Quick Trek to Ghangad, Lonavala

As monsoon begins, many trekkers booked their calendar for treks nearby Pune and Mumbai. On late Friday evening, we (Me, Friend Himanshu & Vishal) decided to go for a trek on Saturday. The weather was set perfectly fine and we decided to for Ghangad fort.

Trekkers for Ghangad fort were me, friends, Himanshu and Vishal.

Ghangad Fort

About Ghangad:
Changed fort located in Lonavala region and the base village is Ekole. Fort is close to Korigad fort and Tel-bail Wall Mountain. This fort was mainly used to keep a watch on the surrounding area. Not much is known about the history of this fort. This fort can be cover in half day OR combined with Korigad for the day trek.

To reach the base village of fort from Pune is Pune – Lonavala – way to Ambi valley - Peth shahpur – After 1-2 km drive, take right turn for Bhamburde village - Bhamburde village – Take right after Bhamburde village – Ekole village

11th June 2016: Ghangad Fort:
               We woke up early morning by 5.30 AM and left Pune by 6.30 AM. On the way, we picked up our friend Vishal and joined Old Pune-Mumbai highway due to less traffic however we came back to Pune via expressway. The drive was wonderful with light rain and cold morning breeze. We took our first pit stop for breakfast at Manshakti center. We enjoyed tasty Vada-Pav as it was drizzling outside. After breakfast, we began our journey towards Peth shahpur village near Ambi valley city.
              After driving through the fog while enjoying the beauty of nature we reached the base village Ekole by 8.45 AM. Without wasting a time, we began our trek. There is sigh board pointing Ghangad route. After small walk towards a hill, we joined forest route laid with rocky steps. After 10-15 min, we reached Garjai temple. Temple area consist of deepmaal (Stone pole to keep oil lamp) and old time Shilalekh (Inscription). There is a small route on the left side which takes you on the fort.

Route to Ghangad from Village

Garjai Temple, Ghangad

Way to Fort from Garjai Temple

               After few meters climb, we reached the entrance gate of the fort. The entrance gate is facing towards East direction. After crossing gate, you can see a large cave. People can use this cave for overnight. On the right side, you can see huge rock inclined on mountain wall. Rock was a part of the mountain which slide down creating nature tunnel. We decided to visit this part while climbing down.

Entrance Gate, Ghangad

                On the other side (left side after entrance gate), you can see a ladder. As per history, there were stone steps which were destroyed by British after capturing fort in 1818. Now Iron Ladder was placed so trekker can climb up on the fort. Be careful while climbing a ladder. At the end of the ladder, there is small metal part penetrated in rock to move further.

Ladder to Climb Ghangad...Be careful in Monsoon...Himanshu looking at Vishal's Climb

                There is Water trench at the end of a ladder which content drinking water and available throughout the year. After Ladder section, we climbed some rocky patches to reach the final entrance gate of the fort. Entrance and other structures are in ruined condition. Be careful on rock patch in monsoon. Shivaji Trail group installed metal rope on rocky patches which make your climb easy.

Water trench at Ghangad

Rocky Climb on Ghangad

               Fort area is quite small and can be covered in just 30 minutes. You can see the main bastion of the fort on the left side after crossing final entrance gate. This was used as a watch tower. We took right side route after entrance gate to explore fort area. There is one water trench which is in ruined condition. At the end of this route, you can see two water trenches.

Entrance to Fort on top, Ghangad

Huge Bastion on Ghangad

View From Ghangad

               View from this point is simply breathtaking. You can see Tailbaila Mountain, Sudhagad fort, and Sarasgad fort. We took rest here and enjoyed the different moods of Mother Nature. After capturing nature in camera and group photos, we continued our trail. Walking for few more minute, we reached Fort's bastion. We decided to leave the fort and came down quickly.

View of Tailbaila

View of TailBaila

Climbing down from Ghangad

               After crossing Ladder, we saw natural tunnel / stone arch. There is a small route at the end of the stone arch which takes you to water trench. We saw water trench and returned at the entrance gate. Kindly avoid this patch in monsoon even though metal rope is installed in rock for support.

