Travel Diaries of Irish Pereira: Devkund Waterfall Trek

Trek: Devkund waterfall trek

Base village: Near Bhira dam

Grade: Easy

Trekkers: Irish Pereira, Garry Lobo, Ronald Dmello, Samson Dmello, Simon D' souza

Google map coordinates to Devkund waterfall

Devkund Waterfall Route map

Devkund is a relatively new and unexplored trekking destination in Tamhini ghat region near Bhira village in Raigad. At the end of a fairly easy trek is a beautiful waterfall and a natural pond with bluish green water. Devkund waterfall was discovered or gained attention of trekking community recently. Devkund waterfall is formed by waters cascading from plus valley near tamhini ghat and is considered as the origin on Kundalika River. Gigantic rock structures and a small stream of gushing waters condescending into small crystal clear pond makes for a scenic beauty which no trekkers can avoid to miss.

The pond formed by waterfall with bluish green crystal clear water is like pond of gods or the bathtub of Gods; hence the name 'Devkund' emerged. Dev- god and kund means pond.

The waters cascading from Devkund waterfall is what makes for Bhira dam. There is a electricity generating sets installed on this dam by Tata power company. The waterfall has flowing waters upto month of December end, after which it is dry till monsoon. But water is pond is available till month of February.

Ideal time to visit Devkund is just at end of monsoon in the month of September to November. The waterfall can also be visited in rainy months when it is in its full glory, but it is highly risky to reach for in this month. As route to waterfall leads through 2-3 streams, a sudden heavy rain downpour makes the area fatal. There were incidents in 2017 rainy season reporting deaths of many such trekkers at this spot. Also many time trekkers were left stranded between two monstrous streams and were rescued by police and local villagers. Hence police had to sealed the area for trekkers in rainy season. Also local government bodies have made it compulsory to hire a local guide to accompany the trekking group, so that he can troubleshoot in case of any emergency.

It was last week of the year and our trekking team had dropped at Rawalje village near Bhira dam for Water rafting. There after water rafting on kundalika river in the morning and hearty non veg lunch in the afternoon, our team decided to visit Devkund waterfall.

However we were somewhat drained after water rafting. Plus heavy lunch gave us feeling to drop the plan for Devkund and rest for some more time. But i insisted to that we visit the waterfall on that day, so my fellow trekkers agreed half heartedly with a rider that we finish the trek by 5 pm so that we can return home in Vasai in time.

By the time we reached the Devkund waterfall trek starting point, it was 3 pm. We were late in a day to start for Devkund trek. There we parked our car at parking space at end of village and at starting point of Devkund trek adjoining Bhira dam. The parking space is owned by Mr. Shelar and charges a fixed parking fee for different vehicles. One has to register name and number at local grampanchayat desk at that point and pay an entry fee of Rs. 10 each. Here hiring a guide is compulsory. So we had tea at local shack till our fellow trekkers completed registration formalties.

Registration desk

Entry Slip

We negotiated and hired a local guide. We informed him of our hectic schedule, on that he assured us that trek will be completed in 2.5 hours if we trekked fast and that it depended on our speed.

So we started our trek at around 3:20 pm. We were very late to start the trek but pushed ourselves anyhow. There is initial descend that leads to a dry stream. After crossing rocks on the stream the route adjoins the Bhira dam. Also it passses through dry river bed. Cool breeze from dam was refreshing in the sunny afternoon. The still waters of the dam were glittering in the sunlight. One can see tamhini ghat mountains from here. There are sign boards placed marking route to the waterfall. Also jungle of andarban trek can be seen from here.

Route besides Bhira dam

Route marking board

Route through dry riverbed

Route through Meadows

My brothers were kind of grudgy and trekking leisurely here clicking pics. After a brisk walk of around 45 minutes trek in the meadows we encountered ascent which was the quite a steep climb leading to the small hillock.

Leisure click on the way

Meadows

Brothers - dragging their legs on the dry tracks

there we came across a abandoned hut. Going ahead for few minutes, we came across broken wooden bridge on the dry stream arising from devkund probably used in the rainy season.

Abandoned hut

Broken Wooden bridge

Just besides the broken bridge was small pond with crystal clear water. One can see rocks at the bottom clearly. After few minutes of trek, the green cover became more denser. There were points in jungle where sunlight hardly reached the ground.

Small Pond with clear water

Walking through dense green cover

One of the tall trees

We all saw few old tall trees encompassing the jungle. There after steep climb we had to descend again in the dried stream arising from Devkund. So at around 4:30 pm we got first glimpses of the waterfall.

First glimpse of the waterfall

Moving few meters ahead on the rocks in the dried stream hoping over rocks we reached Devkund waterfall at 4: 35 pm.

Ohh a sight it was. Words fell short to describe the scenic beauty of the waterfall. Being December end the there was only a small stream of waters flowing through the cracks of huge rocks. Then to it was so photogenic that we could hardly take our eyes off it. There looking at the scenic waterfall faces my brothers were brightened; who by now were almost on verge of cursing me for dragging them till here. There looking this wonderful creation of nature, we all forgot all of our fatigue.

Visibly triumphant trekker

Still closer view of devkund waterfall

The water in pond was crystal clear and very cold. There was also a safety rope marking safety point for swimming. But we after rafting were least interested in swimming there. See video of Devkund Waterfall below:

See crystal clear bluish green waters of devkund in the video below:

Our Group with Devkund in background

Moreover being evening and winter season, swimming there could have been detrimental to our health. There after refreshing ourselves and clicking few pics we began our return trek at 4:50 pm.

On Return trek

Return trek was quick. There is also on more pond on the same stream on the way. It also has the same clarity of water and is shallow as compared to Devkund. One can see the bottom of the pond. There i could not resist getting a dip. So hurriedly i took a dip as my fellow trekkers continued on return track. The water was very cold and it refreshed my nerves. See my dip video below:

Sun setting behind mountains in the west also presented a wonderful scenery. There on the way back we took a short recharge break at a local shack and had refreshing kokam juice.

Refreshment break at shack on the way

Waters of bhira dam were calm and serene. We decided to plan for camping tour at Bhira dam in future.

Serene waters of Bhira dam

Trekkers on way back

Lights off on Bhira dam - Don't miss the crocodile in the dam

The dried banks of Bhira dam were so tranquil that they would provide for an ideal location for night camping along the dam.

We reached the end point of the trek at 6:10 pm. After paying the parking fee of Rs. 50 for our car and changing our clothes we begun our return journey towards home.

Again at the parking spot

Parking slip

Selfie with our car

To sum up, it was one of the short but memorable trek sessions we had done lately. We promised to visit the waterfall in months of October or November in future.

How to reach Devkund waterfall
Bhira village is base village for Devkund which is around 125 km from Mumbai and 100 kms from Pune. Preferred mode of transport to base village is driving in one's car or private vehicle. There is no railway network near the base village.

Food facilities at Devkund Waterfall
There are food stall at the parking point at bhira village. Also there are few food shacks on the way to Devkund waterfall. See pics below.