Introduction
Saputara the semi-hill station of Gujarat is just a km away from Maharashtra border. This place can be visited year round but it feels like paradise on earth specially during the monsoon. It is at an altitude of just under 3000 feet in the Sahayadri range.
Saputara is just about 80 kms from Nasik and 155 kms from Surat. But surprisingly it gets 80% of the crowd from Gujarat, majority of them from Surat. Rest 20% are from Nasik, Mumbai & other nearby locations of Maharashtra. Many people from Surat make a day’s picnic trip to Saputara.
The name Saputara literally means ‘Abode of Serpents’. Saputara has mythological importance, as it is believed that, Lord Rama spent some period of his exile here. Local legend believes that Rama met Shabri here.
We also take a trip to Hatgad fort in Maharashtra (6 kms from Saputara).
Activities in Saputara
Saputara has all the features typical of a hill station. There is a lake with boating facilities that include pedal & rowing boats and there are sunrise & sunset points. Moreover, a cable car ride is a major attraction that affords panoramic view of the lake and valley below. The table top has the highest point of Saputara. Camel, horse & bike riding facilities are available here. In addition beautiful gardens near the lake add to the charm. Besides, the adventurous can avail of the paragliding facility. Further, there are number of treks, forest reserve, botanical park and waterfalls for the nature lovers.
Saputara is not yet as commercial as the other hill stations. It’s a perfect weekend getaway destination. Therefore, the place gets really crowded on the weekends specially during the season. If you prefer a peaceful, tranquil vacation then come to Saputara on week days. There is a chance that you may find only solitude, serenity, nature & yourself. If you love long walks then you can cover the entire place on foot.
My several visits to Saputara
I have visited Saputara at least 7 to 8 times as it has easy accessibility from Nasik. In addition I love the place for those long walks around the lake in the lap of verdant nature. Both sunrise & sunset points involve trekking & climbing. My last visit was in February 2020 just before the pandemic hit us. In short, visit Saputara to spend some stolen moments in peace & tranquility. I am sure it would be a welcome break from the hustle & bustle of the city life.
Saputara in pics
Nageshwar Mahadev Temple
The Nageshwar Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped here as the God of Snakes (Nageshwar). The temple has a simple architecture. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple enshrines a beautiful black granite Shivlinga. There is also a Nandi statue facing the lord in the outer hall of the temple. The temple is located near the lake close to Sav Shanti Lake Resort & Hotel Anando.
Hatgad Fort
A climb up to the Hatgad Fort is always a delightful trekking experience. I have climbed it thrice in different seasons and found that the climb during monsoon is the most thrilling one. On another occasion we started the climb at dawn and enjoyed the wonderful sight of the sun rise.
It is located just 6 kms before Saputara on the Sahayadri range at an altitude of 3600 feet. As it rises about 600 feet from the plain below, the rocky fort looks imposing. We walk up till the steps of the fort on a tar road for about 800 meters Vehicles can go up to this place between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thereafter a winding flight of about 150 steps carved out of the rocky mountain takes us to the top. We pass through a series of four gates. But as I have always preferred climbing in the morning it was always a trek.
History of Hatgad
The fort had a strategic importance on the trade route to Gujarat. It’s use was as a watch tower to keep a watch on the activities on the Nasik and Gujarat side of the mountain range. A small garrison of soldiers stayed stationed here.
The history of the fort is very sketchy. A translation of the inscription found inscribed on the fort wall on the way up reveals the following fact. In 1547, King Bhairavsen, son of King Mahadevsen of Bagul dynasty captured the fort. He defeated Burhan Nizam Shah of Ahmednagar. Bagul dynasty ruled from Baglan between 1310 to 1638 CE and claim Rashtraudha or Rathore lineage. Rashtraudha Kavya is a laudatory text written during the time of King Narayana of Baglan. The court poet Rudrakavi composed it in 1596. In this poem there is a reference of Bhairavsen capturing the fort of ‘Hastagiri’. Scholars believe that Hastagiri was the old name of Hatgad. This proves that the fort existed in 1547 but there is no reference to who built it originally and when.
