Satara - The Hidden Wonders Of Maharashtra

Satara - One of the most beautiful and pleasant cities in Maharashtra located approx. 130 km from Pune. The city is magically blessed with the creativity of nature, history, human engineering achievements and much more than we can imagine.

A city view from hill

The city is named after these seven glorious hills surrounding the city which gives meaning as seven hills (sat-tara) in Marathi, the seven hills are named:

• Ajinkyatara

• Sajjangad

• Yawateshwar

• Jarandeshwar

• Nakticha Dongar

• Kiklicha Dongar

• Pedhyacha Bhairoba

These hills of Satara are loved by runners from worldwide as every year "Satara Hill Half Marathon" is organized.  

Pedhyacha Bhairoba (A view from my house)

                              

In 1708 Chhatrapati Shahu, son of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj crowned at Satara fort and then direct descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj continued to live in Satara. Chhatrapati Udayan Raje Bhosale is 13th descendent. During British Raj, many princely states were undertaken by the British under the Doctrine of Lapse which states "If the ruler was either manifestly incompetent or died without a male heir then it will be annexed into British India". Satara was one of those cities captured by the British in 1848.

This historical city is also blessed with great people of centuries who wrote their names in the books of history with golden words with great hard work, sacrifices, wisdom, and intelligence.

• Rani of Jhansi
• Mahatma Jotiba Phule
• Surekha Yadav (India's first female loco pilot)
• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
• Khashaba Jadhav (First athlete from independent India who win a medal in Olympics)
• Tanaji Malusare
• Krantisinha Nana Patil
• Lalita Babar (India's long-distance runner)
• Narendra Dabholkar (Doctor, Social activist, rationalist, author)
• Sayaji Shinde (Film actor)

Satara is known as a soldier's city and pensioner's city. The city is quite famous for its special sweet Kandi Pedha (made from milk and sugar) it has amazing taste. I'm telling you its a must-try on your next visit to Satara. While roaming in the city, you definitely can not miss the chance to taste a variety of delicious vadas in Supnekar's at Rajwada, which is the first food truck in Satara.

Kandi pedha, Dahi vada and Batata vada at Supnekar

So, let's begin the wonderful journey of Satara which will make you fall in love with this small but attractive city of Maharashtra where you can see the blessings of nature in the form of Waterfalls, Hill stations, Lakes, Trekking points while human achievements Forts, Dams and historical places.

Amazing, right...

Mesmerizing Hill Stations

The breath-taking view of the nature from these notorious hill stations will magically hypnotize your eyes. 

• Mahableshwar 

Mahableshwar is just about 54km from Satara at an altitude of 1353 m. It is known as the queen of hill stations in Maharashtra.

In 1829-1830, it was the summer capital of Bombay Presidency during British Rule. In the 17th century, Jaoli and Mahableshwar were taken over by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Later, he constructed Pratapgarh fort in Mahableshwar.

Interesting thing is that Mahableshwar is the origin of Krishna river that flows across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. 

The legendary origin of the river is a spout from the mouth of a statue of a cow in the Panchganga temple in old Mahableshwar. Koyna, Venna, Savitri, Gayatri also flow from here before they get merged into Krishna.

Mahableshwar's beautiful landscapes and pleasant temperature make this place very peaceful. All the viewpoints are strategically located to capture the panoramic view created by majestic Sahyadri mountains and their deep valleys which include Arthur's Seat, Wilson Point, Kate's Point, Elephant's Head Point, Connaught Peak, Bombay Point.

Elephant point, Mahableshwar

Pratapgad, Venna lake, Mahableshwar Temple, Lingamala falls, Tapola are must-visit places.

Mahableshwar is famous for the cultivation of Strawberries and Mulberries at Mapro garden.

• Panchgani

About 48km from Satara at an altitude of 1334m, Panchgani or Panchgani nestled in the middle of 5 hills of Sahyadri mountain ranges. 

Panchgani was discovered by the British as a summer resort in 1860 and they developed it as a retirement place as it remained pleasant throughout the year.

This place is famous for many residential educational institutions and favored destination for health resorts.

Panchgani Hill

                            

Inspiring Forts

These ancient forts will energize your spirit and the history will tell you some inspiring stories of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj which encourage all of us with his acts of bravery. 

• Sajjangad

Sajjangad is one of those seven hills around Satara but most importantly it is the final resting place of Samarth Ramdas Swami - spiritual Guru of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Maharaj renamed the place to "Sajjangad" on a request by Shri Ramdas Swami to setup his permanent abode here.

The fort along with spiritual ambiance also offers a breath-taking view of nearby villages and Satara town which is open for the devotees from sunrise to sunset.

Breath-taking view from Sajjangad fort

• Ajinkyatara

I will not tell you the location of this place. Because you can see this amazing fort while taking the relaxing walk on the streets of the city. Yeah! you can actually feel this hill-fort.

This ancient hill fort is situated on one of the seven hills surrounding the city of Satara in Sahyadri mountain ranges of Maharashtra at an altitude of 3300 feet.

This fort was established by the King of Shilhara dynasty then ruled by Adil Shaha then taken by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj then Aurangzeb ruled for some time and finally Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj possessed and kept it under Maratha Empire until British conquered.

Tarabai Raje Bhosale named this fort Ajinkyatara (The impregnable fort). It is also called as Fort of Sapta Rishi.

It gives you a beautiful panoramic view of the whole city and for those who don't like to climb, there is a motorable road that takes you directly to the top of the fort.

View of Ajinkyatara from my home which I enjoy everyday especially in the morning.

