Hill Station ~~~ Saputara, Gujarat, India

Saputara: Gujarat's lonely charming hill station is perched on a plateau in the Dang forest area (Dang District, Southeast of Gujarat) of the Sahyadri Range of mountains, offering breathtaking views of the sunrise and sunset, at an altitude of about 1050 m (3500 ft) above the sea level. Saputara offers a pleasant climate ( leaning towards chill) and panoramic view of lush green Dang forest. The hill station is small enough to be entirely covered by foot. Saputara means the “Adobe of Serpents”. The town has a snake image on the banks of the river Sarpagana is worshipped by the Adivasis/ Tribals on festivals like Holi.

Saputara has been developed as a planned holiday hill resort with all the necessary amenities like hotels, parks, swimming pools, boat club, theatres and a museum to ensure an enjoyable holiday in the cool of the hills, with the main attraction being the Saputara Lake.
It has several gardens, picturesque locations and a cool bracing climate even in the hot summer months (the highest temperature even in the summer months not exceeding 28 Degrees C) making it an ideal getaway. The resort is equipped with adventure sports facilities like Paragliding. snap taken during paragliding -->

Legend has it that Lord Rama spent 11 years of his exile in these very forests.The thick forest around Saputara is dotted with Adivasi tribal, villages and their unique dance is great interest to visitors.

Sight Seeing/ Tourists Attractions: The well-planned Saputara is dotted with places of tourist interest:

Saputara Lake & Boating Club: Right in the heart of the valley is the extremely calm Saputara Lake, surrounded by greenery makes it pleasurable to sail in the lake in a row or paddle boat. Lake is 70 feet deep and spread in the vast valley surrounded by the hills. Several types of amusement facilities for children's available near the lake. One can enjoy boating in the Saputara Lake with a minimal entry fees (Rs 20/- per head for half an hour).

Sunrise Point: It is a point, to see the sun spreading its beautiful soft morning rays on the greenery below is a site to relish, which offers the best view of Saputara and adjoining Malegoan could be reached after a walk of 1.5 km in the direction of Waghai. The best time to visit this is in the wee hours of the morning so that the one may get enjoy the breath taking view of the hill station on sunrise.

The naming restricts the tourist traffic to this best place as tourists believe that the point should only be visited at sun rise, however, one may visit it at any time of the day to catch a Panoramic view. The Tata Consultancy Services has suggested renaming this point as “Valley View Point” to enhance tourist traffic. This point is also known as Sardar Shikhar.

The Ropeway: In order to enjoy the pristine and natural beauty of Saputara you must take the ten minutes ride across the valley to the sunset point organized by Hotel Vaity. The comfortable couple is safe and ideal for a family. The view from the halt midway is breathtaking, unforgettable on a moonlight night. Refreshments are available at Sunset Point at the Vaity Restaurant. It charges Rs. 40 per person ( so one can enjoy it whole day). Heart-patients, diabeticx, mentally-ill person cannot take this ride.

Sunset point:
It is a walk able distance from circle of Saputara to see the sun setting of late evening amidst the hilltops, is an experience and the site not to be missed out. It is also known as Gandhi Shikhar (peak). It gives a breathtaking view of vast spans of Dang Forest. It provides an aerial view of distant villages in forest. Visitors can climb or use the ropeway to approach the point.


Valley View Point: A bird’s eye view of the valley, a somewhat adventurous climb (1-1.5 km).

Gardens: Saputara is flanked by beautiful gardens like Lake Garden, Rose Garden and the Step Garden – making it a perfect place of repose for the wanderers.

Lake View Garden: A garden maintained at the banks of lake in the centre of Saputara.

Step Garden: It is a garden laid out in steps. It has also one forest hut built amidst it.

Rose Garden: It is a garden with different type of rose offer scenic places for tourist to laze in, while walking around Saputara.


Honey Bees Centre: It is a place where honeybees are reared and pure honey is collected. It is just opposite to the garden. It also provides information on honey industry and honeybee rearing.

Echo Point: It is situated just ahead of Rutumbhara Vishwavidhalaya. It provides fun and activities under one roof.

Snake of Saputara:
At the base of the lake, near the stream, there is patio, where a snake sculpture is placed. Local Dangis worship this snake.

