Ramdara Temple Hill Trek

Overview:

On the outskirts of Pune, built into one of the countless spurs of the Western Ghats that flank the city, lies the timeless Ramdara Temple! Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, this temple also houses idols of Lord Ram, Laxman, Sita, Hanuman and Lord Ganesha with a gorgeous lake surrounding it on three sides. While its origins remain ancient, it was re-built in 1970, with the help of local villagers, by Shri Devipuri Maharaj also affectionately known as ‘Dhundhi Baba’ and an ashram honouring him lies across the waters of the lake!

As one walks through the enchanting forest which encircles the temple, you can easily spot the ridge line of Dive Ghat, on whose foothills this spiritual complex exists! Connecting to this long ridge is a relatively small yet steep mountain spur which climbs up from right behind the temple and makes for a wonderful day hike in the Sahyadris.

Dotted with thrilling rock patches (which can also be safely bypassed during heavy monsoons by an easy alternate route), it’s only natural to feel the desire to scale this climb to arrive at the solitary green tree which marks the summit on top of the ghat! The trail is a mix of scree, shrubs, dry grass and trees that bloom into lovely hues of green as the monsoon approaches.

This offbeat trek is a fantastic choice for those looking for an easy-paced, hidden gem of an outdoor excursion in Pune’s literal backyard. With the journey to the temple being only 20-25 km, it’s a wonderful option to explore the next time the adventure bug bites you!

Major Attractions on the Ramdara Temple Hill Trek

• Shiva Temple & Lake: Ramdara Temple offers trekkers and visitors not only the opportunity to immerse in nature but also also a wholesome spiritual experience. You can pay your respects to Lord Shiva to whom this temple is primarily devoted and then walk around the lake for a peaceful beginning or end to your time here.

• Rock Patches: Several rock patches provide trekkers a chance for some light scrambling and a risk-free climbing experience en route to the top of the hill behind which is steep in its own right!

• Panoramic Views of the Sahyadris & Pune: Once at the summit of the trek, you get a 360-degree field of view with famous sights in every direction you look. The forts of Purandar and Malhargad lie towards the south and east, while the Kanifnath Temple is distinctly visible towards the western side. Finally as your turn around the entire city of Pune can be seen on a clear day!

• Karanda Fruit: An underrated aspect which most people do not realise is that on top of this hill grows the ‘Carissa carandas‘ shrub more commonly known as Karonda in Marathi. The shrub produces little sweet and sour berries which are an absolute delight to pluck and munch on if you’re curious enough to spot them pre-monsoon!

• Wildlife: If you’re lucky you may also spot wildlife like the Chinkara (Indian Gazelle) which is generally very shy, monkeys and birds like the Coppersmith Barbet, Brahminy Starling, the Indian Robin and of course the beautiful peacocks!

Location & How to Reach Ramdara Temple

The Ramdara Temple lies near Loni Kalbhor, roughly 20-25 km south-east of Pune.
The most convenient and recommended way to reach here is via the Solapur Highway.

You can follow the road towards Magarpatta City/Hadapsar and then head straight on the Solapur highway for a few kilometers before making a sharp right towards the temple from in front of the World Peace Dome at the MIT College Campus.

Ramdara Temple Hill Trek – Distance, Duration & Difficulty

• Trail Distance:  Approximately 6 km (2.5–3 km one way)
• Trek Duration: 3-3.5 hours with breaks for rest and views!
• Difficulty: Easy
  This trek is a very easy trip into the outdoors and can be attempted by everyone, whether you’re experienced or a beginner.

Notes for Trekkers

• The temple gates only open at 7 AM so arriving earlier is not recommended. You can of course walk through the farmlands completely bypassing the temple but it’s an unnecessary detour which doesn’t really add anything to the experience.

• There is ample parking space available outside the temple so you can easily drive or ride here.

• Some of the rock patches can become slippery and risky during the rains, so it’s best to circumvent them via more gentle routes which exist nearby.

• No water sources exist on the trail after you leave the temple behind. There are a few tea and breakfast stalls outside the temple premises where you can fuel up if necessary.

• Decent mobile network is available throughout so you will be able to communicate while trekking!