Saputara is a little off the way hill station, nestled in the Shayadri range in the Dang district of Gujarat. Not many people in the rest of India know about this place but those who do, consider it a little gem and a haven of peace and tranquility. There are quite a few places to visit in Saputara and you will wonder why you had not visited sooner. Here are some places that should be on your itinerary.
As soon as you enter the Dang district, you will hear people recommending you to visit the Gira Waterfalls and you will know why. It is one of the most stunning places to visit during the monsoons, the beauty of the waterfall really comes through, freshly fed by rainwater. The falls are often confused with the Girmal Falls, which is also another spectacular falls but located in the region of Ahwa. You can get to the Gira Falls by taking a bus from the main Saputara bus stop and getting down at Wanarchod village.
Located at the Sunset Point Road, this point is located near the Saputara Museum. It is also known as the Gandhi Shikhar and is located about 1.7 km away from the main town center. You can either take a cab or choose to walk, as you take in the beautiful views of the land around. You will enjoy great views of the sunset from here and the Dang Forest, along with the tribal villages around. The point is visited by tourists and weekenders round the year. One of the spectacular ways of reaching this point is to take a 10 minutes ropeway ride which will offer great views around. There are other famous tourist spots like Vansda National Park and Saputara Museum and any local transport will take you there.
The tribes who once inhabited the hills of Saputara led a very interesting life and quite a few artifacts pertaining to their way of life are preserved in a tiny museum. The museum was constructed so that the tourists could become familiar with the local tribal culture and have a deeper understanding about them. There are also books and documents that record the life of the Bhils, Kunbis, Gamits and Warlis, along with the Dang tribe of Saputara, from which the region probably gets its name. The clothes, utensils, weapons, household objects, musical instruments and ornaments are kept here. Workshops and other forms of exhibitions are held here annually so that the people come to know about the importance of the tribe in maintaining the ecology of the region. The museum is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm and entry is merely INR 2.
As the name suggests, this place enables ones to hear one’s own voice as it is hit back by the surrounding hills. It is definitely a most popular tourist spot, located near Matheran, very close to Saputara. There are also some waterfalls here which are fun and exciting to explore. The region here is mostly wild and one has to make their own way and yet it is very safe. The hills around make a lovely backdrop and the Charlotte Lake is a popular picnic place near Saputara. Other points here are the Louisa Point and King George Point. All local transport reach here and the point is open from 9 am to 7 pm every day.
Located on the bank of the Saputara Lake, the Lake Garden is a major tourist spot in Saputara region and many weekenders come here for picnics. The evenings also see a number of locals coming here. The garden is very beautifully landscaped and a number of rare plants species are to be seen here. There is a playing field nearby which is greatly enjoyed by the youngsters. The lake itself is beautiful and boating is a primary activity here. Entry to the garden is free and it is open from 9 am to 8 pm.
Located in Vani in the Nashik region of Maharashtra, this temple is considered as one of the Shakti Peeths of the Indian subcontinent. It is said that the idol of the Devi is Swayambhu, as in, the idol manifested itself on a rock surrounding by mountains and was surrounded by its seven peak. The idol of the Devi is truly impressive, with the structure being 10 feet tall and there are 18 hands holding a number of weapons. The idol is also always coated with Sindoor which is considered holy. The locals from Saputara often come here frequently to pay their respects, as does other tourists who visit Saputara. Steps are cut from the base of the mountains which have to be climbed to reach the temple. It is open from 6 am to 6pm every day.
Located at a distance of about 40 km from Saputara, the national park is maintained by the South Dangs Forest Division. Sightseeing in Saputara cannot be complete without a visit to this region. It is about 23.99 sq km in area and because of the tropical and humid climate is home to a large number of plant and animal species. It is mostly a dense, deciduous forest and one can spot leopards, hyenas, wild boars, sambars, antelopes and a vast number of reptile and bird species. There are recorded 443 species of plants like bamboo, dudhkod, kakad, kalam, haldu, sisam among others. A number of tribes still reside here. The best time to visit the national park is between October to March. The easiest way to reach it is through Waghai or Bilmora railway station. The park is open from 6 am to 5:30 pm. A safari would cost around INR 500 for vehicle and guide.
The Purna Sanctuary is located within the lush dense forests of the Western Ghats. It is spread over 160.8 km and was established in 1990. A large number of flora and fauna is to be seen here and information on them is also available. A large number of animals call this sanctuary their home like sloth bear, elephants, wild bulls and rhinos. Bamboo clusters and teak trees predominate as the plant species here along with 700 other known plant species. The park is open from 6 am to 5:30 pm and costs only INR 20 per person.
This facility in Saputara is where fresh honey is extracted and the honey is completely organic. The facility is located close to the Lake Garden and school excursion trips are often organized here to make the students aware of the way in which natural honey is extracted. Tourists gain more information about the honey industry and the importance of bees in our ecology. The final stages of gathering honey can be seen here. The best part is that one can also buy fresh honey from here. The facility is open from 8 am to 8 pm.
Another popular picnic spot in Saputara, the Rose Garden houses several varieties of roses and when they are in full bloom, it is quite a sight to see them. It is a great place to relax, and the exquisite fragrance of roses in the air will soon soothe your senses, especially during spring, when the roses are in full bloom. Entry to the garden is free and it is open from 9 am to 6 pm.
Going on the ropeway in Saputara is a really fun way to do some sightseeing. The ropeway here is about 30 feet above the ground and is one of the best ways to reach the above mentioned Sunset Point. The tourists get a wonderful view of the city from here and the bird’s eye view of the panorama is stunning. The Governor’s Hill can be accessed from here within 15 minutes. The cable cars accommodate about 12 people at a time and so even if you traveling with your entire family, all of you will be able to enjoy the ride together. The ropeway is open from 9 am to 5: 30 pm and entry fee is around INR 60.
The Hathgarh Fort is located on the borders of Gujarat and Maharashtra and is located about a distance of 5 km away from Saputara. It is a predominant site for trekking enthusiasts because the fort can be reached only on foot and one has to climb about 3600 feetto get to it. The fort is amidst the hills of the Sahyadri range and the reservoir of the Jamuna can be found here which is the source of water in the region. A stunning view of the surrounding landscape can be enjoyed from above the fort, including the nearby Surangana village.
It is said that the Pandavas used this cave as a hideout while they were on exile and were trying to get away from the Kauravas. These caves are also known as Aravalem caves. Getting to the caves requires quite a bit of trekking, which is what makes the cave so very exciting. A number of tribal villages are to be found here. The caves have later been cut to perfection and make a great spot for photography. The caves are best visited at evenings as the sunset makes it more surreal.
So, the next time you are in the vicinity, you will know which places to visit in Saputara and it will make your stay even more special.
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