môRöN kReAcIõNz

January 2007: Sudhagad

Why do you need to visit Sudhagad ?

Sudhagad - Authored by my friend: Ruturaj Vartak

It all started with our incessant talks of treks. Me and Vijay always trying to find a Saturday, Sunday home amongst the lovely Sahyadris. And fortunately those who were interested in our talks and plans were the HR. From HR, Gauri who is an experienced climber was assited with Mukti, the ever excited, chirppy girl. All leading only to one result, a big unofficial company trek.

The first aim after 4 of us were in the plan were to gather more guys for the trek, and astonishingly most of the Engg. guys agreed with a few exceptions. Almost 12 guys from the company and another friend of ours Ankush raised the roster count to 13. Now that the enthusiasts were ready, what about the venue, the location, ... ? Since most of us were first-timers, it was decided by HR that the trek must be for a beginner. There was a lot of chat, contradictions, etc after visiting http://deepabhi.tripod.com , a very helpful site for as#$% like us. finally the plan was pointing towards Sudhagad, Pali. Gauri had been there once, and said it was a straight-forward trek, good for beginners. !!! HR's word is final.

October 2005: Mahuli

Why do you need to visit Visit Mahuli?


Mahuli Fort: A history

Located around four miles from Sahapur in Thane district, the fort is around 2,815 feet above sea level. It is the tallest fort in Thane. In the year 1485, the Nizams of Ahmednagar had captured several forts, including this one.



In 1636, Shahaji Raje Bhosle along with a young Shivaji and Jijabai did his best to defend the fort against the Mughals but failed against Mughal chieftain Khan Jaman’s army.



The fort almost became a witness to the fall of the Nizamshahi regime. In 1658, Shivaji conquered the fort from the Mughals but in 1666, it was won back by them.
Its the highest point in the Thane district. The forest surrounding Mahuli has been declared as a sanctuary. Once Shahaji Raje, father of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had this fortress under his belt.



Precautions :

Its better to take sufficient amount of water stock from temple itself since there isn't water source in the way. Its better to have someone with you who had already been here because the area at the top is very confusing. Make an inquiry in the temple whether the informative booklet of Mahuli(with the map) published by Nisarga Giribhraman Sanstha, is available. After reaching the top search for the caves only on the right side. Avoid going in months of March, April and May (water scarcity).

How to GO ?


Mahuli can be undertaken as an one day trek, though overnight stay in caves/dens could be quiet enjoyable. One can view Kalyan Darwaja as well as old Temple.

• The nearest railway station to Mahuli is Asangaon.
• One can catch either Asangaon or Kasara Local from Mumbai CST, which could also be caught at Kalyan. Junction.
• 4 Km. walk from Asangaon station will take you to the base temple in 1-1/2 hours.
• 3 hours trek will take you to the summit.

Images for the Second Trekk :October 2005: Mahuli + all trekka fellas...

mORON kReAcIONz - Trekking Mahuli - Photos/Pictures




mORON kReAcIONz - Trekking Mahuli - Photos/Pictures

September 2005: Lohagad - Visapur

Why do you need to visit Visit Lohagad - Visapur ?

Lohagad - Visapur

these .images were taken during the Trekkin in :SEPTEMBER 2005: Lohagad - Visapur: all trekka fellas @ Directi...

As the name suggests, this is a pass – a pass connecting the Deccan Plateau with its lower-lying neighbour, the Konkan strip. Consequently, this is a well used trail for locals to commute and it is a common sight to find local livestock clumsily navigating the steep and winding route o­n our way.

Naneghat is said to have been constructed by the Satvahan dynasty that ruled this region from 100BC to 300AD (approximately 350 years). The purpose of this pass was to connect Junnar, their chief town with their ports at Kalyan and Nalasopara. The main cave contains an inscription (in the Brahmi script prevalent in those times) informing us of this and giving further information about the Satvahan Dynasty.

This sheer cliff is a well-known land mark, very clearly visible from the Kokan.

The walls of this pass just out from the main range and hence command a magnificient view of the great bend in the sahyadri. To the north one can have a view of Kalsubai, to the south Bhimashanker, To the north east is Harishchandragad and To the north west is Mahuli across the Kokan plains, with its cleft and shatered pinnacles. To the southwest, behind Siddhagad are seen the level tops of Matheran. The great comb-like rock of chanderi and the pinnacles of Haji Malang are also visible.

This is a pass, which, once in the history, enjoyed prime importance. At Nane ghat the inscriptions, the steps, the rock-cut rest houses, and the cisterns show that as far back as the 1st century B.C.
this route was frequently used. Even now, it carries heavy trade traffic. From Ghatghar, which is the last roadhead from Junnar, one has to walk 6km to reach the pass.

Good water & caves with excellent views.
A broad route gently leads down to the Konkan, & then a flat walk to Vaishakhare and Tokavade(14km).
(From: Trek the Sahyadris book of Harish Kapadia)

We get down at Kalyan, take a bus to Malshejghat and get down at a village called Tokavade. A small road forks out from the main highway near the milestone reading "Otur 54kms" The route takes a turn into the dense forest from here. It takes three to four hours to reach the top.

We can start our trek from a village called Vaishakhere on the road going from Malshej to Murbad.

Around 2 km or so before the village there is Nanacha angtha (Nana's thumb) marking the direction we have to take.

Centuries of use have marked this trail very well, and it is indeed a wide 'highway' of a trail, that cannot be missed. An easy, but relentlessly upward route can take us to the main cave at the pass on the right of our trail in 2-3 hours.

This huge cave is flanked by water tanks and provides a convenient place to stay in.

The trail here is flanked by steep rock walls and an untiring wind --- this is the pass. beyond is the huge open plateau – the deccan. on the left are the remains of an old building and compound and on the right, some more caves dot the mountain. one of these houses an old idol of Lord Ganesha.

We can climb up from here to reach some height on the Nanacha angtha. The view from here is incredible. This is also a perfect place to spend time in the evening watching the sun go down.

From Naneghat at about 3kms there is another fort called Jivdhan. If both are coupled together then it is a two day trek.

A note for trekkers DO NOT forget your cameras here. Beg, borrow or steal....its worth it.





Additional resources:

http://deepabhi.tripod.com/naneghat.html

http://deepabhi.tripod.com/naneghat_photographs.html

http://www.adwaitjoshi.com/trek_details.php?trek=8

http://www.bhramanti.com/kalyan.html

http://www.spaceapple.com/treks/naneghat.htm

To see the pictures click this link here:


mORON kReAcIONz - Trekking NaneGhat - Photos/Pictures