Anaghai Fort on Republic Day 2011

On the event of 26th Jan 2011 (Republic Day 2011), Me, Amar and Chaitanya planned for visit to one of the offbeat fort in Sahyadri range i.e. Mruggad and Anaghai fort. These forts situated in Raigad district. One has to approach towards Khopoli. Then on Khopoli-Pali road, you need to take left turn towards Jambhulpada phata. From Jambhulpada, you can take approach to base villages of both of the forts. But we decided to go for Anaghai first as i have visited Mruggad in recent times http://picasaweb.google.com/prasadpardeshi23/MruggadBallaleshwarGanapatiPaliVillage#


The base village of Anaghai fort is "Kalamb" which is 5kms from Jambhulpada. The road is in good condition. One can see three mountains in a row when we reach near Kalamb. The leftmost mountain (Thumb like structure) is the Anaghai fort. See the snap below.

To go on top of the fort, one has to go in the colony (First left colony) between Anaghai fort and mountain adjecent to it. Do not go in Second colony as this is wrong approach. First you will encounter bridge within 5 minutes of walk. See the snap below.

 Then one need to go to extreme left colony but we did mistake, we climbed second colony and went on top of the mountain which is adjacent to the fort which was difficult and time consuming. See the snaps below

We clicked one snap of topmost part of Anaghai fort from the adjecent mountain. One can see, there is small temple and few water cisterns on top.

  Now the big question was, how to go on top of the fort and where is that actual route? Then we decided to descend this mountain on half, traverse the mountain and reach the correct colony between fort and this mountain. We proceeded further. We had a tough time to implement this. We had a few scratches on our hand. But taking lot of efforts, finally we reached in the colony. Now the big question ahead of us was, How to climb rest of the patch exposed to valley having 50-60 ft? But, anyhow we need to do that also. Fortunately, there were some footholds made by villagers in order to climb this patch. See the snaps below.

 One need to take extreme precaution on last 20 ft as the footholds present there were eroded due to rains and there was hardly any place to take a hold / grip and proceed further. Finally we reached on top. On top of the fort, one can see small temple of Anaghai mata, series of water cisterns.

 We filled our water bottle took a rest under one and only one tree on top for 30 minutes and started descending the fort. Descending part was quite difficult. But we managed somehow.

Then we started descending the fort via proper route. It took us 2 hours to descend up to the river bridge. The descending part is through the same col.

Then we enjoyed in river for half an hour. See some snaps.

Then we moved towards Khopoli. We had uttapa at Khopoli naaka. Then we proceeded towards Pune. We reached Pune at 9:15 P.M.


Note: This trek is not at all easy. Please carry one 80 ft rope to climb final patch. Please carry ample amount of water with you. If you have any confusion, take villager with you up to the top from Kalamb village.


You can find entire trek photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/prasadpardeshi23/AnaghaiFort#

Chandragad To Arthur's Seat (Mahabaleshwar) किल्ले चंद्रगड ते आर्थर्स सीट (महाबळेश्वर)

The year 2010 was fantastic for us (Me, Chaitanya, Amar & Laxmikant). We have visited lot of forts. Now, for 2011, we were thinking of starting with bang and I suggested all to go for "Chandragad to Arthur's Seat" trek. Arthur's seat also known as "Madhimahal" in marathi. Finally we decided to went on 15th Jan 2011 Saturday night by last S.T bus from swargate to Poladpur. But Unfortunately, Amar was late while returning from the office and we missed that bus.

Finally, I suggested all to go by Cab. This time, Mayur also joined us for this trek. Mayur & me called up to several transport vendors for cab and finally i got success. We got one cab from my contact (a.k.a "Mama"). He is very nice person. Even though, we were 5 in numbers, he never complained us as it is indica. After lots of adjustments, we finally settled in our indica and move towards Poladpur via Mahabaleshwar.


To Approach Chandragad, one has to go towards Poladpur. Pune people can go to Poladpur via Mahabaleshwar and for Mumbai, it's via Mumbai-Goa highway. Just before, Poladpur, there is one diversion called "Kapade phata". From Kapade phata, one needs to go towards "Dhawale village" (base village of Chandragad).


