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dis-connect2connect-blog · 7 years ago

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Dahiwadi – A way of life Its 5 am (early morning for most of us) and the alarm bell rings ….. Dare I press the snooze button and am sure to miss on what fun lies ahead of us Hastily we all get up and after packing our backsacks and our meager daily essentials , we head off to exciting extended weekend After managing to hop on our old time friends to tag along , we, a group of ten ( 6 adults , “Abhijeet , Pratima , Trupti , Vikrant, Hubby and Self “ and 4 notorious pranksters “ Om, Shaurya , Vrushank and my little Munchkin , Vivs” squeezed into the car to start the 300km drive from Mumbai to Dahiwadi via Satara On the way , , we started munching right on the word Go Healthy breakfast of Home made finger licking Idlis , Yummy Aloo Sandwiches and methi Theplas .. Not to mention the sinful Chips and farsan . Took a halt at the famous Food Court to do our morning ablutions . It was drizzling and the weather was pleasing enough to keep our mood upbeat . As we reached Satara during our lunch time , we had a sumptuous meal of Jwari Bhakri , Gavran Chicken , Mutton ( A total feast for Non Veggies ) and Akkhi Masoor Dal and the staple Bharlela Vanga ( Treat for Veggies as well ) Then before moving ahead to Sajjangad , we ladies headed to a small clothing outlet which was bang opposite our Manas Restaurant . The window shopping looked good and we actually managed to get some nice day to day outfits. Looking at our happy faces , our respective spouses wondered whther it was d meal or the shopping that’s adding the glow … Well we ladies know it better …. Right !!! Within half an hour we reached Sajjangad ,, Literally means the Fort of Good people … we were kind of misfits … on this soil … Lol .. This is a popular scenic spot located about 20 kilometers from Satara city. You will find here a series of waterfalls, one of which is 500 meters in height. Most tourists come here during the rainy season when the waterfalls become thunderous.. Sajjangad in the district of Satara not only occupies a place of historical importance but tops the list when it comes to the devotees of Samarth Ramdas Swami, one of the most prominent spiritual mentors in this part of India. It was here that he stayed for a long time as also breathed his last. We walked up the 100 steps with heavy breaths … ( Cons of the mundane urban life ) but enjoyed the climb since it was coupled with Poses and selfies . On our downhill march , we also noticed the beautiful rain bow since it was drizzling in the sunshine . We all were happy as kids to spot this magical moment since its difficult to spot such sights sitting in the closed city office walls Further, we decided to move to Chowpatty … Well halt … The name is not a misnomer .. Its just like our very own Chowpatty with food stalls minus the beach ( J ). We with mutual consensus decided to give a miss to the Kaas Plateau is about 22 kilometers from Satara city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it comes alive with a wide variety of flowers - more than 850 different species - during the months of August and September. Since we were in June and visiting a plateau without flowers would not have been a great sight . ( We shall visit again only for Kaas Pathar in Sept …. Keeping Our fingers crossed )After gorging on the junk food like Pav bhaji , Bhel Puri ,Ice cream and giving out burps of happiness, we laid our hands on the famous Mango barfi, Kandhi Pedhe , Jambul and Ground nuts . Tired as we jumped into the car to head to Dahi -wadi , to our friend’s maternal abode . Pratima’s Parents and her younger sister , Chakuli and friend Sneha were eagerly awaiting to greet us all with open arms After a quick dinner ( since our tummies were already full ..) we snuggled in the bedsheets to peaceful sleep . Next day after a good night sleep , we all headed to Shikhar Shingnapur . The Shambhu mahadev mandir in shingnapurits an old temple devoted to lord shiva. when I heard about shikhar shingnapur for first time then i thought its related with another famous temple of maharashtra that is shani shingnapur, which is devoted to lord Shani dev since this temple is located at top (shikhar) of shingnapur hills, thats why it must be called shikhar shingnapur. two more shiva temples which should be visited by lord shiva devotees and are very near to this temple are amruteshwar temple and guptlinga temple (about 3 km away). the temple is connected with great king shiva ji maharaj family. shiva ji maharaj used to visit this temple often. There are many shivlingas (around 8) in the temple. thats why this temple is also known as dakshin kailash. Also in the inner sanctum, we saw two shivling. in this temple and 5 nandi . During mahashivratri festival many devotees visit this temple. And as per legend, lord shiva and parvati ma got married here. After a delicious homemade meal served at Khanaval ( interesting news being this place holds the wedding ground of our very Own Abhi and Pratima ) we ventured to Guptlinga mahadev temple – this secluded shiva temple is situated about 3 km from shikhar shingnapur shiva temple. both these temples are connected with chhatrapati shivaji maharaj family. another important shiva temple situated nearby is amruteshwar temple. maha dwar of shree shetra guptlinga mahadev mandir. like shikhar shignapur, this temple is also connected with great king Shivani maharaja family. Udayanraje Bhosale is the 13th descendant of the Maratha king chhatrapati Shivani maharaja. view from the main gate of the temple premises. at the entrance few ladies were selling pooja material. we were greeted by few monkeys at this point you have to climb down around 100-200 steps to reach the mahadev temple. there are few shiva and parvati ma statues placed on the way.. guptlinga mahadev temple. it’s a small temple known for its gupt shivling.. Inside the sanctum can see one marble tile is removed in this above photo. the tile is removed to feel the gupt shivling which is placed right below this shivling. that’s why it is called as guptlinga mahadev temple. There is water below this shivling. you have to put your stretched arm totally inside this cavity made by displacing the tile. at a distance of 2 to 2.5 feet, the shivling is felt in inverted shape. it is said that only fortunate people can touch it. i saw few people were scared to put their hands inside the cavity. so take the mahadev name and try your luck. After this was the highlight of the trip , wherein we all moved to fields … Shetat…. Alongwith Bhau ( Pratima’s father ).. Well in the locals , Our parents are not termed as Baba, Daddy , Pappa , But by the name which the entire houselhold calls them as .. hence our favourite Bhau took us to the trip down the memory lane … We all had the famous bullock cart ride . A bullock cart or ox cart is a two-wheeled or four-wheeled vehicle pulled by oxen (draught cattle). It is a means of transportation used since ancient times in many parts of the world. They are still used today where modern vehicles are too expensive or the infrastructure does not favor them. Used especially for carrying goods, the bullock cart is pulled by one or several oxen (bullocks). The cart (also known as a jinker) is attached to a bullock team by a special chain attached to yokes, but a rope may also be used for one or two animals. The driver and any other passengers sit on the front of the cart, while load is placed in the back. Traditionally the cargo was usually agrarian goods and lumber.The kids had a blast on this humpty dumpty ride while the adults were somehow holding their spines upright . . Then we plucked brinjals , Ground nuts , Drumsticks , Methi, , Bottle Gourd ,and managed to get enough for a three days The wind was blasting and the atmosphere was pleasant but a bit dry .The sugarcane fields were sashaying as per the wind directions and the atmosphere was magical . With a heavy heart we bid adieu to the fields , On the way sighted the national bird taking his ritual walk . Walking August , this pristine beauty with all the colours embedded into one, was like a lottery . We cherished every moment of this serene walk .After this we visited the famous Gondavale which is a samadhi place of Shri Brahma Chaitanya Gondavalekar Maharaj. Gondavale is a very famous pilgrimage place. It gets crowd on every pournima and at the time of Shri Raamnavmi, Gurupournima, Gokulashtami, Daasnavmi.. Gondavalekar Maharaj was devotee of the god Rama. He spent a lifetime teaching the importance of peace. He showed path of devotion of god Rama to thousands of devotees. He taught a Mantara to people “Shri Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram Samadhi Mandir : is the place where Shree Maharaj rests after he discarded the human body. The day begins early at the mandir at 3 am. It is best to attend the Kakad aarti which starts at 4.45 am which is followed by phugadi, bhajan etc. The Samadhi is a simple stone structure atop which are the paduka. On the level above that is the Gopal Krishna idol. It represents that this location was a cowshed. Shree Maharaj loved cows and he had wished that he be put to rest among the cow After an eventful day we headed back to “ Pratima “The bungalow Name of Pratima’s Maternal abode completely satiated . We had great dinner served by Pratima’s Aai . Then despite a tiring entire day schedule we ladies had the energy to spare to our small talks on Life and life beyond work . The topic was so interesting that we actually took it till 3.30 early morning .. Managed to wake up by 9 am so as to march back to Mumbai . We left from Dahi wadi at 11am bidding farewell to a great hospitality . Thanks a lot Pratima for giving us an opportunity to meet your real self . This trip re-inforced the very basis of our existence . It’s the local which is still genuine . Dahiwadi Rocks !!!!