Nageshwar Mahadev Temple : has the idol of the Lord Shiva, which is another major attraction at Saputara. The temple is visited by a lot of people because of its religious sanctity. The other Religious Attractions are Jain Temple, Swaminarayan Temple & Bhramha kumari Art Gallery.









Museum: There is a small well-kept museum with a tribal theme displaying the lifestyle, traditions, clothes, ornaments, musical instruments & agricultural implements of the tribes of Dangs. There is also a workshop making some of the traditional displays.

Artist Village/ Shopping: Visitors can pick up fine pieces of pottery, jewellery, vases, paintings, pen stands, key chains for souvenirs, all made from bamboo chips and other locally found material, from Gandharvapur Artist Village. Children can learn to make simple items in the workshop organized by the craftsmen.

n finally a happy family --------->

Excursion Tours from Saputara :

Hatgadh Fort : (6 kms. from Saputara) Hatgadh fort is on Nasik road. On the top there is a large water tank. There is small temple at the top. You'll be able to see a spectacular view of Satmala Range, Hatgadh and Saputara. This fort was build by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and taken holt at the time of Surat Swari.

Saptashringi Devi Mandir (Vani): (50 kms. from Saputara) Known as one of the sister of Goddess Kali. Sapta means seven and shring means pinnacle therefore Saptashringi means the mountain having seven peaks. This temple is visited by devotees throughout the year. Lacs of devotees visit the place during Navaratri.
http://daring-nomadic.blogspot.com/2008/02/pilgrims-paradise-2-sapta-shringi-garh.html

Vansda National park :
Originally, a private forest of maharaja of Vansada, attracts a lot of tourists. The park now covers on area of 24 Sq km. Despite its small size the park harbors tiger, leopard, pangolin,monkeys, rusty-spotted cat, python, giant squirrel, four-horned antelope etc. The forest is extremly dense & some parts are dark even during normal day time. Prior permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden, of Gandhinagar or DFO, Ahwa, is required before visiting the park.

Gira falls: (52 kms. from Saputara) It is located off the Saputara - Waghai Road, leads to a vast clearing where the picturesque Gira Falls emerging from the Kapri tributary can be viewed. It is an ideal place for picnic & should not be missed especially during the months of June to November. Visitors can get refreshments from a small tea and snack stall. Picnic Huts make it an ideal spot for relaxing and picnicking. A further drive (20 kms) brings one to the Unnai Mata Temple and the hot springs around it.

Unnai Mata tempte and Hot Springs : (72 kms. from Saputara) A drive of about 19 kms. from Waghai brings one to the Unnai Mata temple. Visitors can bathe in the hot spring attached to this famous temple which is said to be providing cure effect of chronic health illness. This temple is of considerable historical significance.

Purna Sanctuary: (60 kms. from Saputara)
A vast & rich forest, having rich wild life, covering an area of 160 Sq km, Purna Sanctuary is a part of a dense moist deciduous forest in the Western Ghat of Gujarat. Situated at Mahal Bardipura forest, 60 kms, north of Dangs, the sanctuary is crossed by Purna and Gira rivers. The longish drive passes through the most beautiful parts of Dangs with high wooded slopes of bamboo Bamboo lined pathways are provided for the trekkers. Situated in the midst of bamboo trees this is an ideal attraction for the trekkers. Picnic huts are also available for use. Tourists require special permission from forest department to visit Mahal Forest, which is open for the tourist during specific time during the year.

Girmal Falls : (85 kms. from Saputara) Easily the most marvelous sight during monsoons, the Girmal Falls is a little off the Mahal-Singana Road. The approach leads via a tribal village to a steep fall on the Gira River. The facing hillside is rich with rare flora and is worth exploring by the more adventurous trekkers. Provision for light refreshments are available. Picnic huts are available for use.

Botanical Garden : (49 kms. from Saputara)
It's a large (24-hectare) garden with 1,400 varieties of plants from all over India. The amateur nature lover can marvel at different varieties of bamboo like the Chinese Bamboo, Golden Bamboo, Beer Bottle Bamboo etc. and enjoy strolling along the beautiful walkways each lined with different species of tree. Visitors can also pick up cactus plants and enjoy a picnic at the picnic spot in the garden. Permission is required to enter. Drinking water and toilet facilities are available.


How to get there?

