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Satpuda hill

Tuesday, 06 October 2009 04:38

Satpura hill -Saputara

About:

The Satpuda (or Satpura) Hills, part of the Satpura Range, is a chain of hills located in central India that spans across the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Known for their rugged terrain, dense forests, and rich biodiversity, the Satpuda Hills are a popular destination for trekking, wildlife enthusiasts, and those seeking a serene escape into nature. The name "Satpura" means "Seven Folds," reflecting the seven prominent hills in this range.  



Saputara boasts of being the lone hill resort in the state of Gujarat. The well-designed hill resort of Saputara offers the ultimate getaway with a wide range of facilities for recreation like hotels, parks/gardens, swimming pools, boat club, theatres and a museum besides boasting of the nature at its best. Saputara literally means 'the abode of the serpents'. There is an image of a snake on the banks of River Sarpaganga in Saputara. The tribal pray to the snake image on especially on festivals.

Location info:
Location: Spread across Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
District: Dang
Nearest City: Ahwa
Langauge: Gujarati,Hindi,English
Best time to visit: April To Early July.

Climate/Weather:
Summer (March to June): Hot, with temperatures ranging from 30°C to 40°C, but cooler in the higher elevations. Monsoon (July to September): The region receives heavy rainfall, and the hills become lush and green, with temperatures between 20°C to 30°C. Winter (October to February): Cool and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 25°C. The best time to visit is from October to March..

History:
The Satpuda Hills have been historically significant as a natural barrier, providing protection to the regions to the south. The area has been inhabited by indigenous tribal communities for centuries and has a rich history linked to local folklore, traditions, and ancient trade routes.

Interesting things to do:
Trekking:
The Satpuda Hills offer various trekking routes, with trails passing through dense forests, waterfalls, and scenic landscapes. Popular trekking spots include the paths leading to Pachmarhi, Toranmal, and the Satpura Tiger Reserve.

Wildlife Safari:
Explore the rich biodiversity of the region through safaris, especially in the Satpura Tiger Reserve, which is home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, deer, and numerous bird species.

Boating and Canoeing:
Enjoy boating in nearby lakes and rivers, especially at spots like the Tawa Reservoir and Denwa Backwaters.

Interesting things to Visit:
Saputara Lake:
The Saputara Lake is the main attraction of the hill resort. There is a Boat Club here from where you can hire sailboats, paddleboats and rowing boats and enjoy boating in the lake. The Sun Rise and Sun Set Points provide panoramic and varied views of the sun. It also provides a perfect view of Saputara. You can reach Malegaon after a 1.5 km walk in the direction of Waghai. There are several gardens at Saputara like the Lake Garden, the Step Garden and the Rose Garden. These gardens are a perfect place to laze around while on a holiday.

 

Nageshwar Mahadev Temple:
The Nageshwar Mahadev Temple has the idol of the Lord Shiva. The temple is visited by a lot of people because of its religious sanctity. The museum of Saputara is well-kept museum, which provides the information about the tribes of Dangs. The tribal ornaments and musical instruments are exhibited in the museum. Gira Waterfalls is 52 km away. It is an ideal place for picnic.



Vansda National Park:
Vansda National Park attracts a lot of tourists. It was originally a private forest of the Maharaja of Vansda. It covers an area of 24 sq km and has tigers, leopards, python, four-horned antelope, pangolin, rusty-spotted cats and giant squirrels. The permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden of Gandhinagar or DFO, Ahwa prior to the visit to the park.The Purna Sanctuary is a part of the dense moist deciduous forests in the Western Ghats of Gujarat. It covers an area of 160 sq. km. And is situated at Mahal, which is 60 km north of Dangs. Bamboo lined pathways are provided for the trekkers. Prior permission is needed to visit this park.

Mobile range info:
Mobile connectivity can be intermittent, especially in dense forested and remote areas. It's advisable to check with your service provider before venturing deep into the hills.

How to reach?
By Air: The nearest airports are Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore (for Madhya Pradesh), Surat Airport (for Gujarat), and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur (for Maharashtra).
Nearest Airport: Mumbai,airport
Road Transport:Saputara is well connected with the other important destinations of Gujarat and Maharashtra through the State transport and private buses and the nearby railheads

Nearest Visiting places:

Narmada River Valley:Offers beautiful views, especially around Maheshwar and Omkareshwar. 

Churna Forest:
Part of the Satpura Tiger Reserve, ideal for wildlife spotting.

Girmal Falls:
This falls is situated on the Gira River near the Mahal-Singana Road, the spot acquires glamorous outlook during the monsoon seasons. To reach here you need to pass by a journey amidst awesome nature and a tribal village. The area is rich in vegetation with rare and indigenous cultivation; and trekking lovers would really set a record on their miles to trek.

Purna Sanctuary:
This region is crossed by Purna and Gira rivers, the hilly region is set by Bamboo pathway for the support to the trekkers, this 160 sq.km sanctuary is home to wild bulls, elephants, sloth bears, and rhinoceros. The best seasons are November to March.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Petrol pumps are available in nearby towns such as Pipariya (for Satpura National Park and Pachmarhi), Nandurbar (for Toranmal), and Jhabua (for the Gujarat part of the hills).  

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Hotel Patang:Saputara,Gujarat,India

 

Edge hotel:Saputara,Gujarat,India

Hotel Chitrakoot:Saputara,Gujarat,India

Things to carry:
Trekking gear, comfortable walking shoes, and appropriate clothing. Water bottles, energy snacks, and a basic first-aid kit. Binoculars and a camera for wildlife spotting and photography. Insect repellent, sunscreen, and a hat/cap.

Tips & Suggestions:
Hire a local guide if you plan to trek or explore deep into the hills or forest areas. Respect local customs, especially when visiting tribal areas or sacred spots. Carry sufficient cash, as ATMs may be scarce in remote areas. Visit during winter or early summer for a comfortable experience and better wildlife sightings.

Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:Dr. Suresh Pawar Civil Hospital:Ahwa,Dang,Gujarat,India
Society/Community Phone Number
Link:www.hillstations.acgil.com

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Dynamic View
Purna Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the predominantly tribal district of Dangs, Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, which was declared as a sanctuary in July 1990, has the thickest forest cover in the state of Gujarat. The forests have lofty teak trees rising tall and straight in the company of other associated flora viz. sadad, timru, bamboos, khair, kalam, haldu, sisham rosewood , salai, kadaya, killai, sevan, tanachh etc. The healthy stock of lofty bamboos specially attracts your attention.Leopard is the top predator here whose population has been increasing. The habitat is shared by other animals such as sloth bear, jackal, blue bull, wild boar and four horned antelopes.The sanctuary area of 160.8 sq. km. is spread over an undulating terrain with rolling hills, plateaus, and small valleys of what are the western and northern limits of the Western Ghats. The area is drained by the beautiful river Purna, which lends name to the sanctuary. The area has other rivers and rivulets also....more