Kalsubai trek

I had recently been to Kalsubai, the highest peak in Sahyadris. Was a great trek in all. Will soon be writing a detail travelogue of the same. For the time being, here are few snaps from the trek. Many more snaps have been uploaded to my picasa album.

Snaps from Vasai Visit

Here are few snaps from my visit to Vasai fort. Hoping for your comments.

Will be back

I know this blog is awaiting my travelogues very badly. Let me assure you, I will be back very soon. Very very soon..!!!

Greetings from the land of Marwad: 2

Day 3: August 1
We were close to Jodhpur station as I said hi to the beautiful day. It was 6:30 AM when the train touched platform No. 3 at Jodhpur station. Right in time. The beautiful architecture of the Railway stations gives a perfect impression of what the city is about. Beauty, royalty and hugeness. And the city doesn't let you down at any moment.

The tourist guides and rickshaw hawkers will approach you as soon as you exit the gate. And they won't leave you easily.. Looking for a good place to stay is not much difficult in the city, being a famous tourist spot. We didn't had a night halt plan so any normal lodge was ok for us. We stayed at a place called Sinla Haveli. The person seemed to have converted his haveli into a small lodge. Nice place to stay.

After freshing up, we left for the place called Masuriya (Snaps awaited). This is a religious place and is considered to be the samadhi of sage Balinath, the guru of Baba Ramdeoji. All through the way to Masuriya, we were having a fantastic view of the Mehrangarh fort. (Refer the image above) The sahyadri forts must be looking like this once upon a time, I was wondering.
The Masuriya is actually a cave carved out of giant massive rock. There is one temple of Baba Ramdeoji and Balinathji. The view from the top of the place is just awesome. I sould not go to the top of the rock as they have jammed the way using a gate and glasses.

After this place, we got back to the hotel. Within an hour, we were ready fo out further journey to Ramdeora, our actual destination. There are three ways to go to Ramdeora from Jodhpur. Train, Governement buses an private buses. We decided to take the private bus cause they have good frequency and speed. We left Jodhpur by 1:30 PM.
The journey to Ramdeora was great. I had taken up the window seat and was just looking out of the window all through the way. The journey passed through the desert of Rajasthan and I was enjoying taste of sand with the wind flowing. And I was enjoying. Cause it had the essense and fragrance of my land, Marwad.

The "Rani ki Smadhi" en route to Ramdevra is a beautiful example of Rajasthan architecture. This small but fascinating spot is considered to be tomb of some queen. I could notfind out much information about the same but it must be a tomb of some queens from the Tanwar family which ruled at Pokhran. I will check out for more info ext time I will be at the place.

We reached Ramdeora at around 5 PM. There are lot of Dharmashalas (small lodge kind places, run by trusts). They are cheap and provide very good facilities. Also there are few lodges newly constructed. After getting fresh at the Dharmashala, we left for a visit to the Ramdevji temple. This was the main reason we were to Rajasthan. So I could not just wait much.

Situated about 12 kms. to the north of Pokhran (Jaisalmer), the village of Ramdevra known after Baba Ramdev, a Tanwar Rajput and a Saint who took Samadhi (conscious exit from the mortal body) in 1458 A.D. He had miraculous powers and his fame reached far and wide. Legend goes that five pirs from Mecca came here to test his power and after being convinced, paid their homage to him. Since then he is venerated by Muslims also as Ram Shah Pir. The Hindus regard him as an incarnation of Lord Krishna. There is large number of followers of this god, Spread across whole Rajasthan, Gujrat and many other parts of the country.

After having Darshan at the temple, we just wandered a little in the market, had our dinner and got back to our halting place for a deep sleep. Looking forward to the next day.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Greeting from the land of Marwad - 1

I was on a tour of Rajasthan for one week. Here I will be putting up about my travelling and the places I had been to.

Day 1: July 30
Left for Jalna at morning 6:30. It was 1st Birthday of my sweet cute niece Netal. So just attended the birthday party. We were supposed to move further to Mumbai from here where we would catch train for Jodhpur.
Left for Mumbai at 2300 hours IST by Latur-Mumbai CST Latur Express.. In short nothing much to be written about in the day.