• Vasota Fort

Situated in the deep forest and valleys of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounded by water on three sides by banks of Shivsagar Lake, this fort has become very famous for the people who love to trek.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj incorporated the fort into Swarajya in 1655 during the conquest of Jawali.

It is renamed from the name "Vyaghragad" owing to its difficult natural defense.

In 1818, the British bombarded the fort with heavy artillery and destroyed many buildings on Vasota and looted property of worth 5 lakhs.

Vasota Fort

Shivsagar Lake

Elegant Plateau and The Lake

The peaceful environment of the blissful and charming plateau of flowers is a must-visit place of Satara to relax from your daily hectic routine. 

• Kaas Plateau and Kaas Lake

Kaas is a heaven on earth. This plateau of flowers is just 24 km from Satara.

The area falls under the Sahyadri sub-cluster which covers an area of 1000 hectares. It became a part of the UNESCO world natural heritage site in 2012.

The Plateau formed by volcanic activities in which basalt rock covered in thin soil. As a result of which, no vegetation thrives in the region.

Kaas - Plateau of flower

This is a high rainfall zone and due to this the flora and fauna is quite unique here. The place is known as "Hotspot for Biodiversity."

About 850 species of flowering plants found here of which 624 are listed in IUCN red list.

Kaas lake is on the south side of Kaas Plateau. This is the most exhilarating place where water quietly makes the charming sound. The water from the lake is consumed for drinking purposes in most parts of the city.

Kaas Lake

Breathtaking Waterfalls

You can never replace the feel of natural waterfalls with an artificial one. This breathtaking view of a waterfall will give a soothing experience to your eyes.

• Thosegar Waterfall

Thosegar is included in one of the highest waterfalls of Maharashtra which falls from an altitude of 500m.

It is just 26km away from the city and it is one of the highest waterfalls of India.

The surrounding is so quiet here and very much relaxing.

Thosegar waterfall

• Vajrai Waterfall

It is in Bhambavali village of Satara. This is one of the most beautiful waterfalls having an altitude of 260 m(853 ft).

It is believed that its the birthplace of Urmodi river which starts from Vajrai. 

Vajrai Waterfall

• Navaja Waterfall

Navaja is famous for its massive drop and the location of the waterfall in the dense forest. You might get tired while walking from the parking spot but it's all worth it when you see this legendary waterfall.

Navaja Waterfall

                     

• Reverse waterfall (Sadawaghapur)

This waterfall is nature's very clever creation. The water actually doesn't fall, due to extreme pressure of air the water comes back to the surface.

It is the top famous tourist attraction which is located in Sadawagapur of Satara. The journey is so amazing and the road is quite beautiful where you can feel every single moment of traveling in this gorgeous nature.

Tip: Don't take travel bus or heavy vehicles, arrange some small vehicle like a car.

Reverse Waterfall, Sadawaghapur

Marvelous Engineering works- The Dams

These great masterpieces of engineering are symbols of pride due to the people who made these tough & challenging projects alive which now provide water to many drought-hitted villages of Maharashtra.

• Koyna Dam

Koyna Dam is not only the biggest completed Hydroelectric Power Plant in India but also a masterpiece of engineering done in 1963.

After so many challenges in construction the dam completed post-independence.

The project's main purpose was to produce hydroelectricity with some irrigation in neighboring areas. It has a total capacity of 1920MW. Due to its huge electricity-producing capacity of the Koyna river it is also known as "Lifeline of Maharashtra"

The construction is so powerful and incredible that it withstood many earthquakes in the recent past.

Koyna River

Koyna Dam

• Kanher Dam

If you like to chill out at a very quiet place where you can hear the relaxing sound of river water and get just lost in your thoughts then trust me this place is for you.

The dam constructed for the purpose of irrigation and to produce hydroelectricity.

I have never seen this much relaxing and quiet place before. The dam is on the Venna river and you can go to the dam with legal permission but on the other side, the riverside where you can go easily to sit and relax on the banks of the river is quiet, beautiful and charming.

Later, you can have delicious food at "Hotel Jalsagar" where you can have fish from the Venna river. The food is quite at low cost and extremely delicious.

Kanher Dam

• Urmodi Dam

The purpose of building this dam was to feed the parched Yeralwadi Dam in drought-hitted Khatav taluka. This project kick-started in 1996 on the Urmodi river at Parali village.

The project completed in 2003. The water from Urmodi diverted to canals of Kanher dam which reach to Yeralwadi dam through Arfal canal to reach Kombadwadi lift irrigation scheme in Khatav.

Urmodi River and The Dam

Breezy Windmill

Listen to the sound of breezy air, feel the charm and let your heart flow with this rhythm softly which makes you dauntless just like this powerful wind.

• Chalkewadi Windmill

This windmill project is one of the largest ones in Asia. Just 29 km away from Satara in Chalkewadi village about 100 of windmills are built on adjoining hills to generate clean energy.

This is a 5 km long plateau. This large project supplies electricity to Satara city and neighboring places like Mahableshwar and Panchgani. 

Amidst lush green hills, Valleys, red soil and these windmills make a beautiful and a glorious sight which makes it a great picturesque place in monsoon.

Note: Government transport service is not available to this place so you have to arrange private vehicles.

Plateau of Chalkewadi

Chalkewadi windmill

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your things, pack your bags and head to the incredible journey towards the natural beauty of Satara.

Don't forget to tell me in a comment about your experience of your trip to Satara you ever been to also later when you visit its attractions.

Your comments and feedbacks are always inspiring and encouraging. Waiting to listen from you guys😊