Vishramgad/Pattagad (July 01-02, 2006)

Vishramgad aka Pattagad on July 01-02, 2006

Members: Smita Jadhav, Hemant Jadhav, Shubhangi Lokhande, Kundan Lokhande, Rohan Rao, Raokaka, Abhinav, Shriharsh Tendulkar, Mallika Tendulakar, Gurudatta Pawar, Sambhaji Chopdekar, Mihir Jadhav (6 years old) and Parth Lokhande (5 years old).

My brother-in-law Gurudatta Pawar had invited me to join their group for this wonderful trek. Three members had already done this trek earlier. As I had not been at this range, I accepted his invitation at the expense of Khandas-Bheemashankar trek that was organized by my UICTian colleagues.

I alighted at Igatpuri by Tapovan Express at about 09.00 am along with Hemant, Shriharsh and Mallika who had been in another compartment. Others joined us there by Gorakhpur Express. By that time, we did some needful shopping like groceries and plastic covers. 

There was no bus available for Ninavi, the base village of Avandhha, hence we hired a jeep that carried us there through Kadva Colony. It was almost 12.00 noon and raining in between. Therefore, we made it fast. Soon we passed the Bajarang temple on the way. We climbed the first patch keeping the waterfall towards our right. It was almost 13.15 hrs so we had our lunch there on that plateau.

From here, we went straight towards the South direction to find another range in front of us. Still the Avandhha was not visible due to thick fog. This range has a nedhe (a hollow space!) towards its left. One should use the col of this hill to take a traverse towards right. However, we went through the dhhorvaataas (cattle-made trails) present between the two waterfalls to reach the top.

It was raining heavily. We continued towards the khind (a pass!). Here, a structure of Vaghobaa is present. Before crossing the khind, the way towards the right goes to the Avandhha. We abandoned the thought of climbing it, as it was not viable due to fog.

Hence, we crossed the khind and went to the left for Pattawadi. The way was not proper as it is being under construction. A windmill is to be mounted here. The road was full of mud due to rain and we were just following it blindly, as there was no option available. Soon we realized that the fort Patta was towards our left and we were not heading for Pattawadi. We came across a beautiful idol of Lord Ganesh on our way. At last, we reached Konkanwadi that is at the South-West of Patta. We stayed at the Bhairavnath temple and retired at night after having a wonderful dinner.

In the morning, we saw the amazing katalkadaa of fort Patta as the skies were clear. When we set out for Patta, Hemant caught a non-poisonous snake called Trinket Tusker from a nearby hut. It was about 3 ft in length. He held it carefully and allowed us to have the wonderful experience of handling it with utmost care. It was one of the unforgettable experiences of my life! Mihir was not also frightened as he had handled them earlier. However, to our astonishment most of the villagers were afraid to, even, touch it. It was then safely allowed to go to its way.

The route to the fort Patta goes towards right that is connected to a tar road. Here, we should always keep the Patta towards left. Within an hour, we were in the Pattawadi at about 08.50 am. From here, the way is not at all confusing. We should keep an eye on the electricity poles. We can easily locate the cave where a Swamiji called Laxman Swami Maharaj had lived and a temple of Ambikamata above it.

We started towards the West and soon we came across a place where a red-painted cannon has been placed. The trail is simply straightforward from here onwards. Firstly, we reached the cave where some of us took some rest. 

The buruj (bastion) of this fort is just mind-blowing! It is built using the rocks of the wall. It is simply awesome. To the left, there is another cave but it is not suitable for the night-stay. 

After ascending some more steps, we came at the gate that is, I think, accessible from Tirghewadi. We could make out Aad, Bhurundaa and Mhasoba (Channagiri) to the East. 

Soon we reached the ashtabhuja Ambika temple. She is sitting on a tiger. The temple has a potmaala (balcony) - may be used for storage purpose. This temple can be used for overnight stay, as there is enough water available in the form a big underground reservoir. Its outermost portion is very well separated with a well-built wall in between.

From here, the way goes to the maachi traversing the temple and keeping the poles towards the left. After ascending some hilly region, we reached a black building known as the Ambarkhana at about 09.40 am.

The structure has three blocks with three rocky roofs. The first block has a five-foot high entrance with a small window. The second block has an entrance to the right while the third block has two entrances on each side. There are totally three windows that are having the same centre.

The sky had turned cloudy and the time was not so enough, hence we did not go further. We also gave up the thought of descending towards Konkanwadi as it was rather easy to go to Pattawadi. However, we diverted our way to the right from the cannon and soon we were on the tar road. On the way, Shriharsh and I tried our best to catch the khekdas (crabs) (without harming them) under the effective training of Hemant. 

We started our return journey at about 13.00 hrs. It was really a long walk (about 5 km) as it is simply a plain road. We reached the Konkanwadi phata at about 14.00 hrs. Soon, we got an ST from Sinnar for Kasara via Taked.

In all, a memorable trek as I had my first experience of handling a snake! (So what, if it was non-poisonous!)