"Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by." ~ Robert Frost



Travelogues

Kukdi: Potholes of a Different Kind


Moumita Bhattacharya is a technical communicator by profession and is based in Pune. She loves to read and travel to offbeat places.

Asia's largest potholesNighoj is a nondescript village amidst acres of eye soothing greenery. Right on the banks of the river Kukdi. About 90 Kms from Pune, off the Pune - Ahmednagar highway. This is one of those off the beaten track places that don't get marked on the tourist map. And yet one is left gaping at nature's craftsmanship. Isn't that what traveller's seek?

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The river Kukdi The Kudki river is a tributary of the Bhima River, meandering through the Deccan Plateau.The shore along the Kukdi river boasts of Asia's largest potholes. It is indeed a treat to witness. Gigantic holes on the earth that seem to lead into the bowels of the Earth. The locals call the potholes, Kund.

They are believed to be the largest natural pot holes in Asia. "The phenomenon known as giants' kettles, giants' cauldrons or potholes is caused when small hard pebbles are trapped in eddies and, over many thousands of years, drill circular holes into the riverbed."

potholes of the river Kukdi On the sun kissed autumn morning that I chose to travel, I hardly found any excited human on the potholed bank, except a solitary fisherman going about his daily bread-earning business. One local, who escorted us around the village, tried valiantly to look excited as he told us that no one really knows the depth of this river.

Locals believe that on Janamashthami, in celebration of the day that Lord Krishna was born, an earthern pot filled with water emerges from the main well ( barav), at midnight! This is displayed in the temple of Malganga for 3 days. On the 3rd day, the pot is taken near the well from where it disappears. Goddess Malganga's miracle, locals claim. No-one questions. But then who comes here? Who knows?

The temple of Malganga T With not a soul around, the mind stills and one notices the gentle breeze and the birds chirping in almost querulous chattiness. In some strange way, looking deep into the gorges somehow drowns the stresses earned in everyday living. The temple of goddess Malganga witnesses it all.





Photos courtesy : Moumita Bhattacharya



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