Torna Fort ( Prachandgad) Trek

Torna Fort
तोरणा (प्रचंडगड )

It was first fort won by the great Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and laid foundation of the 'Swaraj', hence this fort is historical importance. Torn means a holy series of flowers fixed at the entrance door of the home. Since it was the first fort won by great Shivaji, its shows the entrance/ begging/first step of the Swaraj ! 

 

 How to Reach : About 60 km from Pune. There are two ways to reach from Pune.

i) Pune - Khadakwasla - Khanapur - left turn - Pabe Ghat - Pabe village - right turn - Velhe - base . ( 50 km). Pabe Ghat is lonely and little risky ascend.

ii) Pune - to Banglore highway - Shidnewadi Toll Plaza - Nasrapur - right turn from highway NH 48 to velhe - keep on state SH 65- Baneshwar - Vinzer - Velhe ( 60km). This route is litter longer but road conditions are better and safe.

 Torna fort

Torna fort and its surrounding forts

Google Map

Parking :  Sufficient place of parking available for buses, cars and bikes. Many restaurants and safe parking places. 

 

Food : Many restaurants available at Velhe which is the base of Torna fort. All kind of veg and non veg Indian food is available. Since Velhe is taluka place, availability of all resources are good e.g food, water, mobile recharge, internet cafe, medicine, petrol pumps, accommodation, police etc. Local food may available on the fort on weekends.Only Pohe, Pakode and water available on the top. So carry food from base only.

 

  

 

About Trek : It is quit challenging trek of 8 to 10 hrs to ascend-explore-descend. The trek starts near from Velhe police station. It may take 150 mins. approx. The trail is clear and visible. The last phase is steep with vertical ascend. Chains/bars are fixed for support but they are old now. Last phase will test your stamina and physical strength. Half of the trek is covered with Karvi plants which works as safe guard to valley.

 

 

 

  

 

What to See : It is huge fort. As it is also called as 'Prachandgad' means huge fort. You need at least 3 hrs. to explore fort including Budhala maachi.

Binni Darwaja : First entrance after a hectic trek from Velhe with steep ascend welcomes you.

 

Steep Ascend to Binni Darwaja

Kothi Darwaja : After few ascending steps you reach to Kothi Darwaja. 

 

 

Kothi Darawaja

Hanuman Buruz: Its a buruz from where we enter in the forts from velhe side trek.

 

Mariaai temple : At the first entrance 'Kothidwar' take left to see 'Mariaai' temple which is not visible easily.

 

Mariaai temple

Mengai devi Temple : Mengai Temple situated at the middle of the fort. Some trekkers make stay in the the temple. You will find small restaurant on the way which can make available local food and snacks on weekends only or prior indiction on weekdays. 

Mengai devi temple

Zuajar Machi : Its a huge machi. Machi is place at the corner of the fort situated on the top of fortified wall from where one can keep eye on the larger area.  

You can see Purandar fort, Rajgad fort, Sinhgad fort and Rohida fort.

                 

Zunjar Machi

Konkan Darwaja : It is a way used to go Budhala machi, Rajgad and konkann region.

Konkan Darwaja Fort from Budhla machi

  

Budhala Maachi : It is a huge structure which is longest tail of the mount. Its like a another fort on the fort. You need atleast an hour to see and come back on main fort. You can go here to Rajgad. Trekkers who do Rajgad-Torna connecting trek, they go from Budhala machi towards Rajgad.

Rajgad, Konkan diva fort, Raigad fort, Lingana fort, Madheghat, Mahabaleshwar- Arther seat point etc. great extensive land is visible from Budhala machi.

Budhla Machi 

 way to Budhla machi and Rajgad

Radtondi Buruz

There are historic water tanks also found on the fort. 

 

Best Season : August to April. Avoid rainy days and hot summer.

Trek Safety : 

• Keep on watch on time when going to Budhala machi.
• Don't walk on fortified walls.
• Don't litter of material taken with you. take its back. 
• Avoid weekdays, you will find hardly any trekker on weekdays.
• Plan well if going to Rajgad with overnight stay, Take help from Velhe people, they are always ready to help and guide. 
• Don't swim in the historical tanks.

Torna from Madheghat road

From Singapur road

from Lingana road

Rajgad from Torna

Raigad & Lingana from Torna

Sinhgad & Purandar forts from Torna

Wonders of nature at Torna :

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Cleanliness campaign by our team - Trekking Paltan, Pune. 

