SIMPLE YET MEMORABLE ONE DAY TREK TO RAJMACHI FORT NEAR PUNE…..

If you ask somebody about Rajmachi, many of people tell about the Rajmachi Point which is on the way to Pune Mumbai highway. It’s basically valley view point on the way which gives spectacular views of waterfalls and greenery during Monsoon season. But wait, the place I will be talking here is not the Rajmachi point, but the Fort Rajmachi. This is bit of off road riding from Lonavala. I will be narrating here my own experience with my friends to this fort.

Rajmachi Fort

On one of the weekends, we decided to go to Rajmachi fort. 6 vehicles and 12 friends, no one was aware much of about this fort. Just known things was, there is fort called Rajmachi near Lonawala. Near? How much? Haha. Its 20 km from Tungarli dam. Wait the road which I am talking here which is 20 km stretch from Tungarli is actually not for the vehicles but trekking road. Trekkers walk on this road to reach at this fort. No one from our group was aware of this fact. Stupid na? I also though the same when we actually started riding on that road. Because those were rainy days when we decided to visit this fort.  And when we actually started ride, we came to know that this is less traveled path. Because that was the road for pedestrians. We stopped in between to capture some group photos and surrounding valley view. Ride continued and then first obstacle seen. Heavy mud welcomed all of us and challenging us to ride through it. One by one we started riding through heavy mud on the way and dense forest to the side. And first victim of the mud… one vehicle slipped and both rider and pillion fall down in mud. They got up and started riding again. By the time all were cautious again. Vehicle speed was not more than 30 kmph.

Driving Directions From Pune - 

The nature and surrounding of that location was so unique that, you will just hear the bird singing, air whistling and nothing else. I was just wondering how about travelling at night on this road… woo.. I am sure it would be altogether different experience.

After crossing 10-12 km we come across waterfall. If we have to reach the Rajmachi fort, we must have to have cross that waterfall and ride through the flowing water in-between. Thank god the flow of the water was not so heavy and we dared to cross the waterfall. See the picture here to know how the road was. We successfully crossed that obstacle and final reached at the base of the Rajmachi fort. We parked our vehicle 1 km before the actual fort base since road forward was so muddy that one of our mate whit tried to ride forward slipped twice and finally decided not to ride ahead. So we all started walking.

Waterfall Crodding

While walking we come across the well, a house (looking haunted), unique trees and dense forest. We dared to climb over the haunted house and took some photographs. Check out the photo’s here.

Further going ahead we could see a small village named Udhewadi. We get some relief. We entered to the small restaurant and had some snacks and Garama Garam Tea. After reaching there we were able to see the two forts named, Manaranjan and Shrivardhan. Considering the time require to climb and travel back to home, all of us finalized to hike only one fort Manaranjan.

Finally we started trekking the fort. The difficulty level was easy and just took 35-40 minutes to reach at the top of the fort. Wind was flowing so fast and we were not able to hear each other’s voice easily. Rain started and we all were in the sky just in few minutes after reaching at the top. We all stared singing the song and danced. That was the moment which I will never ever forget in my lifetime. Some memories are life long and this is one of it.

If you really want to experience you must visit Rajmachi fort once and then you will realize whatever I am talking is not exaggeration but the reality. One of our team mate has created Video on this journey. I will try to post it on you tube after everybody’s permission.

After spending relaxed time there we started climbing down and reached at the base. We had tea once again at the same place and walked towards area where bikes were parked. Since rain had come, this made our return journey worse. Again couple bike slipped. To our good destiny, nobody’s bike got punctured nor damaged badly and we safely returned to Lonawala again. Now everybody was tired and wanted to reach home as early as possible.

All about it briefly, this Rajmachi fort is the strategically important fort during Shivaji Mahraj’s time and played important role in keeping watch over Konkan region. This can be realized after reaching the top of the fort. In rainy season this region all the more beautiful with silvery water falls, streams and lust green forests and meadows.

If you would like to have simple yet memorable and exciting trek and that too near and around Pune – Mumbai, then this is one of the fort to visit either visit friends or family. During mid of rainy season don’t try to get there with bike / car. It would be advisable to visit there during winter or just after rainy days. If you want to enjoy nature trill and ready to take challenges, then you may visit during mid of rainy days. But it’s preferable to take walk from Tungarli and not to take vehicle at the base of Rajmachi. If you would like to visit it in summer, please try that too and share your experiences here. I will be happy to hear from you so that I can also try out one more time.