Day 2: July 31
Reached at Dadar at 7:00 AM. Took up a taxi and reached Bandra Terminus, we were to take up train to Jodhpur from here. I would recommend take up a local to Bandra from Dadar. The terminus is just 1.3km away from the Local train station. Or even better, alight at Khar road which is 0.4km away from the terminus.
The station is very clean and well maintained. So getting fresh here was no problem at all. After getting fresh at the waiting hall of Bandra Terminus, we planned to wander a little. Went to my new college (CIMR) and my new hostel. Wanted to show the places to my mom. he was happy and satisfied with the places I'm gonna study and live at.
After getting back to the terminus, we straight away went to our train and rested in the boggie through which we were supposed to travel. The train we had taken up was "Bandra Terminus - Jodhpur Suryanagri Express". Very fast and comfortable train. It stops at Borivali, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmadabad, Abu Road, Palampur, Marwad, Pali, Loni, Rani and Jodhpur. So you can see, very selective stations. I will recommend this train to those traveling to Rajasthan.

The train left Bandra at its scheduled time, 01:30 AM and was running on time throughout. Enjoying food at various stations, we were traveling through the route, looking forward to reach Jodhpur at 6:30 AM next day.
I will specially recommend the Rabdi at Abu Road station. Its very delicious.
At 9:30 PM, I was in my bed, looking forward to next morning.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Through the Bhor Ghat

I was at Mumbai yesterday for some work. Travelling through the beautiful valleys of the Khandala and spectacular water falls, looking at the magnificent Duke’s nose is one thing I love this journey for.
You won’t observe anything until you enter the first tunnel on the route. And as soon as the train comes out of the first tunnel, the stunning view will leave you speechless. All you can do is enjoy the beauty of nature. The magnificent Duke’s Nose keeps staring at you while you enjoy the view of green and dense valleys and the water flow falling down in the valleys.. The train keeps going through numerous tunnels. And at the end of each tunnel, there is one surprise for you.. Don’t miss an opportunity to travel through train on this route. And if you have some extra time, then go by a slower train that gives you more time to enjoy this nature.
Another way of enjoying this beauty of Bhor Ghat will be travelling by car or bus through the Pune – Mumbai Express way. This way provides a bigger view of the nature as it passes through various hills of the region. The number of water falls you can observe through this way are just countless.

The express highway will also provide you a nice view of forts like Lohagad, Visapur, Tung, Tikona, Rajmachi and Korigad at few places. But the most spectacular is undoubtedly the Duke’s Nose.

Bhor was a pricely state 100 Kms south of this Ghat. This was one of the 3 main ghats developed by Satvahana to move the goods from the merchant ships from Mesopotemia, Syria & Egypt to Paithan their capital. The port of Karanja & Rajapuri was connected to this ghat. There are buddhist caves right from these ports to Paithan in form of a chain. similar to Motels of Today. The other 2 Ghats were Thal and Nane. When the Brits came on the scene they converted the original Bor Ghat in to the railway Track. starting at Palasdari. A separate motor track was created from Khopoli. which is still in use.
These days the Express Highway is used more widely due to the less time to travel and faster and more convenient driving.

Biggest Photography Exhibition Ever

Mark your date 28th Jun to 1st Jul @ Pune - Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, Near Neharu stadium.
While Maharashtra celebrates 334th anniversary of coronation of their respected idol, King Shivaji on June 28 th, Rajashivaji.com will attempt to get into ‘Guinness World Records’ for the largest photo exhibition in the world on single theme ‘Forts of King Shivaji’, making billions of his admirers feel proud on the auspicious occasion of coronation anniversary.

“This would be the largest photo exhibition in the world on single theme ‘Forts of King Shivaji’, where 40000 (Forty Thousand) photographs of over 250 forts related to King Shivaji would be exhibited at an exhibition”.
“This is also an attempt to get worldwide recognition on an official platform, by virtue of which getting cognizance of world towards the charismatic persona of King Shivaji”.

RajaShivaji.com has a stock of over 1,50,000 digital photographs of various forts related to King Shivaji,out of which only 40,000 photographs will be displayed as per the norms of ‘Guinness World Records’.
The exhibition is being organized at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, between June 28th & July 1st, which would be formally inaugurated on June 28 th at the hands of Shivshahir Babasahed Purandare and in the presence of MNS Chief Raj Thackarey.

