A Monsoon Motorcycle Adventure
Riding Through the Rain: A Monsoon Motorcycle Adventure to Kondeshwar, Badlapur
There’s something downright magical about riding with your friends, especially when the heavens open up and the world turns every shade of green. The monsoon had me jonesing for a ride, and Kondeshwar, Badlapur, turned out to be the setting for a journey that felt like it was scripted by the gods of mischief themselves.
Taming the Wet Wild
We rolled out before the city could shake off its sleep, the first raindrops kissing our visors before we’d even hit the main road. There’s a special kind of thrill—part adrenaline, part sheer curiosity—that comes with riding in the rain. Every curve on the road was slick, every patch of gravel begging for attention. The trails leading to Kondeshwar were challenging even on a dry day, but soaked through by rain, they became proper off-road playgrounds—mud splattered on our boots, bikes kicking up playful sprays, laughter ringing out in the mist.
The monsoon turned the countryside into a canvas painted with every shade of green. The air smelled alive, earthy and fresh—sometimes the heady scent of wet earth, sometimes the crisp aroma of roadside wildflowers. We stopped often, mostly because the scenery was too stunning to miss, and also because the mud tried—and sometimes succeeded—to claim our bikes. Each pause was its own little adventure, a mix of minor repairs, impromptu photoshoots, and the kind of banter that only brothers-in-arms (or mud) can share.
Temples and Tales in the Rain
Kondeshwar Temple, hidden up in the hills near Badlapur, practically called to us through the mist. The climb to the shrine was trickier in the rain, but the reward was all the sweeter. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, stood unflinching and calm beneath the storm, its old stone darkened by centuries of rain and sun. Inside, the rhythmic sound of dripping water mixed with the chants—there’s a quiet, almost otherworldly feel to old temples in the rain.
The temple’s story is as old as the hills it rests on. Some say Kondeshwar was a refuge for devotees and seekers, a place where the faithful could meditate, undistracted by the world below. Even now, the energy is palpable—standing in the middle of rolling clouds and mist, it’s easy to forget the city exists at all.
Misal Pav, Rain Songs, and the Ride Back
There’s no better remedy for damp bones and tired muscles than a steaming plate of misal pav. We crowded into a roadside shack, rain pattering on the roof, swapping stories through mouthfuls of spicy misal and soft pav. The warmth in that meal was more than just heat—it was comfort, camaraderie, and the best way to end a ride in the rain.
Heading back, the roads were slicker, the bikes heavier with mud, but our spirits higher than ever. The rain had painted everything anew—from the leaves on the trees to the memories in our minds. We returned home soaked to the skin but grinning, knowing we’d just done something many wouldn’t dare.
Parting Shots
If you’ve never motored through monsoon in the hills, you’re missing half the fun. Kondeshwar, Badlapur, in the rain, is a reminder that adventure doesn’t wait for cloudless skies—sometimes the mud, the muck, the laughter, and the challenge are exactly what make a ride unforgettable. So next time the rains start, don’t pack away your helmet. Grab your buddies, your bike, and ride—sometimes the best memories are soaked through.
Few Clicks from and around the spot