After reaching in Ambenali ghat, Mama told us that, we can have some sleep somewhere. And we suddenly find one temple on road side. We had some sleep for 2 hours then I woke up to ask for Kapade phata, but no one is there near temple. Then suddenly i saw, in one of the home, nice marathi bhajan was playing. I went there, and the person in home told me proper direction of Kapade phata.


Then we started towards Kapade phata, soon we took diversion from Kapade phata and moved towards "Dhawale village". Before reaching Dhawale, we encountered "Umarath" village at 7:15 A.M. A village of brave warrior "Tanaji Malusare" & "Shelar Mama". We reached in Umarath. In Umarath, one person shows us "Tanaji Malusare Smarak".

Then he showed us sword & Patta from Shivaji Maharaj's era. That's lifetime exp for us. We held that sword & Patta. It was amazing exp.

Then villager told us that, there is one cave which can accommodate 100+ people. He showed us those cave from the base. We don't had enough time to go on that mountain and see that cave. So, we took the picture of that cave from base itself.

Then we proceeded towards Dhawale village. Dhawale village is one can say a "Dead-end" of the road and surrounded by mountains on all direction. Simply amazing.

We reached in Dhawale village. We hired guide (Ravi More, Pappu Kadam) for further route to Arthur's seat. One needs to hire a guide if you want to go towards Arthur's seat. If you are first-timer, then it's compulsory. The route is very much long, confusing, tiring.


Then we had tea in Ravi's house.

Without wasting any time, we started for climbing Chandragad around 8:50 A.M.

That's Chandragad.

While proceeding towards top, one will encounter "Om Namah Shivay" boards.

From this board, the route towards top bcomes steeper and steeper.

After climbing, we had took our first halt.

Then we proceeded towards last part of climbing. That was risky & quite exposed to valley.

After crossing this patch, one can go directly on top of the fort. After reaching on top, one can see Shivlinga & Nandi

From top of fort, Surrounding of Mahabaleshwar hills range looks awesome and dangerous too.

There are some water cisterns on valley side. But they are not approachable.

Again, we moved towards topmost of part of the fort. On the way, one can see small amount of fortification and one water cistern (Not for drinking)

Then we reached on western side of the fort. This is the main area from which one can see huge area in one blink. One can see "Nakhinda, Mangalgad, Makarandgad, Pratapgad.

Here, there is one water cistern, which holds pure & cold water.

We had our morning breakfast here and started decending Chandragad.

Now, to go towards Arthur's seat, one has to descend Chandragad half and there is one small diversion goes towards one Colony which descends directly up to the base of adjecent mountain. The way from this colony is through dense jungle.

After descending the col, one small way on the right side goes into the jungle and from here one has to face steep climb and then traverse the huge mountain in order to reach first milestone on the way "Bahirichi Ghumati"

Chandragad (Zoom-in) from Traverse.

After traverse, we reached near first milestone "Bahirichi Ghumati"

The way near "Bahirichi Ghumati" goes to "Jor village" and adjecent route goes to "Arthur's seat". On the way towards Arthur's Seat, we encountered second milestone "Jor-che-paani", a pair of water cistern which hold pure & cold water. We reached there. Filled our bottles. Had a lunch and rested for half an hour. It was around 3:30 P.M. when we reached here.

Our guide left us here and now we are proceeded towards further journey up to Arthur's seat on our own. We proceeded towards "Gadhwacha Maal" from there one can see first sight of "Arthur's seat".

 Chandragad on the way towards Gadhwacha Maal.

We reached on Gadhavacha Maal. From here, we were able to see Arthur's seat.

Then we slowly walking on the ridge parallel to arthur's seat and finally we encountered final small rock-patch. We climbed that patch successfully and reached on Arthur's seat point.

Mama, also present there with his indica at parking. People present on point cheered us. Some people was staring at us like we are mad. We reached Arthur's sear parking.

Then, we proceeded towards Pune. Thanks to wonderful jugalbandi between Mayur & Laxmikant. Ultimately it was a wonderful trek of 9 hours.


You can find entire photos of this trek at
https://picasaweb.google.com/prasadpardeshi23/ChandragadToArthurSSeatMahabaleshwar#

Enjoy!!!!!