The earlier record in this category was set by HP Company in UK in 2005, where over 33670 photographs of smiling individuals were displayed on the theme ‘Smiling Faces of UK’. While HP record raised from photo donation of people in UK. However, in our case a single & dedicated team of photographers working on the RajaShivaji.com project has clicked all the photos with superior in size of the photos and the no. of photo.

This exhibition would also act as a facilitator in creating awareness about the protection and conservation of these forts, which are the symbols of OUR national pride.

You all are requested to attend this function and make it most successful event.

Dont forget..Catch this event....pay tribute to Shivaji raje..

The monsoon Trekking

The monsoon is here. And what can be better way to enjoy the monsoon than trekking? There are lot of choices for a monsoon trek. Here I will be sharing few of them.
The start of monsoon season has to be with "Katraj to Sinhagad" trek. (30 July is Enduro. Don't miss it.) Tikona is a fantastic option for enjoying the magnificent view of Pavana lake and the mawal ranges after rains. (This is the area where Amitabh Bacchan and Aamir Khan are planning to build their farmhouses).
Rohida is one place which provides spectacular view of Bhatghar dam with the rains pouring in from all sides. Rajgad will be one wild choice for enjoying the best of the monsoon Flora and Fauna. (You have to be aware of capricorns though). Raigad had always been perfect choice of monsoon trek. You will also get to enjoy the "Konkan Rains" in this trek.
Harishchandragad is a choice if you wanna enjoy countless water falls of Sahyadri. A further bike ride to Kalyan via Malshej Ghat will be one experience you are gonna share with your generations to come..
Panhala to Vishalgad is one of the wild treks you will prefer for monsoon. The 3 day trek passing via dense forests full of thousands of colorful birds and few wild animals is gonna be one of your most memorable experience. However, this trek should not be tried by a group of leass than 10.
Bhimashankar is a good option if you are a group of 20+ people. The area is full of wild animals including striped tigers. And monsoon is normally mating season of these animals. So you have to take care cause animals are kinda violent this time.
Korigad near Lonawala is an easy but beautiful trek for monsoon. Kothligad near Karjat is one medium difficulty trek. But being at the natural caves at the top of fort is one thing you will remember for sure.
Sudhagad near Pali is one of the most beautiful spots in monsoons. However, snakes can be a caution in the area. Also the route is some places very risky in rains.
Ratangad near Bhandardara is like a jewel true to its name. The Amruteshwar temple and nearby Randha falls are worth a look and thousand memories.


Above all these options, there is one special trek which is considered as the true enjoyment of monsoon. The 7 day Lonawal to Bhimashankar trek passing through the dense forests, hundreds of waterfalls, tens of hills and water streams, ups and downs along the Sahyadri ranges is definitely the best one monsoon can provide.


For any more information, my phone number is 9890774748. Or you can drop me a mail at trek@dineshsoni.com

Happy Trekking.. :)

Forts in Maharashtra

In the past, I had put up a list of 101 trekking spots in Sahyadri. In continuation of the same, here is a list of all 448 forts in Maharashtra. It includes hill forts, land forts and sea forts.

