Members: Rajesh Raut, Mangesh Halbe, Anand Pethe, Pranjal Wagh, Amol Haral, Sidhesh Patil and Sambhaji Chopdekar
This fort is not well described in many literature books as it may not have witnessed any historical event. Nevertheless, a fort in the Sahyadris is an enough reason for me to visit it and enjoy the Geography around it. At this juncture, I must confess it was the snaps of Sindola fort uploaded by one of my hiking friends, Dipaali Bhosale, on webshots.com, was very helpful.
We alighted at the Khubi phata at about 10.15 am. Actually one should alight at Karanjale or at the Dattamandir near the Velkhind. Sindola is quite visible from the highway. The aim must be to reach the spur of Sindola. There is a hillock that should be crossed to reach this spur.
We were not aware about the route from Kananjale and hence had to walk up to the Dattamandir (11.15 am). The Velkhind leads us to Pargaon from where the way is easy. But on the advice of two wise local men we started our hike from the route just behind the Datta temple. After ascending this small hillock, Sindola looks like just Manikgad…the similar spur and the fort adjoining it.
Now the route is not at all difficult. We walked up to the base of the spur (12.15 pm) and went upward to reach the spur from where the pass (khind) is in the vicinity which I think is the same that has been described in Dongaryatra by Anand Palande.
We climbed the easy rock patch to reach the pass (khind) at about 12.30 pm. Actually there is an easier route available that we utilized while returning. After passing through this khind, the way was now quite straightforward. To the right, the highway and the Pushpavati dam accompany us, while on the left we can easily locate Moroshi’s Bhairavgad.
We reached the first col (ghalai) at 12.45 pm. There is a small water source upward just below the ghalai and the water is just amazing. We filled up our bottles. There is a small cave but the water inside it was not potable. We had a nice photo session here and took the much needed rest.
We then proceeded further keeping the Sindola fort to our right. One has to be careful while walking as the route is not so wide. Soon we passed the second ghalai. The way then moved toward the right at the third ghalai and we realized we have come closer enough to the entrance. The route guides us through some helpful steps (pavtya) on the way in between keeping the non-accessible valley toward our left. The unknown mighty hill beyond this valley keeps us accompanying on the left. The way goes through the ghalai and now, the bastion is visible to the right.
And at about 01.30 pm, we entered the fort where Shri Ganesh and an unknown have been carved out near the entrance. The gate is now vanished but its “astitva” can be visualized by the adjoining bastion. We reached the top but there is nothing much left on this fort. But the view is breathtaking enough. To the North, the way to Khireshwar (dam line) is clearly visible along with the Kalyan-Alephata highway.
We enjoyed our brief stay at the fort, cracked some hilarious jokes at one another, had lunch and roamed around to capture the beauty of the Sahyadri range. We decided to return back at 3.30 pm. The return journey was not at all painful as we reached the first ghalai at about 4.00 pm, filled up the water bottles. It was 4.30 pm when we reached the pass (khind).
Now there were two options: first to go along the spur and alight to the right toward Pargaon which we thought time consuming. The other option was to descend to the left through a well-guided route and go to left as much as possible toward the Karanjale village.
We were fortunate enough as the second option clicked and we were on a rather simple route going toward Karanjale. We thought we should have followed it in the morning. But you know, it happens! You are not always right!! We reached the highway at about 5.00 pm near Karanjale and were on the Kalyan route soon, in a comfortable ST.
Snaps with the help of JXD mp4
Do enjoy!...
