Summer trek to the Iron Fort- Lohagad, Malavli

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.

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.

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.

deserted Malavli station

Group photo

pic wahi.. location nayi

seems like Kaante film k heroes

 After walking for some 20 minutes we had our breakfast and continued our journey.

anna Jevayla.. jevaylaa.....

To the left lies Karla caves, a complex of shrines built by Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century B.C

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.

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.

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.

new route

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.

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.

aamche Raje... _/\_

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.

Ancestral family ....hahahaha

We were enjoying the cool breeze and kept walking and doing photography.

Visapur Fort - Parallel view

Clicked some nice photographs at every entrance admiring the structures and ideology behind making such structures.

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.

enroute- Vinchukata

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.

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.

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