Aad
Abhasgad
Achala
Achalpur (Ellichpur)
Adas
Adgaum (Argaon)
Agashi
Ahmadnagar
Ahiwant (Sarp/Serpant)
Ajare
Akeri
Akhrani
Akluz
Akola (Asagad/Asadgad)
Alang
Alibag (Hirakot)
Amalner
Ambagadh
Ambi Khurd
Ambolgad
Amner (Jilpi)
Andhalgaum
Anjaneri
Anjanvel (Gopalgad)
Ankai
Antur
Arnala
Asava (Ashagad/Asavagad)
Asheri
Assaye
Aundh
Aundha (Avandha)
Ausa (Amarpur/Ambarapur)
Avachtigad (Medha)
Avandha (Aundha)
Avre
Badanera
Bagni
Bahadurwadi
Bahem
Bahiravgad (Bhai Ramgad/Bairamgad/Saramja)
Bahirgad
Bahula
Baitulawadi (Vetalwadi / Baitalwadi)
Balapur
Ballalgad
Ballalpur
Balwantgad
Bande
Bankot (Fort Victoria / Himmatgad)
Baramati
Basgad
Bavda (Gagangad)
Bavdhan
Belapur
Betavad
Bhagwantgad
Bhairavgad (Bhairamgad)
Bahiravgad (Bhairavgad)
Bhairavgad
Bhairavgad
Bhairavgad
Bhamer
Bhamragad
Bhana Hivra
Bhandara (Behnor)
Bhandargad
Bhandargad
Bharatgad
Bhaskargad (Basgad)
Bhavangad
Bhavangad
Bhimgad
Bhivagad (Gaurkamat)
Bhopalgad
Bhorgad
Bhudargad (Bhujbal)
Bhupalgad
Bhupatgad (Bhopatgad)
Bhushangad
Birwadi
Bitangad
Bodvad
Bombay
Borale
Borgaum
Bhorgiri
Chakan (Islamabad / Sangramgad / Vikramgad)
Chambhargad
Chandan
Chanderi
Chandgad
Chandgad
Chandpur
Chandragad
Chandrapur (Gonddurg / Chanderi / Chanda)
Chandvad (Chanderi / Chandor)
Chatale
Chaul (Agarkot / Palm Garden)
Chauler (Tilwan)
Chaugaum
Chavand (Jund / Prassanagad)
Chimur
Chinchgad
Chinchani
Chopda (Mustafabad)
Dabhol
Dahanu
Danda
Danda Rajpuri
Danda Rajapur
Dategad (Sudergad / Ghera Dategad)
Dativre
Daulatmangal (Bhuleshwar)
Dehra (Bhorgad/Rajdehr)
Deogiri (Daulatabad)
Deoli
Dermal
Devgad
Devgad
Devrukh
Dhadgaum
Dhak (Bahiri)
Dhamnya
Dhangad (Gahangad)
Dharavi (Kala Killa)
Dharni
Dharur (Fatahabad)
Dhodap
Dhule (Devpur)
Dindu
Dondwada
Dronagiri (Karanja)
Drug
Dudmal
Dusana
Ekadara
Elephanta (Gharapuri)
Fatehkheda
Fattegad
Gadahinglaj
Gagangad
Galna (Kelna)
Gambhirgad
Gandharvagad
Ganeshdurg
Gawilgad
Ghanora
Ghargad (Dhargad)
Ghodbandar
Ghosalgad (Ghosale)
Gorakhgad
Gorakhgad
Govagad
Gumtara
Gunwantgad (Morgiri)
Hadsar (Parvatgad)
Hanumangad (Manchigad/Bijarnigad)
Hanumangad
Hargad
Harihargad
Harishchandragad
Harshgad (Harishgad)
Hatgad
Helvak
Hindola
Hingana
Indragad
Indrai (Indragad)
Indori
Jaigad
Jalna
Jallalkheda
Jamba
Jamgaum
Jamner
Jangli Jaygad
Janjira (Mehar-ruba/Mehar-rusa)
Jawlya
Jivdhan
Jivdhan
Jintur
Junnar
Juna Panhala
Kachan
Kada
Kagal
Kailashgad
Kajagad (Lokhandi Killa)
Kaldurg
Kalam (Kalamb/Kolambi)
Kalanidhigad
Kalyan (Durgadi)
Kamalgad
Kamandurg
Kamsagad (Padamdurg)
Kamtekot
Kamtha
Kanchana
Kankrala (Kankadi)
Kanhergad (Kanhira)
Kanheri (Kanhera/Kanherigad)
Kankadri (Kantra/Kandas)
Kanakdurg
Kandhar
Kangori (aka Mangalgad)
Kanvai
Kanhera
Karad
Karanja
Karhe
Karmala
Karanala
Katol
Katragad
Kaula Killa
Kauthe
Kayar
Kelapur
Kelve
Kenjalgad (Kelanja)
Khanapur
Khandaragad
Khanderi
Kharda
Khare Patan
Khatgad
Khatoda
Khubladha (Thal)
Khatale (Pethkodhala)
Kittal
Kohaj (Komj/Konagad)
Kokan Diva
Koldher (Kolther)
Kole (Kale/Koldurg)
Koparli (Ranala)
Korlai
Kothilgad (Peth)
Kudal
Kulaba (Alibag)
Kulang (Chota Kulang)
Kumwarigad (Koraigad)
Kunjalgad
