The Great Indian Monsoon is an experience. Through the ages it has inspired poets and writers to weave words around the falling rain, smell of wet earth and the unfolding beauty of moist, green earth. Alexander Frater in his travelogue ‘Chasing the Monsoon’ describes the beauty of the monsoon as it progresses from the south to west to east of India. It is a must read for anyone wanting to explore and romance India. Last week I was in Pune (a city at the foothills of Western Ghats of India) on work and I decided to spend the Indian Independence Day with my favorite travelling family who have recently shifted there. They love travel and photography and are out every weekend experiencing nature. They zeroed in on Mulshi Lake in the fringes of the city to give me a glimpse of monsoon greens.
We drove down the winding, and intermittently slushy road for about 80 kms leaving the hustle and bustle behind. The mild sun shine often gave way to the dark clouds and occasional drizzle. We clicked pictures of paddy cultivation and the different shades of green stretched out like bright and soft Persian Carpets on either side of the road.
A little later we stopped by at a road side corner to munch on the soft corn being roasted on coal fire. Soon there was a thunderous downpour which forced us to scamper under the make shift tent munching on our sweet corn cob.
After a while we got a glimpse of Mulshi Lake deep down, stretched out lazily like a lovelorn youth soaking in every bit of the monsoon drops to serve the people as dam water later in the year. It was a heavenly sight, the shades of green and blue and droplets of water dripping down on our faces.
Travel Tip: Mulshi is about 80 kms (1.5 hours) away from the centre point of Pune City. If you are in Pune and have a day to spare, this may be one of the many options to experience nature. Buses are few and far between so best to drive down. Once there, grab a plate of Kolhapuri Biryani or some spicy hot road side eats and allow the stillness of Mulshi Lake permeate your being.
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delightful captures the one where the man with umbrella is sitting on the field .. gave me the first impression that he was attending nature’s call ! 😀
No No….he was looking after his cows…umbrella and nature’s call is quite a balancing act.
A not so well known place, yet it offers immense beauty. Great to know about this place.
Thank You Indrani
Beautiful account…there seem to be so many pretty escapes near mumbai n pune…hope to visit sometime! Really like ur blog 🙂 🙂
Thanks Aditi. Glad to know you liked my post and blog. Just set out and you will find the flowers at the end of the road that you often passed by suddenly appear beautiful
Lovely monsoon pics. Each a frozen moment!
Thank You 🙂
Outing in monsoons is such fun & romantic right…love the pics of corncobs being roasted and eaten heartily!!
and the lake looks so lovely in the rains!!
http://www.myunfinishedlife.com
The corn was so soft and sweet….have not tasted something like that for a while..
Lovely destination, hope I can get there soon. 🙂
Nature is always beautiful…
Always good, I want to see……………
Awww so green, beautiful and full of life 🙂
…washed my eyes with green for the rest of the yr..
The last pic looks really beautiful.
It is and specially under falling rain….
The lake looks heavenly!
Thank You.
Beautiful. Must appreciate your ideation behind blog-topics. Keep em coming.
Thank You.
Nice read Sangeeta with beautiful pictures 😊😊 u seem to have a awesome time njoying Pune monsoon
Yes, was meeting old friends too…I like monsoon as long as I dont have to wade through waist deep water with a bag on my head !! Lived in Mumbai for a little more than a year and had a good taste of monsoon !:)
i hate monsoon in mumbai :X
Hey!! We are planning to go to Hyderabad next month. Any tips girl?
Of course 🙂 How long are you going to be there…. Walk along the Hussain Sagar lake (Tank Bund) it shimmers in the night. The gardens around are missable, you can take a boatride if you have the time but the tall Buddha is quite a sight. Then climb up to the Birla Mandir on a hillock and it is a beautiful place. Spend the evening around Charminar with all the hustle, bustle and some shopping..will remind you of Delhi. You have Faluknama and Chowmohalla Palaces near by and am not sure of the timings. These are Nizam Style and not grand on the same scale as the ones in Rajasthan. Golconda Fort is definitely worth a visit but will take good part of your day. Based on where you are staying, drop into Salarjung Museum towards Secunderabad, the room with the clocks is what I find very memorable. I have personally not been to Ramoji Film city so dont know much about it. Last but not the least, if you are a non vegetarian, have a plate of that famous Paradise Biryani and the quantity is pretty enormous. Next month is Ganesh Puja so if you are there on Puja or Immersion dates be prepared for some traffic snarls..
Thank you! This is what we have planned too but planning to skip Golconda fort. Planning to go to Ramoji instead as it will take a full day..
Isn’t Faluknama a Taj property now?
Yes. That big hall with lot of chandeliers is now the Taj reception. I thought they retained some part with some of the antiques.Have been there eons ago..
Beautiful pics … Sangeeta I would like to say that your blog is really awesome and it is my pleasure to read your blog posts again and again.
Thank You so much. I am honoured.