07.04.09 6.20am Start from Bangalore, halted at Belagam at 5.15pm – 518 kms.

08.04.09 7.30am Start 7.50am 26574km KA-MH border

1. SINDHUDURG (Malvan) Sea Fort
This is a fort in the sea, i.e it is an island fort. This is one of the few forts, which Shivaji had built. It has been well maintained.

Snorkeling, coral viewing and such other facilities are available near this fort.

(In Karnataka, we have one such fort near Honnavar. It is known as Basavaraj Raya Durga. It is totally under ruins. Our Tourism Dept has not done anything to improve/maintain it)

2. KOLLAPUR Mahalakshmi Temple
This exquisitely carved temple draws millions of pilgrims from all over India and is an important spiritual centre.

Over the years, members of several royal families have sought the blessings of the goddess Mahalaxmi or Amba Bai.

The temple complex has artistically sculpted structures and houses the temples of other deities such as Kashi Vishweshwar, Kartikaswami, Sheshashayi, Siddhivinayak, Mahaswaraswati, Mahakali, Shree Dutta and Shree Ram.

Kolhapuri Chappals are famous and we bought the same. It costs extremely less here, like 100 rupees or so, for ladies chappals.

3. PANHALA Fort & Hill Station
Panhala is possibly the largest and most important fort of the Deccan. There are a number of monuments in the fort. Most impressive among them are the three huge granaries. The largest among them, the Ganga Kothi, cover nearly 950 sq m. In the northeast corner of the fort, there is a double story building, called Sajja Kothi, where Shivaji had imprisoned his errant son, Sambhaji. It was from here that Shivaji, when encircled by the forces of Siddi Johar, escaped one rainy night to Vishalgarh. Today, Panhala is a sort of hill station and provides all the necessary facilities for tourists.

8.00pm halt at Panhala– 325 kms.

09.04.09 9.30am start

4. GANAPATIPULE Temple

A quaint little town along the Konkan Coast, Ganapatipule is a popular beach haven. Legend has it that Lord Ganapati, on being offended by a native lady, changed his dwelling from Gule to Pule, and thus the town was named Ganapatipule. It houses the famous Swayambhu Ganapati temple. The drive to Ganapatipule is quite spectacular, lined with beaches, an expanse of palm trees and casuarinas plantations, and small fishing villages.

5. ARAVALLI Hot Water

This is a hot water pond. The water flows from the pond and is hot enough to take a bath. But as there is no body to maintain it, it is in a very bad state. We saw it because it was just off the NH17, along our next destination.

7.50pm halt at Mahad – 342 kms

10.04.09 7.00am start

6. RAIGARH Fort

Raigarh was Shivaji’s capital, the hill fort where he was crowned (1674) and where he died (1680). There is only one pathway to Raigarh, probably in keeping with Shiviaji’s strategy “the fort’s approach should be easy for friends and impossible for foes”. On a low mound in the centre is the site of Shivaji’s throne. Further north is the two-row market place, the Jagadishwar temple in an enclosure and the Samadhi of shivaji, and also that of his favourite dog, Waghya.
MTDC has constructed a ropeway to go to the top of this fort. (I think this is the only fort, which has this facility). We can go to the top by trekking also.

Local guides are also available at the top of the fort. It is better to have the food in the bottom of the fort.

MURUD JANJIRA FORT (Sea fort): (Could not visit due to lack of time)

Situated on a rock of oval shape near the port town of Murud, 165kms south of Mumbai, Janjira is one of the strongest marine forts of India (the word ‘Janjira’ is a corruption of the Arabic word Jazira for island). The fort is approached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty. The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is quite close to it. It has a small postern gate towards the open sea for escape. The fort has 19 rounded bastions, still intact.

7. PRATAPGHAD Fort
The Maratha king Shivaji commissioned Moropant Trimbak Pingle, his prime minister, to undertake the construction of this fort in order to defend the banks of the Nira and the Koyna rivers, and to defend the Par pass. The Battle of Pratapgarh between Shivaji and Afzal Khan was fought below the rampants of this fort on 10-11-1659. This was the first major test of the fledgling kingdom's army, and set the stage of the establishment of the Maratha empire.

8. MAHABALESHWAR Temple & Hill Station

This is a temple town. It is also the number one hill station of MH. An evergreen vast plateau with long beautiful roads, horse rides & foot paths along forest. Honey & chikki, channas, waling sticks, fruits like strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries & mulberries, vegetables like red potatoes, french beans, beets, salad, carrots, and radishes are famous here.

There are many sightseeing viewpoints in Mahabaleshwar. I have seen many view points in many places of many states. Among all these, I rate these viewpoints as must-see viewpoints. If you visit Mahabaleshwar without seeing these view points, then your trip is a waste.

Arthurs Seat: It is fascinating to see the barren deep valley Savitri on the left & shallow green valley on the right. It is more fascinating to know that Arthur's seat is the only place showing geographical distinction of Konkan & Deccan, two territories of Mahabaleshwar, so clear & so near.
And the other one is another queen of all points. Some compare the stratification of rocks on southern side to the world famous stratification of rocks of the Grand Canyon of Colorado. USA.

Kates Point: Offers breathtaking view of Krishna valley & deep waters of the Dhom dam. From southern side, it looks like an elephants head. There is also an echo point.

Panchaganga Mandir: As per the Hindu mythology, five holy rivers Krishna, Venna, Koyna, Savitri & Gayatri, show their token appearance here, in five springs flowing closely. They are seen flowing in five stone conduits & joining in one horizontal half channel, leading to the Goumukhi cow face.

Shri Shankar Mandir: The Mahalinga of the lord Shiva is of Rudraksha shape & believed to be swayambhoo. It is called Trigunatmaka meaning Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh is on it forever. On the head of the mahalinga you see the marks of the five holy rivers (Panchaganga) & their waters never loose their level. This is considered to be superior to the twelve jyotirlingas.

7.30pm halt at Mahabaleshwar – 118 kms.

11.04.09 7.30am start

9. PANCHGANI Hill Station
The five hills surrounding Panchgani are topped by a volcanic plateau, which is the second highest in Asia after the Tibetan plateau. These plateaus, alternatively known as "table land", are a part of the Deccan Plateau and they were raised by pressure between the earth plates. The area has high seismic activity, with an epicenter near Koynanagar where the Koynanagar Dam and a hydroelectric power plant have been built.
10. WAI Temple
Considering the number and architecture, Wai could be called as 'a town of temple'. Temples built in the Hemadpanti style of architecture, are located in and around Wai. (Use of huge stone slabs is the major characteristic of Hemādpanti architecture).

Dholya Ganapati temple is one of the prime temples in MH. The idol of Lord Ganesh is very big (as its' name suggests) and is situated on the beautiful ghats of river Krishna.