Kurdugad (Vitangad/Bishramgad)
Laling
Lasalgaum
Lasur
Lingana
Lohagad
Loni Bhapkar
Machal
Machindragad
Madangad
Madgad
Madha
Madhala Buruz
Mahadevgad
Mahim
Mahim
Mahimangad (Mahimandangad)
Mahimangad
Mahimangad (Maimangad/Mahimantgad)
Mahipalgad
Mahipatgad
Makarandgad
Mahuli
Mahur
Malkapur
Malanggad
Malavdi
Malegaum
Malhargad (Soneri)
Manaranjan (Rajamachi)
Manaranjan
Manasantoshgad
Manchur
Mandangad
Mangad (Mastiwade/Vinsai)
Mangalgad
Mangalvedha
Mangi
Manikgad (Gadchandur)
Manikgad
Manikpunj
Manohargad
Manor
Markandya (Mayurkhandi)
Masur
Mathane
Mathan (Malchan)
Mazgaum
Medad
Mesna
Miraj (Murtazabad)
Mohangad (Jasalodgad)
Mohol
Moragad
Moragad
Mulher (Auranggad/Hargad/Mayurgad/Morgad)
Murtazapur
Nagardhan
Naladurg
Naladurg (Miragad)
Nanded
Nandgiri (Kalyangad)
Nandos
Nandurbar
Narnala (Taliagad)
Narnala (Shahanur)
Narayangad
Narayangad
Narkher
Nashratpur
Nhavi Killa (Ratangad)
Nivati
Nimgiri
Pabar
Padar
Padargad
Padamgad (Padmagad/Padmadurg)
Pal
Palgad
Palshi
Pan Buruz
Pandavgad
Pargad
Parkot
Parinda
Parola
Parsik
Partabgad
Parwadi
Patheri
Patta (aka Vishramgad)
Pauni
Pavangad
Peb (Vikatgad)
Pedagaum (Bahadurgad)
Pemgiri (Shahagad)
Pedka
Phardapur
Phonda
Phutaka Buruz
Pimpalner
Pisol (Dighve)
Prabalgad
Prachitgad (Uchitgad)
Prachitgad
Pratapgad
Purandar
Purnagad
Raigad (Rairi/Islamabad/Islamgad/Shivtirth)
Raipur (Rajkot)
Rajapur
Rajangaum
Rajdehar
Rajdher
Rajgad (Shahanbigad)
Rajgoli
Rajkot
Rajura
Ramgad
Ramgad
Ramsej (Ramsejgad)
Ramtek
Rangana (Prassidhagad)
Randhiv
Rasalgad
Ratangad
Ratangad
Ratnagiri (Ramdurg)
Raver (Rasalpur)
Rawlya
Revdanda
Rohida (Vichitragad)
Rohilgad
Sadashivgad
Sagargad (Kheldurg/Khaladurg)
Saitonda (Sutanda)
Sajjangad (Navarastara/Parali)
Sakri
Salher (Salir/Saler)
Salota
Samangad
Samkshi (Badrud-din)
Sangli
Sanjan
Santoshgad (Thatvade/Thatoli)
Sarasgad (Aminabad/Pali)
Sarjekot
Satara (Azimtara/Ajinkyatara/Azamgarh)
Sathavli
Savda
Sawantwadi
Sawargaum
Sewri
Shahada
Shahagad (Bhimgad)
Shegwa
Shirgaum
Shirpur
Shirval (Subhamangalgad)
Shivgad
Shivaneri
Shrivardhan (Rajamachi)
Shrivardhan
Shrimangalgad (Haji Malang)
Sidhagad (Bakshidabaksh)
Sidgad
Sindhkhedraja
Sindhudurg
Sinhgad (Kondana/Bakshidabax)
Sindola
Sironcha
Sitabaldi
Solapur
Songad
Sonegaum
Songir
Songiri (Songir?)
Sumargad
Surgad (Ghera Surgad)
Surjagad
Suvarnadurg (Harnai)
Sudhagadh (Bhorap)
Takmak
Talegad
Taloda
Tambhurni
Tambolya
Tamkicha Buruz
Tandulwadi
Tankai
Tarapur
Tarkhed
Telbaila
Tembhurni
Thalner
Thane (Hirakot)
Tipagad
Tikona (Vitangad)
Toranmal
Torna (Prachandagad/Khutublai)
Trimbak (Brahmagad(giri)/Shrigad)
Tringalwadi
Tung (Khatingad)
Tungar
Tungi
Tungi
Udgir
Umbargaum
Umred
Underi (Jaidurg)
Usrani
Vaghera
Vairatgad
Vaishakhgad
Vandan
Varangaum
Vardhangad
Varugad
Vasai (Bassein/Bajipur)
Vasantgad (Khild-i-Fateh)
Vasota (Vajragad/Vyagrahgad)
Vazirgad
Vengurla
Versova
Vetalgad
Vijaydurg (Gheria)
Vijaygad
Vikhara
Vilashgad
Vinchur
Virthan
Visapur
Vishalgad (Satkarlana/Khelna)
Vishalgad (Jinkhed)
Wadgaum
Wadgaum Madhe
Wadgaum Nimbalkar
Wairagad
Wajragad (Rudramal)
Wathar
Worli
Yadwan
Yaval
Yeshwantgad
Yeshwantgad (Reddi)

