Hiradpada Waterfall, Jawhar, Palghar, Maharashtra

Hiradpada Waterfall is a beautifully located waterfall in between the hills. This waterfall is like a sister waterfall to Dabhosa. Both waterfalls feed the same river. Dabhosa waterfall is at a distance of around 10km from Hiradpada. Hiradpada is a village located nearby this waterfall hence its name. This waterfall is less visited than Dabhosa but actually its more beautiful. 

This waterfall is recently developed by the local villagers to boost tourism. This waterfall has more potential to become a tourist spot than Dabhosa. As less number of tourist flock here, no such eatery or refreshment shop is here and thats a good thing though else it would have been messed up. Local village boys guide you way down till the waterfall mostly on weekends due to holiday.

This waterfall is not as big as Dabhosa but height is almost similar. Dabhosa has more volume. Hiradpada ispristine and untouched and still beautiful. However the waterfall pool is deep and dangerous. Avoid going down during heavy rains. 

HOW TO REACH: MAP and ROUTE

The waterfall is easy to reach and board markings are also placed. The tar road is made all the way till waterfall for 2 as well as 4 wheelers. Ample of parking space is available. One can club their visit to both waterfalls Dabhosa and Hiradpada.

Don't go according to the google map, go only till Hiradpada village by google map and from village take left, by the way the local kids and people there are very helpful and will also guide, no need to worry about the road.

Hiradpada Waterfall Video

Bekare Waterfall, Bhivpuri Road, Karjat

Bekare / Bekre Waterfall is a multistep waterfall which lies near Bekare Village close to Bhivvpuri Rd or Neral Station. It is a easy to reach, small and safe waterfall ideal for family. Also known among rappellers, the main waterfall rock patch is around 30m in height. The waterfall pool is shallow and safe. However during heavy rainfall it is prone to flash floods in which raging amounts of water flow in it. Around 1.5km walk from the Bekare village will lead to this waterfall. Time taken will be appx 25mins from village. It is a very beautiful waterfall amidst lush green vegetation.

There is a Khambya Devi Temple in Bekare village. After crossing the bridge near the temple one has to take right jungle route alongside river. After a while another bridge will be seen, one has to cross it and go straight towards the waterfall. (Map Route Given Below). Reaching the waterfalls is easy even during heavy rains as bridges are placed and one need not cross river bed. However during heavy rains one should see the waterfall only from distance as volume is high.

Bekare waterfall receives its water from Matheran mountains. As this waterfall lies at the foot of Matheran hills. Locals do farming around this waterfall as well as a source of drinking water.

Base of waterfall as well as top of waterfall is easily accessible via a prominent route from right side of the falls. One can enjoy at the base as well as top of the falls.

Also at the lower step of the falls there is a natural cave like formation. One can sit and relax inside the cave while water flowing above it. However the cave is very small but pleasing experience.

Locals villagers are very friendly. They can also guide you and show you the way. However some also put up stalls near the waterfalls for refreshments (only during weekends). Also the local dogs are super friendly and show you the way and follow you everywhere.

How to Reach
Reaching Bekare waterfalls are easy. One can hire auto either from Neral Station (Also base of Matheran and Peb) or from Bhivpuri Rd Station which is next of Neral Station in CST-Karjat Central Line. Bhivpuri Rd Station is closer to Bekare Village than Neral Station.
One can also walk from Bhivpuri Rd to Bekare village in order to avoid taking auto but the route is long and it is a 4km walk from Bhivpuri Rd till Bekare and then 1.5km from village till Waterfall.

Bekare Waterfall Trek Map Route

Bekare Waterfall Video

Dhodani Waterfalls, Panvel, Maharashtra (Dodhani)

Dhodani or Dodhani (धोदाणी ) is a village which lies at the base of Matheran mountain range. This village lies at the west end of Matheran mountain. This is by far the best located village at the base of Matheran mountain. Dhodani is also well connected by local bus starting from Panvel station. This is a fairly big village. However this village is surrounded by numerous rivers which gets collected into Gadeshwar dam. Yet another scenic place near Dhodani. The main waterfall here which is most visited is the Dhodani or Dodhani Waterfalls. However the lower end of the falls is known as Sukha waterfalls. Being easily accessible and nearby along with being beautiful many tourist as well as trekkers come here during monsoon. The waterfall is very safe with no pools.

GADESHWAR DAM LAKE

Many trekkers also trek to Matheran from Dhodani village. The Matheran is accessible from all sides and Dhodani is one of them. The route from this village opens up in Sunset or Porcupine point at the top of Matheran. An easy level trek.

The overall Dhodani is broken into steps and fall height is appx over 200 to 250m. The main stage is very big and cataract where as the lower end (Sukha) is a type of cascade and very beautiful.

Main Dhodani Cataract Falls

Dhodani or Dodhani can be visited in monsoon. Local villagers are very helpful and also provide food and refreshments to tourists. However it should be the duty of visitors to keep such nature places clean and green. No littering in such places as well as no drinking. The peace of such places should be maintained.

The river is the prime source of the villagers for irrigation, farming as well as house hold activities. Tremendous volume of water flows through this river during monsoon. The river bed is very wide. One can even enjoy near the river beds.

DHODANI WATERFALLS

DHODANI WATERFALLS

Also certain groups perform rappelling over these falls along with ziplining. A perfect waterfall to perform waterfall rappelling.

