RatanGad Jewel of Forts

3rd July 2015,

Ninad , Abhishek & me were searching for medium level  trek, one of my friend suggested for Ratangad because this fort looks stunning in rains. So we done with spot but we were struggling with route & place. I know one trekking group which go for trekking very regularly so suggested to join them so we can  get good guidance & good company as well. So we joined shikharvedh which is very known group in Mumbai for treks. So plan was to get on Ratangad from Trambak Darwaj which is a difficult route compare to regular way.  Shikhar vedh got mini bus which had picked up from Teen hath Naka, Thane at 12 o’clock night  & we were on our way to Ratangad.

People who are planning for Ratangad can opt for this routes to reach the base village from Pune you can take: Pune – Narayangaon – Bhandardara – Ratanwadi from Nashik you can take: Nashik – Ghoti – Bhandardara – Ratanwadi & from Mumbai you can take : Thane – Kalyan - Igatpuri – Ghoti – Bhandardara – Ratanwadi. If you guys planning from Tramabak Darwaja then base village will be Samrad. Samarad is also base village to get in Sandhan Valley.

We reached our Base village Samrad by 5 O’clock morning which is 185 Km from Mumbai.  After having Snacks whci were arranged by Shikhar vedh we started our trek at 6 o’clock. The aim was to reach fort by 12 o’clock & then descend by regular way in 2 hours.

The way to trek started from Bushy area & then it turned up in dense forest & then plateau. From edgy route to water blocked area, from slippery ways to black rocky ways. We were chasing our ways continuously without any halt. Ratangad has ladders at some places where they supposed to have because without ladders we cannot trek the fort.

After crossing 2 ladders we reached to Tramabk Darwaja best part of this point is the stairs are still in good condition & gets bit slippery in rains but that ads fun for the point

After crossing Trambak Darwaja we were moving to get to another area of fort that is Ganesh Darwaja, after crossing one more dangerouse stair case we reached to the place & awesome place to seat & chill.

 After crossing mountain & bushy ways we reached to the highlight of trek that is “Nedha”after

Very few forts have a geological feature called as "Nedha" or "needle hole" which means a natural hole in the mountain where you can actually sit in and enjoy the high speed wind. Ratangad has one Nedha in his point, the air pressure was so high the rains were actually feeling like needles we coverd purselves in our jackets tried to stand there as much as possible to enjoy the nature’s gift. You can have look at below video which will give pretty much idea about the point 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8WUnsGYbZ8  

then moving from moving Nedha we crossed one slippery way which was hilarious ride since we have to cross the way by seating you can stand there because 

 there is no place to stand & force of wind will not make you stand :P

After this we moved to cave which also one of the famous point of the trek. Lots of people stay here in night. We had our snacks (so called lunch) & moved to descend the fort. Descending was quite easy since we were getting to base village Ratnwadi . We had some professional trekkers with us & they were descending like great, the way they were jumping it was quite proving that they are doing trekking since last 5-6 years.

After crossing the forest we reached to the base village. There is very known temple of lord Shiva which is really amazing take look at below photograph of it.

 

Summery 

.         Time : 3-4 hours Ascend & 2 Hours descend 

·         Level is medium

·         Endurance level  is medium

.         Best time Monsoon preferably September ( I am going again in September J )

Korigad - the place of Backward Waterfall

25^th June 2015 : Korigad

Monsoon was at his best since last three days, we Navi Mumbaikar’s have experience continuous three days rains. So we Subodh, Abhi, Rohan & I decided to go on bike for one day trip nearby to enjoy the rains. 

Immediately we started searching for places nearby but it was very obvious that we have to go to Lonavla (very nearby monsoon location for us). So decided to meet at 7 o’clock on Sunday & to go anywhere in Lonavla.

We packed our bags, bikes were ready zippers were zipped we were on our way to Lonavala.  It was raining on that day & because we were on bike that rain drops almost felt like needles. We took long route from Khopoli (very known bike route). Korigad is exact 100Km from our place (Navi Mumbai) it took 3 hours to reach to the place. 

Korigad, at a height of 929m above sea level, is situated about 20km away from Lonavala on the way to Aamby valley. Drive from Lonavala to Korigad was quite heavenly with road engulfed in the clouds and wild flowers spread across the vast expanse. We just reveled at the majestic sights and awesome weather. Locals from Korigad village have built up good small eating places & parking lots for the travelers, he took 50rs for one bike as parking fees & you can also give them food order before going for trek.

 It was bit raining & we started the trek by enjoying it. After walking for 20-25 minutes we joined in the middle of well laid steps of Korigad. We were disappointed seeing man made staircase for the fort but later on we understood there Is temple of Korai Goddes at fort so villagers built up the stairs for the convenience.  After having good photo session ate stairs we reached Maha Darwaja within 20 Min so the total ascending time is 45 min.  That Big huge Door welcomed us with warmth.  