Tikona: My favorite trekking spot

It has been long since I had been to any trek. These days I'm missing the treks, the Sahyadris, the magnificient forts and the beautiful nature. When I think of treks, first fort that comes to my mind is Tikona. So here is some information about this favorite place of mine.

The mountains on Deccan plateau in the vicinity of Bor Ghat have many ancient caves like Karle, Bhaje, Bedse, Bhandara and Shelarwadi. The forts of Lohgad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona were built in order to defend these caves. This region also has a number of Ghat-routes connecting the ports on the western coast to the cities located on the Deccan plateau. These forts served as protectors of these important trade routes of ancient India. As the caves found in this area belong to the Buddhist and Heenyana era, it is believed that these forts must have been built around 800 to 1000 AD.

Fascinating Spots:
The whole fort can be seen in an hour's time, as the area is not so wide. Turn left after passing the entrance. In a short while a cistern and cave can be seen. About 10 to 15 persons can be accommodated in this cave. However, it is not suitable for a stay during monsoon. The path going uphill adjacent to the cave takes us to the entrance to the bastion. The steps in this stretch are a bit tiring. One can see cisterns on the right and fortification on the left after passing through the entrance. After taking a few steps straight ahead, a trail climbs down on our right. Here too are a few cisterns. Return back and join the main path, which takes us to a stretch of broken steps. A climb uphill brings us to a Mahadev temple, behind which is a big moat. Circumventing this moat takes us to the flag-post. From the bastion one can have a view of adjacent fort Tung, Lohgad, Visapur, Bhatrashi hill, Morse hill, Jambhuli hill, Pauna region and Fagne dam. Thus, the whole of Mawal region is visible from fort Tikona.

How to reach:

The main route to the fort is from the village of Tikona Peth. To reach this village, alight at Kamshet, which is two stops ahead of Lonavala on the Mumbai- Pune rail route. From Kamshet railway station, take a bus / shared private vehicle (jeep) to Kale colony. One can also get a vehicle to reach Tikona Peth from Kale colony.
A bus at 08:30 a.m. at Kamshet bound for Paund or Morsay is convenient for reaching Tikona Peth. From Tikona Peth the fort can be reached in about 45 minutes. This straight route is quite simple and not at all tiring. After passing through the entrance door, a path leads towards left and takes us to the citadel in about 20 minutes.

माझी भटकंती

भटकंती. हा शब्द तसा पूर्वीपासूनच परिचयाचा. मात्र हा शब्द माझ्या आयुष्याचा भाग बनून जाईल असे कधी वाटले नव्हते. माझ्या भटक्या आयुष्याची सुरूवात झाली मझ्या अभियांत्रीकीच्या तीसर्या वर्षी. तसं तर मी सुरूवात पेब या थोड्या कठिण गडापासून केली. मात्र खर्या अर्थाने मला आवड निर्माण झाली ती लोहगड या गडापासून. तत्पूर्वी सरसगड या गडाला पाहून मला चढायची इच्छा झाली होती. त्याबद्दल पुढे बोलेनच.
आजवर मी भेट दिलेल्या गडांविषयी थोडेसे सांगण्याचा हा प्रयत्न.