By Road: It is 235 kms (approximately 06 hours) from Mumbai, 420 kms from Ahmedabad, 275 kms from Pune, 172 kms from Surat & 80 kms from Nasik and is perfect for a weekend visit. Maharashtra state border is only 4 km away from Saputara. Saputara is well connected by road and daily buses(state transport buses as well as private luxury coaches) operate from Mumbai, Nasik & other important destinations of Gujarat & Maharashtra.

Note: If you are driving down in your own car, be sure to fill petrol near Waghai (51 Kms. from Saputara) or at a petrol pump 40 Kms. towards Nasik before you enter Saputara as there are no petrol pumps in Saputara.

By Rail: Nearest Railway Station is Waghai, on the Bilimoria-Waghai (49 kms) narrow guage section of the Western Railway. For those coming from Gujarat via Surat or Ahmedabad or even from Mumbai (Bombay) Bilimoria is the most convenient rail head as direct bus service is available from there. Nasik road railway station (80 kmws) is also a good option.

BY AIR : Mumbai & Surat are the nearest airport, to Saputara and caters to the air travel needs of the tourists.

Saputara – Weather:
Saputara experiences a uniform weather all through the year. The temperature goes up to as high as 28 degree C during the summers thus making it the ideal place to spend the summers. Although one can visit Saputara all year the round, yet the best time to visit Saputara is from the middle of the march to the November, as the monsoon rains add to the magic of Saputara.

Climate:

Summer: Temperature changes between 24° C to 28°C.
Winter: Temperature changes between 7°C to 18°C.
Monsoon: In this season (Mid June to end Oct) Saputara wears a different look, with full of fogs & clouds surrounded by the hills. With greenery spread all over the region and waterfalls jumping down the hills, a wet look every where creates a romantic atmosphere.

Specialty: This hill station offers fresh farms of Strawberry, Grapes attracting the shopping facility of the visitors besides for local bamboo handicraft.

WHERE TO STAY: Accommodation is easily available at Saputara to suit all budget types. There are few decent range of hotels in Saputara besides the cottages and the log huts that offer a comfortable stay at Saputara. Most of the hotels have been developed in and around the Saputara Lake. For food along with the hotels there are several restaurants and wayside stalls to cater to needs of the tourists to Saputara. Even the Gujarat Tourism Corporation (TCGL) runs a well-equipped station at Saputara. Book in advance during the peak season. You can negotiate discounts during off peak seasons. One day stay costs around 1500 - 2000/- rupee per day with food.

GENERAL TIPS FOR VISITORS:
1 Don’t forget to bring a pair of sturdy shoes suitable for walking & trekking.
2 Please don’t litter the forest area with plastic bags and other waste. Apart from being ugly, this can be dangerous to animals.
3 Add to your pleasure by bringing a pair of binoculars to better observe the rich birdlife of the region.
4 The night sky at Saputara is remarkably clear. If interested in astronomy, don’t forget your telescope and star charts.
5 A light haversack to carry some packed lunch (recommended) and a water bottle will enable hours of pleasurable walking.

Pilgrim’s Paradise 3 ~~~ BHIMASHANKAR Jyotirlinga

Pilgrim’s Paradise 2 ~~~ Sapta Shringi Garh

Sapta Shringi Garh:
Shree Sapta (Seven) Shringi (Peaks) Devi temple is located at Vani near Nasik in Maharashtra. Vani is a small village, around 60 kms away from Nasik. It takes around one & half hour from Nasik to Vani. As you approach towards the temple a large rocky hill greets you. This is SaptaShringi Hill.

Since the temple is located on a mountain with 7 (Sapta-in Sanskrit) peaks (Shrungi-in Sanskrit), the goddess is known by name SaptaShringi Nivasini (one who lives on a mountain with 7 peaks) or SaptaShringi Mata (Mother of Seven peaks). The goddess who is worshipped in the holy temple is known as SaptaShringi Devi of Vani. The Goddess possessed 18 weapons in 18 hands and is positioned ready to fight the demons.

This temple is one among the 51 Shakti Peeths located on the Indian subcontinent (India and Pakistan).The Devi is said be Swayambhu (self-manifested) on a rock on the sheer face of a mountain.

Idol of Goddess: SaptaShringi Goddess is known as Khandesi’s Goddess. The idol of the Goddess is set at a height, so that she can be seen from a distance too. The image of the Devi is huge-about 10 feet tall with 18 hands (9 pair of arms), holding various weapons in all the 18 hands. The idol is always coated with Sindoor, which is considered auspicious in the Hindu religion.