You will get snacks and some food at the base village. I heard there are some stay options too in case you decide to stay at night. Need to check. If anybody has any updates on it, you are welcome to share.

Keep Travelling and exploring less explored places around world. 

Lonawala - Tea Break

Express way can been seen

On the way to Rajmachi Fort 

Muddy Road

Fort Rajmachi

Road to Rajmachi

Trekking Begins

Crossing Waterfall Lonawala on the way to Rajmachi

See the Red Soil

Greenery from Fort - Isolated area

Base of Fort

Parking at the base of Rajmachi Fort

Way

Posing for Snap

Rajmachi Fort Lonawala One Day Weekend picnic Spot from another angle

On the roof of haunted house at the base of Rajmachi fort

Well near haunted house

Village the Rajmachi Fort Base

Trekking

Exhausted

Temple in between - Rajmachi Fort

Trekking 

Finally reached at the top of Rajmachi Fort Loanawala

Return Journey

- महेश  आवटे 

"TULAPUR - LESS EXPLORED HISTORIC PLACE NEAR PUNE"

Tulapur is the place near Alandi. It’s around 15 km from Pune Nashik highway. The importance of this place is, successor of Maratha Empire Shri Chatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, son of Great King Shivaji Maharaj, brutally executed and killed by Aurangzeb (Mughar king)  and pieces of his body were thrown at the banks of Bhima river. There are several opinions about why the Sambhaji Maharaj executed here but the main fact is, he fought with Aurangzeb for more than 6 years.

Driving Directions from Pune Nashik highway –

There are multiple way you can reach here. If you are coming from Nashik highway, you can both take road from Moshi to Alandi or from Bhaosari to Alandi, and come straight. Ask for Markal MIDC road and same road taken you to the Tulapur. Keep your attention while driving because, some times you may not notice if Tulapur passes. Road condition is poor. Don’t know the reason but may be due to Markal MIDC road. 

What to see at this place –

This place is less explored and so it’s one of the place where you can spend your time relaxed. This is at the bank of ‘Triveni Sangam’. A place where three rivers named Bhima, Bhama and Indrayani come together and flow forward as one river. At the bank of this river, old Sangameshwar temple is constructed before 16^th Century. This is must visit attraction when you visit Tulapur.  As per history, a meeting was held between Rudranath maharaj, Shahaji Mahraj and Murarpant Jagadev at this place and Elephant weighed cleverly to distribute similar amount of Gold to resident. This is called as “Tula” in regional Marathi language and the placed named as Tulapur.

Sitting at the ghat constructed at the bank of the river in Tulapur, listening to your favourite song under the dense shadow of trees and having some snacks make sure to forget all your worries and get homogenized with the nature. This feeling definitely gives you positive energy and refreshment. This is one of the places to do Meditation. There is small restaurant where you can have snacks and small children play area. 

You can also enjoy boating at this place. If you wish to visit other side of the river, boatman can drop you there and whenever you call, he can come and pick you up again.

Food – If you really have to have good food then drive towards Alandi and ask for Gokhale Mala where you will be offered great unlimited vegetarian food at reasonable rate sitting between the farm of Guava trees. If you plan to visit Tulapur you should plan this too.

Official Website of Tulapur - http://www.tulapur.in/english/

This is best one day picnic spot near and around Pune. This place can be visited during summer, Monsoon or post monsoon.

I have not yet visited Vadhu which is nearby place from Tulapur. Vadhu, on the other hand is the seat of the Samadhi of Sambhaji Maharaj, and his poet friend, Kavi Kalash.I am planning to visit the same soon. Till then keep travelling and exploring unexplored places around the globe!

Happy Travelling! 

- महेश  आवटे 

Ghat

Dharmvir Sambhaji Maharaj

Sangmeshwar Temple at Tulapur

Triveni Samgam at Tulapur

“TRIP TO KORIGAD NEAR LONAWALA”

Trip to Korigad Near Lonawala…..

This is one of the forts located in Western Ghat near Lonawala. Short one day trip to Korigad from Pune or Mumbai is always possible. Provided you start early in the Morning. This is basically to avoid the Lonawala city traffic. Once you come to Bhushi dam then the same road from there takes you towards Korigad. The base village of the fort is Peth Shahapur. It’s on the way to Ambey Valley. The clear sign boards of Ambey Valley make sure you are on the right path of Korigad. Fort will not be visible easily from the road so you have to stop at the Peth Shahapur village.

