| The Maha-
shivaratri attracts to the place hundreds of pilgrims from the surrounding villages and
towns. Pilgrims usually stay here for three days, and live either in temporary hutments or
in a dilapidated dharmashala rear the village. A new dharmashala is under construction.
During this fair a largenumber of shops are opened, offering all sorts of merchandise to
the village folk. Water supply is plentiful and the natural setting is enchanting, the
flora fresh from the rains. Of the observation points, the Konkan Kada is the most
inviting. At somedistance behind the Kamalaja temple, it offers an excellent panorama of
the Konkan region. From under the feet on the observer deep gorges run down to meet
the vast plains below.Then comes the steep ascent of the Pokhari ghat. As the bus winds
its way through the pass the air becomes cooler and cooler and gradually the road enters
thick jungles. For the last nine to ten miles the journey is by a road lined by trees and
vines of all sorts, their green and reddish hues making for an appealing and refreshing
sight.
The road is closed during the five months of the rainy
season, from the middle of June to the beginning ofDecember: there is no vehicular traffic
between Bhimashankar and the outer world. There is also a route from Karjat on the Poona-
Bombay section of the Central railway. It is some where around twenty-two miles. It is
accessible only on foot, is extremely tough and is used only during the festival season.
The local upadhyayas make arrangements for the lodging and boarding of pilgrims at small
cost.The daily worship of the god is performed three times. |
