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.
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Rajmachi Fort
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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.
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Waterfall Crodding
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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.
