Mohangad Fort ( Durgadi cha Fort) Trek

Mohangad Fort Trek

This fort also called Durgadi's Fort. It is named after the base village 'Durgadi'. Its a simple trek. Very beautiful in monsoon. Many Hindu visit the fort in 'Navratra' the Hindu festival of Goddess to make darshan of Goddess Durga Temple on the fort.

This fort is newly discovered so not known to many people. So go with group and hire a local guide from the village.

How to Reach - About 100 km. from Pune to base village Durgadi village. It will take 3 to 3.30 hours. The Ghat road is motorable but not in good condition. Very beautiful Journey in monsoon with lots of waterfalls. There are veg/non-veg restaurants on frequent distance.  

Pune-Bhor-(State highway 70)Nigudghar-Varandha ghat-Hirdoshi-Take right turn to Shirgaon/Durgade village from main road - Durgadi is approx. 7 km. from main road.

This turn is crucial because no mark or board is there on the road. This turn is approx. 35 km from Bhor.

This turn takes you other side of backwater.  

Journey from Bhor to Durgadi village is along with Neera Devghar Dam's backwater. There is small restaurant on the turn called Hotel Mohangad, but open sometimes. In case lost ask for Durgadi village. 

Parking - Parking is free and unsupervised in Durgadi village.

Food n Stay - There are many restaurants available on Varandha Ghat. There is no restaurants in base village i.e. Durgadi, but homemade food can be made available on demand by villagers. Homely stay available at Durgadi village. Hotels for stay available to nearby cities like Bhor and Mahad.

About the Trek - 

There are two trek routes from base village. 

1. From Durga Mandir (easier) - 2:30/3 hrs. will require to reach on the top. Its a simple trek route. Better for car and bus parking. The mandir comes about 2 km after turning main road. There are few farm houses around. There are no houses around the mandir. Actual Durgadi village is further on distance of 5 km. If you dont have food, then first go to village , make arrangements then come back and start trek. This is simple trek, no more risky spots. You can see fort in front of you, follow it. 

2. From Jani Andhari Baji Mandir-Durgadi village - Its little difficult than first one. Need 2 hours to reach on the top. Take guide of you going from this route. Recoomanded only for experienced trekkers. First reach to Durgadi village, ask them about Jani Andhari Baji Temple or parking. Its a right hand turn from the village. It is very rough road with stones. Cars not recommended on this road. Also difficult for Buses. The temple is about 2 km from settlement in remote and lonely place. 

Guide is must from this route. 

Route 2: Take care where cross is made.

Need to follow proper trek route. There are many diverting routes. Keep watch on the fort and slope to select right route. Go right turn to ascend. Then go to narrow pass (Khind), then take left turn which going in ascending direction. Then there will three small plateau like spots and thick vegetation spots. After 70/80 minutes you will will be on the top and can see huge rock patch. You may confuse how to climb it to be on the top of fort. That's why guide is commanded on this route. Follow the  right side route which is taking you in dense forest. Actually its going the other side of the fort where the entrance. Th e route is thrilling through forest and slope. Keep walking straight ahead for 20/30 minutes unless you reach open space which is other side of the fort. This is spot where the other trek route confluence. A small stones are kept here to construct a small temple. Then go the other side route for 5 minutes, the route start ascend with rocky, simple patches. Then follow the rock cut raw steps. Take great care on the steps. Smooth and slippery in rainy days. After 15/20 minutes you will be on the top when you see ' Durgamata" Temple. This is almost end of trek. 

What to See - There is no fortification found on the fort. There is no water found. Durgamata Temple is the only monument on the top. There is small plateau behind the temple which is the highest point on the fort. You have great panoramic view of around area. You can have your food here. 20/30 minutes are enough to explore the top.
View from Top - Raireshwar fort, Rohida fort, Mangalgad, Kawlyagad, Raigad, Torna, Rajgad, Mahabaleshwar, Varandha ghat, Mahad, Neera Devghar Dam etc.

Safety -

• Don't go alone, its a lonely place. Go with experienced company. 
• It is not a popular trek, so take guide from a village.
• carry sufficient water because no water available on trek route or on the fort.
• Few portion of the route are with dense vegetation, so return before dark.
• Some spots with risky slopes, take care in rainy season.
• Take correct turn from main road towards Durgadi village because there is guiding board

 

Railing Plateau रायलिंग पठार

Railing Plateau

Rayling plateau not known to many people because the area is known and identified as on the famous fort Lingana. 

The Lingana fort is famous so the plateau is used to stay or watch the Lingana. But the plateau itself is very beautiful.
The villagers tell that the Railing is named because Raigad and Lingana forts can be seen from this plateau, so its combined the names of both forts and named Railing.

The plateau is very scenic in the monsoon and its full of tiny flowers and grass in winter. This a perfect offbeat location for camping and overnight stay. 

