Dhak Bahiri Caves

6 months passed and we didn’t have any trek. Life was so dull. There were other reasons like hot summer and we all were in mood to switch the current job and busy in the interview preparation. Some trek mates were searching for a good life partner. Finally we got an idea to explore Dhak-Bahiri caves near Kamshet.I discussed the idea with Abhjit and got his confirmation. We decided to visit Dhak-Bahiri on the first weekend of June.

After inquiring with other trekking group we came to know that private vehicle will be the best option. We have go to till Kamshet on Pune-Mumbai road and then branch off to village Jambhvali. The road in front of Kamshet Police Station goes to base village.

We all started on Saturday 5th June midnight for the journey from Chandani chowk where Narendra joined us. We were 8 on 4 bikes. We started the journey on NH4 and reached Kamshet at 1.00 AM. It was a midnight and everyone was in deep sleep, we couldn’t find anyone to know the exact route towards Jambhivali. Finally we came across a butcher and he was busy in cleaning skin of goat right in middle of road, the scene was very disappointing. But he guided us to the exact path to base village.

After traveling little distance we came across a Railway crossing. On the way we crossed Indrayani River.Kamshet to Jambhivali road condition is average. In night we managed to avoid deep potholes. Village named Govitri came on our way. There we met one private vehicle owner and asked him whether we are on track on not. He was with us for few kilometers.

Fireflies

After crossing Govitri it was a dense dark and we could see Flocks of Fireflies around. It was really a spectacular view. We all decided to turn off the vehicles and stop there for few minutes.

It was so peaceful around that a single murmur was heard loudly. Fireflies were really amazing. One insect was sitting on my lap and blinking continuously. Someone commented that we would have asked Amitabh Bachhan to come here and shoot famous ‘Saaara Zamana…’.

We reached base village Jambhivali at 2.30 AM. All the villagers and cattle’s were having a sound sleep. We decided to have a nap inside one temple. There was one group already arrived there. We all took out the bedding and flaked out. At 4.00, we woke up to the sound of the heavy wind and rain outside. We went inside temple to avoid water seepage through the roof.

At 5.30 AM we all woke up and decide to start climbing early. Myself, abhjit , prashant, kishor completed morning cleanup successfully and requested for Tea and Poha for local person Mr.Kadam.After having enough food we started walking towards the Dhak Bahiri caves around 6.00 AM

On the way there were many trees of black currant who were inviting us. We spent some time there. Our target was to reach Bahiri cave before a heavy rain or before getting the rock hot. Both conditions were going to make our climbing difficult.

Kondeshwar Mandir

We came across this Shiva temple on the way. Some of us visited inside the temple. There are many sculptures in the premises of temple. We also found some ‘Virgal’ there. ‘Virgal’ is a carving done on a vertical 2-3 feet stone. Different incidents of a warrior are carved on the stone. On the back of Kondeshwar mandir there is a huge waterfall. It was dry since Rainy season was just started. One can visit this place in July – August to see the big waterfall.

We climbed up the waterfall and reached the top of the mountain. There was big plateau from where we could see backside of Rajmachi region on the left and on right splendid view of Dhak Bahiri caves. In front of us there was a deep valley with dense evergreen forest. It was very glad to see still we have lot of greenery in Sahyadri.

We took the right and started walking. Sometime in the dense forest trails, sometime tiresome climbing and easier descending. It was all worth enjoying.After walking for around 45 minutes we reached ‘Khind’.This took us to the base of caves.

After reaching the khind we could get another spectacular view of valley. This ‘Khind’is not much difficult to climb down. There are supports available at regular intervals. But we have to be careful in the last patch because we turn right from there and very little space is available there for movement. Especially we have to be careful about out baggage and other belongings.After passing ‘Khind’ our journey starts towards the base caves. We have to walk on the trail formed by the mountain rocks. This is approx 2 feet wide and we can walk easily.

We kept our baggage and shoes at base caves. Prashant was not ready to climb upwards.We requested him to look after the baggage and protect them from Monkeys.

After base caves its 15 minutes journey towards the main Bahiri Mandir at top. We have to walk on small rock cut steps. These steps can hardly accommodate sole of the feet . We have to lean towards the mountain and put the hands on the rock. Trekking groups and local villagers have fitted the railing in the rock for support

We reached the place where we have to climb approx 90 degrees in order to reach Bahiri cave. There was a rope and stem installed to make the climbing easy.

Technique we used to climb

Keep the rope in the right hand. Never ever release the rope. Use the Left leg to get the grip in the slots available in the rock. When right hand and left leg are in good position, move right leg upwards and fit it into some slot. Similarly we can move left leg upwards and put that in the branches of stem. Those can give good support to body. This way we climbed up the entire patch, and reached Bahiri cave.

Bahiri cave was used by Nath Sampradaya for meditation. Ladies are not allowed here.

In the caves there is rock carved idol of ‘Bahiri dev’. In front of him there are idols of his daemons. Per villager, Bahiri requires offering of Jaggery and his daemons requires flesh. In the cave provision is made to cook the food. Coking utensils are available in cave.

In the cave we all chanted ‘Aum’ and had some meditation for few minutes. There are three caves adjacent to main Bahiri cave. Two water cisterns are available in the Bahiri cave. As said by the villager the water cisterns never dry out.From the cave we get a beautiful view of valley and Rajmachi. Duke’s nose is also visible from here.
If the atmosphere is clear then Khandala station can also be viewed from here. Villager showed us the train passing through tunnel near Khandala.Dhak is situated on the boundary of Raigad and Pune district.

We started climbing down. The method to climb down was the same, only it was difficult to judge the slots in the rock. Everyone gained some experience while climbing and used that while getting down. We got down at around 1230 PM.

Monkey and GluconD

In the base cave the scene was bit different, gang of monkeys attacked on our baggage. And they pried into my sack. They opened up the GluconD sachet and spread it over.Monkeys completely stolen my ‘Chuteney-Poli’ pack, even I couldn’t see the leftovers around.

I wonder how the managed to open the polythene covered GluconD pack. The leader of the gang was huge hence Prashant decided not to disturb him. My T-shirt and one shoe were thrown away. I collected those together and put in the sack and started the return journey.

We climbed up the ‘Khind’ and had lunch in the forest. While coming back we came pretty fast. On the return journey we had lot of Black Currant in stomach and in the bags also. It was 2.30 when we came back to the place where we parked our vehicles. We had some water there, and started the return journey on bikes.The road was familiar to all. The River bed of Indrayani was looking very beautiful. The water was looking clean and fluent.

The return journey ended at 5.30 at Abhijit’s home in Kothrud.

Following friends participated in the trek.

1. Nandkumar

2. Abhijit

3. Narendra

4. Chandrashekhar

5. Rajiv

6. Kishor

7. Prashant

8. Manohar

Courtesy :-
1. Mr. Bharat Kadam (Local villager )
2. Mr. Sachin Joshi (Treking Club  owner)

3. Nandu Abhijit and Chandrashekhar (For photography)

4. All the rest team members for making this successful

How to reach from Pune

If you are going by private vehicle

Start on Pune-Mumbai (NH4) highway

1.Reach Kamshet (approx. 45 Kms)

2.Kamshet - Jambhivali (Base village 25-30 kms Kms.)