Igatpuri We-all-gat-puri

Spendings
Train = 40+40 (express train, Dadar to Igatpuri and back)
Rickshaw = 90 /person
Food + Chai = 90
TOTAL = Rs230 (per person)

Get-to-Puri-->
Train - We caught the (6:20 daily from Dadar) from platform 1 on the central side (this is not a local ticket so booking is at the end of platform no. 6 Central - you need to mention the train you are going to take) it takes 2 1/2 hrs by express to get to Igatpuri by train.
{2paisetip - you can also take the local train (central line to Kasara and then jeep from Kasara to Igatpuri))instead of the express but my advice is not to cuz there are 1) the journey turns out to be excruciatingly long, 2) v few trains to Kasara from Dadar 3) ticket price differs only by 20Rs - not worth it}

from Igatpuri to Bhandhadra
Rickshaw - we sorted out a super excellent deal with Anil - Mr HardlyKnowsTheRouteWhenHighOnGhutka....the deal was pay for petrol plus Rs 150 (or as we wished) - we stuffed 5 in the rick and were fine
{2paisetip - good idea?bad idea? - well really depends how it works for you
bad idea - the rickshaw is quite slow and cant climb the ghats too well
good idea - each trecherous slope meant we had to get off and hike.... worked for us - was fun from the otherwise 2 1/2 hr monotonous ride}
Cab - cabbies were quoting Rs 450 - which I'm guessing is reasonable since its 45kms to Bhandhadra, the cab ride will be much much quicker.

Food - We picked up stuff from this place called Sai Sadan which is at the outskirts of Ghoti village (while leaving). Ordered parathas (gobi, paneer - was adviced by Anil against the aloo). They charged us more than the menu prices with the excuse that 'some prices had changed' - we fought a bit but let it pass.
The food was quite good - paisa vasool even with the over chargingness.

To Do
WE - visited
Arthur Lake (en route to Randh falls) - the main/commercial viewing point is nothing spectacular (maybe cuz its closed during monsoons) but another viewing point a few kms ahead is a lot more spectacular...that looks over the entire lake

Randh Falls (15kms from Bhandhadhra)- quite spectacular but too 'commercial', I'd suggest spotting a waterfall along the way (numerous one's to choose from) and hike - would be a lot beautiful and 'untouched'/pristine.
Also - the 'commercial' viewing point is on one side of the gorge, if time permitted we really wanted to hike a way to the otherside cuz it was a lot more beautiful there.

ToBuy
Pedas!! - We picked some at Arthur Lake, thanks to NeilD's risk to taste some...we all fell in love with them..I picked 2 packets to trip on during the week

Travel Back
2paisewarning - the return train journey involed a 'one evenings stand' for 1.5 hrs (till Kalyan) - trains on the way back are bit crowded...but was not that bad since the day didn't involve much of a trek

Rait-ings
Beautifulity: 3/5 - beautiful but getting commercial, would definitely give it a better rating when (the next time) we visit 1 of the 'un-noticed' waterfalls instead
Conveyniance: 3/5 - littlebittlefaraways - 2.5hrs by express train, Bhandhadra - another 45km away
Budgetwise: 3.5/5 - more coz of the rickshaw/cab ride to Bhandhadra
Tiringness: 4/5 - visiting Randh waterfalls and Arther lake involve hardly any walking

Overall - 3.25/5 - definite scope for improvement if more 'exploration' from the commercial sites is invested in.