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ourratnakarblog-blog · 7 years ago

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The monsoon is expected to be pouring in full glory this year also. With monsoon, the activity of the trekkers, new as well as old, gears up to welcome the fresh green mountains loaded with many waterfalls and the fog filled mountain peaks. The surroundings in the Sahyadris during monsoon is so innocuous that a one day trek is best enjoyed by all for refreshing the mind.

With long distance treks are generally avoided during monsoon due to traffic jam delays and unsure weather conditions, short distance treks to various forts around Pune city are welcomed by many. Here is the list of such destinations for monsoon treks for your help to plan your monsoon treks. Be sure to visit my blog on Trekking in Monsoon: Enjoy the wilderness with these eight safety measures, to be safer during your monsoon treks to these destinations.

The best time to visit these trekking destinations is from June – February, excluding March, April and May due to hot summer conditions. However, it is advisable to avoid trekking trips during heavy rains or peak monsoon and plan them in pre-monsoon or post-monsoon period.

All you wanted to know about backpacking.

Sinhagad

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Type : Hill Fort

Fort height : 4400 feet MSL

Difficulty Level : Medium

Endurance : Medium

Base Village : Aatkarwadi

Distance from Pune : 30 Kilometers

Time for Trekking : 1 ½ – 2 hours from the base

Sinhgad fort is the most sought after and most frequented destination during monsoon. It is best bet for novice trekkers. Sinhgad(The Lion’s Fort), is a fortress located roughly 30 kilometres southwest of the Pune. Previously called Kondhana (Marathi: कोंढाणा), the fort has been the site of many important battles, most notably the Battle of Sinhagad in 1671. It was also strategically located at the centre of a string of other forts such as Rajgad, Purandar and Torna. Given natural protection by its very steep slopes, the walls and bastions were constructed at only key places; it has two gates – the Kalyan Darwaza in the south-east and the Pune Darwaza in the north-east.

