We wanted to go to Kalmandvi waterfall for the last 7-8 yrs, right from the time I heard that it was a perennial waterfall. When, we visited Jawhar in 2018 during monsoons, to see Dhabosa falls along with other places, I did not include Kalmandavi falls as I thought that we can always see these falls in any season. Our Jawhar trip in 2018 was quite adventurous, but somehow I have missed writing a blog on the same. Last year, we tried to visit Kalmandvi, however, we could not get proper transport on time and visited Vasai Fort instead. This time too, it was going to get cancelled, my mobile phone conked off on Thursday night ( i.e 27th Feb) and I was under a lot of tension. Luckily my mobile phone got repaired at 4 pm on Friday, as it required installing a new battery. I really had a sigh of relief. But, I was told not to charge the phone and let the battery drain out till it reached 10%-15% and then charge it. For that I had to stay awake in the night till 2.30 am. Next day , we had to start for Kalmandvi falls at 7 am in the morning.
This year, we decided to go to Jawhar, Kalmandvi falls on the 1 st of March 2025. Jawhar is called the hill station located in Palgar district. So we thought it may not be as hot as Wada. Friends, Jawhar is no longer a hill station and it is extremely hot even in the month of March, so if you want to visit this place , better go during the winter season. Jawhar is about 134 kms from Mumbai and 114 kms from Borivali and it takes about 3-3 1/2 hrs to reach Jawhar.
How to reach Jawhar
By Train
Take a train from Dadar to Thane. From Thane you get a bus to go to Jawhar. The first bus leaves at 7 am in the morning. You can also take a train to Igatpuri from Mumbai. From Igatpuri to Jawhar the distance is 60 kms, so you can take a cab or take a bus ( please check about the bus service) from Igatpuri to Jawhar.
By Road
You can take the Mumbai Ahmedabad Highway. Once you cross Virar, you have to reach Varai phata than Haloli and on the way you will see Shri Datta snacks on your left hand side. You need to move further ahead and you will come to Silent Hill Resorts. Just 5-7 min ahead of Datta Snacks, you need to take right turn from the highway and you land up on Manor Wada road. From Manor Wada Road you can take a left turn which goes to Vikramgad. Please dont continue on the Manor Wada Rd. as the road will take you to Wada . You have to take a left turn to Vikramgad to reach Jawhar.
Kalmandvi waterfall
Breakfast at Manor
The road to Manor was very dusty and now the traffic on the road has increased 2-3 folds, it is not as quiet as it used to be earlier. We reached at about 9 am and decided to have our breakfast as it would take about 1 1/2 hrs to reach the waterfall. Saraswati had prepared idlis ( rice cakes) for all of us. Her idlis and fresh chutney ( sauce made up of coconut & coriander leaves)was very tasty & yummy. Priya got sabudana khichadi (sago porridge) nicely packed in the containers for all of us. Rasika innovated something new which was a dry snack 😂. It was surprisingly........ quite tasty. We had tea and idlis as breakfast at Manor.
We had decided before hand to get breakfast and lunch from home. The same would save time and also there were no restaurants near the waterfall it would be easier for us if we carried our food with us.
However, friends you can have your breakfast at Kamats or Datta Snacks on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway on your way to Jawhar. You can also get something packed for yourself from the resturant for your lunch too.
Having breakfast at Manor
Road from Jawhar to the waterfall
After having breakfast at Manor, we did not take the Manor Wada road, but we took another road which goes to Vikramgad. Vikramgad in Jawhar is basically an Adivasi area and is well known for its Warli paintings. We could see that education is considered very important in Jawhar nowadays. It was nice to see saw many young kids going to school. It is good that children are getting educated. Hope they get into organic farming and pursue a profession which is more close to nature as times are changing . People are adopting a lifestyle that minimizes environmental impact and resource consumption. City dwellers are now moving to their villages or small towns adopting organic farming and a lifestyle which is healthier and does not impact the environment.
Road to Kalmandvi
The road to Kalmandvi waterfall was isolated but very scenic, we rarely see the vibrant colors of autumn leaves in and around Mumbai during the fall season. Though, March is not a fall season in India. The beautiful experience which we encountered was of a fall season.
We stopped on the way to get the glimpse of the beautiful golden coloured leaves which had covered the whole place with its golden shower.
A beautiful road at Jawhar going to the waterfall
Autumn at Jawhar
We felt that we were enjoying Autumn in Europe
Rasika's novel idea of sitting on the Road
Threesome
Trek to Kalmandvi Falls
Once you reach the entrance gate of the Kalmandvi falls, the road becomes narrower and narrower. It became so narrow that we had doubts whether we should stop there and move ahead on foot. Rasika and Priya got down to see how narrow was the way ahead. While they were exploring, we saw 2 boys on a 2 wheeler passing through and we stopped and asked them whether there was a way ahead. They replied that the car parking was ahead and our vehicle could go till the car parking. Geets had a hard time , taking the car till the car parking site.
