"Excellent Trek in Western Ghat Kalavantin Durg and Prabal Machi"

The way I understand its name is, 'durg' means fort and 'kalavantin' artist .... An artistically placed / carved steps in the wall of the fort depicts its name. Off course there is some history behind name and this fort. You can easily google it on wikipedia. Was this fort a part of Shree Shivaji Maharaja's empire? The answer is Yes and it was the part of treaty with Mughals which was reconquered by Maratha's. This was earlier also called as Muranjan fort.

I have decided to join for the trek to this fort when I heard plan that FONA group is organising this in October. The reason being two of my friends already done this many years back and they told me how interesting this trek is. So I never wanted to miss the chance to visit this fort.

How to Reach this Fort:

Just follow the google map below and it will take you there. The road below is from Nigdi, Pune to Durg. Actually its near to Mumbai and comes in the Western Ghat range. Typically this fort falls in the ranges of well known hill station, Matheran.

Reaching at the base by car is pretty easy and besides Pune Mumbai Old highway.

My Experience :

We have started at around 6.30 in the morning from Nigdi by Bus and reached at the base at around 10 am. Off course it does not take this much time to reach but we were group of 30/32 people and all were located at different locations. We has breakfast in between and tea, FONA has strict instructions to have heavy breakfast before start of any trek so that energy levels are high.



Without wasting any time we took Limbu Pani at the base and started climbing the hill. By the way you have decent parking place at the base with small hotel where you can park your vehicle safely and start climbing. You can get tea / Limbu pani and some snacks here. I understand village people runs this hotels / services for trekkers for their living. If you asks they also provide guide services till the end of trek at reasonable price. If anyone / any group is not aware of this before, you can enquire it at the base and they can provide you the guide service.




One thing if you try to search where is the Fort at the base itself, then let me tell you, Kalavantin Durg not visible from the trek start point unless you reach atleast 30% of your total journey.  The path is fully surrounded by dense forest and you can observed different colours of butterfly and flowers on the way.

At one point, you get short-cut to climb upward. Here we were of know clue how much steep it will but since one of our member started with that route all followed him. That was the very steep climb and we have to stop every 5 minutes to take break. It was exhausting patch in all complete trek for me. After fully exhausted and sweating, we reached at some flat place where all us could get the Limbu pani and Kakdi, We though yes we have climbed half the trek but to our surprise, it was not even half, we could see our destination clearly from here and it was way ahead from there.

After taking short break we have started further trekking and come across one small waterfall. Since those were post monsoon days hence water was not flowing fully but enough to get freshen up. There some of us thought of having lunch but finally all agreed to finish the climb and then have lunch. From here we have started again and difficult part of trek began.
Here you have to be cautious as one road takes you towards prabal machi and second takes you to the kalavantin durg. Two forts are in front of each other and separated by V. Photo can do
 the justis of explaining the same.

Here we have split in many groups and arrived at V. At V junction again we could see one stall providing Limbu Pani at Just Rs 10. The main and final climb starts here. From here fully rocky patch begins. The steps are cut in single rock. Many steps are in decent shape but some are worn out. The people having Height phobia have to be very cautious here since steps at many places are not wide enough to walk freely. So care has to be taken. There are not railing or support to other side and mistake could be dangerous. So be careful. Don't try to taken selfie in this patch. Its justs good suggestion. There are fine stones on there stair case's which makes it slippery to climb. So walk slowly and carefully.





Then after 15 minutes of climb you arrive at the enough top of the fort but still not at complete top. Due to humid climate and 1 pm time trek was becoming toughest. If you are climbing in this climate keep yourself fully hydrated to avoid any cramps dizziness etc.

Here one 20 ft rock patch comes which is pretty straight. You have to climb here very slowly. A rope here is required for safety elese it bit tough to climb. Rope is ensure safety as if you look down its complete valley. We have climb here at 1 pm and reached at very top of the fort where just 40/50 people can comfortably stand. From top you can see Matheran range, Mumbai city, Various other forts as well. If its silence a small clamp from Kalvantin Durg can be heard at the other end of Prabal Gad. Echo is generated. Though we have exhausted a lot reaching at the top was making us proud, satisfied. After taking some photo's and flag hosting we have started return Journey.

You have to be careful in your return journey as well. Those have fear of height to be more careful. After descending for 40 minutes we ahve arrived at Prabal Machi, and decided to have lunch. It was late so all were hungry. Here you get one hotel named Hanuman. They serve chiken, egg, veh dish as well. They also provide tents and sleeping bags on rent for stay on prabal machi if you plan for one day stay outing. Staying here is also good idea. You need to carry anything, since all the arrangement can be made here itself.

We took nap for half an hour. It was already 5 pm. Before starting return journey all of us sat together for short introduction of each other. The idea of leaders was, staying there for a while could give us nice experience of sun set. Watching sun set from here was amazing and different experience. Sunset here is different then we see at other times, Here sun vanishes behind horizon and not behind any building, hill etc. at 6 pm e have started descend and reached at around 7 pm at the base without any stop. It was already dark while descending.



Here we have started return journey with life time memories and new energy. Thanks for FONA group for organising such amazing trek safely.

Other Things to Do nearby:

If you plan for stay, you can do kalavntin durg and prabal machi both. Both are in front of each other. From Prabal machi complete view of Kalavantin durg can be seen.

Beast time to visit:

You can visit this places any time during year except Monsoon days since steps are slippery and heavy rain showers.

Here are some more pictures of Journey..













-- Keep Trekking

"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