Mangalgad (Kangorigad) Fort trek Nov_2020

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About the Fort : Mamagalgad also known as Kangorigad. There is a temple of Kangorimata (Goddess) on the fort. It is one of the important fort in Konkan near Raigad fort in Maharashtra state. 

How to Reach : It is about 130 km from Pune with aout 4 hours journey. 

Pune-Bhor- Varandha Ghat - Varandha Village- Dhalkathi Village Birwadi - take left turn - after 14 km you will reach base village Gogawale wadi.

In case inquiry say Kangori gad rather Mangalgad. It is known popularly Kangorigad. 

I visited with my Trekking Paltan Group Pune in Nov 2020. We left by car from Pune at 7am and reached Varandha ghat at 9:30am. We spent one hour for breakfast and photo session. Then we we started journey at 10:30an and reached at Gogawalewadi about 11:30.

Monkey Friends - keep safe distance, don't feed them 

 
Breakfast at Waghjai mata at Varandha ghat

Trekking Paltan Group Pune

Shrirang Gorse, Kumar Khunte, Shubham Mahajan, Vilas Karpe, Suresh Isave (Me)

Gogawale wadi - Bus stop 

Gogawalewadi village 

Gogawalewadi village - Parking 

Parking :  Open and free parking place available at the base village Gogawalewadi. I have marked the parking and trek start point on the Google map.

Food and Stay  : Home made food available in the Gogawalewadi village on pre-order basis. No food and water available on the fort. So carry food and water required. There are small stores near parking for water bottles and packet foods.  

About the Trek : Full trek from base to Kangori mata Temple is about 2 to 2.30 hours. We started at 12 pm and reached 2:30 pm on the top. 

The trek route -side view 

The trek route - Top view 

The trek route - 3D view 

Click on the video to see full video which will help you to visualize full trek. The commentary is in Marathi. Even if you do not understand Marathi, still visuals are self explanatory. 

Instructions for visitors 

Way to start trek - started 12:00 pm

Trek route - keep in mind

Initially it is simple and mild slope. There is clear trail there.

It is always humid in Konkan area. so taking rest and drinking little water is essential. 

First look of the fort

Be careful in the dense forest and grass

Slippery Grass 

When hike begins grass height even increases. It is very risky and slippery in rainy days. Grass makes some knots on the trails that creates lock on the route which can cause you to fall down. So take care of every step in grass. 

 After 40/50 minutes hike we reach on the 'Machi' portion from where wonderful panoramic view of Sahyadri can be seen.

View of Sahyadri Ranges - Mohangad 

From this point take left to the fort visible like image bellow 

Follow the left side trail shown in the image. See the entry. 

See the height of the grass 

on the edge of deep valley 

Entry for the 'Darwaja' with sudden hike.

Way to main Darwaja (Entry)

At the entry gate of the fort. 

After the gate we reach on the fort in 5 mins. we reach on the fort. Take the left side, we can see the Kangori Mata temple. 

On the Top 2:30 pm

There are many water tanks on the way. 

Kangori Mata Temple

Inside the temple

Behind the temple

Around the fort

Base visible from the fort

Lunch time

After Lunch and rest we started return journey. As per our mission we collected plastic waste thrown by other visitors on the full trek.  

Descending starts 

Returning 

Deep valley, be careful 

Surprising Host

collecting Plastic garbage 

Trekking Paltan Pune -Vilas Karpe, Shrirnag Gorse, Kumar Khunte, Shubham Mahajan

Cleanliness 

Vilas Karpe, Kumar Khunte, Shrirnag Gorse and Shubham Mahajan

Suresh Isave(me), Kumar Khunte, Shrirnag Gorse and Shubham Mahajan

Back to the base

At Gogawalewadi 

Descending started at 3:30 pm and  Reached 5:00 pm

Our Itinerary - 08/11/2020

7:00am - Journey starts from Pune

9:30 - 10:30  Breakfast stop at Varandha ghat

10:30 - 11:30 - Journey to Base Gogawalewadi

12:00 - Ascending

2:30 - Top

2:30 - 3:30 - Lunch & Exploration 

3:30 - Descending 

5:00 - Base

5:15 - Retune Journey 

6:15 - Tea break at Varandha ghat

9:30 - Pune