Sitting among the hills of the southern Konkan, near the town of Roha, are some little known or forgotten forts. Amongst these are Avchitgad, Tagad and Ghosalgad. Avchitgad is located near Roha and is a good place for a one day trek. The thick forest cover is quite refreshing.
Height: ~1000 feet
Range: Roha (South Konkan)
District: Raigad
Grade: Easy
Ways to Reach: Reach the town of Roha, a few kilometres from Nagothane on the Mumbai-Goa highway. Regular St services are run between Mumbai and Roha.
From Roha, Avchitgad can be climbed from the base villages of Medhe or Pengalsai. Medhe is about 7 kms from Roha, and can be reached by Roha-Nagothane ST. Pengalsai village is about 5 kms from Roha.
From Pengalsai: From the Roha ST stand, start walking towards Nagothane. Then take the right, the road leads to a bridge over the Kundalika river, before arriving at the base village. From here, one reaches the top within one and a half hour.
From Medhe: Reach Medhe village by Roha- Nagothane ST. Or else, one can get off at Medhe if you are coming from Mumbai by a direct Roha ST bus. After crossing the village, we come across a temple of Lord Vitthal, and further ahead, the narrow path leads to the top in about one hour. In between, this path meets the one coming from Pengalsai in the col.
The route is very easy to climb, but its quite easy to get lost due to thick vegetation.
Climbing time: 1 1/2 hours from Pengalsai or Medhe village.
Fascinating spots: Avchitgad has 2 main bastions. One to the south has inscriptions on it. The main entrance to the fort is still intact. It is situated next to the rock - cut carving of a horse. The route further ahead leads to Large tank, with steps leading downwards. Its more like a small lake, but the water here is not potable. Futher, there is a small temple of Lord Shiva. From behind the temple, the route climbs down to many small water tanks. The water in some is potable. You can see a small idol of Bhanani devi here, as well as a small one of Pengalsai devi.
Two canons sit atop the fort. From the south eastern side of the fort, there is a view of the river Kundalika and the Rohaghat area. To the west, you get a view of the creek at Salav.
The enitre path to the top of the fort is through thick green vegetation. The trees found here are Australian Acacia, teak, mango and jamoon. Several varieties of birds and animals like boars, monkeys, foxes, hares and even an occassional leopard have been seen here.
Every Sankrant, villagers from th surrounding villages gather enthusiastically on the top of the hill fort for their annual fair.
The small ganapati temple near Pengalsai village, and the waterfall at Medhe village is worth seeing.
Forts visible from the top: Telbaila, Sarasgad, Sudhagad, Dhanagad, Korigad, Raigad.
Accomodation facility: One can find many hotels and Government guest house at Roha. There is no place to stay on the top.
Food and Drinking water: Carry your own food. A couple of tanks behind the Shiv temple on the south-western side have potable water.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Mahuli (13th July, 2008)
Height: 2815 feet
Range: Shahapur
District: Thane
Grade: Easy
As we drive on the Mumbai-Nashik highway, as we approach Shahapur-Asangaon, we can see the long range of pinnacles on the left. This range consists of 3 forts, Palasgad, Mahuli and Bhandargad, and other pinnacles. Mahuli is a very famous spot for trekking and waterfall rapelling during the monsoon.
History: In 1485, Leek Ahmed, the Nizamshah conquered Mahuli fort along with other forts in the Konkan area. In 1636, in the efforts to save Nizamshahi, Shahaji Raje took shelter at Mahuli fort along with his wife and Shivaji. The Moghuls attacked the fort under the leadership of Khan Jamaan. Shahaji fought hard, but in vain.
Later, in 1658, Shivaji won back the fort from the Moghuls, but in 1666 returned it to them under the Treaty of Purander. Since it was considered as 3 seperate forts (Palasgad, Bhandargad and Mahuli), Shivaji saved his 2 forts as he was supposed to surrender 23 of his forts under that treaty.
In 1670, Shivaji led a surprise attack on the fort in the middle of the night with 1500 soldiers, but the alertness of the Rajput Killedaar Manohardas Gaud foiled Shivaji's plans and 1000 maratha soldiers got killed. Manohardas understood that Shivaji will once again attack the fort. He left his post and Allaviddi Beg became the new Killedaar. On 16 June, 1670 Shivaji and his soldiers charged and attacked the fort and conquered it.
In 1818, The fort passed over from the Marathas to the Britishers.
Ways to reach: Reach Asangaon railway station on the Kasara line of Central Railway. From the station, start walking towards the Mumbai-Nashik Highway. After walking for about 10 mins, we come across a petrol pump on the left. One can have light snacks in the restaurant here. A further 5 mins walk, and a path enters towards the village and the famous Manas Temple of the Jains. From here, Mahuli village is at a distance of approximately 4 kms.
The Climb: Reach the Mahadeo Temple near Mahuli village. From behind the Mahadeo temple, the route begins. Avoid a bifurcation just ahead of the temple that goes to the left and gets you to a Ganesh temple. Take the narrow straight route off the main road, which after 15 mins comes across a big stream. We have to cross this stream. The road to the left that goes along the stream leads you to the waterfall. After you cross the stream, the path turns left and then gradually climbs up to a plateau in an hour. Then it runs along the ridge and reaches the massif. A further climb of an Hour takes you to the iron ladder, about 10 feet high. Climb the ladder and you reach the top. A further walk of half an hour takes you to the ruins and further ahead, the cave.