View from ladder at Ghangad

Rock arch at Ghangad

               We climb down remaining fort with lighting speed. We left Ghangad by 12 PM and took a lunch break at Manshakti center for Misal Pav. After heavy lunch, we join Expressway and reach home safely.

View from Ghangad

Ghangad Fort

Expenses:

• Car Petrol: INR 1000/- (approx. 14 Lit and 3 people in car)
• Toll: INR 91/- (Pune to Lonavala one way from old highway)
• Breakfast: INR 150/- for 3 people (2 Vada Sambar, 4 Vada Pav and 3 coffee)
• Lunch: INR 285/- for 3 people (3 Misal Pav, 2 Sabudhana Wada and 3 coffee)
• Toll: INR 117/- (Lonavala to Pune one way on Expressway)

Things to carry for Ghangad trek:

• A water bottle to carry at least 2 liters of water
• Some dry food and packed lunch, No suitable food stall is available on Torna fort.
• Windcheater / jacket / Barsati during monsoon trek.
• First aid kit
• Do carry instant energizers like Glucon-D or Tang.
• A towel or napkin and 2-3 old newspapers
• Camera to capture best nature movement
• Better avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments. No need to carry heavy cash.

Thanks for reading this Travel Blog. Happy traveling.

Pritesh Kulkarni

Pune

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Quick trek to Korigad Fort, Lonavala

Very heavy rainfall started around Pune so we thought better to go for easy and safe trek. We all wanted to do a short trek on Sunday so we decided to go for Korigad fort near Lonavala.
Due to heavy rain, I was not able to post any good photos. I will surely visit this fort for Photography somewhere in this winter and will post blog again on Korigad Fort.

Trekkers for Korigad fort were me, my wife Renuka, our friends Himanshu - Ketaki, Abhijeet – Manasi and Sangram – Priyanka.

Korigad Fort, Lonavala

About Korigad Fort:

Approximately 25 KMs from Lonavala, there is a village called Peth Shahapur. This village is the base of the Fort Korigad. This region of Pavana is called Maval of Korbarsa. Fort is now maintained by Aamby valley city and from base point; stone steps are laid till the top. Climbing on stone steps was quite easy task and we reached at the top soon.

To reach at the base of fort from Pune is Pune – Join Pune-Mumbai national highway (you can also take express way and take Lonavala exist) – Reach Lonavala – Take a left at Kumar resort – Bushi Dam - Travel towards INS Shivaji – Start climbing ghat section – After ghat section, you will come at Y junction – Take right till Peth Shahapur village.

Other route is Pune – Chadani Chowk – Pirangut – Paud – Take a right at Paud after Bus stand – Hadashi (No need to take Hadashi temple route) – Javan – Take left at Javan village - After crossing Hilton resort, look for proper T junction (Javan to T junction distance is around 14 km) – Take left at T junction and drive for 6-7 km. You will reach at Y junction and take you turn towards left to reach at Peth Shahapur village.

21th June 2015: Trek to Korigad (Total Distance traveled: 140 km):
            We woke up early morning by 5 am and left Pune by 6.30 after meeting other trekkers in Kothrud area. We all knew the roads and we were going to travel in our four wheelers. It was raining heavily right from the beginning of the trek till we came back home. We preferred the Old Mumbai-Pune highway from Chadani Chowk. Drive was wonderful with heavy rain and cold morning breeze. We took break at Manshakti center canteen for tasty snacks but unfortunately it was to open at 7.30 AM and we reached there by 6:45 AM. We moved ahead and had breakfast at Hotel Ram Krishna at Lonavala. After driving through the fog while enjoying the beauty of nature we reached the base village by 8.15 AM.

Road to Korigad Fort

Korigad in Cloud

           We parked our vehicles at Peth Shahapur and began with our easy level trek to Korigad fort. We need to walk for 1-1.5 km to reach at the starting point of stone steps. While walking on that route if you feel that you are leaving fort behind (on right side) then don’t worry, you are on right track. The easy way to reach the steps is to travel towards the tallest lamp post that is there near the steps. You can also take forest route but make sure to travel towards lamp post.

