Saat Ranjan Sept_2020

Saat Ranjan (सात रांजण )

We the Trekking Paltan Pune group visited the place in September 2020

Saat Ranjan is a historical/ Mythological place. The place is known for the residence of Maharshi Valimik, the writer of 'Ramayana'. Saat Ranjan means Big mud pots made to store. 

How to Reach : It is about 60/70 km from Pune city. Pune-Saswad-Jejuri-Valha on Neera road. Valha is the base village for it. Almost 2 hours road journey. Valha is past name of Maharshi Valhmiki i.e. Valhya Koli. 

Best time to visit is Rainy or Winter season. The place is otherwise having dry and hot climatic conditions. 

Parking : You can park vehicles near Police station of Valha village. or any where near road.  

Food : Carry food and water for the trek, because nothing is there on the trail of Saat Ranjan. Food and stay is available at the village Valha. 

About the Trek : The trek is simple. It will take around 40/50 minutes gentle trek. Cross the railway line first after the village. Then you can see the steps to ascend. 

Here is the Saat Ranjan Hill at the left side. 

There is a small temple after 15/20 minutes walk

Proceed to the left side hill

There are many 'Pind' of Lord Shiva. It  looks recent. 

There is plain walk on the plateau 

We saw deer around 

Take left side to go highest pinnacle, then there is hike towards the ridge. 

After 40/50 minutes you will reach on the top of the ridge where you can see a big pot like natural structure of rocks which is known as one of the Ranjan. 

This structure is known as Ranjan. There are no man-made Ranjan here. 

People says there were total 7 pots. Now only one left.

There is nothing much to explore on the top. 

After 20 minutes descend we reached at the base of the hill and had a lunch. 

We meet out friend Hon.Prof. Dr.Dingambar Durgade who is the popular youth icon and political and social leader who has contributed significantly in the development of the village Valha and its Grampanchayat building.

from left- Shivshankar Pandhare, Nitin Kulkarni, Hemant Patil, Dnyaneshwar Arne, Dr.Suresh Isave, Dr.Digambar Durgade, Amol Gore, x, Khandu Dayal and Sandeep Chaudhari

 

Kurdugad fort Trek 2021

We the Trekking Paltan Pune visited the fort in November 2021. The trek level is medium. We reached in 180 mins from Dhamnhol village to the top of the fort. There are two phases of the trek. First is plain till the watch tower. Second is from Lingya Ghat to the fort in descending direction. 

Kurdu means a Celosia plant also known as woolf-flower. May be because of the shape of the fort it is names after this Kurdu Flower. 

 

How to Reach: The fort is rightly located on the Google map. It is about 80 km from Pune and 2 hours 30 mins time journey. Pune- Pirangut-Temghar- Lavasa- Lavasa ( Dasve) Dam bridge - straight after bridge to base village Dhamanovol Village. The road is motorable but lonely after Lavasa. If you go from Lavasa main door entry you have to pay Rs. 500 per car and Rs200 oer bike. To avoid it, you can reach to Lavasa via Panshet-Varsgaon dam backwater road.                                                                        

See the Complete Trek route 

Food and Water : Can be available in the village Dhamanhol. The village is small and remote. Only small shop is there. Homemade food and guides are available in the village. We suggest carrying your food with you. 

Parking is freely available in the open space. 

Start your trek from the temple. The trail is not very clear. 

Trek begins from the temple. 

Trekking Paltan Group - Amol Gore, Raviraj Thorat, Dnyaneshwar Arne, Ajay Khadake, Pratham Patil, Lalit Bagal, Pradeep Patil and Sainath Jagdale. 

Keep watch on the tower while walking. Because the fort is not visible from here. 

Dhamanhol Village from the watch tower

After the tower the Kurdugad visible 

Take descending trail towards historical Lingya ghat.

Keep eye on the fort and proceed through dense jungle for 40 mins. 

Lingya Ghat

The small water stream for refreshment 

Here we reach on a plateau after a dense Jungle. Here the other trek routes come from village Jite and Umbardi. The Kurdudevi temple is there. 

Final Ascend of 15-20 minutes 

Maha-Darwaja -Entrance 

Be careful on narrow trail 

Reached on the fort. 

Take left trail to see natural cave and stone ark 

Wide Natural Cave

One you reached here, start ascending on the right side. 

Natural Stone Ark

Descending 

There is Tamhini Ghat behind the Sahyadri ranges 

Rest after Lunch 

Returning from Lingy Ghat

Dhamnohol Village from the watch tower 

Trek Completed Successfully by Trekking Paltan Pune Group