The fort later came under Mughal rule. Chhatrapati Shivaji used this route for his Surat forays in 1664 & 1670. Marathas must have captured the fort. As per the local legend when Rangrav Audhekar held the fort for the Peshwas, a Supkarna Bhil laid siege to the fort. The siege got lifted after the Maratha garrison in the fort fired & destroyed one of the Bhil guns. The Bhils burnt the village and withdrew. Later the fort came under British control.
Fort today
Not much remains of the fort today except for some dilapidated monuments. Even though the fort was not at a very high altitude the ascending path passing through four gates secured the fort. A wall though not very high ran all around the fort. What is interesting is the presence of several water reservoirs on the top of the fort. The most important ones have the names Gangā & Jamuna.
The ascent from the ground level takes about 45 to 50 mins. One can easily spend an hour & half exploring the top. During descent it takes not more than 20 to 25 mins. At that early hour, the chances of finding another person on the fort is rare. The panoramic view of the valleys below is breathtaking.
On one of our several visits to Saputara we had stayed at the Club Mahindra Anando Palms Resort which is at the foothills of the fort. It became much convenient to go up before sunrise.
This definitely is a fort worth climbing for history buffs and for those interested in nature & trekking.
Please take a pictorial tour of Hatgad fort.
Hatgad during monsoon
Visit Hatgad during monsoon for an ethereal, mystic feel. During monsoon a cool breeze blows and at times the clouds hang low and graze the hills. We experienced all these and felt that we were literally walking in the clouds !!
Let us take a Pictorial tour of Hatgad fort during monsoon
Vansada National Park & Gira waterfalls
Vansada National Park is located 60 kms from Saputara on the Surat highway. The drive from Saputara to the forest reserve is beautiful and the winding hilly road took us through teak forests with river Ambika accompanying us through out the route. The National Park is part of Dang forest area. It is home to tall trees/ bamboo forest and several varieties of flora & fauna. While we had to satisfy ourselves by sighting only few monkeys, peacocks & a kingfisher bird, we had the lovely experience of driving through thick forest area in our own car!!
The famous Gira falls are close by where river Ambika takes a plunge. While there was hardly any water in the first week of February but during monsoon it is a sight to behold !! Local tribal people make bamboo products which are available in the shops here. We bought two fruit baskets.
Waghai Botanical Park is located at a little distance from Gira Falls. It has more than 1200 plant species. There are more than 270 varieties of trees. Several types of cactus & succulents are grown here.
Saptshrungi Gad Vani devi
The temple is situated at 4659 feet above sea level, on a hill surrounded by seven peaks. Maharashtra has three and half Shaktipeeths and Saptashrungi devi is the ardha Shaktipeeth. Sati’s right arm had fallen here. The figure of the goddess is about eight feet high and carved in relief out of the natural rock. The devi has eighteen hands (ashta-dasha bhuja). Further, each hand grasps a different weapon. Saptashrungi Gad is the place where Goddess Bhagawati dwells. The Devi’s image is painted bright red with sindoor.
Saptashrungi signifies seven horned/mountain peaks. Nanduri village is situated at the foot of the Saptashrungi Gad. The Saptashrungi hill has variety of flora having medicinal worth. There are a number of kunds like Kalikund, Suryakund and Dattatraya Kund. Opposite to the Saptashrungi hill is the Markanedya hill. A deep ravine divides them. This is said to have been the abode of the sage Markendeya. During his lifetime, he used to recite Puranas for the Devi. He wrote Durga Saptashati.
Large fairs are held in Chaitra and Ashwin Navratra.
How to reach the temple?