Nitin Kulkarni, Hanumant Londhe, Bharat Bambale, Dinakr Pathwe, Suresh Isave, Sainath Jagdale, Parshuram Bhangre, Karan Bidve

 

 

 

 

 

Prabalgad (Muranjan Fort) Trek

Prabalgad प्रबळगड  ( मुरंजन गड )

I went in 21 November 2016 with my students of  B.Ed. course of Tilak College of Education, Pune-30 from Pune and conducted cleanliness campaign on Prabalgad. Parshuram Bhagre, Nitin Kulkarni, Sainath Jagdale, Dinkar Pathawe, Karan Bidve, Hanumant Londhe, Sandip Jadhav & Prasad Wanjale were participated in the campaign of collecting non-degradablematerial spread on the fort. 

How to Reach : About 140 km from  Pune.

Pune to Mumbai highway - Panvel - Right turn from Bharat Petrol Pump - Shedang  - Belvali - Vardoli Village. - Parking spot

                                 

Food and Parking :

Parking place is available at Vardoli village supervised by  local people. Its next to village. sufficient place is for bus, car and bikes.

No restaurant found at base. But available at the trek after first phase at Thakurwadi. You will get food, accommodation and guide to go on Prabalgad and Kalvanteen Bruruz. 

Trek : The trek has two phases. First phase start from Vardoli village parking to Thakurwadi. Its steep ascend from turns and jungles. Lemon juice seller are there on spot by spot. It will take up to one and half hour to reach the Prabalmachi, one hotel with Veg-Non-veg food, accommodation and camping facility is available. You can have breakfast over here.

There are two options you have for trek. Left side trail goes to Kalavantin Buruz and left side trail goes to Prabalgad fort. Prabalgad is well covered by forest and Kalavantin buruz is like tower exposed to sunlight. 

Thakurwadi/Prabalmachi to Prabalgad - Take guide from village because difficult to find a way to Prabalgad from deep forest. Prefer Belshing way for trek. It will take one and half hour to reach on the top and two hours to explore the fort. 

Trek is difficult and test the strength and stamina of trekkers. Ascend is high and up. Huge rocks works as steps which may loose. So take care of each step. Most care should be taken when descending. 

What to See : The fort plateau has great extent with fully covered with forest and insects. Follow the instructions by the guide with you. Lord Shiv and Ganesh temple, remians of Rajwada (Palace), Water tanks, Kala (black) Buruz, Matheran view point and Kalavantin buruz view point. Once you reach on top, take left turn for Kalavantin Buruz view point. After 15/20 minutes you will reach at the edge and will be enchanted to see spectacular view of Kalavantin Durg/buruz ! You can see to long distance up to Panvel. On the way you can see the Kala-Buruz and historic water tank. Take care ! there is no safety guards or wall here ! 

Come back and proceed to right hand trail to see Lord Shiv & Ganesh temples, Kala buruz top, remains of the 'Wada' and Matheran view point from dense jungle. Don't explore without guide. Once you back to the thakurwadi, take rest, have some food then proceed to Kalavantin Durg.

Thakurwadi to Kalavantin Durg/Buruz : Its a tower like mount. Its very steep, near vertical ascend. There is no safety guards. No chance of mistake. There are steps but those are smooth. If someone is not sure, don't force him/her to proceed. Its a life -death risk. Give way to descending trekkers. Keep coordination coming-going trekkers.Make a way to each other. Give hand of help on risky steps.  Last step before top is highly risky. It may take 30/40 minutes to reach on the narrow top.This will give you memorable satisfaction. More care should be taken when descending. 

Do this job seriously, over enthusiasm may risk your and others life. 

Safety : 

• Take a guide from village. 
• No Mobile Coverage. 
• Less Number of trekkers. 
• Dense and deep Jungle. 
• Huge extent of the fort.
• Preserve your energy ! 
• Slop is steep and vertical ! Keep every step carefully especially on Kalavantin Durg !
• Difficult to reach rescue and help on the spot. 
• Insects and animals may be encountered. 
• Keep water and food for emergency ! 
• Keep distance from insects and animals ! 
• Don't bring Kids , over confidence and over enthusiastic friends and physically weak persons. 
• Don't litter on the fort. Carry all plastic bottles, rappers, plates, carry bags etc.back with you !

Best Season : 

From October to January ! From Parking to parking it may take 8 to 10 hours to complete both treks of Prabalgad and Kalavantin durg. Better to take halt and do a camping !

Parking

restaurant at Prabalmachi

Thakurwadi

Kalavantin Durg

Remains of Wada

Prabalmachi