Rajgad Fort Trek 2016

राजगड Rajgad Trek

The fort has historical importance. It is the first capital of Maratha Empire. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj spent most portion his life on the fort.

How to Reach : Its a about 60 km from Pune. 

From Gunjavane village : Pune-Banglore Highway-Toll plaza- Nasrapur stop-right turn to Velhe road- Margasani village - left turn - Sakhar village -left turn for Gujavane village - Base of the trek

From Pali village : Pune-Banglore Highway- Toll Plaza- Nasrapur stop-right turn to Velhe road- Margasani village - left turn - Sakhar village-Vajeghar bk.- right turn for Pali village- Dardige wadi - Pali Village - base of the trek

From Bhor : Pune-Banglore Highway - Toll Plaza - Ketkawle Fata- Right turn to Bhor- Bhatghar dam- right turn before Bhataghar dam to Malwadi- Bhandravali road-Jogawadi - Wadhane- Kambare -Kurunji - Bhandravali - Male village -base of the trek.
There are buses and jeeps available up to the base villages from Swargate Pune. 

                                  

Food n Parking : There is a place for the parking all type vehicles at the base village i.e. Gunjvane or Pali. There amny local hotels at the base village and on the top for food and water !
Shri. Rasal Patil- 8275486398/ 7776099165/ 7219356590 - (Dattaprasad Hotel) can make arrangement of food and stay at the base and on the fort too.

How is Trek : Trek is moderate and it may take 2/2:30 hrs. to the main fort from Gunjvane village side. It will test your stamina. last hike is hectic but not risky. 

From Pali village there are step after half way, so which easier than Gunjavane side trek it takes 1.5/2 hours to reach. 

Then Ballekilla is hard trek of 30/40 minutes. it is very steep and risky. more risky in monsoon.

What to See : There are many Monuments on the fort. Padmavati lake, Padmawatidevi Temple, Padamvati maachi, Suvelaa Maachi,Sanjeewani Maachi, Chor Darawaja, Maha darwaja, Pali Darwaja, Balle killa, Rameshwar Temple, Bazarpeth, Rajwada, Sadar etc.
You need two days to see all the points on the fort. 
Forts visible from Rajgad : Raigad, Torana, Sinhgad, Konkan diva fort, Rohida fort, Raireshwar Fort etc.

Rajgad to Torna trek - One night Halt trek is popular among trekkers which connects Sanjivani Maachi of Rajgad to Budhala Machi of Torna Fort. 

Precaution : Special precautions should be taken in monsoon for Balekilla trek. Be aware from monkeys and honeybees. should not tease them.

Food and stay

Gunjavane Village

Parking and Forest check post at Gaunjavne 

Trek starts

Padmavati Machi

stay away

Be Aware lots of monkeys around

Maha Darwaja

Sanjivani machi from Ballekilla

Balekilla

Balekilla

Suvela Machi

Sanjivani Machi

Padmavati Machi

Pali Darwaja

Torna fort from Pali Darwaja

Pali Darwaja to Padmavati Machi

Balekilla from Pali Darwaja

Some Panoramic views

Padmavati and Suvela machi from Maha Darwaja

Suvela machi & Bhatghar dam View from Ballekilla

Sanjivani Machi from Balekilla 

Balekilla from Padmavati machi

Suvela Machi & Balekilla from the trail

River Neera-Karha Confluence

नीरा आणि कर्हा नदी संगम !
(Peaceful holy place)

The place has Geographical, Historical, Environmental and Tourism importance !

How to Reach : About 15km form Baramati city in Maharashtra. Baramati is about 100km from Pune.

What to see : 
Historical Temple of lord Shiva at the place of Confluence. 
The ecology and geography of the confluence can be studied !
There are many birds at the banks of both rivers. Because of rare visitors, better opportunity to watch birds without disturbance. 
You can enjoy traditional Boating in vast rivers bed.
Ample place is available for bigger groups !

Parking place is available.
Food and Water are available on religious day !
Carry food and water other days !

