Ranjan Khalge or Potholes of Nighoj

Along with Morachi Chincholi we went to visit Rajan Khalge.

Asias largest natural gigantic potholes in
riverbed of Kukdi near Nighoj is an archeological site recorded in the Guinness Book of World records. This is a
geographical phenomenon where the pebbles that are carried by the river get locked in the cracks developed in the basalt
rock riverbed. These pebbles, which rotate due to the water current, form pot shaped cavities in the basalt rock over the
hundreds of years.

The interiors of potholes are smooth and
regular. The miracle resembling the rock sculptures are are on the riverbed and the narrow walls of gorge through which
river flows.




The Gorge is just about 2-3 kms in length and
is hardly visible from a distance. The fascinating formations with its looks of a canyon, would give you a chilling thought
how mars or moons surface might be.


Over the years the depth of these potholes has
increased and villagers tell us that they could be even more than 100 feet deep at few spots. There is small temple of
Malganga on the bank on this river.

Nighoj is just 90 kms from Pune, off Pune Ahmednagar Road and the Kund Devi is another 2 kms from Nighoj. If you are
visiting Morachi Chincholi and doing this excursion this is around 20 kms through internal roads.

Avoid monsoons as the gushing water would hide the giganticness of these potholes. The trip can be combined with
Rajangaon Ganpati too.


Excursions
Morachi Chincholi, Rajangaon.