The little village of Amboli is the ideal getaway in the rains.
Maharashtra’s Western Ghats region gets more than its fair share of the monsoons. By mid-August, it starts looking as if someone has gone haywire with spray cans of green paint. One of the best places to experience the monsoons in the Ghats is Amboli, on the road from Mumbai to Goa, just after Kudal and a little before Sawantwadi. My advice would be to go to Amboli early in the day because the place is very popular thanks to its beautiful hill roads with their impromptu waterfalls.
The village of Amboli comes alive during the monsoons chiefly due to its waterfalls. But long before you reach this little wet village, even on the winding road up you’ll be astounded by the towering mastiffs of green covered dense forests. While the big waterfall, that has a clutch of dhabas and tea stalls in front of it, is the main attraction, there are plenty of spontaneous waterfalls that are secluded and peaceful.
A word of caution though — the rocks can be very slippery and the force of the water strong enough to sweep you off your feet, so do watch out. Also, since this is a popular waterfall place, you’ll be treated to the sight of a varying array of undergarments in different stages of elasticity that have been called upon to serve as swimwear. So brace yourself!
Once you’ve had your fill of bathing and shivering in the cascading water, you can start exploring the other attractions in town.
The Madhavgad Fort nearby can hardly be recognised as a fort as it is completely in ruins, but it has seen its share of action and a memorial. There are also a few temples around the village, but if that isn’t your scene just go beyond the village and spend some time in the open green fields. It’s peaceful here away from noise of the waterfalls. During the monsoons there are little streams that go meandering about and cattle grazing in the fields. All around there are rustic villagers with homemade straw shelters looking after their cattle. They are quite friendly and ready for a chat.
(Rishad Saam Mehta is a travel writer and photographer)