Sukha Dhodani Waterfall Top

However the top part of waterfall is quite dangerous. The rocks are very slippery and the curvature is smooth. As well as there is a small hole in rock which is deep and can form whirpools during heavy flow. Height of the falls is around 30m ideal for rappelling and lies at an altitude of 230m above sea level. However the main falls drop from Matheran plateau around 650m above sea level from Simpson Tank in Matheran.

Dhodani is by far the most beautiful waterfall in Panvel region near Matheran. It can be visited by all of any age group. It is easily accessible from village as well as village is well connected with roads by transports.

HOW TO REACH

1. Panvel to Dhodani ST buses
2. Local jeeps
3. Private transport
4. Road route starts from Terana Circle in New Panvel East which passes straight through Koproli and Nere Gaon going straight towards Maldunge Dhodani village via Gadeshwar Dam. (20km from Panvel Rail Station)
5. Parking is also available at the village near Temple. (5 to 7 four wheelers vehicles max)

DHODANI WATERFALLS MAP TREK ROUTE

Dhodani Waterfall Video

One can also spend some time on vast meadows of Dhodani village which provides good range views of Matheran and surrounding mountains.

Bhaja Caves, Lonavala, Maharashtra

Bhaja Caves is a group of 22 rock cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC located in Lonavala region in between the khind of Lohagad and Visapur forts. These are buddhists caves like Karla, Kondana, Lenyadri, Bedse, Pandavleni, Ajanta, Ellora. This is a group of caves which is small to moderate in size unlike other buddhist cave. Kondana caves in Karjat being much smaller. The overall length of the total 22 caves is spread around 230m.

Bhaja caves lies at the base of a khind between Lohagad and Visapur Fort. Rather Bhaja caves lies at the base of Visapur Fort. One can even trek to Visapur fort from Bhaja caves.The striking feature of this cave is the 14 small stupas constructed beside each other which is not to be known in any other caves.

From the main parking road, Bhaja caves lies at an height of around 120m with an overall altitude of 730m above sea level. Bhaja caves can be reached via stairs climb. The climb is short of about 15 to 20mins. Total length of climb to reach the caves from main road is 400m. One can find local refreshments provided by local people like lemon, kokam, tak juices. During monsoon one can combine the caves along with the waterfall which flows aside it.

Bhaja caves has most of its shape intact and like any other Buddhists cave, it also has a Chaitya hall, viharas, water tanks. These caves also have multi storey form where stairs are provided from outside. The largest part of the cave is its Chaitya hall. In one particular cave there are multiple carving of god and goddesses along with a room with verandah and shelves.

Chaitya Hall

This is the spacious hall and has a big stupa of about 3.5m in diameter with a relic on top. The hall has 27 pillars which is octagon in shape. The height of each pillar is appx 12 feet. The chaitya hall has ground plus 1 floor rooms on its both side as shown in above pictures. The main façade of Chaitya hall is appx 12m in height and 8m in width. The arch of Chaitya hall has wooden shafts to support. The length of the hall is appx 18m long. Chaitya hall was supposed to be the meditation hall of monks where they used to gather and pray towards the stupa. This hall is supposed to be earliest surviving Chaitya hall compared to other Buddhists caves.

14 Stupas Group

The most distinctive feature of this Bhaja caves is its group of 14 stupas which is not seen in other caves of Buddhists. This is considered to be erected in the remembrance of the deceased monks. There are inscribed writings on the stupas which are the names of the monks who died in Bhaja. There are 5 stupas carved inside a cave and 9 stupas carved outside the cave. Only one of the stupas has intact relic on top.

Cave with Verandah and Carvings

This cave lies at the end of the Bhaja caves length. This is the only cave with verandah, windows, viharas, shelves with arches and detailed carvings of god and goddesses. This cave is intricate.

The last cave has waterfall during monsoon. The water tanks on these Bhaja caves are quite deep about 12 or more feet. The water tanks are also carved ingeniously with small opening on rock face and then goes quite deep below. 

Multi Storey Caves

Bhaja caves also shows magnificent piece of architecture in making multi storey caves. The caves beside the main Chaitya hall are multi storey with ground as well as first floor. The floors are connected externally via rock cut stairs.

There are multiple deep water tanks in caves but there are two tanks which are being gifted from a warrior whose name has been carved on the rock, These two tanks are still used to drink water. The water is still cold and sweet.

Bhaja Caves Features

The caves carved in Bhaja caves are similar to the caves in any other Buddhists cave with stupas and viharas. Different door carving styles were also used.

Surrounding region of Bhaja Caves

Bhaja caves lies in East West facing direction. The face of Bhaja caves is such that if a straight line is drawn normal to cave, that line will divide the country into perfect North and South India till East. The caves lies in the forest of Lohagad and Visapur division. One can see the Visapur wall as well as Lohagad Vinchukata from Bhaje. The village of Bhaja can be seen clearly with open fields. The region is also home to beautiful waterfalls during monsoon.

Panoramic View of Bhaja Caves

How to reach and where to stay

Bhaja caves is easily accessible and safe. The caves are well guarded by security guards. There is an entry ticket for tourist. 25INR for Indian. The place can be reached easily by a car or bus. One can come down the ghat from Lohagad khind to Bhaja caves as shown in above pictures or one can come from main highway of Mumbai Pune highway. From main highway two roads diverge 180 degrees. One going Karla and other Bhaja. Plenty of options to stay at highway hotels. MTDC Karla is the best place to stay. 

TIMING OF CAVE: Morning 9 till Evening 5:30

ENTRY FEE: 25INR (Indian) 300INR (Foreign) (As of April 2022)