Members: Sulekh Baikar, Shamim Sheikh and Sambhaji Chopdekar.
We reached Kalyan at about 08.00 am. Many ST buses go to Nagar & Junnar via Malshej ghat. We settled in one of them going to Aalefata. Murbad is about 30 km away from Kalyan. We saw some mini buses that go to Dhasai or Vaishakhre. One group was going to Gorakhgad in one of them. From here, the major village is Tokavade that is about 27 km away from Murbad. We requested the conductor to alight us at the NanetaL which is about five km away from Tokavade. The total fare is Rs. 40/-.
We reached NanetaL at 10.00 am. One can easily locate the Vandarlingi, Jeevdhan & Nanacha Angatha from here. We started from there, had some breakfast of pohe & fish (thanks to Sulekh’s mother) and reached the Naneghat cave slowly at about 13.15 pm. The trek is rather easy due to the white painted marks (rekhi). We could see two water tanks and a stone carved with a sharabh & (may be) Hanuman on our way.
In the cave, there was nobody except two local boys. We had our lunch over there. The water in the tanks is still potable. Just, one should move away the tiny green leaves to get a crystal clear water. It is just amazing!
After having some rest, we got off for Jeevdhan at about 14.10 pm. We hired one of the above boys viz., Kaloo who led us there via Vandarlingi. One has to go to the right of the Gune ghat. One can easily locate the beautiful Dhakoba that is the highest peak in that region. We remembered our exhaustive Durg-Dhakoba trek. Shamim literally folded his hands towards it.
Our aim should be straight-the Vandarlingi. The slit having the Kalyan Darvaza is easily visible towards the left of it on the katalkada of Jeevdhan. We then entered into the jungle, thanks again to the white mark! Soon we reached a small dam-like structure at about 14.35 pm. From here, we proceeded further keeping the Jeevdhan to the left.
At about 14.37 pm, we came across the bamboo jungle. Now our aim was definite! We kept Vandarlingi in front of us and rushed into the bamboo jungle. Then we went towards the right to find some big rocks. We traversed them from our right and proceeded towards the left to the steep patch to have the beautiful Vandarlingi just above our heads. Due to rains, it was difficult to have a clear path but the target was sure.
After ascending the steep patch through those dense bushes, we came across at 14.52 pm to a large stonewall. We could see the small lingi (pinnacle) that is just below the Vandarlingi towards our right.
From here, we started towards the left through the stream path. The view of Nanacha Angatha (thumb) is just superb. Within just 5 minutes, we reached the carved footsteps and relaxed there for some time. After ascending some 40 odd steps, we dashed towards the Vandarlingi keeping Jeevdhan to the left. We reached the base of Vandarlingi at about 15.20 pm. It is also known as the “Khadaa Paarashi” because of its peculiar structure.
A cute little boy from a family just reminded me of my beloved nephew, Mihir. His father kept him on his shoulders and went to the Vandalingi by crossing the thin patch that connects both of these beautiful structures to each other. It was just heartening!
We had some rest at the well-carved cave at the base. The view is simply breathtaking! We had our beloved Dhakoba and a beautiful wall reminding us the Konkankada of Harishchandra. We had enough rest so we started at 15.35 pm for Jeevdhan.
Soon we reached some 30 odd steps that lead us towards the right to find the hidden bastion (buruj. The wind blow is simply terrific! The Nanacha Angatha keeps us inspiring to ascend the rock patch. The path is literally tiresome reminding us the footsteps of Sarasgad. After ascending it with some efforts, some 25 steps take us to the Kalyan Darvaza that is built in the well-known Gomukhi fashion.
It had been destroyed by the British! One can easily locate the spots where they had put the ammunition. The gate is not so high but full of rocks inside it. There are three structures carved on the gate. We could identify only the moon and sun but were clueless about the middle one that is like a Kumbh.
We then climbed it with the help of our guide. It is like this, first we have to keep our feet on the rock as a bird, say, a cock. Then raising our heads safely we turn to the left taking the help of the wall. It’s not so difficult! The scene is just fantastic once you reach the top. We were there at about 16.10 pm. Thus, we had our task completed within 2 hrs, thanks to our guide!!
Then we headed towards the south to see the Vandarlingi from the top! It’s just worth seeing! We laid down carefully and observed the pinnacle (lingi) from its top. The moment was really satisfactory!
The fort has a tank upwards, just near the Kalyan gate. Then we went towards the Kothi after descending the citadel (balekilla). It’s a large structure that was used to store food grain in those days! We entered it carefully with torches, but this place is not so safe for the night stay! The Kothi has an amazing roof built of rock. On observing it, one can easily conclude that some part of the Kothi is just below the balekilla. There are about 5 tanks to the left of the Kothi out of which only one has some water in it.
Here one can easily locate the bastion to the east side and the base village-Ghatghar just below to the left. It was almost 17.30 pm and our guide was unable to show us the temple of Jeevai. So we started our return journey towards Ghatghar to the left of Kothi.
After descending some 25 steps, there is a water tank but it was covered with some yellow-colored algae. After some 55 steps, we came across two successive rock patches which bear the helpful step holes (pavtyaa). Thanks again to our guide, we alighted both of them within 10 minutes by following the simple rule-Face the Rock!
After descending some more 65 steps, we came across the first waterfall. There was no water so it was easier for us to descend. However, it would be somewhat difficult to descend in the rainy season! It was almost 17.55 pm and we were on the opposite side of the sun. Soon we were in the bamboo jungle and came out of it at about 18.15 pm.
At last, we had successfully completed our trek. We then went to Ghatghar to find Subhash Dake’s house where we had a nice night-stay.
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