Maharashtra's own valley of flowers- Kaas Pathar

     

Undri- Linum musurense

        

         Kass Pathar also known as 'Kass Plateau' or 'Kaas Sadas' is a wonder hidden in the Western Ghats. It is situated near Satara in high hill's plateau where in every Monsoon Season grassland turns into valley of flowers. Kaas got it's name from Kaas tree, a subtropical local  tree. To understand it's uniqueness we have to consider speciality of Western Ghats. They are not true mountains but faultered edge of Deccan plateau covered with molten lava now known as basalt rock. Due to it's unique location Western ghats receive excellent rainfall during monsoon. Now within Western Ghats Kaas Plateau is more unique due to factors like rainfall, humidity, type of soil topography and it's micro climate during the monsoons allowing herbaceous plants to flourish.

Gulabi terada ( Impatients oppositifolia)

         Kaas is also as unique as it's different flowers here, so if if you go in the beginning, middle or in end, the place looks completely different. I visited Kaas Plateau with my family in early October, last year little after blooming of the  Inpatiens oppositifolia (Gulabi Terada). Kaas is know for  it's iconic pink hue given by Impatiens lawli (topli karvi), which we sadly missed. It blooms only once in 7 years! . We reached the Kaas Plateau late in the morning, surprisingly the place was still surrounded with mist. There was a narrow mountain road leading up to the parking lot and then a small hike to the plateau. From city travellers to the naturalist many people come to visit Kaas Pathar. Although as it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site only three thousand people are allowed to visit daily.

            Walking through Kaas Pathar really unwinds yourself. Here you get to see some unique and rare plant such as Drosera indica , a carnivourus plants. Out of 625 around 39 plant species are only found in Kaas Pathar making it a biodiversity hotspot. At around 3 PM rain started to drizzle as we head towards the Kaas Lake. It is located south of the Kaas Plateu surrounded by dense forest. Where we found more rare plants. After resting near lake for a while we head back as it started to rain heavily. Surely the spectacle of Kaas made this trip memorable

•  How to reach: If you are coming from Pune or Mumbai, the best way to reach is by car or with a group in a bus. If you are coming from satara hire an autorickshaw to come to Kaas
• Best time to visit: late August to early October
• Entry fees: ₹50 on weekdays and ₹100 on weekends. 
  

  

Note: As you visit this stunning place keep in mind not to harm it's natural habitat. Afterall it's our responsibility to maintain the beauty of this place for 

next generations to witness.