Forest route

           We preferred forest route to explore dense forest. We were aware of fort area and well experienced in trekking condition. If you are new to any fort area it is always better to follow the main route for safety. After few minute walk, we reached at the midpoint of stone steps route. Climbing on steps is easy task. En route the top, there is a small cave and Ganesh temple. In monsoon, waterfall flows on steps which make your climb more interesting. 

Steps to fort

Water flow on steps...

Silky flow of water...Korigad Fort

Ganesh temple and Cave

           Soon we reached at the first entrance gate of Fort known as Ganesh Darwaja. You can see ruined structure of the fort. After few meter walk, you can see Shiv temple and Lakes. Take a walk towards left to reach at the bison where Temple of Goddess Korai Devi is located. This temple has been renovated recently. There is a “DEEPMALA” right in front of the temple. The idol of Korai Devi is around 4 feet high.

Entrance of Fort

Korigad temple

Korai temple

            The fortification of this fort is quite undestroyed. You can spot many bastions on the fort especially on the southern side. This fort hosts 6 cannons and the biggest of them called Lakshmi Cannon is near the temple of Goddess Korai. Due to heavy monsoon we were unable to explore fort in detail. We were walking in clouds and unable to see any natural beauty around fort. Photo posted in this blog are taken during our last 2-3 visits in 2 year of span. I will visit this fort once again in winter for better photographs and for detail information.

Gad matha

Fort's massive fort

           Before I write further, I would like to share some history about Korigad fort. Shivaji Maharaj (Maratha Empire) incorporated this fort in Swarajya along with Lohgad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona in 1657. Fort was then handed-over to Peshawa (Maratha Empire). This fort was mainly use to keep control over Maval region. On 11 March 1818, British officer Col. Prother tried to win the fort in battle but even after a lengthy siege could not make any progress. After 3 days, finally he managed to hit ammunition storage by cannon and this fort went to the British.

We started descending at 10.30 AM. To avoid traffic in Lonavala, we preferred Mulshi route. We left the village and reached home safely ending the pleasurable monsoon trek.

Things to carry for trek:

• A water bottle to carry at least 1.5 liters of water
• Some dry food, in case you don’t find any suitable food stalls
• Windcheater / jacket / Barsati during monsoon trek.
• Do carry instant energizers like Glucon-D or Tang (Not required in Monsoon time).
• A towel or napkin and 2-3 old newspapers
• Small first aid kit
• Camera to capture best nature moments
• Better avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments. No need to carry heavy cash.

Our expense:

• Car petrol: INR 800/- (approx. 10.8 lit at INR 74/lit)
• Toll on Old Pune-Mumbai highway: INR 60/- One way
• Breakfast: As Per order (Average INR 70-90/- per person along with tea/coffee)
• Parking at Peth Shahapur – INR 20 for a car

Thanks for reading this Travel Blog. Happy traveling.

Pritesh Kulkarni, 

Pune

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Quick trip to Karla caves

After casting vote on Election Day, we decided to have a small trip. Due to summer time, we were unable to decide the location. Finally Karla caves came in our mind as

in last monsoon we missed it due to heavy traffic and heavy rain nearby Karla caves.

About Karla Caves: 

                It is a Caves complex of ancient Indian Buddhist rock-cut cave shrines located in Karli near Lonavala. It is developed over two periods – from the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD, and from the 5th century AD to the 10th century. There is small temple of Lord Ekvira Devi in Caves premises.

The routes to reach at Karla Cave is Pune -> Chadani Chowk -> Old Mumbai-Pune highway (Do not take left turn to join express way) -> Take right at Karle village(Lonavala is 9km away from Karli junction) -> from this junction, you will climb up a small hill -> Reach at official parking at Karla caves.

