Zolambi Zone
Jadhavwadi Gate to Vithalayi Temple
Explore the natural beauty of Chandoli National Park through an exciting jungle safari route connecting Jadhavadi Gate, Janicha Amba, Lapan Gruh, Zolambi Sada and Vithalayi Temple.
Safari Route Highlights
Jadhavadi Gate
The starting point of your jungle adventure.
Janicha Amba (Jani’s Mango Tree)
A historic landmark of Chandoli Forest, believed to be more than 300 years old. Known as the “Compass of the Forest”, it served as a landmark for navigation. During the pre-independence period, freedom fighters used to hide in this forest. The name is associated with a woman named Janabai, who paid the agricultural land revenue on behalf of her community. As villagers could not repay her, they transferred the mango tree and its income to her name. In 2023, lightning struck the tree, causing nearly half of it to collapse; the remaining portion has also begun to dry out.
Watch Tower
Near the mango tree, a watch tower offers a view of the Chandoli dam backwater.
Lapan Ghar (Hide Room)
Reach this place by walking about 1 km on a forest path. In some places you feel pin-drop silence, in others you hear the sounds of different birds and animals. Laphan Ghar is a hide room built in the middle of the forest with a natural water resource next to it — no other water source lies within three to four kilometres. Many animals and birds come here to drink water. In recent days, tourists have spotted tigers here and can see tiger claw markings on trees and pugmarks near the waterhole.
Zolambi Sada (Zolambi Plateau)
The topmost peak of the Chandoli forest area. Reach here by walking 2.5 km through dense, dark forest paths. Midway you will see naturally formed large laterite stone caves — a possible habitat of tigers, porcupine, civet and leopards. Due to rain, strong wind and soil erosion, Zolambi Sada is eroding every year. An extra fee is required for a guide to visit this place.
Vithalayi Temple
In Zolambi village you will see the Vitalai temple, now destroyed with only a few remains. Vitalai was the village goddess of Zolambi villagers. There is a natural water resource next to the temple which villagers used for farming, drinking and washing. The village has now translocated near Ashta village in Sangli District.
Home to Tigers of Chandoli — Tara, Shiledar and Senapati
The forest landscape is associated with three well-known tigers of the region. Tiger sightings in the wild are never guaranteed; exploring with an experienced naturalist helps better understand tiger ecology, wildlife behaviour and animal signs.
