Vandangad Fort Trek Aug_2019

Vandangad is one of the famous fort near Satara city. It is usually named as its pairing fort Chandan i.e. Chandan-Vandan. There is lot confusion about the identity of the fort among local people, trekkers, websites even on Google map. 

How to identify Chandangad - There is a temple of Chandaneshwar and a banyan tree on Chandangad. 

How to identify Vandangad - There is Kalubai temple, Dhanyakothar and Masjid on the fort.

How to Reach From Pune :

It is about 95 km from Pune. Pune-Satara highway- Shirwal -Khambatki Ghat- Surur- Bhuinj- Leave the highway-Take left turn to Karkhana road- Kisanveer Sugar Factory-take left for Kikali Village-Kikali-Warachi Belmachi-Park vehicle.

The road is in good condition, even good for bus and cars. So approx. 2 hours will be required to reach the base village.  

trek route from 'Warachi Belmachi'

Parking - Find open place for the parking in the village warachi Belmachi. Ask local people then park only because there is no official parking.

Food and Water : Small shops are there in Warchi Belmachi to purchase water and snacks. Carry food and water with you because those are not available on the trek or fort.

About the Trek : The trek is easy. Its good for family, kids and senior citizens too. It takes almost 1 hour to reach at the main entrance 'Darwaja' and 90 mins. to reach on the fort i.e. 'Ballekilla'

This trek is not so popular so difficult to find clear trail to follow. Keep eyes on valley between two forts and waterfall path. 

Trek start point form the base village 'Warachi Belmachi'

In summer bikes can be reached up to the temple. 

Chandangad is on left side at the trail. After reaching on the top in the valley of both forts take right for Vandangad. After 60 mins trek from base you will be on the entrance of the fort. This is first phase you reach. 

This is Chandangad, take right turn ( U turn) from here.

Belmachi from the trek route

After 60 mins trek we reached at the Darwaja 

Banavadi village side in the  background

From the Darwaja we reach on the top of the fort in 15 minutes.

 

Mahadev Temple

After 20 mins trek you will reach to the Kalubai temple and Masjid. 

What to See : The fort is big, you need at least 90 minutes to explore the forts. Some residuals are found on the fort. Kalubai temple, Mahadev temple, Masjid, Darga, Dhanya kothar (grain storage) etc. are found.

You can see Chandangad, Vairatgad, Satar-Punehighway, Mahabaleshwar ridge, Kaas plateua ridge etc. from the top.

Trekkers - Sandip Jadhav,Sandeep Chaudhari, Pratham Patil(Jr.), Pradeep Patil, Kumar Khunte and Me ( behind camera)

Me

Ramdara Temple Pune Dec_2019

'Ramdara' temple is beautiful temple near Pune. Most of people unknown about the temple. It is situated in the small pond. as the name indicates, it is Lord Ram temple. It is peaceful and spiritual place. It is a kind of remote and isolated from crowdy places, so very pleasant. Good place for family too. 

How to Reach : 

It is near Pune city. It is about 25 km from Swargate-Pune.

Nearest town is Loni-Kalbhor. 

Ramdara is about 15 to 17 km from Hadapsar bus stand. Hadapsar is suburban city of Pune. 

There are two three ways to reach the temple. But other routes are from the urbanized area so lots of traffic there and also you will have to ask on many spots about the direction. To avoid rush and confusion follow the route I recommended. 

I recommend the way from Solapur highway which will take about 40-50 minutes to reach.  From Pune - Hadapsar bus stand (Gadital) - Solapur highway - Loni Kalbhor - take right turn from Aai Jagdamb hotel  - Stay on main road - cross the cannel - cross the railway track - Ramdara temple.

The place is marked on the Google map, so you can reach here comfortably. just inquire whenever you have confusion especially in Loni Kalbhor town.

Google map from Hadapsar to Ramdara 

Temple in the middle of a pond

Entry - There is no entry Fee.

Parking- Parking is free. ample place to park bus, car bikes etc.

Food - There are some restaurants in near the temple. Maharashtrian snack like Vadapaw, Kandabhaji, Pohe etc. available. Also full meal , tea, cold drinks and water are also sold.  

There are many families who bring tiffin and eat in the garden. There is a kind of park developed around the temple.

Rituals : There are religious shops where all 'puja smagri' are available. 

Follow the guidelines to keep the place clean and neat. 

Remember it is a religious place, respect the sentiments and beliefs of the people.  

Eco friendly surrounding 

View of the Temple from different sides

inside the temple 

the park