Karla Caves and Ekvira Devi Temple

17th April 2014, Pune to Karla caves:

               We (Me and my wife Renuka) started our journey at around 9.45 AM after casting our votes. This location is on old Pune-Mumbai highway but we preferred Express highway to enjoy drive. After taking small fuel stop at expressway, we reached in Lonavala. From Lonavala we joined old highway and headed towards Karli phata. There are 2 routes on highway near Karli village. One which goes towards left for Karla caves and right for Bhaja Caves (Considering that you are traveling from Lonavala to Pune direction). Both are about 4-5km from highway. We took left to visit Karla caves. After climbing small hill by car, we reached to official parking at caves.

               Karla caves and Ekvira temple are on top of hill and it is moderate climb of around 20 min. Because of temple, this place is always crowded on weekends. We were here on odd day hence it was bit less crowd. There are many shops and street food stalls from parking point to temple. Place is not maintained by locals so my advice is if you are looking for caves then better to visit Bhaje caves instated of Karla caves. Karla caves are much bigger than the Bhaje caves but noise, cleanness tampering its beauty.

Entry to Caves and temple

               Our main intention is to visit caves. There is a small entrance fee of Rs.5 for the Bhaje caves, which they utilize in maintaining the caves as it comes under the Archeological Society of India. The most impressive cave is behind temple area and can be seen from Entrance point as well. There is a large prayer hall and several caves that must've served as resting rooms for the monks, complete with a water storage area. The main hall is magnificent and hosts a large stone stupa... as always one wonders how people must have built them in the 2nd Century AD. The best thing is wooden roof which act as support for main vihara (Prayer hall). There are upper levels caves where you can reach using some stairs. The Bhaja caves share the same set of architectural designs as Karla caves. Carving on stones, pillar and at entrance is beautiful. It is good place for photography but if you are coming on monsoon or in winter. Due to harsh light condition, I was unable to click some good photos.

Elephant carving at entrance of Cave

Vihar (Prayer Hall)

Wooden curve from Vihar

Carving on pillar 

Resting Rooms

                As Temple is in caves premises, we decided to take darshan of goddess Ekvira Devi. The temple is worship for the Koli (fisherman) People. But along with the Koli (fisherman) people, goddess Ekvira is worshipped by people especially belonging to the CKP caste as their presiding family deity. This goddess is an avatar of goddess Renuka Devi. This temple was built by Pandavas during their secret exile in the forest (ajñātavāsam). We got to know story related to a temple from Pujari. When Pandavas came to this place goddess Ekvira appeared. She asked then to build temple but on one condition that it must be done overnight. Pandavas built this in one night and got boon from goddess that they will not be discovered by anybody during their secret exile. You can combine Bhaje caves along with Karla caves to make a perfect day trip. Better to visit in monsoon!

Vihar's entrance and temple on right

               After this visit, we left to Lonavala for lunch. To avoid return journey in noon, we spend more time in restaurant. There were hardly any tourists in Lonavala or in any restaurants. For return journey, we preferred another route for Pune which is via Tung-Pawna dam-Paud-Pirangut. Road condition was not up to the mark but route is scenic. We took halt at restaurant name Pawna picnic spot at Hadshi Dam. We witness beautiful sunset and reached home safely by 7 PM.

• Car Petrol: INR 700-800/- (approx. 10 lit: INR 80/lit)
• Toll (Express highway): INR 195/- (One Way)
• Toll (Near Lonavala): INR 30/- (One Way)
• Car parking at Karla caves: INR 20/-
• Entry fee by Archeological Society of India: INR 5/- per person
• Lunch in Lonavala: As per order!

Other places which you can combine with Karla caves for Day picnic:

• Bhaje Caves (Click here for Bhaje Cave blog)
• Bedse Caves
• Sunil Kandalloor Celebrity Wax Museum in Lonavala (entry fee INR 100/- per person)
• Bushi Dam in lonavala (for monsoon)
• Tiger point / Lion point at Lonavala (for Monsoon)

Thanks for reading this Travel Blog. Happy Traveling.

Pritesh Kulkarni
Pune

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