Best part of the Korigad is you can walk on the perimeter of most of the fort and it is certainly one of the most pleasurable walks you will ever have.

Fort has two cannons on forts one is named as "Lakshmi Toaf". You can also enjoy View of Amby wally  from the fort.

Now we have discovered the best thing about Korigad is backward waterfall, Drizzling has changed into heavy rains now & waterfalls are running like mad now. At one point of fort because of air pressure water was thrown in upward direction & the view of backword waterfall was completely mesmerizing & that’s different part the waterfall almost felt like someone throwing needles on us. Here are the few captured photographs of it 

Descending was also full of fun since it was raining heavily & staircase was running with rain water.

Suggestion

-Carry some snacks no need to carry lunch you can have that at base village or in Lonvala city

-Try to finish trek before 12 or 1 o’clock because Korigad share same route with Tiger hill 8 Bhushi dam which is full of traffic weekends

-Do this fort if you have your own vehicle since its far from the city

Korigad is one of the best trek that I recommend for rains. go particularly in heavy & enjoy the Backward Waterfall.  

5 Monsoon gateways from Mumbai

5 Monsoon gateways from Mumbai

We all Mumbaikar share Mutual feelings about Summer, till May month we all are boiled with superhot summer & craving for Monsoon badly,

Here are 5 one day gateways from Mumbai to relax & enjoy the summer

Tiger point : Lonavala

 Tiger point is one of the nearest spot for all Mumbaikars to enjoy the Monsoon at its best.  you can reach there in 3-4 hours you can take the Mumbai-Pune Expressway or one inside route connect with Panvel  Khopoli, Karjat, Talegaon Dabhade. while driving in route you will find small water falls which definitely make you halt for  minutes. the view while travling also make you feel happy since its green all together. you also enjoy fog while driving at Khandala & Lonaval ghat. if you are not driving car then you can have train ride Catc any express which goes to Lonavala station form station you can take private vehicale which will drop you to tiger point but personally I believe if you are going to tiger point take your own vehicle.  

Lohagad : Lonavala, Pune

Lohagad is very simple fort to trek with friends & family. in monsoon it becomes windy & fogy which you even can’t imagine. you can reach Lohagad with your personal vehicale you can directly reach to base of the fort in 4-5 hours. Take Mumbai – Pune expressway after getting in in Lonavla ask anyone for the way to Lohgad it takes half an hour to reach at base. if you are not driving car take train ride you can catch Deccan Express from Dadar or Thane & get down at Lonavala. from Lonvala 2 options are available you can take private vehicle to Lohagad from Lonavala station or you can take train to Malwali station &  from Malvali you can have flat walking trek to Lohagad base village which will take one & half hour to reach.   Lohagad has all facilities at the base village from room rent to food you will get everything.

The original fort was built in the 12th Century by Raja Bhoj. Later on it was brought into swaraj by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The steps to the fort were rebuilt during his time. fort is still in good condition you can see the good architecture while exploring it. from one end of fort you can see visually beautiful view of Pawana Dam. if you reach to another side of fort you can see long machi extended towards expressway. this is famous machi call Vinchu Katta or Scorpion sting  (The must point on Lohagad) for return you can take vehicle at base village which will drop you to Lonavala station or you can do descending trek to Malwali station.  

Pandav Kada : Khargahr, Navi Mumbai

Pandav Kada is one of the famous & scary waterfall in Navi Mumbai, people come from lots place to see the beauty of this waterfall in Monsoon. The history on how the waterfall got its name as the local folks believe is that the Pandavas, on their exile had roamed through the forest and chanced upon this falls in its full glory. They are believed to have had their bath in the pool. This is another sacred pool as far as the local inhabitants are concerned. Few say this water fall got created because of mining of Kharghar mountain in monsoon you can see this waterfall, now there is no mining happen but locals made it commercial, they have open food stalls around, now local government body has also made washroom & changing room near to the waterfall. Easy reach Pandavkada if you are traveling by train then get down at Kharghar station take rickshaw & you can come golf course or ask for Pandav kada. The Waterfall is declared as ‘dangerous spots’ by CIDCO due to drowning of many school students. According to officials of the Kharghar Police Station, the waterfall claims 12 lives in the last seven years. All the victims slipped on the rocks and drowned in the waterfall.  

