Karjat-Murbad Road Expands to Become a National highway

If you've been to Karjat recently, you would have seen the dismal state of the roads. A regular visitor to karjat would know that every monsoon people are greeted by giant-sized potholes (beware if you have a small car), where driving at a speed of 30 is ideal. Another development happening is broadening of the Karjat-Murbad road, which is going to become a National highway in the next couple of months or years.

Such a large scale 'development' has led to cutting down hundreds of old trees. Who is accountable for replanting of trees? This is extremely disappointing, because eventually, it will lead to more commercialization - more shops, restaurants, hotels etc. Did you know that Karjat is a Green residential zone (G1, G2 zone)? A green zone where the trees are cut to boost development projects that are not sustainable!

What kind of development is this when every monsoon, the roadworks employees fill up potholes with stones, a shoddy job that will last for a week, and then back again to the same bumpy road. Phone lines running along the side of the road has broken at several spots to an extent that BSNL had 4 exchanges disconnected, BSNL is not laying new cables anymore and this means lines that were disconnected in the road work are no longer going to be connected again.

The National Highway is slated to be ready by end of the year. Only time will unveil the effects of this thoughtless development and how its harming the fragile ecosystem of beautiful Karjat. Until then enjoy the moon ride simulation as you drive on the roads here!

Karjat Heritage

A lush landscaped resort with an earthy charm, sounds like a tempting retreat? Karjat Heritage an environmental-friendly resort located in Bhalivadi village, off Tata power road. One of the few hotels in Karjat that are pet-friendly, so your entire family including pets can take a break from the bustling city life in this beautiful countryside.

The resort offers deluxe, super deluxe rooms, dormitory accommodation and well-furnished conference room for business meetings, corporate events.

Some of the facilities at Karjat Heritage include -
2 swimming pools including kids mini pool
Rain Dance with Dj Music
Sing along Karaoke
Indoor and Outdoor Games
Play area for Children
Gazebo

You can also go for a nature walk or simply learn the basics of horse-riding during your stay. The resort is available for wedding functions, engagements, birthdays, private pool side parties and other occasions. It serves vegetarian/non-vegetarian food - Indian Chinese or Tandoori.

Tariff of Karjat Heritage -

Location:

Karjat Heritage' is just 11Km away from Karjat Station & just 7 Km from Bhivpuri Station.

Contact numbers -
+91 99204 14414
+91 99304 14414

Annapoorna Farm

Spread across an expanse of 21 acres amidst picturesque location, Annapoorna Farm offers a complete farm-like environment where you can indulge in nature-based activities. Go for nature walks, bird watching, fishing at the river, vegetable or fruit picking, eat locally grown organic vegetables or have a BBQ.

Accommodation Details:

Annapoorna has 3 spacious cottages with tiled roofs and Warli-art adorned walls. These cottages overlook the Pej River and have nice sit-outs (verandahs) with luscious lawns in front. Of the 3, 2 cottages have four 4-bedded self-contained rooms. The third cottage is a 16-bedded self-contained dormitory.

Thus, the total capacity for Annapoorna Farms is 30 people.
Facilities
Pets allowed
Swimming Pool
Garden / Lawn
Indoor Games
Bonfire

Annapoorna Farm has around 50 – 60 species of medicinal plants on its premise, along with 400 Mango trees & saplings, 200 custard apple trees, 200 amla, 100 coconut saplings, and they don't use any chemicals or pesticides, hence all the fruits, vegetables, can be considered organic.

They serve unlimited Veg / Non-Veg meals cooked in Maharashtrian / Konkani style.

Tariff

Contact details Annapoorna Farm
Habitat Poultry
Karjat – Murbad Rd, At – Takve,
Post Kadav, Karjat – 410201
02148 – 202476
09881078252, 09271562846

Mumbai - Zoeb Merchant
09892715882

Pune - Shantanu Kalamkar
09922434681

Location:

Mohili Meadows Resort

Surrounded by mountains and scenic landscape, Mohili Meadows Resort, offers a wide selection of studio and deluxe rooms, and duplexes, all well-designed, decorated and furnished to meet your every need and taste. All the rooms are air-conditioned, with fine curtains, bedspreads, linens, king-size beds; comfortable sofas with center table, dining table and bathrooms with modern fixtures.

The Resort is developed on 30 acres of land with 3 star amenities in Mohili village, 6 km from Karjat station.

Facilities at Mohili Meadows
Lavish & designer rooms
A veranda/ balcony
LCD with DTH connection
Well designed bathrooms with bath tubs
Refrigerator in the room
Multi-cuisine restaurant
Swimming pool
Banquet Hall
Conference room
Adventure zone
Indoor games: Chess, Carom, pool and table tennis

Adventure Zone at Mohili

Also on offer are a range of adventure activities like riding an All Terrain Bike, zorbing, water roller zorbing, rifle shooting, archery, trampoline, net cricket, paint ball, rope activities, zip line, karaoke, pottery, sumo fight, mountain cycling, mud fight and horse riding.

