Satara, with its rich history and serene landscapes, proved to be the perfect getaway for my husband, our dog Sophie, and me. This three-day trip (November 15–17, 2024) blended history, nature, and relaxation while ensuring Sophie was part of every moment.
Day 1: Exploring Yamai Devi and Bhushangad
We set off from Pune at 8:00 AM, with a quick breakfast stop at Kailas Food Court in Varve, which offered delicious pet-friendly seating. Sophie enjoyed the open space while we indulged in Maharashtrian delicacies.
By 10:45 AM, we checked into Sunny Executive in Satara. This pet-welcoming hotel provided a comfortable room with ample space for Sophie. The staff is very kind and friendly. They do have an in-house senior dog which looked like a Dalmatian-indie mix. He is always off-leash and very calm. Essentials like a 24 hours medical shop, a tea shop (Amruttulya) and a vadapav shop are on the ground floor of the same building. They have have a fenced parking plot behind the hotel for the guests. I always took Sophie for walks in that plot. Rest of the neighbourhood is quite crowded.
Post lunch and a short rest, Bhushangad Fort awaited—a hilltop fort with breathtaking views. Sophie’s leash adventures added excitement to the trek. Bhushangad is a lesser-known fort and makes for an easy one-day trip from Pune. The trek is very simple, taking only about 10-15 minutes. The road is under construction up to the midway point. You can either park at the base and hike to the top or, as we did, drive up to the completed section of the road. From there, it took just 15 minutes to reach the summit. The fort’s entry gate has been restored and is in good condition. Before the main gate (Mahadarwaja), there is a small temple dedicated to Khandoba. While some walls and bastions are in ruins, the fort houses a temple of Goddess Harnai. Exploring the entire fort takes roughly 30 minutes. On the way down, a small trail to the left leads to the Bhuyari Devi temple. Washrooms are not availbale and entry to the fort is free of charge. Hence the entire Fort is pet friendly.
Next, we visited Yamai Devi Mandir in Aundh village in Satara. It is a serene spot located atop a mountain, resembling a hill fort from a distance. It is just a 30-minute drive from Bhushangad. The temple is not very crowded, allowing visitors to seek blessings peacefully while enjoying the scenic mountain views. Vehicles can reach the temple for those unable to climb the stairs, but if you’re fit, the climb is highly recommended.
On the way up, there is a museum that closes at 4:45 pm, so plan your visit accordingly. Entry to the temple is free, but there are no washrooms or restaurants nearby. Parking is available at no cost. The temple premises are home to some stray dogs, so consider bringing dog food for them and avoid throwing stones at them. If you’re visiting with your pet, ensure they are leashed.
Near the temple, there’s a sunset point offering breathtaking panoramic views. From here, we even spotted a porcupine!
By evening, we returned to our hotel for a quiet dinner and rest.
Day 2: Forts, Temples, and the Serenity of Urmodi Dam
After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we headed to Sajjangad Fort, famous for its spiritual aura. There are eateries, washroom and an ATM in the dedicated parking space of Sajjangad. The pathways were dog-friendly, and Sophie enjoyed her time under the fort’s shady trees.
During the descend of our trek we waited at one of the local eateries to have brunch.
We visited Urmodi Dam at the base of Sajjangad. The shimmering waters of Urmodi Dam offered a perfect picnic spot. Sophie had fun playing by the banks while we soaked in the serene vibes.
We went to Khandoli Nitin’s Canteen to have a light lunch. The restaurant is not pet friendly, but he allowed us on request and we were told to sit in the semi open dining area near the lawn. This restaurant has ample parking space, clean washrooms and a fenced lawn where Sophie was left unleashed. We had some sandwiches and proceeded ahead to our next destination.
On the list was Yavateshwar Temple, a peaceful spot surrounded by nature. The road to Yavateshwar temple offers mesmerizing views. It was a joyful ride indeed.
Cars can reach till the main gate of the temple. The temple has ample parking are which is free of charge. This temple is not crowded at all. We did take Sophie in the premises of the temple where she could rest on a shaded bench. But we never take her inside the sabhamandapa of any temple.
We wound down with dinner back at the hotel.
