Roads to Kolhapur

Planning to travel to Pune via NH 4, we need to cross the Konkan Hills via some side road off NH 17. The map shows three routes to Kolhapur and we attempt to correlate each passing side road with the map. After some distance, it is clear that we have no idea how to determine which route would lead over the Konkan Hills to Kolhapur. Finally, we venture a guess that MH 113 outside of Kharepatan is the last available route shown on the map to Kolhapur.

Just to be sure, we come across a rickshaw wallah sitting in a gazebo in the middle of nowhere and ask him if we are headed in the right direction. Kolhapur? Straight ahead. MH 113 turns into a mountain road with switchbacks winding its way towards the peak, which rises about a mile high from sea level. Halfway up, it occurs to us that we have starved the chariot yet again. It is unclear whether we will be able to reach the top with the fuel we have left. Furthermore, we are the only vehicle traveling up MH 113. We encounter a motorcyclist stopped along the road and ask if he has petrol. He, himself, is out of petrol and he is waiting for help.

We continue our ascent and we encounter some youthful shepherds leading their animals up the hill. A feeling of relief overcomes us, as now we could shack up with the shepherds if need be. Remarkably, we reach the peak and enter a small village. It is clear that they have not seen foreigners in some time, especially, not two bums driving a rickshaw. They point us to a petrol pump where we refuel and continue our journey to Kolhapur. Somewhere along the way, MH 113 turns into MH 114. We don't even blink and continue headlong into the unknown.

Posted at 02:00PM Jan 02, 2007 by D Bums Comments[0]