Road to Korigad

Top of Korigad

Brief History –

Not much of the detailed history known about this fort. But this fort was part of Shivaji Maharajas Empire. He took custody of this fort along with Tikona, Lohgad, Visapur forts. This was further taken over by British during 18^th Century. It was not easy for them to capture this fort due to its location and fortification. Finally by damaging major part of fort by Cannon they have captured this fort and were under British East India Company.

Journey to this place –

This is situated very close to Ambey Valley city. Due to this development, road to koraigad is in very good condition. So reaching at this place with your own vehicle is very easy. Journey from Lonawala to this place is (Approx 20 km stretch) is also memorable one. Since you are riding up on the hill and other side of the road is deep valley. You may stop at various places on the way to capture great views in your cameras.

Driving Direction From Lonavala -

How is this place –

Forest Trail to Korigad

Steps to Reach on Fort

Waterfall On the Way

Main Gate of the Fort Korigad Still Intact

Despite of such attacks, the fortification of this fort is still intact. It is said that climate here does not damage the fort structure. It’s not very harsh climate there. It takes roughly 1 hour to reach at the top. Having said that, this does not mean you have to climb straight for an hour. Road passes from the forest. You have to walk straight from forest and little climbing on hill and then nice steps of the fort takes you to the top of the hill. If you are visiting this place during mid of Monsoon season, it will be the treat for your eyes. Because clouds arrives here during Monsoon to meet Western Ghat. I am putting here few snaps of my visit to this fort during monsoon and then you will wonder its actually heaven on the earth.

Laxmi Canon

On the fort you can see temple of Goddess Korai, ruins of some fort, huge cannon name Laxmi, water reservoirs, fortification, huge main door. These all can be seen once you reach at the top of the fort. Reaching to this fort is as exciting as visiting this fort. If you are in the mid of rainy days, water continuously flows over the fort steps and you have to find your way from that flowing water.

At the other side of this fort, Mulshi lake backwater can be seen. One road from there takes you to the Mulshi village.

Shiva Temple

Bike Ride -

Flora

If you are planning for bike ride from Mumbai to Mumbai or From Pune to Pune, one can reach at Lonawala from Khadala Ghat and come to Peth Shahapur from Bhushi dam, reach at Korigad and then proceed straight towards the Mulshi Village. If you are coming from Mumbai, you can take Tamhini ghat road which descend to Konkan and take you to Mumbai Goa highway. If you are coming from Pune, after reaching to Mulshi, you may proceed towards Paud and from Paud you ride straight towards Chandani Chauk. This will be very good exhaustive and enjoyable ride over weekend. Especially during rainy season. You might be wondering why I am stressing so much for Monsoon season; only pictures I posted here will provide all your answers.

Add on –

There are no hotels or restaurants at this place so you have to carry your own food and water as well. Just as an additional note, there is small pump near Ambey Valley city to fill the fuel in your vehicle. So don’t panic in case your vehicle dry out. Since this is bit remote location, please carry all required trekking gears.

According to me this is worth visiting one day picnic spot near Pune. Difficulty level is easy. If you plan to visit the Lonavala, you can extend your trip by 20 km and visit this place as well.

Brief about my Bike ride Trip to Korigad –

I had visited this place with my college mates during rainy days. This time we were 10 guys and 5 bikes. Plan was to get wet fully and visit Korigad. No one had visited this before. After getting wet at Bhushi dam, we started ride towards Ambey Valley and reached to the tiger point. We had some snacks and Wada Pav we again started riding. It was raining so heavily that we were not sure what is on the side of the roads. We were completely in clouds. At one point, everybody’s bike started fluttering. No one was sure why so much of wind started. We were able to see only clouds on the side of the roads. So our bike speed went down to 10 – 20 kmph. Cap of two guys flew away due to such heavy wind. While coming back we realized that it was deep valley immediately on the side of the road.

Haunted Place on the way.. Hahah,,,

Haunted Place in between,,,

In-between we stopped at some place looking to be haunted place in that climate. See my picture posted here. There were few well, ruins of old homes and ruins covered with parasites. It was looking like true haunted place. We stopped there and dared to explore the surrounding area. This place is in dense forest on road side. After spending some time we reached at the Peth Shahapur and parked our vehicles there. Rain was not in mood of slowing down. We stayed near parking for some time and finally decided to start the forest trail to Korigad without waiting for rain to stop. And as I mentioned above we experienced heavenly treatment from nature and explored the Korigad and surrounding area.

I must say, dreamland is in Western ghat and if you want to experience it, visit any place during Monsoon. What do you say after looking at these pictures? If you have your own experience please share. 

Stay tuned….

- महेश  आवटे