Offbeat Pune – [New] Valley of Flowers

You must have visited the most famous valley of flowers Kaas plateau and the famous tableland of Pachgani … Both locations are blessed with natural beauty but cursed by the crowd !!! In fact from last year I do not suggest to visit the Kaas plateau to avoid rush & damage due to vehicles !!

But remember …. it’s Incredible India !! …. And do not forget that you are blessed with mystical Sahyadri mountain ranges where Kaas is not the only plateau of flowers  🙂 … But only difficulty is that Kaas plateau is reachable by motorable road and others not 🙁

Serene water at Lake Raireshwar

 So where is this [New] Valley of Flowers and is it easy to reach ?

My recommendation is to visit the [New] Valley of Flowers … Which is also most important historic place of Maharashtra …..

Raireshwar where you can see bigger plateau than Panchgani & at higher height !! If compared with Kaas it is almost equal in size and at slightly higher height. Look at below table which I have compared by net research ….

What’s so special at Raireshwar ?

I think the most loved part of Raireshwar is numerous flowers around … Misty air … Cloud walks … Amazing lake views ….

Located towards the south west of Pune, near Bhor this is an ideal location for one day trek / trip or even night camping on your own or at home stays at fort top.

Since you have brand new road available till the foothill, you will be able to reach there in mere half an hour, second best thing is that all the difficult climbing part has been taken care by SBI & forest department by installation of stairs over rock patches. Even you can take your guests easily for a one day trek cum trip …

The deep valley views from top will be really exciting, high pinnacles will add the toppings, long trunks would make you feel to walk far and the lush green forest with numerous waterfalls around 🙂

All in one place history and nature together … Amazing package to get for in a day …

Just have a look at wikimapia map showing stretch of Raireshwar plateau ..

Now coming to the main historic part of Raireshwat .. this is THE place where the Famous King of Maharashtra … Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj took “Sacred Swarajaya Oath” at young age of 16 !! He took this sacred oath by dripping blood from his little finger on the shivlinga praying for his success to make Swarajya (Freedom land where people will rule) And I am sure everyone knows the golden words written in history of Maharashtra 🙂

Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj is known & respected  for his ganimi kava fighting technique all over the world.

Lake Raireshwar reflections with my love

Best time to visit

During monsoon or winter season (I would say August to October)

Difficulty level

Easy [if you drive till foothill] – If you wish to enjoy waterfalls, you have to walk for certain distance towards village Korle [ask local people for the nearest waterfall]

Medium [if you park your car at Korle village, ~2 hours climb from base village Korle, advantage of this route is that you will enjoy walk through lush green road and enjoy waterfalls on the way.

What to see [see the forest department board photo below]

• Temple of Shambhu Mahadeo
• Mata Janani’s temple
• Gomukh Lake
• Aswal Lake
• Pandav Leni
• Get magnificient views around the plateau
• See Pandavgad, Vairatgad, Pachgani, Mahabaleshwar, Kolheshwar, Rajgad, Lingana, Rajgad,
  Torna, Sinhagad, Vichitragad, Purandar, Rudramal, Chandragad and Mangalgad

Map of Raireshwar plateau – Click to enlarge

Information about points to see by Forest department

White flowers glowing in the mist – On the way to the Raireshwar temple

Ladder put in by SBI & Forest department has made your life easy

Raireshwar Plateau valley of flowers glowing whites

What can be most precious than your love 🙂

Gomukh – Fresh Water Source available throughout the year, just before you reach the temple

Raireshwar Temple will be visible within 15 minutes of small walk

Sanctum Sanctorum [Gabhara] of Raireshwar temple

Raireshwar Temple – Shankar Pindi where the sacred oath of Swarajya taken

How do I reach

Option 1 – Pune to Bhor via NH4, Head towards Korle village from Bhor (~30kms from Bhor Phata)
From Korle, drive to Bajarwadi, the base village for the trek (~10 kilometers)

Option 2 – From village Korle, take right turn, after @ 1 kilomter rough patch, you get brand new road till foothill of Raireshwar

Option 3 – Drive down to foothill from Panchagani [via Dhom dam]

Option 1 & 2 bonus –  On the way village Korle, visit Nageshwar temple and a hanging bridge [built in 1936] in Ambavade village

Roads less traveled – Brand new road to the foothills

Enjoy this beautiful waterfall on the way Korle to Raireshwar

Korle to Raireshwar – Multi fold Waterfalls

Korle to Raireshwar – Look at the beauty of Sun rays

Food & Water

Call on phone number below to inform if you wish to take home food. [this is because villagers need to buy vegetables from Panchgani so if you do not infor you will have to eat only Zunka] You get Nachani Bhakar and Zhunka with red chilli chatani.

Also please note that since this is sacred place, you are not allowed to take non-veg food anywhere on the plateau, please respect the place.

Where do I stay

There is huge shade which can accommodate 50 people very easily,but its open
OR
Village people has build halls where you can stay at very nominal rate.
Also some of them has dome good toilet provision 🙂 so no issues for ladies, just check before you finalize your stay

Contact of local villagers

Tanajee Jangam 8689966672, 8552972862, 9221324015, 7798732794 (good toilet facility)

Dagadu Jangam 9322761153, 9220152743

Gopal Jangam 9822887057, 9370717634, 9325826441, 9764319991

(Already they have told that all phone numbers may not work so you have to try all !)

If you are still interested in visiting Kaas Do read my complete experience

You can also plan Kenjalgad and Rohida by camping at Raireshwar

Raireshwar Trek FONA group – Trek leaders Mandar & Manoj