It was Friday, 26th Feb 2010 we (me, Aditya, Vijendra, Swapnil and Hrishi) decided to visit 'PadarGad' which was calling me since November 2007 when we had visited to KothaliGad. From there PadarGad is clearly visible. As usual we decided to go on Saturday but because of the sun heat we decided to reach Khandas which is the base village for PadarGad in night. So as decided we leave Pune at 10 pm and reach Khandas at 01:30 am.
There I had already called Santosh (the guy from the base village) accordingly. So we stayed at his house for that night. It was 2:00 in night we slept. In the morning we wokeup at 5:00 am an d get ready at 06:00. We started walking towards the Ganesh Ghat. We took Santosh also with us as no one from us know the route and Santosh had the rope also.
It took half an hr. for us reach upto the base of Ganesh Ghat. Since it was morning time the climate was very pleasure. Here we climbed a small steep path we reached to the Ganesh temple. From here we looked behind the way we coved from Santosh's house.
After having rest for 10 mins we started next. By now the sun was looking at us
and it must be smiling but we did not realised that. It was the correct decision of taking Santosh with us. He showed us lot of things around on the way. After passing some zig-zag path for some time we reach on a plateau. There Santosh took us on the edge of the plateau and showed ladder which is used to go to Bhimashankar from Khandas. Fortunately I had taken my Binacular so we could see the ladder and path very clearly. That ladded is used to reach to Nagfani of Bhimashankar.
We spent half an hr. over there and watch the nature surrounding. From here the tough patch is started. It was 08:00 am in the clock. From the plateau very steep path started and we take around half an hr to reach upto the 'Chimany'. Passing through the 'Chimany' is just an amazing experience. There is very small place in between two rock patches and on top of it there is one big stone fall with some empty space. We have to go through this space. It was just a unique experience. At the 'Chimany' it is very windy. Every one of us enjoyed the patch.
and it must be smiling but we did not realised that. It was the correct decision of taking Santosh with us. He showed us lot of things around on the way. After passing some zig-zag path for some time we reach on a plateau. There Santosh took us on the edge of the plateau and showed ladder which is used to go to Bhimashankar from Khandas. Fortunately I had taken my Binacular so we could see the ladder and path very clearly. That ladded is used to reach to Nagfani of Bhimashankar.
We spent half an hr. over there and watch the nature surrounding. From here the tough patch is started. It was 08:00 am in the clock. From the plateau very steep path started and we take around half an hr to reach upto the 'Chimany'. Passing through the 'Chimany' is just an amazing experience. There is very small place in between two rock patches and on top of it there is one big stone fall with some empty space. We have to go through this space. It was just a unique experience. At the 'Chimany' it is very windy. Every one of us enjoyed the patch.
After climbing through this 'Chimany' there are few steps on the rock which taked you to the first cave. A group of 10-12 people can stay in this cave. But there is no water available in this cave. On the top of the caves there are 2-3 water tankes which were dry completely. But from July to Nov there is ample of water available in this tanks.On the other hand side of the wall there is another cave and to go there is a bit risky without any equipments. Because Santosh was with us we dared to go this cave also. It was amazing.
There we had our breakfast. Unfortunately that day I was on fast as usual on every Saturday. So I could not eat anything. We started back aroung 11:00 am to Khandas. It was very hot and then we realised why the sun must be laughing at us...
We reached Khandas at 13:00, we all were very tired. But Santosh's wife served us a very good quality food along with 'thandgar ghatt tak'. It was fantastik.
For more photos: http://picasaweb.google.co.in/agorhephoto/PadarGad##
How to reach: From Pune it is around 130 km. Base village is Khandas.
Height:-2002'(610m)
Base:-Khandas(from karjat)
Approach:-on the way to bhimashankar
Difficulty:-Difficult(one rock patch-need rope)
Water:-not available
Base:-Khandas(from karjat)
Approach:-on the way to bhimashankar
Difficulty:-Difficult(one rock patch-need rope)
Water:-not available
