Fireflies – Prabalmachi Camping Tour

Its Pre-Monsoon !! Waiting eagerly for rains to quench your thirst. Why not enjoy the firework of fireflies while waiting.

Moon and stars have always been there to follow your path and guide you.

Ever seen fireflies do the same. Imagine a dark trail brightened by fireflies flying all around you. Imagine to be in a mysterious forest lighted by fireflies.

What are fireflies and why do they ignite?

Fireflies are a family of insects which glow in the dark. The phenomenon of glowing is called as bioluminescence which occurs due to a chemical reaction inside their bodies. Fireflies use this luminescence to attract mates or prey.

Some interesting facts about fireflies:

Certain species of female fireflies pick mates based on specific male flash pattern characteristics. Higher male flash rates and increased flash intensity have been found to be more attractive to females among two different fireflies species.
Many fireflies do not illuminate at all. They use pheromones to attract their mates. Using pheromones for sexual signal is an ancestral condition, whereas, using luminous sexual signals are recent phenomenon.
Certain species of fireflies deploy both pheromones and luminous component to identify their mates.
There are varieties of use of luminescence by fireflies apart from attracting mates. luminescence is also used for attracting prey, making themselves unpalatable to predators, for identifying other members of their species etc.
Prabalmachi

Prabalmachi is situated between Matheran and Panvel in Raigad District in Maharashtra, India. A rustic village, the base of Fort Prabalgad and Kalavantin, is filled with greenery and is away from hustle and bustle of city. Height of the Prabalmachi village is 390 metres above sea level.The Prabalgad Fort stands at an elevation of 2,300 feet in the Western Ghats. The fort was previously known as Muranjan until it was taken over and renamed by the Maratha forces under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s rule. The fort has a Ganesh temple and some unidentified stone ruins. Its sister fort is Irshalgad. Right next to Prabalgad, to its north, lies the steep Kalavantin fort. Prabalmachi provides an amazing view of the two fort standing tall and facing each other. The mild breeze in the evening and traditional food by the villagers adds to the experience.

Major Attractions:

Scenic view of city from Prabalmachi / plateau and the cool breeze
Enjoy a panoramic view of the Surrounding and the city
Amazing hike in the woods
Wonderful climbs
Camping at the top of the plateau
Games with lots of fun