Welcome back….
It was February and summer was ready to make some hot
performances.
One day my Partner, Jay called me asking for a trek as he
and his friends were desperate for a break.
After a good 40 minutes discussion, considering the
Pros and cons, “Dil pe bhaari, aur Jeb pe halka”, level of fitness of
participants etc. we settled on Lohagad.
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| famous view that represents Lohagad |
The Iron fort of Chhatrapati shivaji Maharaj. Simple, decent but still not to be taken for granted, such is
the grade of Lohagad.
Lohagad (iron fort) is one of the many hill
forts of Maharashtra, it rises to an elevation of 1,033 m
(3,389 ft) above sea level. The fort is connected to the neighboring
Visapur fort by a small range. The fort was under the Maratha
empire for the majority of time, with a short period of 5 years under
the Mughal empire.
Lohagad has a long history with several dynasties occupying
it at different periods of time: Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas,
Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizams, Mughals and Marathas. Shivaji
Maharaj captured it in 1648 CE, but he was forced to surrender it to
the
Mughals in
1665 CE by the Treaty of Purandar. Shivaji Maharaj recaptured the fort in
1670 CE and used it for keeping his treasury. This fort was used to keep the
loot from Surat. Later in Peshwa time Nana Phadnavis used this fort
for living for sometime and built several structures in the fort such as a big
tank and a step-well.
Early morning of 28th February, we started our journey
by The “All time hit, Jam Packed” Indrayani express trying to get in and out
during our entire journey. Finally we somehow managed to alight at Lonavala,
and till we can come to our senses, the departure of connecting EMU Local to
Pune was announced, but lucky to catch the train.
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| WCAM-3AC/6P and other WAG-7 await their duty as bankers at Karjat |
Malavli is the next station from Lonavala Towards pune, on
the right you can clearly see 2 mighty forts, Visapur and Lohagad.
We got down at Malavli and started to walk, with the village
view around us, we were enjoying the vicinity.
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| deserted Malavli station |
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| Group photo |
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| pic wahi.. location nayi |
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| seems like Kaante film k heroes |
After walking for some 20 minutes we had our breakfast and continued our
journey.
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| anna Jevayla.. jevaylaa..... |
To the left lies Karla caves, a complex of shrines built by Buddhist monks
around 3rd to 2nd century B.C
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| Bhaje caves |
The tar road goes to till the base of Lohagad fort. Slowly
with the increasing heat, each soldier was surrendering and denying to go
ahead.
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| let me try my hands on a DSLR |
 |
| exhaustion starts |
Since I had always stressed on finding new routes, we
continued the search for another route apart from the regular HOT tar road.
Here we took a right into the forest which had a small walkway moving towards
the fort. From here you can get a clear glimpse of the Mighty Lohagad fort.
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| side view of Lohagad with Vinchukata |
Taking breaks and sipping on with Electral water, the group
managed to find a way which was so cool and into the dense shadows of over
grown trees, that they decided to stop there itself.
After a big break of 30 mins, where 2-3 were almost asleep,
we wokeup all and started again.
Climbing from the narrow area was so challenging and tricky,
but all managed to make it easily.
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| new route |
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| this must be a waterfall in monsoon |
Alas… the heat and Tar road met us again. So walking along
quickly from the area, we reached the base of Lohagad fort.
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| Visapur fort |
Most people take their food here. U can get nice and hot
breakfast, Lunch with option of Veg/ Non Veg and most important… WATER.
Easily accessible and proper maintenance of some areas kept
us happy about the preservation and conservation of Forts under Maharashtra
tourism.
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| aamche Raje... _/\_ |
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| Board detailing about the fort |
Here we were greeted by our ancestors who were expecting
some food from people, at times I hate such So called Educated” fools who hit
these little monkeys if they try to snatch bags from you.
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| Ancestral family ....hahahaha |
We were enjoying the cool breeze and kept walking and doing
photography.
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| Visapur Fort - Parallel view |
Clicked some nice photographs at every entrance admiring the
structures and ideology behind making such structures.
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| Bastion |
Since we were a bit in hurry to explore the Vinchukata
(Scorpion’s Tail) we directly headed towards it crossing the hexagonal pond and
nearby places.
Some of the people stayed back and others rushed towards the
tip.
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| enroute- Vinchukata |
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| side view - Vinchukata |
The cool breeze refreshed and we did a solid “GHOSHNAAA”
Returned back and started our decend. However one of my
friend started to exhaust, cant wait for him as we were already running behind
schedule and wanted to move towards Lonavala. he took lift from a passerby bike and met us at station.
It is always a preferred option to have food/ Lunch at
Lonavala than Malavli as you have more alternatives for food and Transport
here.
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| Lonavala station |
Since it was a Sunday we had a super Non-Veg lunch.
Luckily we had ample time to click some pics at station
waiting for the train.
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| WCM-6 reting at trip shed |
Finally our day ended with Cramped legs, Exhausted body but
refreshed Mind and soul.
See you again….
Jai Maharashtra.
Aapla- Sumya
