Hidden Gem Near Pune: Why Nighoj’s Ranjankhalage Never Runs Dry, Even in Harsh Summers
Hidden Gem Near Pune: Why Nighoj’s Ranjankhalage Never Runs Dry, Even in Harsh Summers
Near Pune in Maharashtra, there is a place called Nighoj that many people visit because of something rare. In the riverbed of the Kukdi River, there are deep round holes called Ranjankhalage. These holes are special because they always have water in them, even when it is very hot or there is no rain for a long time.
These rock holes are located at the border of Shirur taluka in Pune district and Parner taluka in Ahmednagar district. The Kukdi River flows through this region, and over many years, the flowing water has shaped the rocks into bowl-like pits. These are called Ranjankhalage, or potholes, by locals.
Experts explain that these holes were formed naturally. When the river flows strongly, small stones get stuck in the soft parts of the basalt rock. As the water flows, the stones move in circles and slowly carve out smooth, round pits. These pits are spread over an area of about 200 metres in length and 60 metres in width along the riverbed.
Despite changes in season or water level in the river, these potholes always hold water. Locals and visitors say they have never seen them go dry, even when other nearby rivers or ponds dry up. This feature makes the spot unique and important.
Many people visit Nighoj to see these formations. Visitors include tourists as well as devotees coming to see the nearby temple of Kundmouli Malganga Devi, located close to the river. During festivals, the area gets crowded with people who come for both religious visits and to view the potholes.
The site is not only interesting for nature lovers but also for those who study geography. It is considered a rare example of how water shapes land over thousands of years.
This natural spot is around 90 km from Pune and is easy to reach by road. People visiting the famous Mahaganapati temple at Ranjangaon, located on the Pune, Ahmednagar Highway, often take a short detour to Nighoj to see the Ranjankhalage.
In short, Nighoj’s Ranjankhalage is a place where nature has quietly done its work for years. With water that never dries and stones that shaped the land, this spot remains an example of how rivers can create wonders without any help from humans.