The temple is at a distance of 62 kms from Nasik and 52 kms from Saputara. Firstly, from Nasik one has to take NH 953 for Saputara. After travelling about 38 kms one has to take right turn and travel 24 kms to reach Saptashrungi Gad. The road is excellent and the route is picturesque.
Earlier one had to climb about 500 steps to reach the temple but now the funicular trolley has made the climb a cake walk. We used the trolley during our last visit but I personally missed the picturesque climbing by steps.
The winding road from the base village to the temple affords scenic vistas with tall mountains and water bodies. It’s a sight to behold during the rains.
Connectivity
The best way to get to Saputara is privately by road. As already mentioned, it has easy accessibility from Nasik & Surat. From Mumbai it is a 5 to 5.30 hours drive via Nasik. Further the drive is picturesque and the drive from Surat is through the Dang forest. Nasik is connected by air with Ahmedabad, Hyderabad & Bengaluru. Surat is connected with many cities by air.
Places to stay
Saputara has several hotels to suit every budget. Besides, there are private apartments & villas available on hire. In the luxury category is the newly opened Sunotel Hotel where the tariff is around Rs 6700 plus taxes. Among the higher end the best options are Aakar Lords Inn, Shilpi Hill Resort, Hotel Lake View & Patang Residency. Here the tariff ranges from Rs 4700 to Rs 5300 plus taxes. In the mid range are Hotel Anando, Sav Shanti Lake Resort, Chitrakoot Hill Resort, Sejal Inn & Toran Hill Resort (by Gujarat Tourism). They are in the range of Rs 2200 to Rs 3000 plus taxes. The tariff goes up during the weekends. I have stayed at Chitrakoot Hill Resort (25 years ago when it was the only decent stay option). Besides this, we have stayed at Sav Shanti Lake Resort, Hotel Anando, Aakar Lords Inn , Shilpi Hill Resort and Toran Hill Resort.
Club Mahindra also runs a resort located near Hatgad fort. It is open to members. We have stayed in this resort too.
Food
As Saputara is in Gujarat, Prohibition is in place so no alcoholic beverages are officially served or allowed. The hotels serve only vegetarian food. A number of hotels, resorts & villas have come up in Hatgad (7 kms from Saputara) which is in Maharashtra. They serve liquor & non-veg food. Many people who stay in Saputara cross over to Maharashtra and come to Hatgad for food and drinks. There are many fast food joints near the lake that serve delicious chinese dishes, pav bhaji & dosas. You get tasty roasted and boiled corns year around.
Shopping
One can visit Tribal Artistic Village at Saputara and buy tribal artifacts & handicrafts that include bamboo products. A visit to Tribal Museum in Saputara gives an exposure to the culture of the various tribes of Dang region.
Pure honey
Yet another attraction is a visit to he Honey Bees Centre. This apiculture centre is famous for rearing and breeding honey bees in order to collect honey in its purest form.
Visitors get an opportunity to learn about the process of beekeeping from close quarters. This centre provides an insight into the functioning of the honey industry from its basic level. Visitors can purchase the fresh and pure honey extracted at the Honey Bees Centre.
Regular updates
I have clicked all the pics (except as mentioned)
In case you have enjoyed going through this travelogue then please comment below and share the link with your friends. If you have missed reading my earlier blogs then you can go to the site www.travelindiathroughmyeyes.com and click on the heading of the respective blogs.
You can reach me at rameshkabra1956@gmail.com for any feedback or queries related to this post.
Please follow my Instagram Accounts @rameshkabraexplorer and @artheritageofindia_rameshkabra
I am also on Twitter as rameshkabratraveller @rameshkabra12
I am Life Member of INTACH Nasik Chapter.
Disclaimer:
I have made sincere efforts to provide you the correct information about all the places that have been culled out from various sources. I do not take any responsibility for any errors that might have crept in the narration. There is no intention to hurt the faith or religious sentiments of any person or community.
The travel has happened before the pandemic hit us. Take care & stay safe. Before travelling please check about the travel restrictions if any due to Covid.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.