The England Near Mumbai !!

The valley of Kunegaon –  I can proudly say and believe that this is our discovery. Who cares if it is not? Saying it makes me happy. 






It was 11^th of June and the monsoon had already arrived in all its glory. When we touched  Khandala  on the expressway and asked for directions for Signature Crest Villas, we were guided towards a village Kunegaon at least 4 kms from the main road. Why on earth would a travel company set up its stay in such an interior that is completely cut off from the outside world?

We found two answers. One – it is adjacent to the now famous Della adventure park. Two – it’s one of the paradises of Maharashtra. If it’s raining and you don’t have days enough to head to the Himalayas, this is the place to be.

On the third day of our stay in our cozy little – sorry cozy large room of a Signature Crest bungalow – we had no clue where would we be heading. It was 7am and we had 5 hours in hand before the check out time.  I lazily lay on the bed and Harshad, my love, once again suggested (as he’d been doing for the past two days) that we climb the hills we could view from our balcony. I once again laughed it off. Don't know why?;)

Finally we decided to simply take a stroll through the Kunegaon village where our Villas were located.

We quickly finished our cups of tea and dashed downstairs. 








After three days we knew the village quite well and decided to have some hot bhajiyas in a small cozy and the only tapri (stall) nearby. 




However I suddenly took a left turn instead of the right that we were supposed to. I knew it would lead somewhere to the hills that we had viewed from the room or at least somewhere what this view suggested. The village dogs that were now used to following us automatically turned with us.

And the moment we took another right from this breathtaking road I was not prepared to what I saw – or was I? My wishes have never ceased to materialize. Since the time, I had watched the movie War  Horse, I ached to be at the location the film was shot. The images had lingered long enough even after the craving had died. Especially etched was the fenced hill where the boy tries to train his horse to plough. And what I saw before me now was the frame taken off the film and kept in front of me without any altercations whatsoever. It was as if because of the love I had given it, the film location had walked here for me on the virgin hills of Kunegaon, Khandala and would go back once I returned. And no I didn't click any pictures of it. It just didn't occur to me!

I saw beauty in this trunk nearby and

  Harshad saw art. He asked me to jump and touch the branch, and I guessed right what he was up to. I was not touching the branch but a monster. 

We could see a construction – most probably some hotels and lodgings – far off but nothing nearby. It was a pleasant surprise not to see a single tourist or traveler in the vicinity. Not even the locals of Kunegaon. Not that it was too early – it was almost 10 by now.









Harshad walked up a hillock and yelled – fuck! I who was following hated him for it.



 Not for the F word but because I knew there was something worth seeing and his yelling had taken away the surprise element. We had a small argument over why couldn’t he control his yelling. He said why don’t you come and see it. I said I won’t be surprised enough to yell. He didn’t have an answer. I didn’t have any more questions. So I resumed my walk and yelled – fuck.

This is what it was. A valley better than many ‘points’ we had visited at many hill stations. I tried clicking it but could not capture the depth with the point and shoot camera I carried. But I didn’t care. The camera of my eyes have stored the sight in the ‘forever folder’. From far off I could see the Mumbai bound train that had departed from Pune. I knew this as it was the train that had brought me to Mumbai and has been the bridge between my hometown and my city of dreams. 

The rains had started not more than 10 days back, but we were lucky to witness a lot of waterfalls in these three days. Two were here on this very hill.

Luckily we’ve had a wonderful monsoon this year. I hope next year brings in the same glory. So the next monsoons, I would request you to pack your bags, or don’t pack them, but just head towards this virgin ghat. There is no landmark around, it’s quite a walk from Kunegaon and I’m sure not many locals visit it. So I won’t be able to give you an exact address except that if you manage to reach the Signature Crest bungalows  – keep walking in the opposite direction of the village– towards the hill. 


Discovering this place in itself is an adventure. And I can’t even say it’s worth the trouble – it’s worth the fun would be more apt!

Had Rani Mukherjee visited this place, she would have been the one asking Aamir - Aey, Aata Kya Khandala? :)