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!!!!!

Chakan Fort a.k.a Sangramdurg (संग्रामदुर्ग)

This is again wonderful experience to visit Chakan Fort also named as "Sangramdurg". This fort is famous for it's defense against shayiste khan for more than 60 days. This fort is in Chakan village in Pune district.

On 26th september 2010, My friend Nikhil called me at 12:30 P.M and asked me to get ready to go in Chakan for vehicle service. So immediately my brain responds to this and answered. And that answer was "Sangramdurg". We moved from Pune at 1:45 P.M. by listening music in brand new car.

After an hour, we reached moshi toll naka, we filled toll for vehicle and proceed ahead towards Chakan. Soon we reached Chakan. After asking localites, we moved ahead towards fort. The road was very narrow and requires good skills of driving in case if you have your four wheeler. Thanks to Nikhil's driving skills.


Then we reached near fort and parked our vehicle. At first sight itself you see one well maintained cannon.

Then we proceed towards main entrance gate of the fort. When we reached there, we felt very sad, as the place was not maintained and everywhere there was plastic bags and other hazardous material. And mainly people are responsible for this situation.

Then we moved towards Bastion of the fort. We need to on top of the bastion. In couple of minutes, we reached there and we saw one ruined security guard station.

Then we moved towards main bastion of the fort. This is the only place where one can find large amount of fortification. One can see "Grinding wheel, Fortfication wall, Entrance gate etc.

Then we moved towards "Bhuyar" i.e. Hidden tunnel where one escape safely in case of brutal attack. The way towards tunnel is also full of vegetation. Any new visitor can't reach there easily. Thanks to "Vikram Shinde", or friend from Chakan. He showed us the way towards this tunnel.

Then we reached near our vehicle. Vikram suggested us to visit "Chakreshwar temple" which is hardly 1.5 kms from fort. We reached there in next 5 minutes. Very nice place and there are two temples, one is of Goddess Tuljabhavani and other is of Lord Shiva.

After this, we moved towards home with great memories of this small and simple trek.

Photos of this trek : http://picasaweb.google.co.in/prasadpardeshi23/ChakanFortAKASangramdurg#