WILD LIKE WATERFALLS #VisitAgain

I had just graduated and was figuring out what to do further but to have plans for future, it eas necessary to have a relaxed present to think about what to do in life, so my parents had planned a short gateway family trip of 2 days midst rainy season. It was the month of July, monsoon was just getting warmed up. Our trip was quickly planned, it was decided that we shall visit Panchgani and shall get down in Ratnagiri. It was a 1 nights 2 days affair. We all were ready with bags packed, taken all necessary things like raincoat, extra pairs of clothes, extra blankets for cold.

The day arrived for us to leave for a family trip after a very very long time. All were excited to go on this trip in rains as not a lot of times family trip is done during rains that too Konkan side because of bad roads. The first stop was Panchgani. We were gliding through the Expressway towards pune. It a delighted highway for mile-munchers. We had started early morning at about 5AM. We first visited the Prati-Balaji Temple in Pune. The temple is exact replica of Balaji Temple of Tirupati which is well managed and very clean. It was a quick visit amd we moved ahead. Meanwhile, we also had quick breakfast after the temple visit and all were ready to go further.

We reached Panchgani by afternoon. It was drizzling at that time and eas very cold. The Mahabaleshwar- Panchgani is known for its pleasant winters and a very famous hill station in Maharashtra. First thing we did was to have a sumptuous lunch, having a big vegetarian thali was fulfilling. Now we moved to Table land. Back then there were no tickets, no advance booking etc to visit the Table Land .
It was rainy season, still lot of time to go for full blooming flowers which gives a great view of the table land. Having clicked multiple photos through the camera lens as well as capturing the green lush through eyes, we started moving further. It was time to go to Ratnagiri. We were going to stay at Chiplun city.
By the time we left for Ratnagiri, the rain god was going crazy and started raining heavily. So driving slowly because of low visibility and fog we reached Chiplun city. The hotel was already booked so we had nothing to worry about.

Now when in Konkan, not having fish is a major sin. Hence we indulged in fishmania. We ate so much that we could barely walk to the hotel and we crashed into bed and went to sleep.

Sun was shining bright and we were energised to go for our next visit to the Parshuram Temple in  Malivadi, Chiplun. Suddenly the climate started to change and in no time the dark clouds formed and started raining heavily.  We still could visit the temple but couldn't click pictures as because of heavy rains we left our camera in the car. The temple is very beautiful constructed in 1700s and devoted to 6th Avatar of Lord Vishnu. Its a really beautiful architectural site and the precision carving is outstanding showing rich culture of Maharashtrian Architecture. Because of heavy rains which were not ready to stop, we couldn't explore the entire temple and decided to go back as we had to go to our next destination. Meanwhile, a hot bataata bhaji (potato fritters) were being made at a local shop. Rains, cold weather and Bataat Bhaji is an ultimate combination. You will know it better if you are an true Indian. We now got back to the car amd started our journey towards Marleshwar, a hidden jewel in true sense. Its a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. One jas to climb about 300-400 steps to reach there but the beauty of this place cannot be told in words. This place is surrounded by mountain from all three side and the magnificent Dhareshwar Waterfall. Origin of this temple is unknown and the temple is situated inside a cave. Having nature's beauty all around and especially the rainy season makes this place a perfect place to connect to god in the nature's lap. After spending a good time there, clicking pictures. I personally left the place with heavy heart as the beauty had taken my heart away. By late night, we are back to our home bringing back many memories of this travel which also helped me relaxed and find my new journey for my career.

Amongst this entire travel experience, I really want to visit Marleshwar once again but yet I couldn't make the plan to visit this trip. May be one day when I get divine call from nature, I shall find myself here once again. The beauty of Marleshwar have stolen my heart and makes want to visit there once again that too only in the monsoon.

In my opinion, its a perfect place to connect to the unknown. The music of the waterfall falling on the rocks, birds chirping, the greenery everywhere, its just so perfect. The waterfalls is actually pretty far from the temple but can be heard from the parking lot as well before starting to climb steps.

You do not find such places very often that just makes you fall in love withing a blink of an eye and then makes you longing for it badly. Its been 8 years, I have travelled from same route multiple times but never actually got the time or may be I am yet to get that call from the nature of Marleshwar.
One day. I will be waiting till then.....