At the car parking , you have to buy tickets for yourself and pay the car parking charges also , which is quite nominal.
This is the entrance to the Kalmandvi Waterfalls
( Please ignore the Dhanyawad (Thank You) , we could not take the pic while entering Kalmandvi falls. This pic was taken while leaving the Falls.)
Starting of the Trek
The start of the trek is easy and you dont realise , how difficult it will become later as you are on the top of the mountain and you have to slowly descend (move down). When we started the trek it was around 10.30 am, however the weather was very dry and hot. All of us covered ourselves with cotton head scarfs or wore caps to protect our heads from the scorching sun.
We started our trek and it was hottt!
The narrow path leading to the water fall
Narrow paths and zig zag ways
The boys whom we met guided us right from the start of the trek. They said the path will becoming more difficult later and therefore they were walking with us as they knew we will definitely require their help. The paths became more narrower and zig zag too, there was no place for foot holds and at times to balance ourselves we had to lean towards the mountaneous rock , which was burning under the Sun. You can see in one of the pic, how Rasika is walking on the steep path and has to take the support of the rock to get a foot hold to descend.
Rasika taking care of Saraswati ( Our guide is keeping an eye)
Rasika taking a good hold before decending
Descending
We had to descend from the dry rocky mountain having steep slopes to reach the base of the waterfall. Geets was ahead, so was Rasika and Priya. I was taking my own time to find foot holds and descend. Two boys were there with me along with Saraswati. Both the boys were helping Saraswati and me too, whenever it was required. Most of the time I leaned on the rocks ( which was burning) and took the support. The palms of my hands had become bright red. You can see from the pic. below the height from which we descended.
There was a ladder at the end of the descend as there were no footholds, we had no other way except to get down by the ladder, which all of did in our own way.
This pic gives you an idea about the mountain from where we decended to reach the waterfall
One can see from where we had to decend to reach the ladder.
Priya getting down the ladder
Reaching the base of the waterfall
After we decended from the ladder , the story was not over. Geets who was in the front, stopped, but the boys helped her decend further. We could see that there was still lot of descending to be done before we reached the base of the waterfall. All of us slowly reached the base of the waterfall, our ultimate destination.
After the ladder we had to still go down further ( you can see Geets ( in off white cap) going further down)
Finally Geets reached the water pocket
The Ghost tree on the side of the mountain
Waterfall
All 5 of us were at the base of the waterfall. The waterfall is indeed beautiful. It was like a oasis in the desert. The water flows down from a height of 100 meters and it is about 300 ft deep. It is described as a cascading waterfall, but it's not directly fed by a large river system. The atmosphere near the waterfall was just amazing, it was quite cool and we could feel the cool wind touching us now and then. The temperature near the waterfall was at least 10 C less than the average temperature of that area. All of us were enjoying the waterfall. I did not enter any of the water pockets, I just rested near the waterfall sitting at one place as I was tired. Meanwhile Rasika, Priya swam in the water with life jackets. Geets and Saraswati dipped their legs in the cold water pockets.
There were lot of people near the waterfall, many had come for cliff jumping. The cliff jumping is about 80 feet and it looked quite difficult. But the dare devils including some girls ( with life jackets) were doing the cliff jumping and we watched them. Some preferred jumping from less heights, the others jumped from 80 ft. Life jackets are available at Rs. 100/- and it is mandatory to wear them if you want to enter water pockets or do cliff jumping.
You can see the video of waterfall on my Insta account https://www.instagram.com/sadhanaass/reel/DGs4JzcND-G/
Water pockets which are safe for ppl. to enter and swim.
One can see the cliff jumpers standing on the top of the waterfall for jumping in the water below.
Girls enjoying near the water pocket
Sitting peacefully and enjoying the cool breeze!
Girls enjoying themselves
Priya with the lifejacket for entering the water pocket
Girls swimming in the water ( it is mandatory to wear life jacket)
Another angle of the waterfall
The other side of the waterfall
Ascending and back to car parking area
After spending more than an hour near the base of the waterfall and waterpockets, we decided to return. It was about 1 pm and it was terribly hot. Returning was a nightmare for me, not on account of the steep slopes but because of the weather,I was unable to bear the heat. Both the boys were with me and they were very helpful. I had water with me but I finished the water which I was carrying, even before reaching the half way. I was also carrying jaggery+ lemon + salt water which helps in replenishing your electrolytes but it was not adequate. My mouth and lips were drying (this is the first symptom of dehydration) even after drinking some water. I was just crawling , I had to take a lot of breaks. I knew I needed more water, fortunately the boys said they can get the water as we were not far from a girl selling bisreli water and fruits. they got a 1 litre bottle for me and I drank almost about 3/4 of water from the bottle slowly.