Her sparkling eyes, slightly inflated nostrils wearing Nath (an ornament to be worn in the nose) look very attractive. Every Monday, Wednesday, full moon day and during Navaratri the temple is crowded with thousands of devotees/ pilgrims . The Goddess is offered coconuts and saris (generally 11 meter sari is used to cover goddess).

Story behind this: A story in this connection is that Demon Mahishasur was creating problem for Markendaya Rishi. Markendaya had made a Holy Fire to eliminate him. The Goddess emerged with 9 pairs of arms holding different weapons from the holy fire and eliminated the Demon. Hence the name Mahishasur Mardini, the slayer of the demon Mahishasur, who took the form of a buffalo.

At the foot of the hill, from where one starts climbing the steps, there is the head of a buffalo, made is stone, and believed to be that of the demon. It is believed that the Devi Mahatmya, a sacred book which extols the greatness of Devi and her exploits was composed at this place by the sage Markandeya, who performed rigorous penance on a hill opposite the one on which the Devi resides, which is now named after him as Markandeya Hill.

In front of the temple there stands Markandeya Rishi's (sage) hill. The SaptaShringi Gad is full of a variety of trees having medicinal worth. As per the story depicted in Ramayana, Hanuman carried the herbal medicine (Sanjivani Buti) for wounded Laxmana from this hill. There are about 108 water reservoirs on the hill, known as Kundas.









Significance of the Holy Flag:The Holy Flag of Goddess Bhagawati flutters in the north of Sapta Shringi Garh. Hoisting of the Flag is a privilege of a particular family. The ritual of Flag hoisting on a specific day is witnessed by thousands of devotees. People believe that the Goddess fulfills their wishes. So this place is frequented by devotees throughout the year.

Sheetakada: As you go a little further from the temple there is a peak called Sheetkada and a deep valley. It is approximately 1500 feet deep. An anecdote attached to this place goes like this. A lady prayed and urged Goddess Bhagawati to give her a son. If her wish was fulfilled by the Goddess, as a gesture of gratitude, she offered to jump in the valley, sitting in a bullock-cart. It is said that since she got a son, the lady kept her promise and did jump along with her son sitting in a bullock-cart in the valley. The marks of bullock-cart are still visible on the Sheetkada. The Sheetakada is at the height of approximately 4638 feet from the sea level. The Goddess Bhagawati is also called as Vani Goddess.


Getting there: As the temple is situated on a mountain, a regular bus service is provided from Nanduri Village which is situated at the foothills of Saptshringi Garh mountain to the temple. The temple, which sort of sticks to the cliff, is 1230 meters above sea level. There is an old path with steps cut out of the mountain, which starts right at the foothills, at Vani and goes all the way to the mountain.

However, now, a motor able road has been built, which goes up to an altitude of 1150 meters. The road to the temple is zig - zag and climbs around 11 kms till it reaches the top to SaptaShringi village. From this place one has to climb 470 steps to reach the shrine, which only takes about thirty minutes. For those who cannot climb even this/ having difficulties climbing the steps, there are “Dolis” (chairs carried by 4 people) available at Rs.200/- for the two-way trip.

Walking trails initiates from Nanduri village.

The journey to the temple also has some interesting sights to offer. On the way, you can stop at the Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI) or at Sitakund at Mhasrul village. This is the site where Goddess Sita the wife of Rama used to bath. This destination is filled with stories and legends connected to the Ramayana.

Facilities: Of late, this place has been renovated. Railings on the road side have been constructed. The staircase has been covered to protect devotees from sun and rain. Two separate routes for going up and coming down are built. To take rest while climbing the 470 steps, benches at certain intervals have been placed. For a night's halt, Dharmashala (caravansary) is arranged by the Trustees.

They make blankets and mattresses available to the visitors. Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has built rest houses there. Literature about the Goddess, photos, coconuts and sari’s for offering to the Goddess are available. Priests help tourists to perform Puja. Low cost but clean food is also available in the Priest's houses.

Monkeys guiding me on d way @ Markandeya hill during trekking & Aerial view frm top of Markandeya hill(4638+6 feet)-->









Karpur Kundal & Main Dwaar of the Temple -->









Holy Symbol of Shakti @ the beginning of staircase & 470 steps to reach to Holy Shrine->