.30, we wanted a good veg meal. We enquired there and got to know
about Ashokvan, a place for pure veg meal which is a kilometer away from the
parking. Actually, we wanted to eat modak, solkadhi and rice bhakari but you
need to place an order for this menu a day before.
We stopped at ‘Ashokvan Pure Veg’ after seeing
the board at left side while travelling from Harihareshwar to Diveagar/Mhasala.
The place is a bit inside, it is not easily noticed from the road but there is
a board at the roadside. You need to park your vehicle near the board and walk
2 minutes to reach the house where the food is served. It is a simple place with
simple setup, a typical Konkani house where a buffet is arranged. Everyday menu
is written on the board there. They start serving food @ 1 pm sharp, we had to
wait as we reached there around 12.40pm so we roamed their wadi which is very
beautiful.
Mangoes!!
The crowd started to grow as soon as it was 1
o'clock. We also started the lunch which was delicious home-made food. The
taste was awesome, typical brahmani food, we all really enjoyed it. Their
charges are Rs. 200 unlimited food for adult and Rs. 100 for kids. This place
is 100% must visit when you are in or near Harihareshwar and of course a
vegetarian.
Veg Thali @ Ashokvan Pure Veg
We didn't expect it to be so crowded but in
next 15 minutes only there were almost 20 people were waiting and almost 40-50
people were already dining. Better do prior booking on the previous day. They
serve Modak but you need to tell them a day prior.
After having a hearty meal and filling
stomach, we talked to them for few minutes only as he was very busy in
arranging the food and table for those who were on waiting and of course we
complimented them for the taste of food.
We left around 3pm, headed towards Pune and
reached home around 9 pm only after a pit stop at Tamhini Ghat for tea.
Highlights -
Trip duration - 2 days (29 May 2022 and 30 May 2022)
Nilkantheshwar, a lord Shiva temple is on the hill between Khadakwasla and
Panshet dam. This temple was built by Sarje Mama. It is an ideal place to
experience nature and mythology.
Lord Shiva drinking poison (Halahala)
We were planning a day trip for Diwali holidays to nearby location and the
main purpose was to show Aaravya a new place and a small break from the
daily routine. To fulfill this purpose, we decided to go to Nilkantheshwar
on the day of Bhaubeej i.e. 6th November, we were accompanied by my
sister-in-law and her husband.
Travelers for trip
After starting our journey at 8.30 am we reached the destination at 10.00
am, distance traveled was around 45 km.
Please refer the below route as it shows another Nilkantheshwar temple
near Donje and you may mislead. Road is little narrow but good in
condition except few rough patches.
Route to Nilkantheshwar
As it was morning, the weather was very pleasant. I can imagine how
beautiful the scenery and nature would be in the rainy season. The temple
was located almost a km from parking and was a climb uphill. After 45 mins
of puffing we reached at the top of hill. You may get your fitness tested
here!! The road is very steep so you should wear shoes and carry napkin
and water bottles.
The view of the surroundings were simply wonderful, the shades of coloures
grey, brown, blue and green were awesome.
Way to Nilkantheshwar temple
We were tired of climbing and needed something cold to drink. An old lady
was selling lemonade and buttermilk, so we quickly satisfied ourselves
with a glass with buttermilk and lemonade. This was the only stall we saw
there. Though the climb was a bit laborious, we enjoyed it meticulously.
Once you enter the temple, you are greeted by a huge sleeping
Hanuman.
Sleeping Hanuman
After reaching the top we saw numerous statues from Indian mythology which
include statues from Ramayana, Mahabharat, Deshavatar etc. On the left
beyond the statues there is a valley below, and the view of
Panshet-Varasgaon dam from there is breath-taking which will stay in your
mind for a very long time.
Panshet-Varasgaon Dam view
You can easily spend 2 hours on the top seeing each and every statue and
trying to recollect the story behind the same. You have to walk little
long to see all those statues and are no roofs for many statues, there are
very few trees in the yard so no option to stay in the shade after walking
so keep an umbrella or avoid visiting the place in summer.
Draupadi Vasraharan
Pandavas, Shakuni and Duryodhana
Lakshamana cuts off the nose of Shurpanakha
The waking of Kumbhakarna
Bheem and Bakasur
Shri Gurudev Datta PC - Sachin Tambekar
After the darshan of Lord Shiva, we saw sabha mandap, idols and the
surrounding area, just as we were leaving, we smelled hot kanda bhajji and
our footsteps automatically turned to that only shack there. My son
Aaravya ate sabudana khichdi which was very soft and tastier than Kanda
bhaji. After having a cup of tea, we started to descend and reached our
vehicle within 25 mins.
There is a temple of Someshwar but as very tired so we did not go there
and headed straight towards Panshet Dam. On the way we had lunch at MTDC's
restaurant, meals were served within few minutes and taste was okay,
except bhakri…bhakri was not made properly.
Heroes at MTDC
After the lunch we went for boating in Panshet, enjoyed boating and a long
session of photography, we set off in 1 hour. On the way back to Pune, our
intention was to have quick stop at Khadakwasla, but seeing the crowd
there, we canceled the plan and reached home around 5.30 in the evening.