Climbing time: 3 hours from the Mahadeo temple.
Takes about 1 and a half hour (max) to reach Mahuli village from Asangaon station.
Fascinating Spots: After climbing the 10 feet Iron ladder to reach the top, we come across a couple of water cisterns. Further ahead, the route bifurcates. Right one goes towards Palasgad and the left route goes towards Bhandargad. On the way to Bhandargad, we pass through a forest and come across the ruins of a palace and a lake. Further ahead, we reach Jamun Bag, and this leads to a ridge, which leads to Bhandargad. On the right, about 500 feet below is the Kalyan Darwaza. One can ascend through Kalyan Darwaza by Rock climbing. It is possible to climb down and up the ridge to Bhandargad, from where the Pinnacles of Bhatoba, Navra and Navri make a fascinating view.
Forts Visible from the top: To the East - Ajoba
To the South east - Harishchandragad, Bhairavgad, Naneghat, Jeevdhan, Gorakhgad, Siddhagad, Bhimashankar
To the South - Matheran
To the South west - Mallangad
To the West - Vajreshwari and Tungareshwar
To the North West - Kohoj
To the North - Tansa lake
To the North East - Alang, Kulang, Madangad, Ratangad
Accomodation: The gatehouses on top of Mahuli can accomodate a few people. However it is advisable to complete the trek in one day.
Food and Water: Carry your own food. A couple of cisterns near the bifurcation are sources of clear water.
Range: Shahapur
District: Thane
Grade: Easy
As we drive on the Mumbai-Nashik highway, as we approach Shahapur-Asangaon, we can see the long range of pinnacles on the left. This range consists of 3 forts, Palasgad, Mahuli and Bhandargad, and other pinnacles. Mahuli is a very famous spot for trekking and waterfall rapelling during the monsoon.
History: In 1485, Leek Ahmed, the Nizamshah conquered Mahuli fort along with other forts in the Konkan area. In 1636, in the efforts to save Nizamshahi, Shahaji Raje took shelter at Mahuli fort along with his wife and Shivaji. The Moghuls attacked the fort under the leadership of Khan Jamaan. Shahaji fought hard, but in vain.
Later, in 1658, Shivaji won back the fort from the Moghuls, but in 1666 returned it to them under the Treaty of Purander. Since it was considered as 3 seperate forts (Palasgad, Bhandargad and Mahuli), Shivaji saved his 2 forts as he was supposed to surrender 23 of his forts under that treaty.
In 1670, Shivaji led a surprise attack on the fort in the middle of the night with 1500 soldiers, but the alertness of the Rajput Killedaar Manohardas Gaud foiled Shivaji's plans and 1000 maratha soldiers got killed. Manohardas understood that Shivaji will once again attack the fort. He left his post and Allaviddi Beg became the new Killedaar. On 16 June, 1670 Shivaji and his soldiers charged and attacked the fort and conquered it.
In 1818, The fort passed over from the Marathas to the Britishers.
Ways to reach: Reach Asangaon railway station on the Kasara line of Central Railway. From the station, start walking towards the Mumbai-Nashik Highway. After walking for about 10 mins, we come across a petrol pump on the left. One can have light snacks in the restaurant here. A further 5 mins walk, and a path enters towards the village and the famous Manas Temple of the Jains. From here, Mahuli village is at a distance of approximately 4 kms.
The Climb: Reach the Mahadeo Temple near Mahuli village. From behind the Mahadeo temple, the route begins. Avoid a bifurcation just ahead of the temple that goes to the left and gets you to a Ganesh temple. Take the narrow straight route off the main road, which after 15 mins comes across a big stream. We have to cross this stream. The road to the left that goes along the stream leads you to the waterfall. After you cross the stream, the path turns left and then gradually climbs up to a plateau in an hour. Then it runs along the ridge and reaches the massif. A further climb of an Hour takes you to the iron ladder, about 10 feet high. Climb the ladder and you reach the top. A further walk of half an hour takes you to the ruins and further ahead, the cave.
Climbing time: 3 hours from the Mahadeo temple.
Takes about 1 and a half hour (max) to reach Mahuli village from Asangaon station.
Fascinating Spots: After climbing the 10 feet Iron ladder to reach the top, we come across a couple of water cisterns. Further ahead, the route bifurcates. Right one goes towards Palasgad and the left route goes towards Bhandargad. On the way to Bhandargad, we pass through a forest and come across the ruins of a palace and a lake. Further ahead, we reach Jamun Bag, and this leads to a ridge, which leads to Bhandargad. On the right, about 500 feet below is the Kalyan Darwaza. One can ascend through Kalyan Darwaza by Rock climbing. It is possible to climb down and up the ridge to Bhandargad, from where the Pinnacles of Bhatoba, Navra and Navri make a fascinating view.
Forts Visible from the top: To the East - Ajoba
To the South east - Harishchandragad, Bhairavgad, Naneghat, Jeevdhan, Gorakhgad, Siddhagad, Bhimashankar
To the South - Matheran
To the South west - Mallangad
To the West - Vajreshwari and Tungareshwar
To the North West - Kohoj
To the North - Tansa lake
To the North East - Alang, Kulang, Madangad, Ratangad
Accomodation: The gatehouses on top of Mahuli can accomodate a few people. However it is advisable to complete the trek in one day.
Food and Water: Carry your own food. A couple of cisterns near the bifurcation are sources of clear water.
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