Sudhagad Fort Trek

Sudhagad Fort, Pali

First, I would like to introduce about trekking spot Sudhagad Fort(also called Bhorapgad from goddess Bhoraidevi ). It’s one of very old fort in Maharashtra near Mumbai.Let's explore this new attraction. Sudhagad, which is a popular trekking destination as it is one of the better preserved forts in Maharashtra. On the slopes of the fort there are lots of trees in and around fort.

The fort has temple of Bhoraidevi, which is well maintained by Govt. On fort there are two lakes, a house of Poojari who maintained temple and serve trekkers. All of this scattered around the fort area. There are three main gates the largest of which is called the Maha Darwaja.

We started on Sunday morning towards Pali @ 7.30 AM in the morning, during journey we took halt at Shree Ballaleshwar Pali temple and visit temple took blessings from Ganpati Bappa and had breakfast in Pali city. 

Remember there are two parking near temple area one is free from temple authorities and other is private which charge 50ru for a Bus, most of roads near temple are one way please mind sign boards while driving.

We recharge ourselves with cup of tea, Misal pav and continued our journey to Sudhagad. The fort is about 14 Km from temple it took almost 15 to 20 min. There are two routes to reach at fort via pacchapur (shortest) and other is from dhondse. Those who are traveling via public transport please make a note of ST bus timings.

 We reach at base village at around 12 AM and started trek. Traking path is simple but upright straight at some points it seems difficult but we enjoyed the whole trek. Make sure you carry atleast 3lt of water per person and some snaks because you won’t find any kind of shop during teak.

At top of fort you can find lots of cows eating grass in mansoon. At temple one poojari who can arrange a food and tea for you so if you are planning to take lunch at fort tell them in advance.

Some of trekkers created a ladder to clime on of hurdle in between which is great experience.

From fort you can see a whole Pali at panoramic view. Then we had enjoyed scenic view from top and left toward base village. We took less than half of time than we had taken to climb.

This has been amazing experience to feel fog at fort and waterfall during journey.

Wish you also enjoy this fascinating fort.

Regards,

 

..Majestic Matheran..

Matheran, when we heard this hill station name we thought of pink-cold weather, honeymoon couples, fresh atmosphere, monkeys and horse rides … 

Yes, Matheran is wonderful weekend gateway, but not only for couples this hill station town is becoming famous for friends one day out or even stay picnic, family get together, relaxing time for married/unmarried couples.

Britishers developed matheran as a popular resort to beat the summer heat in that region. Matheran is only town where automobiles are not allowed except municipal ambulance and no private vehicles are allowed inside Matheran it also have large population of Monkeys so mind this WARNING!!! – Please don’t bring plastic bags, water bottle not even any other thing in hand otherwise monkeys will attack you to get that and they won’t fear you at all…!!!

                Matheran is red soil and pollution free town which makes it different than others and it’s also famous for its Toy Train, you can book this in advance from IRCTC. To reach Matheran some good options are to catch a train from CST – Karjat route and leave at Neral station ( don’t confused with Nerul which is harbor railway station) from Neral you have option of Toy train or Omani drive.

Toy train took almost two hours to reach at Matheran station but in winter its worth going from toy train with beautiful view of green valleys and other option is Omani drive towards Matheran town(which cost 75/- per person)

Matheran is a Hill Station in municipal council of the Raigad district Maharashtra, it cost 50/- rupee entry fees for each adult and 25/- for child.

If you are planning Matheran for one day then Mark for points to see and at least have detailed map of matheran then you can have ideas to reach from one point to another.

There are around 38 designated look-out points in Matheran, including the Panorama Point that provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding area and also the Neral town. Sunset and sunrise points. The Louisa Point offers crystal clear view of the Prabal Fort. The other points are the One Tree Hill Point, Hart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine Point, Rambagh Point, and more.

There is Charlotte Lake, which gives you best view and relaxed your mood.

If you are planning matheran for two days as weekend then try booking in advance to get best resort and good view of room. You can book resort from Neral station also.

When you are planning try to bring necessary things with you like biscuits, oil, soaps etc. because each thing in matheran cost some more bugs/penny as all export from outside will be carried on horses or by humans which increases selling price.

There are lots of good options for resorts some are away from main station but relaxing and some are nearer to town, try to reach in resort before 6 PM afterward it’s all blackout in Matheran.

Matheran is safe for single traveler also it have hospitals, Police station and doctor on call in resorts.

Matheran have Union bank ATM in Town area.

In recent days, in some area of matheran they organized valley crossing campaigned which is bit exciting.

There are lots of trekkers groups who start trekking in night and reach matheran in early morning to see sunrise.

Right time to visit matheran is during winter season.

Please plan your trip in advance and have fun…..!!!

