Heaven on earth

Bhandardara, a 360 sq km wildlife sanctuary situated 750 m above sea level, is a mere three-hour drive from Bombay on the way to Deolali, off Igatpuri, in Maharashtra. This reminds me of the Persian phrase: "If there be a heaven on earth, it is this,” especially during the rains. Summertime brings in the crowds, but during the rains the place is beautiful and green with myriads of dancing waterfalls which swing and sway to the music of the blowing winds. The air is saturated with pure oxygen because there are no factories or smokestacks.

Bhandardara: pristine glory

Point your camera in any direction and you will get a prize-winning photograph. At every turn of the road you will see waterfalls, some small, others mighty. As the water cascades over the top of the mountain, the blowing wind lifts a part of the waterfall like a lady’s skirt and you see the spray rise and form clouds in front of your eyes. Joy is a fleeting feeling; once you are aware of it, it vanishes. But at Bhandardara you are aware of joy and it persists. So if you are in love do not waste time. Go now and you will remember every moment of your stay there.

In the vicinity of Bhandardara is Kalsubai, at a height of 1,626 m, the tallest peak in Maharashtra. Also located there are Wilson Dam, and Arthur Lake. Shivaji’s Ratnagiri Fort and the holy Amruteshwar temple stand nearby in this unadulterated piece of heaven.

ZEND M. ZEND