Malshej Ghats is almost equidistant from Mumbai & Pune on the way to Nashik. For 8 months a year it is a boring heat soaked ghat section that interests no one. As the monsoon sets in, the place turns magical. We went there with friends without any inclination of what was in store. By around 11 Am, the road ahead stopped & I was confused by what I saw. There was a huge blue lake, a cloudy sky with abundant mist roaming lazily. The natural colours, dim lighting, the confusion over the where the water ended & sky started presented a surreal picture. To sum up my feeling then: Dumbfounded & Awestruck!!. Hard to believe I was in India. This was just the beginning.

We parked our vehicle & began walking along the ghat road just like others. The entire road for about 2 KM stretch had numerous water falls pouring from the hills onto the roads. The huge holiday crowd from Pune & Mumbai – all on the roads of this popular & eagerly awaited  monsoon getaway- walk, climb, get soaked & drenched with a vengeance. Kids from 5 to 70 were equally enjoying. Did some one say – getting wet in the rains can cause a cold? Even elders don’t believe it here. Caution is thrown down the valley. The traffic on the ghat crawls. But no one  complains. The truckers get down & join the mass revelry. The youtube video below at one spot, attempts to do some justice to Malshej.  More on Google.

Barbecued corn rubbed with lime & masala, hot bhajiyas, Sabudhana vada and hot chai –all make perfect accompaniments. It is 3 Pm & you never want to  leave. But with darkness looming, the day long party had to come to a close.

Sabudhana (Javvarisi)  vada is a Maharashtrian dish; on the Upvas menu as a breakfast snack. Javvarisi is made from tapioca (maravalli kelangu) powder which is sundried on the roads in and around salem. The powder is then processed into hard small white balls which is difficult to cook. The only recipe out of it known to us back home is the payasam. It needs to be soaked overnight to make either the kitchdi or the vada – both equally tasty.  While cooking, it needs to be dusted heavily with lots of  roasted groundnut powder to ensure it does not become a sticky mass. This also adds to the taste.

The sabudhana  Vada is a crispy, tasty & hot dish that goes well with the typical Maharashtrian green spicy chutney. Easily made with a little bit of advance  preparation & attention, light on the pocket & the tummy, this fulfilling breakfast makes it to our list on it being a regional specialty not available in other states. No known dislikers exist on earth.

Malshej & Sabudana Vada –ideal monsoon treats.