Malhargad Trek -The Last Fort of Maratha Empire

मल्हारगड / सोनोरी गड 
(The Information is based on latest visit in March 2016)

Malhargad is also known as a Sonori Fort, named after base village Sonori.It is very well conditioned fort.  Nicely fortified. The latest fort in Maratha empire. It was built to watch Purandar fort, Vajreshwar fort, Pune, Sinhgad, Saswad, Loni and Diveghat. You can return with in six hours from Pune city. Very Simple trek. can go with family.

How to Reach : The fort is abut 30/35 km from Pune. It is situated on Pune-Saswad road off Diveghat. There are two ways to reach at the base from Pune.

1.Via Kalewadi- Pune-to Saswad road-Diveghat-take left after 2 km for Kalewadi- Go straight to Malhargad route after Kalewadi - you will reach to the Darawaja of Malhargad. Two wheelers and SUV can go only.Raod is rough. So drive carefully. Don't Force to drive car on the road. If you want to go by car then take second route. But less trek from this side. 5 minutes to reach the fort.

2.Via Sonori - Pune-to Saswad road-Diveghat-take left from Dive - for Sonori village. Park vehicle outside of the village. The road condition is better than Kalewadi. More trek from Sonori side. It will take 20-30 minutes to reach the fort from parking.

Google Map

Food n Water : No Food and water is available on the fort . Best way to carry tiffin or food with you.
Near by Food restaurants are on Pune Saswad road which just 4/6 km from the fort. There are many restaurants there, veg and non veg !! Better way to trek first, return and take food at Saswad or Pune. 

Stay : There are two temples on the top where overnight stay is possible for 15/20 trekkers. But need to manage food and water or villagers from Kalewadi or Sonori provide the food at the stay. 

Parking : Parking Place is there on the both base villages. There is no supervision on parking so parking is on own risk.

Difficulty Level of the Trek : Its easy and simple trek. Its like a Parvati hill trek. Small kids, ladies and old persons can easily make it. 20/30 min. It requires from Sonori village side and 5/10 mins from Kalewadi side. The trek slope is gentle. Just be aware of lose stone on the trek in summer season.

What to See : You can see wider panorama of Pune-Saswad-Loni region. The fortification is still in good condition. 30 minutes are sufficient to see all edges of the fort. There are two temples on the fort i.e. Malhardev (Jejuri's Khanderay Dev)and Mahadev-Lord Shiv. 
The shape of the fort is triangular. The There are three watch towers - बुरुज . From each buruz different regions are in sight i.e. East Tower - Saswad city, Purandar Fort, Vajreshwar fort, Bhuleshwar, Sonori village etc. West Tower - Pune city, Dive ghat, Kanifnath, Bopdev ghat, Sinhgad fort etc. South Tower - Solapur highway, loni etc.
There is a Bale -( बालेकिल्ला ) in a square shape with strong walls. (तटबंदी ) Both Temples are in the bale. 
The Entrance doors ( दरवाजा ) are carved beautifully and strong in solid stones. 

Google Map

Best Time to Visit : Its all time best place to visit. Best in Monsoon season. You can see different scenery in different season. 
Take care in Summer which is very hot and there no big trees on the fort. Lack of shadows on the fort. So avoid February to June if thinking to go with family. 

Precautions : The fort is not so popular for tourists. So visitors are rare. More visitors are on Monsoon weekends and Shrawan Somvaar ( Mondays) only, otherwise it is an isolated place. So go in a group only. Take more care if you have girls in your group. Except Monsoon its a lonely place. Mobile range is weak in the region.

Nearby Tourists Places : Pune, Diveghat, Mastani lake, Kanifnath temple, Saswad city, Jejuri, Baramati, Purandar Fort, Vajreshwar fort, Balaji temple of Ketkawle village, Bhuleshwar temple of lord Shiv, Bhigwan Birtdwatch point, Neera Dam etc.

                                                                

Binicha Buruz