After having water, slowly I managed to reach the place where all 4 girls were waiting for me under a shade of a tree. They were having cucumbers and water melon. It was a big sigh of relief as this place was very near to our car parking. After having fresh cucumber and a piece of water melon, I reached the car parking area.Friends what I underwent was dehydration, The water I carried was not enough and my body needed more water. Whenever you are going for any treks, just see that you carry enough water with you to avert such situation. You should also carry electrolyte pouch and some chocolate bars( 5 star bar is recommended), these help in replenishing your electrolytes and provide you quick energy.
This was on the other side of the waterfall
Descending
We had to descend from the dry rocky mountain having steep slopes to reach the base of the waterfall. Geets was ahead, so was Rasika and Priya. I was taking my own time to find foot holds and descend. Two boys were there with me along with Saraswati. Both the boys were helping Saraswati and me too, whenever it was required. Most of the time I leaned on the rocks ( which was burning) and took the support. The palms of my hands had become bright red. You can see from the pic. below the height from which we descended.
There was a ladder at the end of the descend as there were no footholds, we had no other way except to get down by the ladder, which all of did in our own way.
This pic gives you an idea about the mountain from where we decended to reach the waterfall
One can see from where we had to decend to reach the ladder.
Priya getting down the ladder
Reaching the base of the waterfall
After we decended from the ladder , the story was not over. Geets who was in the front, stopped, but the boys helped her decend further. We could see that there was still lot of descending to be done before we reached the base of the waterfall. All of us slowly reached the base of the waterfall, our ultimate destination.
After the ladder we had to still go down further ( you can see Geets ( in off white cap) going further down)
Finally Geets reached the water pocket
The Ghost tree on the side of the mountain
Waterfall
All 5 of us were at the base of the waterfall. The waterfall is indeed beautiful. It was like a oasis in the desert. The water flows down from a height of 100 meters and it is about 300 ft deep. It is described as a cascading waterfall, but it's not directly fed by a large river system. The atmosphere near the waterfall was just amazing, it was quite cool and we could feel the cool wind touching us now and then. The temperature near the waterfall was at least 10 C less than the average temperature of that area. All of us were enjoying the waterfall. I did not enter any of the water pockets, I just rested near the waterfall sitting at one place as I was tired. Meanwhile Rasika, Priya swam in the water with life jackets. Geets and Saraswati dipped their legs in the cold water pockets.
There were lot of people near the waterfall, many had come for cliff jumping. The cliff jumping is about 80 feet and it looked quite difficult. But the dare devils including some girls ( with life jackets) were doing the cliff jumping and we watched them. Some preferred jumping from less heights, the others jumped from 80 ft. Life jackets are available at Rs. 100/- and it is mandatory to wear them if you want to enter water pockets or do cliff jumping.
You can see the video of waterfall on my Insta account https://www.instagram.com/sadhanaass/reel/DGs4JzcND-G/
Water pockets which are safe for ppl. to enter and swim.
One can see the cliff jumpers standing on the top of the waterfall for jumping in the water below.
Girls enjoying near the water pocket
Sitting peacefully and enjoying the cool breeze!
Girls enjoying themselves
Priya with the lifejacket for entering the water pocket
Girls swimming in the water ( it is mandatory to wear life jacket)
Another angle of the waterfall
The other side of the waterfall
Ascending and back to car parking area
After spending more than an hour near the base of the waterfall and waterpockets, we decided to return. It was about 1 pm and it was terribly hot. Returning was a nightmare for me, not on account of the steep slopes but because of the weather,I was unable to bear the heat. Both the boys were with me and they were very helpful. I had water with me but I finished the water which I was carrying, even before reaching the half way. I was also carrying jaggery+ lemon + salt water which helps in replenishing your electrolytes but it was not adequate. My mouth and lips were drying (this is the first symptom of dehydration) even after drinking some water. I was just crawling , I had to take a lot of breaks. I knew I needed more water, fortunately the boys said they can get the water as we were not far from a girl selling bisreli water and fruits. they got a 1 litre bottle for me and I drank almost about 3/4 of water from the bottle slowly.
After having water, slowly I managed to reach the place where all 4 girls were waiting for me under a shade of a tree. They were having cucumbers and water melon. It was a big sigh of relief as this place was very near to our car parking. After having fresh cucumber and a piece of water melon, I reached the car parking area. Friends what I underwent was dehydration, The water I carried was not enough and my body needed more water. Whenever you are going for any treks, just see that you carry enough water with you to avert such situation. You should also carry electrolyte pouch and some chocolate bars( 5 star bar is recommended), these help in replenishing your electrolytes and provide you quick energy.
