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Posts tagged ‘hills’

27
Oct

Kaas Plateau (Kaas Pathar) of flowers, Satara (2013) [Part 1 of 2]

:: Destinations – India: Kaas Plateau of Flowers (2013) [Part 1 of 2]

Situated in the Western Ghats, the Kaas Plateau and a UNESCO Biodiversity World Heritage site, is a popular place with amazing natural beauty. Every monsoon, between August and September/October, the plateau comes alive with more than 800 species of wild flowers!

We visited in 2011 (see the album here) but unfortunately, the rains weren’t adequate in the monsoon of 2012; so we passed on a trip that year. But 2013 saw a good monsoon, and so, it was time to make a visit to this Plateau of Flowers again. However, sadly, there were a few heavy spells of rain in late Sep, and the delicate flowers were apparently affected. Even though the overall blossoms were far fewer, the scenery was fantastic.

Please note: This album is in two parts. Don’t forget to check out the other part too. (Coming soon)

Click any picture below to view this album


Tiny and pretty white flowers in dense numbers on the Kaas Plateau this season

Tiny and pretty white flowers in dense numbers on the Kaas Plateau this season

In this album:
 
A stretch of the few remaining purple wild flowers on the Kaas Plateau. [Special effect] A stretch of the few reamining purple wild flowers on the Kaas Plateau A close-up shot of the purple flower...at Kaas Plateau A view of one side of the Kaas Plateau reflects the absence of flowers. But the contrasts in the scenery are worth savoring anyways.
A macro show of a pretty little yellow flower (it's really tiny actually) A scenic vista captures the contrasts in the landscape at Kaas Plateau. Tiny, really tiny, delicate white spherical flowers abound along the Kaas Plateau this season; the monotony of whites is aptly broken by the purples :) Oh, the pleasure of lying underneath the blue sky! The Kaas Plateau is a vast expanse that blooms with wild flowers like these each year.
A close-up view of the pillar-like white flowers reveals the density of such growth on the Kaas Plateau. [Special effect: Zooming in] A close-up view of the pillar-like white flowers reveals the density of such growth on the Kaas Plateau. The tiny white flowers are fascinating in itself - a lovely contrast with the fresh green grass on the plateau. That's how many such white flowers there are, all around at Kaas Plateau (this season)
Looking towards the edge of the Kaas Plateau; people take in the beauty of the natural surroundings on a wonderful day. A lone ranger, this tiny yellow flower, seems to have survived the careless trampling of passers-by. [Special effect: Zooming in] Ahh - do we need to say more?! [Special effect: Spinning] Oh look, we're spining!!
A scenic contrast of the Kaas Plateau, as we walk over to the edge of the Plateau. [Special effect: As if gliding over] A scenic contrast of the Kaas Plateau, as we walk over to the edge of the Plateau. The view over the edge of the Kaas Plateau on this side is simply picturesque - cotton-woolly clouds in a blue sky, shades of lush green, ... [Special effect: As if gliding over] This is what a bird's eye view might be like! A scenic panaroma unfolds over the edge at Kaas PlateauThis is what
[That's what it looks like to humans!] A scenic panaroma unfolds over the edge at Kaas Plateau The scenic view of the mountains across this edge of the Kaas Plateau.

See Part 2 (coming soon) and more pictures of another visit to Kaas here

27
Oct

Kaas Plateau (Kaas Pathar) of flowers, Satara (2011)

:: Destinations – India: Kaas Plateau of Flowers (2011)

Situated in the Western Ghats, 22 kms from Satara City (approx. 110 kms from Pune), the Kaas Plateau is a UNESCO Biodiversity World Heritage site. Every monsoon, between August and September/October, the plateau comes alive with more than 800 species of wild flowers!

This was our first visit to the plateau – and while we weren’t lucky enough to get a carpetted view of the plateau (as seen in various pictures on the net), the drive, the weather, the vistas and the mood was enough to make it worth a visit – now, and again!

Click any picture below to view this album


The journey to the Kaas Plateau along the Western Sahyadri Range is riddled with amazing scenery

The journey to the Kaas Plateau along the Western Sahyadri Range is riddled with amazing scenery

In this album:
 
