Monsoon trek to Lohagad castle

Monsoon trek to Lohagad castle

As monsoon starts offevolved, many trekkers booked their calendar for treks neighborhood Pune and Mumbai. I’m additionally interested to start some trekking endeavor this monsoon. On late Friday evening, we (My Friends & I) determined to move for a trek on Saturday. This time we made up our minds to entire the trek with the aid of public transport.

About Lohagad citadel and trek:
              Fortis established 52km from Pune in western India. It's at an elevation of three,450 ft (1,052 m). Lohagad village is the base village for the fortress. Now Lohagadwadi village is quite simply obtainable with the aid of road. Trekker more commonly starts there trek from Malavali railway station. It is just 9km far from the station. 

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 Lohagad has a protracted historical past with several dynasties occupying it at distinctive durations of time. Some historical records say, Satavahanas, Chalukyas is the first one to reach this place. Shivaji Maharaj captured this fortress in 1648, however, he was once forced to give up it to the Mughals in 1665 via the Treaty of Purandar. Shivaji Maharaj recaptured it in 1670 and used it for retaining his treasury. This fortress was once used to hold the loot from Surat. Later in Peshwa time, Nana Phadnis used this fort for residing for some time.

            There are lots of locations to peer on the fort. The primary entrance door is known as Ganesh darwaja (Lord Ganesh entrance gate). Other entrance gates within the sequence are Narayan darwaja, Hanuman Darwaja and last entrance gate is often called Maha-Darwaja. The highlight of the fortress is Vinchukata (Scorpion's tail) which reminds us of 'SanjeevniMachi 'of Rajgad. It is 1500m long & 30m large part of the mountain, separated from the major phase. Viewing from the castle this component appears like scorpion’s sting and consequently, it's referred to as 'Vinchu Kata'. This 'Vinchu Kata' used to be used for retaining a watch on the regional subject.

There are 2 methods to begin the trek to Lohagad castle, one is from Malavali station. After crossing the categorical-highway & attaining Bhaje village we get a straight route to Lohagad. After jogging for 1.5 to 2 hours & turning to the proper form `Goumukh Khind` we will be able to attain to Lohagad. Turning to left we reach Visapur castle. Another route is from Pawna aspect which I’m now not aware of it. 

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Trek to Lohagad
             On an awfully brief observe, we determined and deliberate to do the Lohagad trek on Saturday. We woke up early morning and caught 6.30 am a neighborhood instruct from Pune station for Malavali. I was anticipating a rush in regional but only a few seats were occupied with the aid of visitors. We reached on Malavali railway station after around 70 min. Without losing any time, we began our first trek patch. After the 1.5-2km stroll, we reached Bhaje village. We had some breakfast after which our trek began.

The climate was once flawlessly set for trekking stipulations. Solar used to be busy in hiding and seeks game with wet clouds. After crossing Bhaje village, there are 2 routes, one leads to Bhaje caves and different is to Lohagad fort. There used to be a route from Bhaje caves to Lohagad but I used to be no longer mindful so I took the winding route for our trek. We crossed 2-three waterfalls in route. After crossing 2 bridges (small bridge to circumvent waterfall), there's a small route on the left part which is shortcut with surprising peak achieve. We took that direction. It goes through dens small woodland. We needed to take stop once to rejuvenate ourselves. After running for a while we reached `Goumukh Khind`.

Tar street is newly constructed for final 20-30% patch. From Goumukh Khind, we took a right flip for Lohagad castle. Through taking a left turn, which you can go to Visapur fort which is very nearly the Lohagad castle. After few km strolls, we reached fortress’s base village named Lohagadwadi. Rain welcomed us after we reached a base village. From this point, stone steps are laid until the highest. Climb to the top of the fortress will have to take around forty-five mins. Throughout the wet season, water flows on the steps making them somewhat slippery. It was once raining heavily so we did not get a hazard to click on any image. Castle was surrounded by way of clouds so we were not in a position to peer something. Mountaineering on stone steps used to be quite a handy mission and we reached the highest quickly. We had been strolling in clouds and unable to look any ordinary magnificence around the fort. While you entered with the aid of last Darwaja (entrance gate), you'll discover a historical Darga on left. 

 We hardly took a pit to discontinue at the prime and marched toward Laxmi Kothi (Laxmi caves). It's a tremendous cave where 50 humans can stay. The Kothi has many rooms. This Laxmi Kothi used to be used to preserve the loot from Surat. With the aid of a torch, you can discover all the rooms of Kothi.  We moved ahead in the direction of Vinchu kata from Laxmi kothi. So that it will Vinchu kata, one can find newly built Dargah. This is the tomb of Sheikh Umar.

After few min strolls, we attain the opening point of Vinchu kata. As I mentioned prior, it's a 1500m lengthy & 30m broad a part of the mountain with a bastion on the top, separated from the predominant phase. We waited until cloud bought away and gave us a stunning view of Vinchu kata factor. Soon the rain stopped and the sun came out to show us the best way. There are 2 approaches to move to Vinchu kata. One is by way of crossing problematic rock patch and other is an extraordinarily slim route (with an exposed view on the left aspect). Due to the monsoon, we selected the slender route which was much safer than the rock patch. Better not to take a look at rock patch if it’s raining or the climate is cloudy. After the narrow route patch, there is an easy walk to reach bastion. Once we reached bastion on Vinchu kata, the climate used to be cleared and we loved the wonderful view. We took some relaxation and after taking some pictures, we began with our return trip.

It was once 1 in clock and now many trekkers were drawing near toward Vinchu kata. We were fortunate as we covered all fundamental areas within time. By the time we left Vinchu kata, rain shower begins heavily. It was once like god paused rain bathe for us so as to see the view from Vinchu kata. Now simplest the position was once left used to be Shiv temple from the citadel. We crossed the small lake and reached the small temple of Lord Shiva. There are a few small lakes regional temple subject. After our fortress sight visible, we left the fort and reached the base village.

 We began descending at 1.30 pm. At the same time descending the fortress, we noticed powerful enormous fortification. Took some photos after which reached the bottom village. We had been too hungry and ordered Pithle-Bhakri in a regional restaurant in the base village, Lohagadwadi. Meals used to be average but as we were hungry, we found delicious. As we wanted to catch local via four.30 pm, we began with our return ride. Within an hour we reached Bhaje village by 4 pm. We took auto so can with no trouble seize the teach.

  Once we reached Malavali station, we obtained to understand that there's no local as such between 3.Forty pm to five.30 pm. However, then railway employees recommended us to move through a passenger shuttle teach and the regional ticket is valid for this ride. We board shuttle train by way of 4.30 pm and reached Pune station safely ending satisfying trek in monsoon.

Thanks For Reading. Keep on Travelling