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PLACES
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MANDHARDEV
Mandhardev (Wai T; 18° 05' N, 74° 00' E; RS. Wathar 28m.) is a point on the Mahadev range lying six miles north of Wai. It crowns a long plateau which is easily reached by the bridle path known as Phayre's road from Wai on the south whence the ascent is eight miles, from the Shirval on the north whence the ascent is thirteen, or from the west by Baleghat about ten miles by a road
made from the top of the Khambataki pass. All these roads were made at about the same time when it was intended to make Mandhardev a health resort for troops.
A kaccha road to the hill, of about 11 miles, has been recently laid, which connects Poona-Satara high-way, two miles south of
Sirval The road for most of the part passes through green cultivated lands save on bare and rocky heaths where winds are hot and dry. State Transport bus service is conducted between Sirval and village Loham about two miles to the east of the hill. About one mile hence, immediately below the hill is a group of huts or a settlement of local people. After climbing the first steep ridge by a bridle-path, the stones of old steps though not all in their proper positions, make the climb safe though strenuous. At about half the height, the path turns to the north and runs along the east shoulder of the hill. Here, facing east, is a small temple dedicated to God Maruti. Walking some distance in the same direction a plateau is reached from where the path runs westward and climbs up the hill in stages or in series of flat long strips of high lands one overlooking the other. Large number of visitors, at the time of fair held on the full moon of Paush, resort to these parts for camping.
This plateau is about a mile long and generally about half a mile wide looking down some 2,000 feet on the north and west to the Bhor territory and the Khandala peta and about 1,500 on the south towards Wai. A small dip on the west contained a rest-house, garden, and water cistern built by Tai Saheb Sachiv. To the west again of the dip is the plateau of Yeruli, similar to Mandhardev and about four miles long. The height above sea-level of the Mandhardev peak is 4510'. There are traces of the road made by Government when the health resort was under consideration. The hill is very bare, the slope on all sides for about a hundred feet down being under cultivation. The only exception is an Anjan grove which surrounds a temple of Devi. A small rock-cut pond immediately below the main hill has three compartments one for drinking, another for bathing and the third for washing. But the water contained is safe for none. About 125 well-laid and broad steps lead to the upper hill covered with thick growth of large trees. The temple of Mandhardevi is unimposing and old fashioned. It was built in honour of Kalubai or Kaleshvari Devi, the patron goddess of the village. The idol has two silver masks and some garments. About 1850 a spire was added to the temple. It was rennovated again in 1935. The shrine is said to be very old but the temple has been repaired on few occasions in the past. The inner vestibule measures about 20' X 15' while the pendal in front is about 25' X 30' In the precinct are built, perhaps for the use of pilgrims, in enormous blocks of local stone, some platforms large enough to accommodate score of persons.
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