The bus stopped at parel to pick up kitchen utensils etc. Some of us got down to have a cutting chaay. It cost Rs. 2 (yes, two in Mumbai mahanagari! ). It turned out to be an auspicious day for the Jain community. I saw a religious procession in progress in the morning (a saturday).
A closer look at the womenfolk participating in the procession; the ornate temple main gate is visible on the right of the photo.
Do we need to say anymore?
A new age bus (read the words on the body of the bus: dulhan) carrying pilgrims
The pilgrimage is to the holi city of Pandharpur; the pilgrimage is organised by the Adinath Sampradayik bhajan mandal, ghatkopar, a suburb of Mumbai. A photo of Vithal (deity of Pandharpur temple)-an incarnation of Vishnu- is at the top left part of the banner.
I could click earlier photos because of queue at the khalapur toll gate on the Mumbai Pune expressway.
The scenery changed as soon as we left the toll gate behind. An enticing advt appeared on the right. I could only look at the ad; can't afford a flat in a hill station with the TIFR salary.
India's first (6 lane) expressway that traverses the western ghat section.
A view of the khopoli town. Khopoli was the traditional mid-ghat stop on the karjat-khandala ghat road - a part of National highway 4. Khopoli seems to have lost sheen to the new age expressway (that skips khopoli altogether).
The good old NH4 is at perpendicular to (and above) the expressway.
'Swagatam' (Welcome) says an old board erected by the government. The bridge (a landmark of Khandala ghat) used to carry railway line in the past. Nowadays, the trains pass through tunnels.
We are in the city of chikki (Lonavla). We have to take a right turn towards the Aamby valley city. However, the right turn is prohibited - so says a traffic board. Worse, there was a traffic policeman to ensure that drivers do not violate traffic rule. So, the tifr bus had to go straight, follow a government public transport bus, 'ghusavo' (barge-in) into the govt. bus stand and thus effect a U-turn. A traffic abiding U-turn would have meant another 20 kms and half an hour extra time. The famous 'Maganlal chikki' was being sold in practically all shops.
Since it was a saturday, hordes of Mumbaites and Puneites were going towards Lonavala and Bushi dam to have fun and frolic. So, the local government was levying a tax - called it (anti) pollution tax.
A view of the Lonavala dam on the way up to Korighad.
The korighad.
Fairly well maintained steps lead to the top. Trekking to Korighad involves about 1km pleasant walk in the woods and a climb of about 200 steps. An ideal picnic (or mild trek) for the family.
A view of the water body within the Aamby valley complex.
A closeup. Arrays if white tents can be seen near the top of the picture. Buildings are being constructed on this side of the lake.
Enthusiastic climb by the members. A budding photographer is contemplating.
Trekkers in a single file.
Srinu and his friend at a mid-point pit stop.
Amby valley is in the background. Ahoy, you need to remove that cap so that we can see your face!
The 'Om'walla, hiding his hairstyle with a cap.
Finally the main gate of the fort.
A group has reached the top a long ago and started munching the snacks they brought from home (the 'numkin' distributed by the organisers is already consumed). Others are on their way up, taking rest after every 5 minutes. The weather was good-gentle cloud cover.
A view of the bastion
Some 'engineers' are inspecting the condition of the main gate.
A zoomed view of one section of 'Aamby valley'. A lot of good roads can be seen. Buildings are under construction. An year later, one should see many more buildings.
A group photo on the highest point of the fort: Srini, ??(hat is off now:-)), vijay, Pravin and Naik
Group at the top of the stairs. The attention of men at the sidelines is somewhere else.
An umbrella for a trek? ha ha ha.
A view from the highest point on the fort. The road coming from Lonavala is visible. The TIFR bus is parked parallel to the road.
Water overflows from a man made lake on the fort, resulting in a minor water fall.
Below the fort is an airstrip! Not so clearly visible here.
The airstrip is clearly visible in this zoomed version
One of the several lakes on the fort. Wind was very strong and there were mighty ripples.
The scientist.
Some took the opportunity to cool themselves in the pool.
A temple on the fort
At the end of the airstrip is the main gate to the aamby valley complex
A close up
Is not the scene not inviting enough? It is; however, I don't earn as much as Amitabh.
Need to go down the fort for lunch
A team is celebrating the success of the trek (this was the pre-lunch session). Bipin was going ga ga about the unique ambience of this location.
In a relaxed (or is it elevated?) mood.
Why there is a bump on his head? Kya huwa?
The board announces the presence of "korai mata hotel" that serves fantastic lunch including south indian dishes. Do these two go together?
Bipin Kanchan posing.
Well, well; a cap has comes to the rescue!
A space scientist with a space engineer
On the way back, we saw hordes of people enjoying overflow water of Bushi dam.
The bus stopped on the road by the side of the Lonavala dam. Tea was being served.
Bipin is very happy at the extra cup.
A volunteer (in blue shirt) is collecting paper cups.
Between Lonavala and Khandala, I saw this roadside temple. The priest of Nilkantheshwar mandir is in a pensive mood.
View of the expressway from NH4. A car (seen at the left mid of the photo) is about to enter expressway.
