26. A weekday trip to the Kaas Valley : Maharashtra's 'Valley of Flower's'

July 2013

I never tire of saying that Pune is the best place to be during the monsoons. This year, however, it has been too much of a good thing. Since the beginning of July I have not seen the sun – and I am not exaggerating. Even as I type this post I can hear the pitter-patter of the rain outside and I am thinking, ‘oh no! Not again’.

But the good thing is that before I got the seasonal blues, and the rain lost its charm we made a trip to the Kaas Valley in Satara district on the 5^th of July. We had just returned from Chennai, after attending a friend’s wedding, and the weather in Pune seemed like heaven after the heat of Chennai. So when a couple of friends suggested we beat the weekend rush and make a trip on Friday itself (we had not even unpacked after our return the previous day) we just drove out of the city, very early in the morning, again, to beat the traffic.

Pune is in a valley surrounded by hills on all sides. Just a short drive out and you will see scenic green countryside surrounded by small hills. During the monsoons the hilltops are covered with wispy rain-clouds which give them this ephemeral, ethereal look which is most enchanting. So, as I was saying we drove out from Katraj to the NH4, towards Satara, some 50 odd kms over the Sahyadri Mountains. An easy and uplifting experience. The green carpeted mountain sides and a view of the city far below – all very beautiful. After a drive of about 30 kms on the NH4 we took a right turn into Satara. After crossing the city we could see the cloud covered mountains right in front and our spirits lifted in anticipation. The road forks with the left going through a tunnel to the Thoseghar waterfalls and the Chalkewadi windmills and the right fork to the Kaas Valley. A split second decision made us take the left fork . 

After driving some 20 kms and taking a few directions from the locals we reached the Thoseghar Falls. Incidentally a waterfall is called ‘dhabdhaba’ in Marathi. You will do well to remember that because we mostly drew a blank when asking for a waterfall. Thoseghar had more takers. After paying an entry fee of Rs.10 per head we made our way in, in a steadily increasing drizzle, to the waterfall viewing point. We had an umbrella and a raincoat between 4 of us, so needless to add all of us got thoroughly wet and cold and thrilled. The waterfall was in full spate and formed a mist as it gushed down from a height. Beautiful sight! We heard some birds and saw some monkeys and a couple of Harvester Ant nests too.

After a rain shortened trip to the falls we drove back to the point where the road forked to the Valley of Flowers. We were not expecting any flowers there, yet, of course, but all the same we decided to drive upto the lake. Sure enough, we passed the enclosed section of the Valley of Flowers, where we saw cattle grazing and no flowers. So we drove on to the lake, but first decided to take a tea break as our damp clothes and shoes made us chilly. Our friend, Piyush, who had visited the valley last year, said that on weekends the place near the tea-stalls enroute to the lake is choc-a-bloc with cars and people, and it is very difficult to find a spot to park your car. Today ours was the only one, subsequently joined by a couple more.

Kanher Lake and dam

 

Kaas on our way up

On the way back

Some white flowers were showing up. The valley changes colour depending upon the specie flowering at the time. I guess it will be white first!

 

The Kaas Lake was already full upto the brim and looked enchanting with the mist hanging on it. The way upto the lake was slippery but it looked so hauntingly beautiful, we gingerly picked our way upto the very edge of the water.

Kaas Lake

 

An abandoned guest house near the lake.

We called this rock 'The Sphinx'

Discovered a 'Duke's Nose' here too. You can see the eyelid too! (below)

Glistening wet rock has its own beauty!

This post will be completed when we revisit after the flowers appear in the next couple of months. Right now waiting for the sun to appear.


links to other Articles on the Kaas Plateau/valley:

1) Kaas Plateau/valley revisited