Asia's largest potholes

Nighoj is a nondescript village with acres of eye soothing greenery. About 90 Kms from Pune, off the Pune – Ahmednagar highway, this place is definitely a must visit for those seeking to explore off beat places that leaves one gaping at nature’s craftsmanship. Right on the banks of the river Kukdi!

The Kukdi river boasts of Asia’s largest potholes. It is indeed an eye treat. Gigantic holes sport the river shore. Kukdi river, a tributary of the Bhima River, meandering through the Deccan Plateau has created this natural masterpiece relentlessly through the ages. The locals call the potholes, Kund.

"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."

On the sun kissed autumn morning that I chose to travel, I hardly found any excited human on the potholed bank, except the solitary fisherman trying his luck. One local, who escorted us around the village, tried valiantly to look excited when he told us that no one really knows the depth of this river.

Locals believe that on Janmashtmi ( The day Lord Krishna was born.) an earthern pot filled with water emerges from the main well ( barav). Right at midnight! This is displayed in the temple of Malganga for 3 days. On the 3^rd day, the pot is taken near the well from where it disappears. Goddess malganga’s miracle, local claims and no one questions.   

With not a soul around, gentle breeze, happy birds chirping and a relatively sleepy temple of goddess Malganga. I would say this is one place to go and gaze deep into the gorge and drown own stress.