शिडी घाट

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

शिडी घाट.. किल्ला नव्हे, ना गड.. 

by this time (because of Sinhgad streak), had found another subject for discussion with colleagues, neighbours and family members.. few shared their trekking experiences whilst also providing suggestions on what locations fall under "not to be missed" category.. the 📝 todo list started building-up and up next was शिडी घाट..

22 december 2018

plan was to start early enough, so that (you know it) the climbing part was not left at the mercy of afternoon heat..

then was time for some fun.. miscommunication / misunderstanding..

we wished each other 'भेटू उद्या' on WhatsApp group and just-like-that thought of doing the driver check, which miserably failed as he thought the booking was for 23rd morning.. 😳 last option we had was of private cars, but luck played its part 🤞 and a substitute was arranged..

03:00 a.m. was first pick-up and at 06:00 we reached खांडस.. during breakfast, it was time to learn more (after YouTube) about both the routes.. few of us reluctantly agreed and all 15 of us started towards mutual decision..

our destination was standing huge and tall, right in North front of us 🧭.. after walking a while on the tar road, followed gradual ascend through a dried-up river.. then was time for what the name signifies - शिडी, rather शिड्या.. huge in size, robust by structure, simplifies the climbing matters a bit, but simultaneously also retains the thrill part of it.. whoever has brought and fixed these heavyweights at this location and height, has indeed done a brilliant job.. 👏

then, it was time for a slightly difficult / more thrilling part - those 🧗‍♂️ multiple rocks (from YouTube).. climbing them without much hassles, followed the common half from both the routes, मुंगी घाट..

we reached भीमाशंकर (the ज्योतिर्लिंग) entrance in a total of about 3 hrs..

अंघोळ नव्हती केली कोणी पण मंदिरात काही खास गर्दी नसल्याचा फायदा सगळ्यांनी घेतला.. एकाने म्हंटल्याप्रमाणे "मन साफ पाहिजे".. 🙏

after a light lunch, it was observation time - the playful शेकरू 🐿️..

descending the common half till पदरवाडी, the rest was to be done through easier counterpart, never ending गणपती घाट, a spacious jungle with tall trees 🍁.. awestruck by the view of शिडी घाट from this side, makes you feel more proud of your achievement from the morning.. 😊

as said before, this is not to be missed..

that day was full moon 🌕.. attaching a snap captured during return journey..

credits: Mahesh