Day 3: Majestic Ajinkyatara and Spiritual Pateshwar
Post checkout, we explored Ajinkyatara Fort, which provided panoramic views of Satara city. Ajinkyatara Fort is a peaceful and uncrowded destination with a relatively short and easy trek. Vehicles can be parked right up to the fort’s entrance. The fort features twin Akashvani towers, offering a fantastic view of Satara city from the top. It’s an ideal spot for a morning walk and is conveniently located near the main city. If you’re up for it, you can take a 4-km walk along the well-maintained vehicular road leading to the fort.
At the entrance, you’ll find a massive bastion (buruj) and an ancient wooden door. Within the fort, there are several notable landmarks. The large Hanuman temple, which can accommodate 12-13 people, and the revered Mahadev temple, known for its spiritual significance among locals, are must-visit spots. The bastions provide impressive views, and the historic Tara Rani’s Jail adds a glimpse into the fort’s rich heritage. Additionally, the Mangaldevi Mandir and the picturesque lakes enhance the fort’s charm.
Entry to the fort is free, and drinking water bottles are available at the entrance. However, there are no washrooms or restaurants. The fort is pet-friendly, but caution is advised as there are monkeys near the entrance and stray dogs around Tara Rani’s jail. Keep pets leashed, avoid throwing stones at the strays, and consider carrying some dog food for them.
After Ajinkyatara, we visited the ancient rock-cut shrines of Pateshwar Temple, surrounded by lush greenery. Pateshwar Temple is relatively unknown and remains uncrowded even on weekends. The road to Pateshwar temple is quite narrow and offers mesmerizing views. There is no dedicated parking space available. We parked our car parallel to the road and started walking towards the temple using google map.
The initial pedestrian route is quite narrow and completely shaded by foliage of the trees. Even though we went in the afternoon, it was quite dark. Hence it is advisable to visit this temple before 2pm. After walking on the flat trail for 10 minutes we came across an orange gate with a signage of Pateshwar temple. There are some stone steps beyond the gate and it take merely 5 minutes to cover this portion of steps. There is a small shrine which houses a Ganesha statue smeared in saffron paste.
After walking for 20 minutes on a flat and shaded trail, we came across a huge pond and signages of the main temple. We skipped the main temple and proceeded ahead to explore the tertiary shrines first .
We came across another smaller kund (pond) and a very small temple surrounded by some shrines carved in the sloping terrain. The shrines were filled with rainwater and we could not enter them. Sophie enjoyed exploring the tranquil surroundings.
A few yards ahead, we came across a larger temple (as shown in photos below). There was a deepstambha outside the temple and a nandi at the entrance. A smaller nandi sculpture was lying outside the temple.
The temple had a unique chaumukhi shivlinga in its courtyard. It also had a shivlinga with two pots.
The temple is planned symmetrically around a square courtyard. There are four rooms around the courtyard. Since the temple is on a sloping terrain, we could access the terrace of the temple from the higher contours of the hills.
The temple is home to numerous ancient Mahadev pindis intricately carved in stone, showcasing a unique variety of Shivlingas rarely seen elsewhere. While coming back, we visited the main temple near the huge pond.
By this time I was super hungry and we still had to walk for 20 minutes to reach the parking. Fortunately, the temple caretakers offered us food as naivedya, which typically includes dal, rice, and pickle. Sophie rested in the huge shade of the temple where we were having naivedya. The care takers were kind enough to offer food to Sophie as well. This mini meal gave me energy to complete the trek till the end. We reached the parking at 1:00pm and drove back to Khandoli Nitin’s Canteen again for lunch. In this second visit, the staff had become super friendly with Sophie. They had realised that she is a well behaved dog. They played with her and gave her complimentary scrambled egg. I also had some ginger black tea that will keep me awake on our drive back to Pune.
My house in Pune showed 99kms from Khandoli on Google maps. We started our return journey to Pune at 4:00pm. We did not take any breaks on the way. We reached Pune by 6:00pm.
Satara offered the perfect blend of history, nature, and hospitality for our little family. Watching Sophie explore new terrains and enjoy the journey alongside us made this trip truly memorable. If you’re planning a pet-friendly road trip, Satara should be on your list!
Where did we stay ?
Hotel Sunny Executive, Satara
Where did we eat?
Kailas Bhel, Shivapur.
Kailas Bhel Food Court, Varve.
Khandoli Nitin’s Canteen, Satara (pets allowed only on request)
Hotel Sunny Executive, Satara.