Pic: stone quarry
Vetal Tekdi is a hill range lying in the heart of Pune, dividing its areas viz. Kothrud , Prabhat road, Chaturshrungi and Aundh. It is a favourite
trekking destination for Punekars (young and old alike), many of whom frequent in the early morning and evenings.
The hill takes its name from the Vetal baba temple in its vicinity. There is also a Hanuman temple in the area. Next to it is a mini gymnasium of sorts which attracts health conscious folks. Many can also been seeing jogging or brisk walking around the place.
Vetal tekdi is quite near to ARAI (automotive research institute), though access to it appears restricted.
The hill also has a huge stone quarry that today lies unused. Small water bodies in its midst attract some birds (shikras,kites,jungle crows, cuckoos,mynas,bulbuls,babblers etc) / waders (egrets, cormorants, pond herons).
Its dense trees are also home for peacocks. Though it is rare sighting them but there calls are quite unmistakably common.
In monsoons and winter the area is very green, but in summers the trees shed of their leaves leaving a rather arid appearance which can be seen as beautiful in its own unique way.
The hill can also be accessed by a tar road that goes further to ARAI. Enroute there is a huge open space where people park their cars and then move inwards for a stroll or a jog.
The hill takes its name from the Vetal baba temple in its vicinity. There is also a Hanuman temple in the area. Next to it is a mini gymnasium of sorts which attracts health conscious folks. Many can also been seeing jogging or brisk walking around the place.
Vetal tekdi is quite near to ARAI (automotive research institute), though access to it appears restricted.
The hill also has a huge stone quarry that today lies unused. Small water bodies in its midst attract some birds (shikras,kites,jungle crows, cuckoos,mynas,bulbuls,babblers etc) / waders (egrets, cormorants, pond herons).
Its dense trees are also home for peacocks. Though it is rare sighting them but there calls are quite unmistakably common.
In monsoons and winter the area is very green, but in summers the trees shed of their leaves leaving a rather arid appearance which can be seen as beautiful in its own unique way.
The hill can also be accessed by a tar road that goes further to ARAI. Enroute there is a huge open space where people park their cars and then move inwards for a stroll or a jog.
Pic: shikra
Pic: Jungle crow
Pic; grey babbler
Pic: Small minivet
Pic: Lemon pansy
Pic: Spotted owlet
Pic: Tickells blue flycatcher
Pic: peacock
Text and photographs by Abhijit Rajadhyaksha
hi, can you pl give me the route to reach this hill (i.e. the place where one can park and then climb the hill)? tx
ReplyDeletereach kothrud via nalstop . you ill find a hotel named tiranga exactly opposite to it you will find a way up into a chal . Thats our way to the hill
Deletereach kothrud via nalstop . you ill find a hotel named tiranga exactly opposite to it you will find a way up into a chal . Thats our way to the hill
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