On the event of beginning of monsoon, Me and Laxmikant was decided to go for 1 day trek to nearby place and soon we decided to go for "Narayangad" near Narayangaon, Junnar. Narayangad is located near Narayangad in "Gadachi-Wadi" village on "Narayangad-Khodad" village. We caught early morning 7:00 A.M. ST bus from Shivajinagar ST bus depot. We reached in Narayangaon at 9:30 A.M. We had breakfast of "Missal-Paav" in Narayangaon. The first ST bus to Khodad was at 10:00 A.M. We quickly finished our breakfast and caught 10:00 A.M. ST bus to Khodad and we reached diversion of Gadachi-wadi phata (diversion) in 15 mins.
To reach "Gadachi-Wadi", one need to walk for half hour from diversion. Narayangad was looking awesome from diversion.
We keep walking between the sugarcane fields and tree plantation on both the side of the road.
Soon, we reached near the base of Narayangad. At the base of the fort, one can see the temple of "Mukai Devi". The temple is situated at the beautiful location surrounded by greenery. Local villagers took lot of efforts on plantation all around the fort area.
We rested in a temple for 15-20 minutes. The climate was awesome and location was too good.
We the started ascending the fort. Route towards top is very easy.
After 10 minutes, we encountered rock cut steps leading to top of the fort.
Soon, we reached near top plateau where we can see fortification on the fort.
Then we moved towards topmost part of the fort i.e. temple of "Hastmaata".
As soon as we reached in temple, rainfall started. It looks awesome from the top.
Then we had some light food in the temple
Then we moved towards other side of the fort to locate some artifacts. Then we saw ruins of SADAR / WADA on the fort.
After this, one can see series of dry water cistern known as "Chambhar-Taake".
To the right hand side of the "Chambhar-Taake", there is huge water cistern known as "Naarayan-Taake" which holds pure and cold water.
There is also one small cave located on the top which is not suitable for stay.
Then we started descending the fort. While descending we saw G.M.R.T dishes. The GMRT center located in Khodad village ahead of "Gadachi-Wadi".
This trek was indeed spectacular.
You can go through entire photo gallery of this trek at
https://picasaweb.google.com/110853779229661321949/Narayangad
Enjoy!!!!!
After a long time, dream come true. Me and Chaitanya decided to go for Prabalgad & Kalavantin durg trek. This trek was on our hit-list for our long time. Chaitanya's brother arranged this trek. He booked 17 sitter bus and we moved saturday night around 11:30 P.M from pune. We reached Panvel near about 2:00 P.M.
After that, we proceeded towards Shedung phata. This phata is just ahead of Shedung toll plaza if you come from Pune side. Then we proceeded towards Thakurwadi - A base village of Prabalgad & Kalavantin durg. We slept in Hanuman mandir in Thakurwadi and woke up at 5:30 A.M in morning.
Then, we started our trek towards Prabal Machi - A base point where one can approach both - Prabalgad & Kalavantin Durg. Our plan was to first go for Kalavantin Durg then Prabalgad. We proceeded towards Prabal Machi. The route up to Prabalmachi is very easy and one can Haaji-Malang range en route.
Just before Prabamachi, one can see idol of Lord Ganesh and Lord Hanuman carved in wall itself.
Finally, we reached in Prabal Machi - A small village having 10-15 houses. Food arrangements can be done here. One can hire a guide from here to see various spots on Prabalgad.
We hired one guide who's name is "Ambho". Then we started for Kalavantin Durg.
Kalavantin Durg is nothing but a watch fort supportive to Prabalgad (Main fort). The Kalavantin durg has series of steps and water cisterns to see.
After crossing series of steps, we reached on small plateau. Still to reach on top we need to climb one final patch which is easy. We climbed that patch and reached on top.
From top, one can see huge plateau of matheran, haaji-malang range and plateau of prabalgad.
Then we started descending Kalavantin durg. Again we have to reach to prabal machi and then have to move towards Prabalgad. While descending prabalgad, we saw one tunnel which according to local villagers goes till top of Prabalgad. But now it's blocked.
Soon, we reached Prabalmachi. Without wasting any time, we proceeded towards Prabalgad. Prabalgad ascent starts from the small colony from the right hand side direction of Prabal machi village. 12'o clock sun was literally killing us. We took many stops while ascending. Again while ascending for Prabalgad - we saw similar kind of tunnel that we saw while descending Kalavantin durg. Again this tunnel was also closed.
We filled our water bottle there and had our dinner, rested for few mins and proceeded further. We saw amazing architecture which holds water and that water flows on series of steps.
Then we proceeded towards Kalavantin view point, where one can see entire kalavantin durg in one sight. En route we saw one sculpture of aries and water tanks. Also we saw two bastions on eastern side. Simply Amazing!!!!!
Finally, we reached on Kalavantin view point and we clicked lot of photos of Kalavantin durg from there.
After this, we started descending the Prabalgad. We reached in Prbalmachi and then rested for an hour or so. Then started descending to thakurwadi from Prbal machi by enjoying beautiful sunset.
Please go through entire photo gallery of this expedition at
https://picasaweb.google.com/prasadpardeshi23/PrabalgadKalavantinDurg
Enjoy!!!!!
We keep walking between the sugarcane fields and tree plantation on both the side of the road.
Soon, we reached near the base of Narayangad. At the base of the fort, one can see the temple of "Mukai Devi". The temple is situated at the beautiful location surrounded by greenery. Local villagers took lot of efforts on plantation all around the fort area.
We rested in a temple for 15-20 minutes. The climate was awesome and location was too good.
We the started ascending the fort. Route towards top is very easy.
After 10 minutes, we encountered rock cut steps leading to top of the fort.
Soon, we reached near top plateau where we can see fortification on the fort.
Then we moved towards topmost part of the fort i.e. temple of "Hastmaata".
As soon as we reached in temple, rainfall started. It looks awesome from the top.
Then we had some light food in the temple
Then we moved towards other side of the fort to locate some artifacts. Then we saw ruins of SADAR / WADA on the fort.
After this, one can see series of dry water cistern known as "Chambhar-Taake".
To the right hand side of the "Chambhar-Taake", there is huge water cistern known as "Naarayan-Taake" which holds pure and cold water.
There is also one small cave located on the top which is not suitable for stay.
Then we started descending the fort. While descending we saw G.M.R.T dishes. The GMRT center located in Khodad village ahead of "Gadachi-Wadi".
This trek was indeed spectacular.
