Koyena

Factual Infromations:

Koyenanagar or Helvak is accessible from mumbai by Road and  Rail Route.

Rail:Nearest Rail head is Chiplun on Mumbai Goa route(Konkan Railways)

Road: Approx. 320 Km Via Mumbai Bangalore Express way. Take Right at Umbraj after few kilometer of Satara and head towards Koyenanagar.The other Route is via Mumbai Goa road, which might take bit more time.

However we reached there by Road. Via Pune Express way and then by Pune Bangalore expressway. It took us approximatele 6 hrs including two halts mid way.

Background Informations: (From Wikipedia)

Koyena is one of the biggest example of engineering marvel created by Indians in Independent India.

The Koyna Hydroelectric Project is the largest completed hydroelectric power plant of India.The project uses potential of water from Koyna River. The project site is situated in Satara district near Patan. The village Helwak near the dam was later known as Koynanagar.

The impounded water of the Koyna Dam though has submerged a significant amount of Rain forest of the Western Ghats, it has helped a lot to the surrounding forest by supplying water all round the year. Hence a wide biodiversity of plants and animals is observed in the evergreen forest surrounding the reservoir area called Chandoli National Park.

The major tourist attractions:

 

1. Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary/ Chandoli national Park

Another attraction of the sanctuary is Vasota Fort which lies deep in the forests and is located at a height of1,120 m (3,675 ft) above sea level. The legend states that the fort was constructed by Malwa king Raja Bhoja in 1170.Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary has dense forests with three major sections, Vasota, Maharkhor and Indavli Met, and the sanctuary is endowed with natural protective boundaries – Shivasagar Lake on one side, and the slopes of the Western Ghats on both the sides. This protective cover has enabled the emergence of a diverse variety of flora and fauna in the sanctuary. Some of the endangered species of trees found in the sanctuary are Dhup (Boswellia serrata), Euphorbia longan, andElaeocarpus spp., apart from many other species of trees. The sanctuary has a diverse variety of fauna including tigers and panthers; gaurs and sambars; barking and mouse deers; pythons and cobras; common langurs and Indian Giant Squirrels. Many species of birds are found in the sanctuary including brown capped woodpecker; Asian Fairy Bluebird; andCrested Goshawk.

[edit]2. Nehru Memorial park

When the project work was almost nearing completion, on 10 April 1960, the then Prime Minister of India Pdt. Jawaharlal Nehru visited Koyna Project. To commemorate this event a tablow was unveiled at his gracious hands on the right flank hillock of Koyna Dam. This project came up with an idea of immortalising this place and this event by constructing a beautiful park and naming it as "Nehru Memorial Park". This park is a major attraction for tourists. A upstream side view of dam is visible from this garden. There is an auditorium named 'Yashogatha' (meaning: story of success) which reviles a small element of the tremendous efforts taken by the engineers and workers associated with project.

[edit]3. Ozarda fall

Due to the large rainfall in the hilly region surrounding the reservoir, some beautiful falls are generated in themonsoon season. The largest of them is the Ozarda falls. This is also a major attraction for tourists visiting in monsoon season.

Journey Begins:

We started off on a pleasant Saturday morning of June end from naviMumbai. We had  a team of friends amd acuintances of 15 people on board a god-dammed Tempo-traveller (Which almost muddled our plan but added enough adventure in our trip.). Distance was quite long so took a day off on saturday (Its boaring to work on saturday anyways.) and had plan to stay koyena for the night to enjoy the place on Sunday morning. 



A long tunnel near Mumbai on Pune Expressway

we started early to reach on time. We took Mumbai pune express way then to National Highway no.  to reach koyena. The distance one side was approx 375 Km. which too us more than 6 hours as the vehicle got some trouble midway. The scenery by the side was phenomenal. We enjoyed sceneries all the way  down th road and cheered to dance numbers playning in th emusic systems. The day was pleasant as it was sunny after a weeks cloudy downpour in Mumbai. The Sahayadris wore a velvet blanket of lush green vegetations.

People in who have traveled to during summer would be surprised first to see this dramatic change but for "aamchi Mumbaikar" its a seasonal feast for eyes. Its so soothing with so many vibrant shades of green.



Our Gang with me in the center.



We took the National Highwat which was part of Golden Quadrilateral  project.



Road was awesome



Perfect day to travel

As we travellled through the ghats the journey was smooth  and enjoyable as its is one of the best surper high ways in entire india. Its perfect with a smooth SUV but ours was a unlucky one with hidden gearbox problem and we could hardly touch 80 kmph  on  such a road.  but as we know "Speed thrills but kill", so we adjusted with it knowing that we would be alive till we reach koyena.


Ups and downs

Koyena welcomed us with  splash of rain which was de perfecto. As we left the high way and too a narrow winding road through the ghats we got company of this little village stream called koyena. It was serene landscape so calm and cool that charmed every one of us. We felt envious for the local villagers for being born and brought amidst such a beauty of nature that we everyday in mumbai, one of the most populus city in the world. we filled our lungs with as much as fresh air as we could  and  surprisingly we were not even a bit tired when we reached the place- Koyena lake Resort, Just by the side of the spillway of the Dam.


Small river called Koyena



A  bridge over koyena

We were hungry like a mad and food was so delicious  we ate more than we could. The food was cooked in authnetic  malvani style and was delicious. Malvani is a cooking style in Maharashtra/western india, famous for its use of curry leaves and coconut pulp. The people were extremely cordial and happy to serve even if we reached 2 hours past their extended lunch time.


Glimpse of the mighty Dam

After we had food some one of our frineds found this magnifient view of rainbow formed over the lake because of short spell of shower.



The surprise Rainbow




A little splash of Rain

After the lunch we headed towards Nehru museum which was made in memory of the people who worked  to make this project a reality. The park was new and well maintained. There is a small museum organizes a  small video show on the project for the visitors. As we reached there our vehicle "Collapsed" and was immobile. We had brief exchange of words with the agent who made a lot of false promises  that the vehicle will be available in a few hours. In the mean time it started raining. We decided to leave the vehicle and started walking.
 

Walk back from Nehru park

The walk was probably the most memorable on as it was getting dark and drizzling. Around us it was moist smell of lush green leaves, damp woods and chirping birds coming back to their nests. We could only hear our sounds and constant noise by insects in the forest.We could spot some ripe jackfruits and wild flowers by the side of our trail.
After a long walk of 5 kilometers up hill , every body was sweating. but surprisingly nobody was tired enogh to join a campfire party after a evening a snacks and dinner.


Trying an expert shot

Next morning it was sunny and pleasant. we headed towards  the lake jetty for a boat ride  in the catch ment area.  The jetty was just by th side of a big waterway coming out from a nearby water falls feeding the lake.


Heading to the ferry on Lake

Interestingly  the water level was much below it s usual level so we could see the water level mark exposed all around us. We gt a local guide who told us about the place and its history and natural richness of the surroundings. It was pleasant and we throughly enjoyed our ride.
After the ride we headed towards the water falls which was scenic and beautiful. The very sound of waterfall mesmerized us.


Forbidden snap

After the boat ride it was time to prepare for coming back. As we didnt have the vehicle ready by then we decided to return by public buses.
We packeed our stuff and reached bus stop. There are two good restaurant in the Koyenangar Bus Depot which serves most delicius and fresh malvani food in the town. we were all surprised at their warm hospitality and  cleanliness in service.
With lots of fond memories we bid adieu to Koyena and pronmised  in our mind that  we will come again.!!!!!