xl_rage

Place: Bhimashankar
Nearest town: Manchar, Khed, Pune
Distance: 120 kms from Aundh (Pune)
Attractions: Natural Spectacles, temple, roads
Road condition: mint

I generally try to complete the log when I complete the journey, so that I don’t miss out on the details. This one got delayed though. We completed the long due trip to Bhimashankar this republic day. We have been to Konkan many times now, but Nashik road was long overdue. There are many points to be covered there, so we thought why not start with a temple, Bhimashankar.

One major reason for not going that side was the fear of the roads. We knew that the roads have single lanes, without dividers. When you go on a bike, and you are immature rider like me, this situation is sure to introduce a little fear. Then we got reviews that those roads, though with single lane, are very much good in shape.





This is what wiki has to say, ‘There is a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Lord Shankar after getting angry killed Rakshas Tripurasura. The heat generated from their war caused the origin of river Bhima. That is why it is called Bhimashankar.’ ‘Bhimashankar is a good paradise for nature lovers, trekkers, jungle lovers and bird watchers.’ Now its late winter so we couldn’t exactly see the bliss of the jungle, but at least the sun was not a torture.







I have always loved to visit temples, as long as those are devoid of the aura of ‘established’ pilgrimage centers. For me a temple is supposed to be a place where you sit, relax and have a word with yourself. In your day to day life, you always do things, you run, you chase, and you have goals. A temple is kind of a place where you form them, where you reconcile, you ponder over what is till now, and why it was, is and will be. When the supposed to be calm and serene sacred place becomes a potential stampede zone, it basically loses its purpose. This being one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, and the day being republic day, we had to stand in the queue for at least a couple of hours. During that time I saw and admired the beautiful and maintained carvings in the stone, the temple is made in a black stone, each pillar and arc is huge and yet beautiful. The insides of the temple started and ended quickly, for we were forced to come out because of the queue.

Apart from the temple, another attraction was the jungle. Even few months after the prolonged Monsoons, we could see the jungle still dense and mesmerizing. We wanted to take a stroll in it, to visit a few tourist places inside, but the majority voted down the idea of treks. It was already past 1400 hours, and the hungry stomachs pretty much overpowered the desires of sightseeing for a few. We then moved out of the place and started the journey back towards Pune.

The roads near Bhimashankar pass through such a dense forest that even sunlight had to struggle to meet the surface of the earth. We halted there to click a few photographs. The rest of the group, i.e. one Tavera and one more bike went on. It amazes me to think how till date these roads were skipped. The initial fear was not entirely misplaced, but then that should not have been worthy enough to deprive us of the pleasure. Apart from the jungle road for a couple of kilometers, there was variety of terrain to entertain us. There was Khed ghat, with absolutely spotless, (or should I say pot less) shiny tar road, Then the road till Manchar which went through a plateau with vast lands of yellow grass. I was amazed to see the eternal sunshine (bouncing) off the tar road. I didn’t have to make way for my bike through the potholes, like I generally do in Tamhini. This is one recommendation for all bikers, the road must be visited.







After a long journey, which in the end turned too monotonous, because of increase in traffic and reduction of natural light, we came back to Pune at around 1930 hrs. As now it seems, this was just a trailer of the eastern provinces. I think now, we will soon go again to meet the eastern horizon through the famous plateau that we enjoyed this time. I was riding a 200+ kilometer trip after a long time now. But even that small a distance made an impact on my back. I remember I had done a Ganapatipule trip which was longest for me till date, but this mere 240 starting a backache is surely raising questions. This has not stopped me till now at least, I wait yet again, for a tar road of such beauty, for the riveting turns of the valley, for the opportunity to rev yet again…

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sunilg

Travelogue approved.

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tourer_kashif

nice trip bro,

I am a lil confused with the name though,why First Eastern Venture?

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ketan_r15

A small but beautiful log. Very well narrated. I liked the pics too.
All the best for your next eastern venture! Ride safe and keep sharing your experiences with us!

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RAK

I remember last time when I went there from Mumbai. Its almost 550+ Kms drive and in July the visibility was worst in the hills. One can hardly see the road beyond 10 Mtrs.

But the view was so scenic I will never forget it...touching the clouds has a completely different feeling in all. At one moment eveyhting used to be clear and the next everything would be covered with clouds. It was simply amazing.

MG

@xl_rage- Your logs are always pretty well written. Good to see the pictures also this time round.

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amitmalve

nice log & pics.Hey, even I did this same trip a month ago.Ya, pune-nashik highway(NH50) was great but the road from manchar to bhimashankar was full of pot holes Any was it was a great ride

xl_rage

I'm from Pune, so Nasik side is a little eastern for us.

@ MG_Biker1806, ketan_r15, amitmalve, tourer_kashif : Thanks Guys !

@ RAK : Its just Awesome in Monsoons... Its on my planner !

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