KARJAT
Karjat is one of the glorious spots to spend the weekends with friends and family. It is best suited to carry out bunch of adventurous activities such as mountain climbing, trekking, river rafting etc.
It is the home of largest farm houses and heaven for trekking zealots. It has dangerous trekking paths. The three important trekking trail leads to Matheran via Rambagh point, Peth Fort, and Chanderi Fort. Wide water rafting is also another famous activity in monsoon. The starting point of the rafting is in Kondana village, which is about 15kms from Karjat. July to September is the right time to go rafting. Rafting is done in the Ulhas River.
Karjat is a place with a modern touch where people from Mumbai, Pune and Thane gather here to take part in New-Year bash and other festivals. Nitin Chandrakant Desai's "ND Studio" attracts the visitors. Famous production companies such as Walt Disney, Dream Works and Twentieth Century Fox are setting up their studios here. Slumdog Millionaire, The International award winning film was shot here.
Karjat would be at its zenith of beauty during rainy season. Best time to visit is from August-November.
PLACES TO VISIT
Ulhas Valley : This valley feels like heaven when the water gushes amidst the greenery and vanishes silently in the forest. The train passes through the tunnel made in the valley, the splendid serene offers a remarkable journey to the visitors.
Bhor Ghat : This is famous for trekking and it was a trade route of the old times which connected the hinterland on the Deccan Plateau with Revdanda, Panvel on the Konkan coast.
Kondiwade Kondheshwar Temple : Situated at Sandshi it is famous for its carvings and sculptures.
Bahiri Cave : It is a popular trekking spot. It is located in front of the Ulhas valley at a height of 600mts. The path is very dangerous and it is advised to take the help of a local guide. A fair is held on the day of Chaitra Poornima.
Nakhind : It is a mountain which is about 700mts tall, it offers a spectacular view of the ghats.
Chanderi : Chanderi belongs to the group of “four lofty peaks” called Mhasmal. A beautiful cave is present at the base of Chanderi.
Bhimashankar : It is one of the famous religious places which consists of one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. It is the birth place of River Bhima. Bhimashankar is surrounded by lush greenery and stands at a height of 1005mts. Nagphani is the highest point, it looks like the hood of cobra.
Peth : It provides spectacular view of the Konkan coast and Matheran ranges.
HOW TO REACH
By Air : Mumbai and Pune are the nearest airports.
By Train : It is well connected with Mumbai.
By Road : It is about 100kms from Mumbai and has direct buses.