Bhivpuri Water fall : Karjat 

Bhivpuri is one of the best place to spend one day in monsoon. take Karjat train & get down at Bhivpuri station just one station before Karjat or you can reach Karjat & take rickshaw to Bhivpuri. you need pass the auto rickshaw check point & start asking local guys “ how to reach Bhivpuri Waterfall” ;)  you can find people around who are heading towards to waterfall join them its easy way to reach. In route you will wander around rocks, bushes, small houses & suddenly you will see a huge waterfall falling gracefully on rock. one of the best waterfall ever I have been you can take seat in man pond around fall & chill. you also can grab beer & vodka (very common picture at fall ;) )

Tikona fort : Lonavala 

TO reach Tikon afort I will suggest to go with personal vehicle, because this for is not mainstream & not connected with bus or private vehicles. you can catch Mumbai-Pune express way then take Lonavala bypass road & take left from Pawna nagar police chowki. Tikoan is very simple fort to trek but offer extremely beautiful view. from one side you can view Pawn Dam & from other end Tung fort. Tikona is in Sahydri range so overall look from above fort looks like garland of greenery.    

 

 Do visit this places this monsoon & do share you r experience by commenting on  my blog

Happy Traveling !!!

   

    

February 28, Velas

Road trip to Turtle festival

One fine day I got to know there is something called turtle festival & which happens at Velas beach, Ratnagiri. After that moment I was excited to visit the place & started searching partner in crime. Nobody was interested to see turtle hatching since that just not enough to make them pack the bags, so then made some changes in plan by adding Bankot fort & Harihareshwar beach in road trip. After big No from my all groups asked my best buddy Suhas to come with me & he said yes!!, not only yes he  also convinced his roommates Rakesh, Yadnesh & Pabhakar to become the journey mates.

On 27^th February around 11 PM we all met at my place & then stated much awaited road trip. Velas is 210 Kilometers by road, which won’t take less than 5-6 Hours. In these 5-6 hours we all became friends by understanding each other background & habits, making new friends are the best thing about travel.

We reached Velas at 6 o’clock morning; this small village has something special in it, Some kind of   internal peace kind of vibes. Velas is small Villege where you cannot find any lodge or rent room service, so we decided to stay at one of the resident house. I must say staying there like local villagers with limited resources is something extraordinary that we have never experienced.

Velas Beach
The beach mesmerized us with the golden sand & clean water, since it's an official turtle hatching place only nature & turtle lovers allowed on beach & it's stated by government of India . 

While having discussion on turtles with local turtle lovers’ team, we got pretty unsaid information about them. These turtles are solitary, preferring the open ocean. They migrate hundreds or even thousands of miles every year, and come together as a group only once a year for the arribada, when females return to the beaches where they hatched and lumber onshore, sometimes in the thousands, to nest.

Olive ridleys have nesting sites all over the world, on tropical and subtropical beaches & Velas is one of them. During nesting, they use the wind and the tide to help them reach the beach. Females lay about a hundred eggs on shore, but may nest up to three times a year. The nesting season is from June to December. These local turtle lovers have made artificial nest where they put all eggs which turtles has laid on shore.
We all reached there on official time when locals put baby turtles out. 
It was a 1st kid of the batch & we all 300 people were supporting & cheering for him. Happiest moment was when that kid tried his 1st paddle to reach beach water. 

Bankot fort:

Bankot is a square shaped fort. On the sides of Bankot fort, there is a dry moat (Revni) dug out in the Jambhya stone. Jambhya stone is peculiar type of stone adorning a purple shade and peculiarly it is incapable of storing water as the water invariable percolates through it owing to its much porous nature. The main entrance (Mahadarwaja) of the fort is north-facing with a well sculpted arch and carvings. Watch guards dug out (Devdya) align on both sides of the Mahadarwaja with some pits being dug out in the right Devdi. On the left, there are steps leading towards Nagarkhana while there is an underground storey and a tunnel on the right. A Maruti idol in the centre stands deserted now. On the west, there is a small entrance (Darwaja) leading to a Bastion on the exterior of the fortifications. A deep well (now dry and filled) occupied the centre of this bastion earlier and the adjacent water tanks too are dry and obsolete now. One can leave the Buruj via a small exit that leads to the surrounding moat and a beautiful “Revni” lying nearby.

Harihareshwar Temple & Beach :

Then we moved to our next destination that is Harihareshwar temple & beach. By ferry we arihareshwar easily with half an hour & it was great experience to put car in that ferry (We never did so)

 It’s a Sunny, clean & long beach & because of low tight we got chance to view backside of Harihareshwar temple Photographs will explain in detail ;)

Harihareshwar is known as Kashi of Southern India. The hill near the seashore at Harihareshwar is also known as 'Harihar' or 'Pushpadri'. Once you reach Harihareshwar, anybody can guide you to show the way towards Harihareshwar Temple.

Overall it’s  a great weekend break at Coastal Maharashtra. Mad turtle festival, Sun kissed beaches, swaying palm trees and spicy seafood builds up the glory.