लोणावळ्याजवळ असणारा लोहगड पूर्वीपासून बोरघाटाचा रक्षक म्हणून कार्यरत होता. विंचू काटा ही नैसर्गिक माची, अभेद्य तटबंदी ही या गडाची वैशिष्ट्ये.. हा गड पुणे - मुंबई महामार्गावरून हमखास नजरेस पडतो.


लगतचा विसापूर किल्ला हा त्याच्या अखंड तटबंदीमूळे प्रसिद्ध आहे. मळवली स्थानकावरून समोर लोहगड नजरेस येतो. पण डोंगरामागे लपलेला विसापूर मात्र भजे गावात गेल्यावरच दिसून येतो. पूर्वीपासून दुर्लक्षित असा हा किल्ला इतिहासात फारसे स्थान मिळवू शकला नाही.


तिकोना हा गड प्रथमच trekking च्या उद्देशाने चढलो. हा छोटेखानी किल्ला तुंगच्या जोडीने पूर्वी checkpost प्रमाणे वापरला जायचा. हा गड नंतर प्रत्येक ऋतूत आणि दिवसाच्या प्रत्येक वेळी मी केला आहे. या गडावरून दिसनारे सौंदर्य अगदीच अवर्णनीय आहे. समोर पसरलेला पवना जलाशय आणि उत्तुंग असा तुंग ही जोडी सौंदर्याची अगदी लयलूट करते.


शेजारचा तुंग देखील मी एकदा चढलेलो आहे. इथून दिसणारी लोहगड-विसापूरची जोडगोळी व त्यांचे सौंदर्य शब्दात वर्णन करणे केवळ अशक्य. किल्ल्याच्या नावावरून असे वाटते की हा गड चढायला खूप अवघड असेल. मात्र असे नाही आहे. हा छोटासा गड दोन तासात चढून व पाहुन होतो.


सुधागड हे भोर संस्थानचे वैभव. भोराईदेवीचे स्थान असल्यामुळे या गडाला भोरपगड असेही म्हटले जाते. झाडांमध्ये वसलेल्या या गडाचा विस्तार प्रचंड आहे. त्याचप्रमाणे गडावर होणारी निसर्गाची मुक्त उधळन ही एकदातरी अनुभवायलाच हवी. या गडाची तटबंदी आजही बर्याच प्रमाणात शाबूत आहे.


विद्येची देवता असलेल्या गणेशाच्या पाली या गावाला लागूनच उभ्या असलेल्या सरसगड या गडाला पाहून मला सर्वप्रथम trekking ची इच्छा झाली. पाली गावच्या दक्षिणोत्तर दिशेला या गडाची नैसर्गिक भिंत उभी आहे. या गडाचा वापर मुख्यत्वे टेहाळणीकरिता केला जात असे.


"गडांचा राजा व राजांचा गड" असा उल्लेख राजगड या गडाविषयी केला जातो. बुलंद, बेलाग व बळ्कट राजगड आजही आपल्या हिंदुस्वराज्याची ग्वाही देत उभा आहे. पुण्यापासून ४८ किमी अंतरावर नीरा - वेळवंडी - कानंदी - गुंजवणी नद्यांच्या खो~याच्या बेचक्यात मुरूंबदेवाच्या डोंगरावर हा गड उभा आहे. हिंदवी स्वराज्याची पहिली राजधानी असलेल्या या गडाने तब्बल २३ वर्षे हा मान बाळगला. तीन नैसर्गिक माच्या व कठिण बालेकिल्ला यामुळेच हा गड बेलाग आहे.