On the road from Pune, the drive takes you through winding mountain roads... Blue skies, lush green hills and the wind in the face. Ahh! Enroute to Kaas Plateau, there are numerous points along the Western Sahyadri Range (Ghat) to just stop and take in the scenery! Beautiful landscapes greet you at many turns along the way. (A glipmpse of the backwaters of Bhatgar Dam) A panaromic view of the lush green hill slopes, against a backdrop of blue skies and the backwaters of Bhatgar Dam
Nestled amidst the spectacular Western Sahyadri Range, the landscape simply amazes you. Beauty is all around, no matter where you look; Looking at the lush green settings enroute to Kaas Plateau. Each point atop the Western Sahyadri Range looks inviting to go to - for the thrill, as well as the views it promises! Blue waters match the blue in the skies to break the monotony of the lush greens all around.
A beautiful landscape lies alongside the final stretch to the Kaas Plateau (as seen from the overcrowded parking lot) A beautiful landscape lies alongside the final stretch to the Kaas Plateau (as seen from the overcrowded parking lot). [Visit http://bit.ly/18WFQfp for full panaroma size] A beautiful landscape lies alongside the final stretch to the Kaas Plateau (as seen from the overcrowded parking lot). [Visit http://http://bit.ly/Hm5NLC for full panaroma size] A beautiful landscape lies alongside the final stretch to the Kaas Plateau (as seen from the overcrowded parking lot). [Visit http://http://bit.ly/HiZxnt for full panaroma size]
Tiny, bright yellow wild flowers liven up the rocky terrain at Kaas Plateau Hues of green, sun and shadows due to the partly cloudy skies add that extra punch to the already dramatic settings. Tiny flowers rise up all along the Kaas Plateau (Pathar) - as people wander around taking in the fresh air and beauty. White and purple flowers rise up all along the Kaas Plateau (Pathar); the white ones are only a tad above one's ankles!
In a good season, the plateau is ablaze with purple flowers [See kaasplateau.in for more on the species of flowers] Yellow flowers line many of the trails at the Kaas Plateau Bright and sunny, these yellow flowers brighten up the place even more, at Kaas Plateau Flowers like these grow in shades of purple, pink, red and more. It would be wonderful to catch the entire place abloom!
White, purple and pink flowers abloom on the plateau. (Hmm, could've been better...) White, purple and pink flowers abloom on the plateau. A panaromic (wide angle) view of the Kaas Plateau shows shades of pink and purple of the wild flowers amidst the grass. Pink colored wild flowers carpet the Kaas Plateau this season.
Pink colored wild flowers carpet the Kaas Plateau this season. A multi-hued contrast is what makes the visit to Kaas wonderful! Yet another spectacular view of the hills, water bodies and blue sky on the way back. Catching a fleeting view of the sunset, as we drive back after a wonderful trip

See pictures of the 2013 visit to Kaas here…

10
Aug

Magical Rains: Weekend Drive to Panshet (2013)

:: Galleries – Nature: Seasons – Monsoon:

Rains are one of nature’s blessings, and more so to countries like India that are largely dependent on the annual monsoon season – a lifeline for the sub-continent. Fortunately for us, we (individually speaking, that is) are not governed by the vagaries of the monsoon, and that gives us a chance to experience and witness the wonder of the rains.

Close to Pune, about 50km out from the western edge, is a (still) sleepy little place called Panshet. Nestled amidst the mountains of the Sahyadri Range, this is also a catchment area and a source of water supply to many downstream villages, including the rapidly growing town of Pune.

Recently, with the timely arrival of monsoon in India, it was time to head out and enjoy the lush scenery after a hot and scorching summer rendered the hill slopes, rivers and trees dry. It was this thought that took us on a weekend drive to Panshet, and the scenic vistas of lush fields, rain-cloud kissed hills and bouts of sunlight amidst the rain that unfolded cannot be described in words. See the album for yourself [and, we made a promise to come back for more, before the season ends!]

Click any picture below to view this album


Amazingly scenic settings like this one greet you on the way to Panshet, making you want to just stop and stay.

Amazingly scenic settings...enroute Panshet

In this album:
 
A lush field of paddy is drenched in the fresh rains, enroute to Panshet Farms, fields, river, hills, clouds...there's nothing more one can ask for in this picturesque place (enroute to Panshet) A lone cottage stands perched atop the rolling hills, as clouds appear to engulf the top of the hill in this picturesque place (enroute to Panshet)
Amazingly scenic settings like this one greet you on the way to Panshet, making you want to just stop and stay. (Can't get enough of it) The freshly sown paddy seems to glow a fluorescent green in this amazing season, amidst a spectacular backdrop, even as a kingfisher claims the best seat! A lush green patchwork of fields extends as far as the eye can see (enroute to Panshet) The magic of the rains is seen all around, as the surroundings literally come alive.
A scenic, albeit bumpy drive led us to Lake Weekend Resort, which provided a breathtaking view of the backwaters of Panshet Dam Overlooking the Warasgaon Lake at Panshet, as we stopped for what was to be a sumptuous home-cooked lunch! A closer look at the waters of the Warasgaon Lake, muddied by fresh rainfall The Lake Weekend Resort is situated in a wonderful setting, and the winding trails are calling to be explored!
Feels like a tropical rain forest - view of Warasgaon Lake A (bad) camera setting freezes the rain drops as a storm passes through, against the spectacular backdrop of the Warasgaon Lake Just can't get enough of the views at this spot! The sit-out at Lake Weekend Resort provides a great setting in this weather. Thoroughly enjoyable!

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