Malshej Ghat

Overview:

Malshej Ghat is the perfect holiday destination for hikers, trekkers, nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The dark clouds and heavy fog during the monsoons increase the charm of this hill station manifolds; although it’s notorious for landslides during the onset of monsoons. Elevated at an average altitude of seven hundred meters above sea level, Malshej Ghat is a serene hill station with placid lakes, verdant slopes and cascading waterfalls. This mountain pass is nestled in the lofty rugged hills of the Western Ghats range in the Pune district of Maharashtra. Nestled at a considerable distance from a small town, accommodation options in Malshej Ghat are quite slim. Flamingo Hill is a resort run by MTDC – Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation in the vicinity. Apart from the MTDC resort, few other private resorts are available. Visitors find the nearby village of Madh as an alternative for boarding and lodging. Located around 3 kilometers from the rest houses at Malshej Ghat is the famous village of Khireshwar, through which the famous Harishchandragadh Fort is accessible. An abundance of cascading waterfalls, in the hilly regions; varying from small to huge are worth viewing. Other places of tourist interest in Malshej Ghat are Ajoba Hill Fort and Malshej Falls. One of the major attractions in Malshej Ghat are the scenic views of the valleys. Also famous for dark woods and the animals inside, which includes leopards, rabbits, tigers and peacocks etc. The hill station also has many trekking trails. Malshej ghat is situated in Pune district near the borders of Ahmednagar and Thane districts. People vacationing in Mumbai or Pune might want to exploit the opportunity to undertake a short trip to Malshej Ghat. The distance between the state capital and this popular weekend getaway is a little over 154 kilometres and it is 130 kilometers north of Pune city. The ride from Mumbai to Malshej Ghat by car takes around 3-4 hours. Car rentals booked online are a popular choice for travelling to Malshej Ghat from Mumbai as they ensure a comfortable journey and allow people to travel at their own pace. Some tourists like to rent a cab or a taxi for the entire duration of their stay in Malshej Ghat so that they always have a vehicle at their service, which makes it easy for them to travel in and around the place.

Places to Visit:

Pimpalgaon Joga Dam is one amongst the most touristic places in Malshej Ghat. Stretching close to five kilometers, it blocks the water of the Pushpavati River, creating a spectacular expanse of backwaters, which acts as a haven for various species of birds like pied crested cuckoo, quail, whistling thrush, alpine swift, pitta, purple moorhen and the migratory flamingo.

The Harishchandragad Fort is yet another sightseeing point in Malshej Ghat. The fort is situated at an altitude of 1424 metres above sea level. The fort appends breath-taking views of the rugged and lofty Sahyadri Range and its surroundings. It is believed to have been constructed in the sixth century during the Kalachuri dynasty. A beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and some Buddhist caves located nearby are also worth visiting.

Things To Do:

The large folk of migratory birds coming from Siberia between July and September make Malshej Ghat illustrious. Malshej Ghat’s woody countryside makes it home to a myriad of flora and fauna especially the avian population such as quails, rails, crakes, flamingos and cuckoos, and is a haven for bird watchers and enthusiasts. Another eye-catching spectacle is the mating dance of the pink-legged Flamingo birds.

Visitor may also partake in the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi. Celebrated for ten days, between August and September to commemorate the birth of Lord Ganesh, Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the major festivals of the state. The traditional sweet called ‘modak’, is prepared to appease Lord Ganesha.

The best way to explore this beautiful place, is by walking through its mystic forests. Adventure enthusiasts may also check out the lovely peaks and forests through trekking on Harishchandragad Peak or go for a nature walk in the verdant forests surrounding this hill station.