Where In Pashan, Pune, there is a little colony called Panchavati, tucked away from the main road. This serene residential area nestles in the arms of a hill range: the Vetal Tekdi. I chose to live here as long as we are in Pune. Though I had resolved to climb this hill often, I have not climbed it so often and there remains much on it that I intend to explore.
Legends My bai told me many bizarre stories about this hill. The first was about a mad man who lives there and throws stones at people, particularly women. This tale is quite exciting as it involves an incident where he threw stones at the husband of the Queen of America. This was unpardonable and the victim hired the best goondas from Mumbai and brought our stone thrower to his knees.
The second narrative of my bai is about a blazing chariot that rises high into the sky from this hill at midnight and which you should not look at. Both her stories were cautions to me lest my explorative nature get me into trouble!
In fact, the hill got its name because there is a Vetal temple there.
Vetal Hill The highest point in the city, with an elevation of 2600 ft, it has Pashan Road on one side and S B Road on the other, covering the entire Kothrud on the way. From the top you can see almost the whole of Pune. It has two spurs: the Fergusson College Hill and the Chaturshringi Hill. I read that it covers an area of some 10.5 square kilometres.
It is a regular place for fitness freaks and nature lovers and you are sure to see daily walkers and bird watchers.
Hill Denizens The hill is home to the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) and the Observation Deck of the Indian Forest Department. Most of the hill belongs to the Defence and is not open to the public. Due to this, people living around the hill have to put up with the deafening and startling sounds of blasts.
Seasonal Phases In summer the tekdi is dry and almost fully brown. At this time there are sometimes fires which look scary and often destroy some of the flora. It is said that, in something like the last hundred years, Vetal Tekdi has lost some thirty varieties of plants due to such things as these fires.
Once the rains come, it turns green and is a delight. For the most part of the year (November to early June) the hill is dry.
The Future It is reported that more walking trails will be developed here, to educate people about the area. Vetal Tekdi has an amazing diversity of flora and migratory birds. An entry fee might be charged.
Green Initiatives There are many conservation activities being implemented on this hill. The Government had proposed to develop theme parks and the like but locals protested. Another plan was to build a road right through the hill and many are actively involved in opposing this.
The forest department has been planting exotic plants which some think resulted in disadvantaging local flora.
Some locals spend mornings watering the plants in summer. Water tanks are scattered around the hill for watering purposes.
What to do on this Hill Besides the Vetal Temple, there is the Chaturshringi Temple, 90 feet high, with a 100 steps to climb from the Senapati Bapat Road.
This part of the hill is a continuation of Vetal Tekdi towards the right.
People climb it in the morning for a walk or jog. Others walk their dogs. It’s ideal for bird-watching - I’ve heard that there’s a bird nesting site here. Besides a large number of peacocks, there are many other birds to be spotted.
Picnic or hang-out or romantic tryst, the quarry and many other spots are a favourite with many.
Other hobbies, such as photography, also form a major lure. Also, near the quarry, you may find some interesting rocks or small stones.
Besides all these reasons, the tekdi is also a shortcut from Chaturshringi to Kothrud.
How to get there? For me there are at least two main paths up the hill from Panchavati. But you can broach it from Chaturshringi or Kothrud (Paud Road) as well as from other points on the Pashan side and Kanchan Galli, MIT college road, Gokhale Nagar, etc. But you can also get lost as there are no proper paths.
By car, there is only one way from Paud Road. There are two places for parking on top.
Timings You can climb it any time although it may not be safe at night. Walkers can be seen on the hill as early as 5 in the morning and even as late as 9 in the night. But as there are no lights it is not advisable in the dark.
It is a blessing to live within reach of Vetal Tekdi!