Staffa in India

If ever there is Scotland in India, it has to be the Sahyadris.
- Gajanan ;-)

If you are from the famous megapolis Mumbai, or even if you are a "Pune"kar, you would be the one to regale your friends with tales of trekking experiences in the Sahyadris and how you miss being among the emerald lands in the monsoons.

There are many ways to meander through the Sahyadris.
- You would take a drop at a suitable point and trek through the hills.
- You could take a drive through the verdant landscape, if you have a car or intend to rent one.
- You could a buy the Konkan Railway ticket and let the railways do the above for you.


A Konkan Railway train making its way through the verdant Konkan lands.

Check this piece that I found on Rediff. Writeup is chirpy and interesting. Makes you want to plan to return to Bangalore via the Konkan Railway route from Mumbai or the vice versa. (Upd.) Infact, Goa is home to the famed Dudhsagar Falls and a section of Konkan Railway passes close by (Upd./). There is another nice writeup on Outlook Traveller. And some stats and numbers here.

(Upd.)Please check Ferrari's Konkan trips here and here. Am sure you would be left feeling very jealous!!(Upd./)

Updated with corrections from Ferrari: There is no direct train from Bangalore to Mumbai via the Konkan route. You can however take Bangalore Goa train "Vasco Express" which passes over the Dudhsagar Falls. Check on the Indian Railways Portal or IRCTC or Konkan Railway Portal.

All aboard!

PS:
- Those who are still wondering what "Staffa" is, it is a beautiful place in Scotland, UK. Check this link for more. Check this on Wiki.
- Staffa is also the name of an official entity in Scotland having their own postal authority. Philately enthusiasts would know about the Staffa Gold Stamps or the simple stamps that are a rare possession. Staffa stamps are only available to tourists to the Staffa island. It is recognized by the British Postal Society as being among the "Cinderella" stamps - a collection of private local issue stamps.