Tariff of Mohili Meadows:

Location:

Contact details:
Vashi - Corporate Sales Office
Tel.: 022 - 27813901/9222285801

Mulund

Tel.: 9320051512. E-mail: reservation@mohilimeadowsresort.com

5 Things to do in the Monsoons in Karjat

Monsoons in Karjat is a visual delight – grassy meadows, nesting birds, lush green hillocks lined with waterfalls, butterflies and insects galore - nature at its best display. If you really want to do just more than visit a hotel or a friend’s bungalow in Karjat on a weekend, here are the five things GreenKarjat.com recommends to soak in the monsoon fun. It is the perfect weather to explore Karjat.

Trekking

- Caves
Nature lovers and avid trekkers head to the ancient Buddhist Kondana caves. It’s an hour trek from Kondane village and an easy one too. You will witness eight caves enclosed with sculptures, vihara, chaitya and stupas. The caves were created around 200 BC - 100BC, so you will get a glimpse of ancient Buddhist architecture.
How to reach Kondana caves

- Forts

There are several forts in and around Karjat waiting to be explored. One of them is Peth fort also known as Kothaligad, which is around 21 kms north-east of Karjat in Shahapur taluka. Peth is a small fort used more as a defense station during Sambhaji's era, and is surrounded by other forts like Bhimashankar, Padargad, Rajmachi and Siddhagad. Its a fairly easy trek due to its small height and easy climb. Directions to Peth Fort

Bhimashankar, situated in the village of Bhavagiri, is a famous pilgrimage site and a major trekking spot in Karjat. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India. The beautiful stone temple is around 3296 feet high and is surrounded by dense forests and lofty peaks, get ready for breath-taking views. There is a simple route via Ganesh ghat and a bit difficult one Shidi ghat, you can read about directions to Bhimashankar.

River rafting

Monsoon is also the best time to go river rafting on the upper sections of Ulhas River. Several adventure tour operators conduct one-day or weekend rafting from July to September. The nerve-tingling rafting adventure highly depends on the rainfall, so manoeuvre your way through rapids and stay afloat!

Eat hot Vada pau with chai

How could we forget this one, a must-do in all seasons! Karjat is known for its hot and delicious vada paus, which are available at almost every corner of the street or village. Although Diwadkar near Karjat station serves the best vada pavs in Karjat.

Waterfalls

Go driving around close to the hills, and you are sure to spot a string of waterfalls hiding behind the clouds. Jamrukh village is the best spot to catch waterfalls, even Bhivpuri waterfall is a popular spot.

Help farmers grow paddy

This is also the start of the rice-planting season. You will find farmers ploughing their fields, getting it ready for a new season. For a real countryside experience, help a farmer grow rice. I am sure they wouldn’t mind an extra hand and don’t forget to click pictures!

Go Horse-Riding at Dada's Grill

City Dwellers looking for a weekend break have another reason to be in Karjat, horse-riding.

Tudo Cavalo, India's first and only Equine Services Company that provides holistic, skill based and natural entertainment, has opened a fully equipped and professionally run horse riding school - Horsing Around - at Dada's Grill.

You can go out on a trail ride, take a crash course in horse care or brush up on your riding skills; Horsing Around provides a safe and fun activity for the entire family to indulge in.

Avadh Mathrani, CEO and director, Tudo Cavalo, said, “We thought that Karjat would be the perfect place for an equestrian themed centre with a variety of activities which would give everyone something to do. Grandpa can tend to his organic tomatoes, Dad can take the ATV out for a spin, Mom can relax in the pool while the kids ride. Nowhere else do you get that sort of wholesome old style family entertainment.”

Weekend equestrian holidays for families and groups cost Rs 3000 per head per day including meals, dorm style accommodation, 2 riding lessons and other activities. They also take day groups - 1, 2 and 3 hour trail rides through the hills, evening bbqs etc. (Some of these services are charged extra).

• Riding lessons - Rs 650 per session
• 1hour trail ride - Rs 600 per person
• 2 hour trail ride - Rs 1000 per person
• 3 hour trail ride including lunch - Rs 2000 per person

Tudo Cavalo, who mainly uses rescued and rehabilitated horses, also provides therapeutic riding for people with disabilities, and has mobile instructors and horse trainers, who are specialists in the training of indigenous horses.

Food Code - Flavors of Punjab in Karjat

Food code - Flavors of Punjab - is a refreshing change compared to the limited number of restaurants in Karjat.

Located on the College road in Dahivali, Food Code has a spacious dining area overlooking the Karjat-Murbad highway and they serve Tandoori, Indian and limited Chinese dishes. The restaurant has a nice ambience with music playing in the background and comfortable seats. We tried out Paneer Handi (Rs 140) and Butter chicken (Rs 130) with Butter rotis (Rs 12 for one), and it turned out to be tasty, nothing beyond great but good.

Although the food is better than other restaurants like Royal Garden or even Raj Cottage (although their South Indian breakfast is very delicious). Since the restaurant had just opened, the manager offered us a complimentary Kheer, which could have tasted more authentic.
 
I was particularly impressed with the location - away from the main road - and the ambience of the place, which seems to be a world apart from other restaurants and has an urban vibe to it. Food Code also has an outlet in Navi Mumbai and plans to open one in Lonavala, Vashi, Chembur and various places in Mumbai.

Contact: 8888829401/02