How to Reach :

Its about 90 km from Pune. Its 3 hrs journey from Pune by private vehicle. 

You have reach to Velhe 

i) Pune-Khandkwasla_Khanapur-Pabe Ghat-Velhe,(46km) 

or

ii) Pune-Banglore highway-Shindewadi-Toll plaza-right turn from Nasrapur-Velhe (56km)

Velhe-Bhatti-Kelad Khind- (12km) Take right turn immediately after Khind (pass) to Singapur Mohari villahe raod- Next road is on the top of the ridge of almost 10 km. The raod is rough and stony. Not suitable for city cars. Drive carefully because decends on both side of the raod. Its loneley road. No Shops no stores. 

After hard ride of 30 mins you will reach to the Mohari village. left turning road goes to Singapur village, Here the slope is very steep, so park your four wheeler here. Two wheelers or samll cars may taken ahead to the Mohari Village. 

But you are advised to park vehicle downside.

Last petrol pump and stores are at Velhe only.

Food and Stay :

Mohari and Singapur both are small villages. No restaurants and shops are available here. So nothing will be available there. Some villagers may cook food for small groups on request.

Tiffins are suggested. It will take 6/7 hours to return. 

Home stay may provided in both villages or u may camp here.

Mobile range not found.

Singapur village

Mohari Village

About Trek :

The trek is simple and easy. But the route is confusing. There is every possibility to get lost in the deep n dark jungle. There are many routes you will find due to animals and water channels. It is critical to select the right way. Wait and use directional sense to find expected route as per your plan. The routes are indicated A,B,C,D in the map below.

Route A :
Its will take 2:30 hrs from right side route. Its extreme right side route. The longest route to reach Railing plateau. If you want more trek then follow this route. It will show you wonderful view of the edges of Sahyadri.

Route B: 
This route goes on the top of the hill and you can trek by watching better view of the surrounding. It is best Photographic route but lonely at the same time. It is a trek of approx 2 hrs. 

Route C :
It is a shortest route. Take left to reach the plateau from the juctions of route. It will take approx.1:30 hrs to reach the plateau. You may confuse with the trail of  Boratyachi Naal which goes to Lingana fort base. So be careful, if you lost you will reach at the base and not on the Railing Plateau.

Route D :

The route takes you to the base of Lingan fort through Boratyachi naal (बोराट्याची नाळ )  which also start from the same Mohari village. As soon as you enter in valley with stony path, you should understand that you have entered in Boratyachi Naal.

There are no marking for different routes. Its a dark jungle from where these different routes separated So better to take guide( वाटाड्या )from village. Boys from the Mohari village happily serves this task without much expectations. 

In case of confusion keep left for Railing plateau. Its a shortest way to reach the Railing plateau. If you lost, Don't be panic you will reach from the longest route to the same plateau. The plateau is not connected with any ridge, so you can reach at the cliff from where you can turn by using common sense.

Some trekkers plan to take round trip. They goes from right side and come back from left side route. Its a hill top plateau, so Don't worry if you lost. But you to change time plan.

What to See:
More than destination, the route itself is scenic. There are many streams and waterfalls around from July to November. Different kind of tiny flowers and grass make this route more beautiful. You can drink the sweet water from streams if your guide suggests. 
Grass up to 3 feet high will make your photos more attractive.

The plateau is like a table top vast land with grass cover and rock. It is the perfect place for the Camping. 
There is small stream at the east side of the plateau which runs upto month of November generally.

From the Plateau you can see huge thrilling Lingana fort very near to you and the glorious Raigad in the backgourd. 
The Lingana trek and rappelling points are clearly visible. The Cave which was used as a Jail also visible from Plateau.

The Takamak tok, Jagdishwar Temple, the Samadhi of Shivaji Maharaj, Darugola Kothaar of Raigad can be easily seen with naked eyes. The view of Raigad would be more clear in the morning due to sunlight angle.

The Konkandiva fort to the extreme right side (North-West) also visible clearly. 
Varandha ghat, Kavlya fort, Madheghat, Nanemachi waterfall and Shevate waterfall  region is visible to the East-South direction.(Left-Front side)

Torna fort is situated to the East direction and Budhala Maachi of Torna fort is claerly visible.

Kal river bank can be seen from the plateau which separates the Sahyadri cliffs from Konkan region. 

Trek-Safety :

• Remember it is off beat and lonely destination.
• Visit only on Sundays.
• Visit with group.
• Prefer experienced and professional groups.
• Road from Kelad khind to Mohari is very rough and stony. Drive carefully.
• No petrol pump, stores and shops after Velhe.
• Mobile coverage is weak, don't rely on it.
• Take village guide with you.
• Confirm food and stay facility.
• Carry sufficient water and dry snacks.
• take every step carefully in forest part of the trek.
• Dont be over confident about routes.