Wish you happy Travel !! Enjoy .. :) :)

Raigad Fort – The Gibralter of the East

 “Hindavi Swarajya whaw hich shreenchi echaa….” Raigad is not just a fort this is a tribute to Shivaji Maharaj.

                Raigad Fort, also called as ‘the Gibralter of the east’ was the invincible capital of the legendary king Sivaji. Placed at an altitude of 2700 feet on an irregular wedge-shaped mass of rock, Raigad fort is inaccessible from three sides. A massive fort, nested on a steep vertical rock face, appears defiant and insurmountable.

Fort Raigad is much more than a mere tourist spot. It is a sacred place of pilgrimage, which has left an imprint of the grand vision of Hindavi Swarajya as cherished by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

This Fort presents a terrifying look and it is very difficult to get into the fort through the rocky path. All sides appear as if it fell down from a huge mass of solid rock. Raigad ropeway that is inaugurated recently makes the ascent to the fort very easy.

Now the fort features certain new structures like the Samadhi of Shivaji and his loyal dog along with the ruins of the old structures. The most stunning site on Raigad Fort is the Balekilla, from where one can see the implausible views of the enchanting Sahyadris and the propitious Bhatghar Lake. The top of the Balekilla offers a panoramic view of the forts of Purandar, Vichitragad, Rayreshwar, Lohgad, Visapur, Tikona and Sinhagad.

The Ropeway lands you at the top of the fort near Mena Darwaja. This was the special entrance for the royal ladies and the queens. To the left of Mena Darwaja is the Rani Vasa or "Queens' Chambers". They are six in number and were being used by the mother of Shiv Chhatrapati - Jeeja Mata, Soyarabai, Putalabai and other royal ladies.

Entry for common public to Raj Sabha was through the Nagarkhana. In those times, the royal band played here round the clock. It is an excellent example of architecture and miraculous acoustics. The distance between 'Nagarkhana and the Royal Throne is more than 200 feet, yet even the slightest whisper can be heard from both ends very clearly.

Though in a dilapidated state, this magnificent fort stands as a remnant of its past glory.

The fort was built by Chandrarao Mores in 1030. fort ruins today consist of the queen's quarters, consisting of six chambers, with each chamber having its own private restroom . The main palace was constructed using wood, of which only the bases of pillars remain. Ruins of three watch towers can be seen directly in front of the palace grounds overlooking an artificial lake called Ganga Sagar Lake created next to the fort. It also has a view of the execution point called Takmak Tok, a cliff from which the sentenced prisoners were thrown to their death. This area is now fenced off. The fort also has ruins of the market, and it has such structure that one can shop even while riding on a horse.

The fort has a famous wall called "Hirakani Buruj" constructed over a huge cliff. It is at this place that A woman by the name of "Hirakani" from a nearby village at the foothills of Raigad had come to sell off milk to the people living in the fort.She failed to reach back to her son and was locked inside the fort as the gates were locked by sunset.The love for her infant son gave her the courage to climb down the cliff in the dark. She repeated the feat in front of Shivaji Maharaj, and was rewarded for the same. In appreciation of her courage Shivaji Maharaj got a wall built at this location. Even today we can see it standing against the ravaging rains and winds,reminding us of the brave King and his brave countrymen!

The king's public Durbar has a replica of the original throne that faces the main doorway called the Nagarkhana Darwaja. This enclosure had been acoustically designed to aid hearing from the doorway to the throne. A secondary entrance, called the Mena Darwaja, was supposedly the private entrance of the royal ladies of the fort; it leads to the queen's quarters. The erstwhile main entrance to the fort is the imposing Maha Darwaja. The convoy of the king and the king himself used the Palkhi Darwaja. To the right of Palkhi Darwaja, is a row of three dark and deep chambers. Historians believe that these were the granaries for the fort.

Architect of Raigad Fort

A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji is erected in front of the ruins of the main market avenue that eventually leads to the Jagdishwar Mandir and his own Samadhi (tomb) and that of his dog Waghya. The statue was removed by alleged members of the Sambhaji Brigade end July 2012 as a protest but was re-instated by Shri Shivaji Raigad Smarak Samiti, the Archaeological Survey of India, sculptor Rambhau Parkhi and the District Administration

Raigad Fort is awesome during rainy and winter season you can imagine from my pics.

There is one MTDC resort at Raigad

MTDC RESORT- Raigad Fort, Tal. Mahad, Dist. Raigad, Maharashtra where Check in/Check Out time 12.00 Noon.

http://www.indiatravelite.com/maharashtra/mtdcresortraigad.htm

Some Important link for interesting info about raigad : 

http://www.raigad-fort.info/

http://wikimapia.org/100709/Raigad-Fort

http://www.mustseeindia.com/Raigad-Raigad-Fort/attraction/12304