Shivthar Ghal — Attraction in Maharashtra

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5) Visited: Monsoon Season – Must-Visit Spiritual Retreat in the Sahyadris

Shivthar Ghal is a beautiful and historically significant cave located in the Raigad district, nestled deep within the Sahyadri hills. It is the very place where Samarth Ramdas Swami wrote the spiritual scripture Dasbodh and meditated in peace. The location is filled with tranquility, natural beauty, and spiritual vibes—an ideal destination for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and spiritual seekers alike.

📍 How to Reach:

Located around 35 km from Mahad, the drive to Shivthar Ghal is scenic, especially during monsoon. The last stretch includes ghat roads with multiple bends but is well-paved and manageable. The site has a dedicated parking area and is easily accessible via a short walk from the entrance.

🧘 Site Highlights:

Historic Cave: The main cave has a small shrine dedicated to Samarth Ramdas Swami. It's well-maintained and spiritually uplifting.

Shivthar Waterfall: During monsoon, a beautiful waterfall flows right next to the cave. The sound of water adds to the meditative ambiance.

Surroundings: Surrounded by dense forest and tall cliffs, it's a great spot to relax and connect with nature.

Temple and Hall: The trust has built a sabha mandap (hall) for devotees and visitors. Clean and peaceful environment.

✅ What I Liked:

Very clean, well-maintained premises

Volunteers and trust members are friendly and informative

Historical importance + natural beauty = perfect combo

Ideal place for day trips from Mahad, Poladpur, or even Pune

Beautiful drive through ghats, especially in monsoon

⚠️ Tips & Points to Note:

No mobile network inside the cave or in some areas nearby

Basic food and tea available at stalls near the entrance

Limited washroom facilities (clean but basic)

Best time to visit is June–September for monsoon waterfall views

Respect the sanctity of the place – silence is appreciated inside the cave

📝 Final Thoughts:

Shivthar Ghal is more than a tourist spot—it’s a place to pause, reflect, and absorb the peace of nature and the wisdom of Samarth Ramdas. The cool cave, the waterfall, the historic relevance, and the green surroundings make it a must-visit destination in Konkan.

Whether you're spiritual or simply love offbeat places filled with nature and history, Shivthar Ghal will leave a lasting...

Shivthar ghal aka Sundar math, was the place Swami Ramdas took to, to write the immortal Samarth Dasbodh. He is supposed to have made this cave his abode in early 1654, but was rediscovered only in 1915. The place now a major religious spotlight and shrine is 34 kms from Mahad and 56 kms from Bhor.

I found the road from Bhor initially damn good up to Nira Devghar Dam. From Hirdoshi it is very badly wrecked, especially the turnings from the Kawla Durg point. The Varandha ghat section is known for calamities thanks to massive rockfalls and debris flows. Abnormal rainfall makes it a no go every monsoon. Once you U turn at Kawla point the lane to the Ghal is a treacherous single file descent of 6 kms zigzagging almost 180 degrees from where you start. Driving is avoidable in height of monsoon as the soil would give away any minute from vehicle’s weight. Plus a lurched and rutted driving would surely invite a disaster. Instead trek a much more memorable time down the foliage when it rains cats and dogs in the region while the road is lost in the mist. Reach the bottom at the Kumbhe Shivthar village, you would wonder at the thriving bunch of houses/ hamlets that are a great historical folklore. Many a Maratha warriors was bred here. On the way back, be wise to turn right at Anganwadi and hit the good road built under chief minister’s gram sadak Yojana. It will also take you through an imposing statue of famous warrior Tanaji Malusare at the hamlet Ambe Shivthar. Proud descendants of the great warrior still live here. Keep to the road thru Padvi, Gavadi, Mahad MIDC and arrive at NH 965DD- a stretch of 164 kms between Mandangad and Lonand- to turn right...

Shivthar Ghal, also known as Sundarmath, (Sundarmath means Beautiful Monastery), is a cave, about 34 km from Mahad, near Barasgaon, Maharashtra, India. Samarth Ramdas dictated Dasbodh to Kalyan Swami. Samarth Ramdas lived here for about 22 years. It is believed that this is where the first meeting between Shivaji Maharaj and Samarth Ramdas took place. The cave was discovered by Shri Shankarrao Deo of Dhule in 1930. The cave and surrounding area was renovated after Samarth Seva Mandal was formed in 1950. The campus includes the actual cave under the waterfall, Ramdas Swami temple, dining hall and accommodation. Between 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm, the visitors can have the prasad consisting of Moong Dal Khichadi and Shira. Shivthar Ghal Sundarmath Seva Samiti organizes various programs at this location. It was rediscovered by Shankar Shrikrishna Deo.

Shivthar Ghal is located in Varandha Ghat in the Sahyadris on the Bhor-Mahad road.

In monsoons, a waterfall falls in front of the cave.

There are 5 to 6 small family restaurants between the parking lot and the ghal entrance 50 meters away. One can stay in the Shivthal Ghal trust's hall or there is also a Zilla Parishad guest house within walking distance with food and stay arrangement. The ghal can be approached direct from Varandha Ghat ( by those coming from Pune-Bhor) by a not so good 7-8 km road via Parmachi village, through a good jungle. As of Sept 2015 the road from Bhor to Varandha ghat is not so good but usable at moderate speeds. The facilities at the Ghal is run by senior citizens who volunteer for a...