Village Ambawade - Hanging Bridge of British Time

Life was not so exciting in past few months, as it was long time since I had a good ride or a visit to an interesting place or a Trek. Chetan suggested one place, Ambawade near Bhor. I had been to Bhor and nearby places before but I had never heard about this place. I asked him what is so special about this village. He just assured me that I would definitely love this place. He smiled and told me to just visit and explore :) . I took enough information about the place from Chetan before leaving.

Last Sunday, I took my SLR Camera, water bottle and some food and the four of us - Me, My Bike, My Camera and RadioMirchi :) started early in the morning for the Ride. After a small drive, my journey started on Pune-Mumbai ByPass. Cool breeze was flowing in the morning, had a cup of Tea on aTapari. It was just perfect kick-start for a ride. The drive was very comfortable as the traffic was negligible. On driving further head, I reached newly constructed Katraj Tunnel. Theconstruction of the tunnel and Valley Bridge is one of the Engineering
Marvel.

After capturing the beauty of this place, I started my onward journey. After crossing the tunnel, one of my companions, RadioMirchi, left my ‘Saath’ :). But Vividh Bharti was there to accompany me. After Katraj Tunnel, on Satara highway, I fuelled my bike and reloaded fuel for my stomach :). There are lot of hotels and Petrol Pumps available on the Satara highway.

On the way, I visited Famous Lord Balaji Temple near Village Kapurhole. Being morning there was no rush, so I got darshan within half an hour. After having Prashad, spending some time at temple and capturing the place in my Shutter Box, I started for my ultimate destination, Village Ambawade!

Very soon I got the diversion for village Bhor. The road so far was clear and very smooth like ‘makhkhan’. I was thoroughly enjoying the ride. I confronted very few vehicles. I was like the ‘King of the Road’. By then, “Suhana-Safar”, a blend of old melodies was playing on Vividh Bharti. I crossed Neera River many times during my journey. The river was like a companion during my journey. Serpentine Roads, fresh air, blue water of Neera River along the road, Dev Anand’s songs to create mood, perfect masala for mind refreshment!!! The joy of the ride was on its peak.

Soon I reached Bhatghar Dam, which is on the way, near Bhor. Village Bhor is just 5 min. drive from here. When I inquired about Ambawade village, I got the information that the village is just 15 km from Bhor towards Mahad. After driving 65 km on a good road, I reached Ambawade village. When I reached there, I was welcomed by a very beautiful Suspension Bridge constructed on a small water-stream. At very first sight, it reminded me of Suspension Bridge at Gokak Falls in Karnataka. Though this bridge is not very big in length, the bridge is just ‘picture perfect’!!! It is surrounded with lush green big and small trees with beautiful flower and a small
clean water-stream flowing underneath. Raja of Bhor, Shrimant Raghunathrao Shankarrao Pandit in 1936 AD, in memory of his mother, Late Jijasaheb, constructed this bridge. This suspension bridge is very famous in this region and pride of the village. Many people know Ambawade village only because of Suspension Bridge.

When I reached near bridge, I experienced a very typical and classic scene; some ladies washing clothes near stream, some children, who had summer vacations, were enjoying swimming in the stream, some old people sitting near bridge and enjoying ‘paan’. It commemorated me of my childhood spent at my native place.

The villagers were really humble to me. When I parked by bike and reached near bridge, they inquired about me. They were really happy to know my curiosity and interest in their village. When I inquired about specialty of the village, I came to know about a very ancient Lord Shiva Nagnath Temple situated downstream. It was built in Pandav Era. The path to reach the entrance of temple is surrounded by old and densely grown trees. No wonder, a Statue of Nandi is at the very entrance of temple; a typical Lord Shiva temple arrangement. When we enter inside the pandal, we can see six pillars carved in black stone, standing tall and intact, giving the proof of ancient time. When we enter into ‘Gabhara’, darshan of beautiful Shiva-Ling gives us a peace of mind.

After taking darshan of Lord Shiva, I visited “Go-Mukh (Carving of Mouth of Cow)” in the premise of temple. The interesting thing about this Go-Mukh is that water flow is throughout the year. They call it Panch-Ganga. The premise is very cool and silent as dense green trees surround it. I could feel myself rebooting just by standing there.

There is a Darbar of Raja of Bhor, Shrimant Raghunathrao Shankarrao Pandit, just next to suspension bridge, which is a National Heritage, but the entry is restricted. Proper care has not been taken of this Monument. We can also visit a small Fort Rohida near Ambawade Village.Then I came back to the bridge and spent some time with myself. I could imagine the view here in monsoon; it must be very scenic and enchanting, with fresh and white water stream and lush green trees, flowering plants and fresh air.
Monsoon, especially the month of Saavan, is the prefect time to visit the beautiful Ambawade Village.

After capturing such a beautiful place in my Camera, I started my journey back to Pune with a new freshness in my mind. I was very happy as RadioMirchi, who had left my ‘saath’ during journey, joined me back.
After a fruitful ride, the four of us - me, My Bike, My Camera and RadioMirchi :) reached safely in the evening.

Distance - All distances are approximate from Pune,
Kapur-hole – 30km; Bhor – 50 km; Ambawade – 65 km.
Time by Road - One and quarter Hour with Four Wheeler and less than One Hour on my Bike :).
Route – Pune-Satara Highway - Bhor Phata – Bhor – Mahad Phata(from Bhor)– Ambawade.
Mode of Travel - Preferably your own vehicle. My recommendation is Bike :). State transport is also available but have to break the journey.
Eating Joints – Plenty on Highway.
Fuel Joint/ Garage– Available all along highway and Bhor.
Best Visiting Season – Monsoon and Month of Savan.
Nearby Places to Visit – You can visit Lord Balaji Temple near Kapurhole and can enjoy a small trek to Fort Rohida near Ambawade.