VSR Editing's video: SAHYADRI Mountains Ratandadh Amruteshwar Ratanwadi Bhandardara

The Western Ghats, also known as Sahyadri (Benevolent Mountains), are a mountain range that covers an area of 140,000 square kilometres (54,000 sq mi) in a stretch of 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) parallel to the western coast of the Indian peninsula, traversing the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat.[1] It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the eight "hottest hot-spots" of biological diversity in the world.[2][3] It is sometimes called the Great Escarpment of India.[4] It contains a large proportion of the country's flora and fauna, many of which are only found in India and nowhere else in the world.[5] According to UNESCO, the Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas. They influence Indian monsoon weather patterns by intercepting the rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west during late summer.[1] The range runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain, called Konkan, along the Arabian Sea. A total of thirty-nine areas in the Western Ghats, including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forests, were designated as world heritage sites in 2012 – twenty in Kerala, ten in Karnataka, five in Tamil Nadu and four in Maharashtra Ratangad Fort Agasti Rishi Ashram Amriteshwar Temple(it is believed the Temple built by Pandavas in one night only) Sandhan Valley ***************************** Wilson Dam: Built in 1910 across River Pravara, Wilson Dam is situated at a height of 150 m above sea level. It’s one of the oldest dams in the country. The opening of sluice gates creates two 60 to 80 feet cascades of water that plummet to the rocks below. Umbrella falls formed under wilson dam, bhandardara Wilson dam backwaters Arthur Lake: The clear and placid lake is bounded by thick canopied forests of the Sahyadri hills. The Lake gets its water from the Pravara River. A narrow road encircles the lake forming a roughly 50 km loop the gives access to views, campsites and hiking trails in the hills surrounding the lake.[2] Randha Falls: At Randha Falls, the River Pravara descends down from a height of 170 ft into a gorge. However the waterfalls are best viewed during monsoons and are not so great in other seasons.[citation needed] Ghatghar: Located 22 km from Bhandardara, Ghatghar is a viewpoint in the area. It offers views of the Sahyadri ranges. Mount Kalsubai: from Bhandardara Tourist can see the highest peak of the sahyadri range, mount kalsubai. Kalsubai with its height and view is popular for trekking and so are the hills near kalsubai. The trek is physically demanding, as Bhandardara is located on a hill and to reach this place one has to do lots of trekking. Ratnagad : Ratnagad fort was captured by Shivaji. The fort lies near the Maharashtra tourism resort and has ample of grounds to interest trekkers. The fort commands views of the surrounding areas. Sandhan Vally Located 25 km from Bhandardara, behind Samrad village. There is also reversing water falls nearby but it's active during monsoon only. Angling:This is popular place for angling. Tourists can spot a number of large fish over here. Tourists can go angling, but boats are not allowed.[citation needed]