You can either go trekking via Aatkarwadi traditional trail or by cycling or drive a vehicle to reach this fort. Once on the top, you will get a 360-degree mesmerizing view of the city while enjoying tea served with delicious hot onion Pakodas. Also savor the taste of Maharashtrian dishes like Zunaka Bhakari, Thecha, mataka dahi and Baingan Bharata.

Places to Visit:

Rajaram Samadhi, Pune Darwaja, Khand Kada, Kalyan Darwaja, Daru Kothar, Kondhaneshwar, Amruteshwar Mandir, Statue of Tanaji, Zunjar Buruj, Tanaji kada, Western Point, Kadelot Point and Bangalow of Lokamanya Tilak.

Tikona Fort:

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Type : Hill Fort

Fort height : 3580 feet MSL

Difficulty Level : Medium

Endurance : Medium

Base Village : Tikona Peth

Distance from Pune : 70 Kilometers

Time for Trekking : 1 ½ – 2 hours from the base

Fort Tikona (or Vitandgad), which is located in the region of Pawana Mawal and hidden just behind the twin-forts. However, fort Tikona can be clearly identified from the new expressway.

The mountains on Deccan plateau in the vicinity of Bor Ghat have many ancient caves like Karle, Bhaje, Bedse, Bhandara and Shelarwadi. The forts of Lohgad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona were built in order to defend these caves. This region also has a number of Ghat-routes connecting the ports on the western coast to the cities located on the Deccan plateau. These forts served as protectors of these important trade routes of ancient India. As the caves found in this area belong to the Buddhist and Heenyana era, it is believed that these forts must have been built around 800 to 1000 AD.

The whole fort can be seen in an hour’s time, as the area is not so wide.

Places to Visit:

Some remains like Mahadev temple, Fortification Wall, bastion, Water Cisterns, Caves and the mammoth entrance door.

something about trekking etiquettes here

Lohagad Fort:

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Type : Hill Fort

Fort height : 3400 feet MSL

Difficulty Level : Easy

Endurance : Easy

Base Village : Lohagadwadi / Bhaje Village

Distance from Pune : 80 Kilometers

Time for Trekking : 1 hour from the base

Lohgad and Visapur, two forts are situated near Lonavala, a famous place near Pune. Lohgad is 2000 years old, and this is proved by the existence of Bhaje and Karla caves in its vicinity. The Buddhist followers who traveled all over to spread Buddhism carved these out. These were the places where they could get peace of mind, far from people, on high mountains. Thus, the forts played a major role in preserving a great culture.

Owing to its lush green scenery and easy accessibility through steps, Lohagad is considered one of the most ideal trek for beginners.

Places to Visit:

The fort houses many old constructions and much of its fortification is very intact. Ganesh Darwaja, Narayan Darwaja, Hanuman Darwaja are main attractions. A prime attraction of this fort is Vinchu Kata, a spot resembling the tail of a scorpion.

Visapur Fort

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Type : Hill Fort

Fort height : 3038 feet MSL

Difficulty Level : Medium

Endurance : Medium

Base Village : Lohagadwadi / Bhaje Village

Distance from Pune : 80 Kilometers

Time for Trekking : 1 ½ – 2 hours from the base

Visapur stands at a higher altitude than its twin fort Lohagad and has a few steep steps to climb; hence it is usually more preferred by experienced trekkers.

In spite of being a very big fort, protected by a highly impregnable fortification and presence of a large plateau, less is written about it. The main characteristic of this fort is the strong fortification built on a large plateau, to make it one of the strongest forts. A large plateau of this size is found on many less forts. It is difficult to fire cannons on the fort due to its position. We can see the injuries of destruction caused by Mughals and British on Bhaje caves, but this has not affected Visapur much.

Places to Visit:

Water Cisterns, Fortification Walls, Storage Room, Chuna Ghani (Lime Mixture). Other things that add to the uniqueness of the fort are constructions like the bastion on the western side of the fort. This bastion, unlike others is completely within the main ramparts. Such a construction is rarely seen on other forts. The other remnants include old residential places. There is a fountain on the northwestern side.

Trekking tips for you

To be continued in Part-II

Please click here for Part-II

Enjoy the monsoon… Happy and Safe Trekking..

Ratnakar Salunke

PS: Have you passed your comment on this blog? Please do it below in comment section.

10 must do treks in and around Pune this monsoon: Part-I The monsoon is expected to be pouring in full glory this year also. With monsoon, the activity of the trekkers, new as well as old, gears up to welcome the fresh green mountains loaded with many waterfalls and the fog filled mountain peaks.

#Lohagad Fort #Monsoon Trekking #Sinhgad Fort #Tikona Fort #Visapur Fort

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