माथेरानसारख्या गर्दीच्या ठिकाणाहून थोडे बाजूला असलेला पेब हा सूंदर गड निसर्ग्प्रेमींसाठी नक्कीच एक सुखद बदल आहे. इथे असणारी नैसर्गिक गुहा तसेच गुहेसमोरचे द्रुश्य हे शब्दांत वर्णने अवघड आहे. गड चढताना जंगल मात्र थोडेसे घनदाट आहे. वरून दिसणारे सुर्योदय व सुर्यास्त मी कधीच विसरनार नाही.


रायगड ही छत्रपतींची राजधानी. महाडपासून २५ किमीवर असणारा हा गड विस्ताराने बराच मोठा आहे. व चांगल्या प्रकारे जतनदेखील केला गेलेला आहे. याच गडावर छत्रपतींची समाधीदेखील आहे. इथून चहूबाजूंना दिसनारे सह्याद्रीचे अक्राळ-विक्राळ रूप पाहून हबकून जायला होते. छत्रपतींच्या पावन स्पर्शामूळे या गडास एका देवस्थानाचा दर्जा आहे.


पुण्यापासून ३० किमी अंतरावर असणारा सिंहगड हा दुरदर्शनच्या मनो~यामुळे चटकन लक्षात येतो. या गडावर घडलेला तानाजी मालुसरेचा इतिहास ऐकून गहिवरून येते. आज मात्र हा गड अगदी विषन्न अवस्थेत आप्ल्या शेवट्च्या घटका मोजत आहे.


महाराष्ट्रातील सर्व किल्ल्यामध्ये सर्वात शेवटी बांधलेला किल्ला म्हणजे मल्हारगड. पुण्यापासून जवळच असणारा हा किल्ला साधारनतः त्रिकॊणी असून आतील बालेकिल्ल्यास चौकोनी आकाराचा तट आहे. तटबंदी व बुरूजाची काही प्रमाणात पडझड झाली असली तरी ब~याच प्रमाणात ती शाबूत आहे. जवळच असणा~या सोनोरी गावामुळे या गडाला 'सोनोरी' असेही म्हटले जाते.


कोयना नदीच्या खो~यात घनदाट वनराजींमध्ये लपलेले दुर्गरत्न म्हणजे वासोटा. वाघांच्या सानिध्यामुळे या गडाला व्याघ्रघड असेही म्हटले जाते. या गडावरून दिसणारे कोयना पाणलोट क्षेत्राचे सौंदर्य अगदी अवर्णनीय आहे. तसेच नव्या व जुन्या वासोट्याच्या मध्ये असणार्या बाबुकडा या कडेवरून येणारा प्रतिध्वनी अनुभवायलाच हवा.


एखाद्या गडाचा किती विविध प्रकारे अभ्यास करता येतो याचा उत्तम नमुना म्हणजे हरिश्चंद्रगड. या गडाचा इतिहास कुतुहलजनक तर भूगोल विस्मयजनक आहे. कोकणगडा हा या गडाचा सर्वात विस्मयजनक भाग. १.४ किमी उंच व १.४ किमी त्रिज्या असणारा हा अंतर्वक्र कडा हा कोकणातून वाहणा~या वा~यामुळे तयार झालेला आहे. इथे उभे राहून भन्नाट वा~याचा अनुभव घेतल्यानंतर हा आयुष्यातला सर्वोच्च बिंदू वाटेल.


भोरपासून अगदी जवळ असलेला रोहिडा हा छोटासा किल्ला २ तासांत पाहून होतो. गडावरून दिसणारे राजगड व येसाजी कंक तलावाचे मनोहारी दर्शन मनाला आनंद देऊन जाते.




छत्रपतींचे जन्मस्थान असलेला शिवनेरी हा किल्ला चढायला अगदी सोपा आहे. ऐतिहासिक द्रुष्ट्या महत्त्वाचा असल्याकारणाने हा सुंदर किल्ला ब~याच प्रमाणात संरक्षित केलेला आहे. जुन्नर शहरात प्रवेश करताच हा किल्ला दिसू लागतो. अशा या सुंदर गडाचा सहवास मात्र मला अगदी अल्प वेळ लाभला.

या प्रत्येक ठिकाणाबद्दल मी पुढे विस्ताराने लिहिणारच आहे. अपेक्षा आहे आपल्याला आवडेल. आपल्या प्रतिक्रीयांच्या प्रतिक्षेत...