This was on the other side of the waterfall.
Rasika standing on the other side of the waterfall which was also quite rocky
Water pocket on the other side of the Waterfall
These three guys who are sitting helped us to get to the falls ( their no . 9365278849, phone is with Jyoti their bhabhi )
Lunch
We had a home made lunch of Sabudana Khichadi prepared by Priya which was neatly packed in a container along with butter milk about 2.30 pm while on our way to Khad Khad Dam. We stopped on the road side where there was a lot of shade and had our lunch there. I did not have lunch as I was not hungry after drinking a lot of water. I had lunch later at about 5.30 pm.
Having Lunch at 2.30 pm
Khad Khad Dam
The Khad Khad dam at Jawhar was a big disappointment for all of us. It is a very huge Dam but there was no water.
Khad-Khad Dam is an artificial reservoir located about 11 km from Jawhar, built on the Domihira River. It's a popular spot for picnics and relaxing due to its serene surroundings and views of the Sahyadri mountain ranges during the monsoon and winter season. The dam was built by the Royal Family in 1956 and is the main water source for Jawhar town( dont know how it supplies water to Jawhat town as there was no water). Maybe there is another place near the dam for storing water.
Friends please note that the Khad Khad dam comes alive during monsoons and winter season and is definitely worth visiting.
Khad Khad Dam
Jai Sagar Lake
When, we were returning from the Khad Khad dam , we stopped at the Jai Sagar Lake, located at Dengachimet. The Jai Sagar lake looked quite scenic. But it was afternoon time and quite sunny , so we stopped there for 15-20 minutes and drove back to Jawhar town. The Jai Sagar Lake also has a Dam known as Jai Sagar Dam. It was built by the Royal Family in 1956 and is a significant water resource in the area. The lake as well as the Dam is a popular tourist destination offering scenic views.
Jai Sagar lake
Me and Geets at the Jai Sagar Lake, Jawhar
Sunset at Jawhar
People of Jawhar
The people of Jawhar though not economically well off are pure gems as human beings. They are honest , hardworking , unselfish and greed has not touched them till date. They are polite , humble, sincere, respectful in all sense and specially towards women.
When we bought the tickets to visit the fall, we didn't know that we would be taken care of without asking for any help, these young boys ensured that they were with us all the time and helped us get down to the falls safely and also ensured that we return back to our car safely. . We had not booked them as our guides, nor did we offer any money to them still they took care of us and our belongings too. Even the middle aged man who was providing the life jackets for a fee ensured that we were safe and our belongings too. No one asked for any money. While leaving, we gave them money, but they never expected anything in return for their help.
People of Jawhar and Wada are almost the same, they are simple, hardworking,contend with their life and don't have much expectations. They may be adivasis but they have good human values. Hope they remain the same always. I learnt a lot from them on my visit to Kalmandavi falls and earlier on my visit to Wada.
Too many expectation in life leads to stress, disappointment, and negative emotions if those expectations are not met. Therefore expectations should be realistic and manageable, a balanced approach is generally considered healthier and more conducive to a person's well-being.
I have mentioned about the people of Wada in my earlier blog, a link of the said blog is given below. Please read the last few paras under the heading Wanderer's in Greenway and People of Wada to know about the people of Wada.
Friends, we visited 3 places this time in Jawhar, the Kalmandavi Falls,the Khad Khad Dam and Jai Sagar Lake. Most of the time, I recommend people to visit the places which I have visited in my blogs and provide guidance and details of how they will be able to do the trek. However this time I will not recommend everyone to visit Kalmandvi falls, unless they are fit and have a good stamina. Kalmandvi falls is not a difficult trek, but you need to balance yourself and get firm footholds while decending and ascending. This trek is not for the elderly, kids or for the family. However, people who are into cliff jumping may find it enjoyable as it provides a lot of safe opportunities for cliff jumping. If you are quite enthusiastic of visiting the place,the trek is possible with the help of the local guides. It is definitely a waterfall worth visiting as it is one of the rarest ( Perennial) waterfall which is near Mumbai which you can visit in any other season than the monsoon season . The place near the waterfall and water pockets is very very cool and almost feels magical. You get lost in the history of time.
During the monsoons the place is closed as it becomes very slippery and as the climb is very steep even the locals don't take the risk to go to Kalmandvi falls.
It was a fabulous trek for all of us. We have visited so many waterfalls, but this was the only perennial waterfall that we have visited till date. Although I had issues while ascending i.e. coming back from the falls because of the heat ( 34-35 C) , it was really worth all the wait and effort!!
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