Why you should explore the lesser-known Chalkewadi in Satara

File photo

To make the most of the recent long weekend, starting from September 30 to October 2, we set out on a pilgrimage to cover three prominent temples in Maharashtra. Our first halt was the Tulja Bhavani temple, followed by Shree Swami Samarth Samadhi Math, and finally, Pandharpur. After our temple trail, we were keen to visit Satara's famous valley of flowers, Kaas Plateau. However, we learnt that entry into the Plateau was supposed to be booked online in advance, and that it was already sold out for the weekend. One of our travelling companions, a resident of Satara, saved our day by suggesting an alternate venue - Chalkewadi which is 52.4 km from Kaas, and offers similar sweeping views of flower beds, minus the crowds.

Thoseghar waterfalls are a popular tourist location near Satara

The in-betweens

We set out from Pandharpur to Satara city for Chalkewadi via road. Our halt included a quick stop for vada pav and sabudana vada, and the Thoseghar waterfalls (entry Rs 50 per person), which gave us a much-needed respite from the continuous, long commute.

Recco: The smaller waterfall en route to the main, larger waterfall offers a scenic view of the region that is behind the waterfall. This can be negotiated via a pass through a small cave. Kansal rice sold by locals (they sell nearly three types of rice and a lot of locally-grown vegetables. We bought one kg of kansal rice
for Rs 100).

Tourists click pictures amid the flower bed. Pics/Uday Devrukhkar

Final destination

Chalkewadi is half-an-hour's drive from the waterfall. Overall, we took a little over an hour to complete the journey from Satara city, which included these halts. Expect zig-zag roads, accessible only by four-wheelers. But once you reach the location, the immediate calm that greets you makes it worth the journey. Despite it being a weekend, the space was devoid of tourists. The residents informed us that the widespread pink flowers popping out from the endless greens are similar to what grows in abundance in Kaas. "The only difference is that Chalkewadi is not as developed. So, the flowers here grow wild and unchecked. If someone were to look after the flowers, and where and how they grow, I am sure that this place will become as famous as Kaas Plateau, if not more," a local food stall owner told us.
A five to 10-minute walk ahead of the pink-flower beds will lead you to other endless plots filled with flowers of different, pleasing colours. We spent over half an hour here, and returned with a tranquil state of mind.

Recco: Vada pav, tea and omelette pav at the local stall.

Note: Chalkewadi is known for its windmill farm. Visitors can view these giant installations from up close. But it is recommended to keep a distance because of their high voltage (over 3,300 vaults).

A local food stall owner in Chalkewadi makes an omelette

How to reach

From Mumbai, take National Highway 48 to reach Satara. Pass through Lodhwade, Kushi, and Koregaon villages to reach Thoseghar Road; after which follow Chalkewadi Patan Road that will lead you to your destination

Flower power in Chalkewadi

Snecio bombayensis (in yellow) and neanotis lancifolia (in pink); Opposite-leaved balsalm; Purple bladderwort and spherical pipewort

. Impatiens oppositifolia (opposite-leaved balsam) is endemic to Western Ghats. In Marathi, it is called lal terda. Impatiens members have a very unique pattern of bursting of the fruits.

. Utricularia purpurascens (purple bladderwort) is an insectivorous plant growing on wet rocks, soil covered boulders and grassy slopes in nitrogen-deficient soil, so they trap microorganisms and other organism in bladder (pouch-like structure) to make up their nitrogen content.

. Eriocaulon sedgwickii (spherical pipewort) are also endemic to rocky plateaus of the massive Western Ghats

. Neanotis lancifolia is native to Western Ghats, mostly found near rocky boulders on the hill plateaus of Western Ghats. Locally, in Marathi, it is called Taraguchha

Courtesy: Rajdeo Singh, assistant professor, St Xavier's College, former botanist, BNHS