२०१८ च्या फेब्रुवारीत आम्ही तिघेही पवईच्या हिरानंदानी संकुलात असलेल्या TrueBil च्या अखत्यारीतील जुन्या गाड्या पाहायला गेलो आणि प्रथमदर्शनीच, लालसर रंगाच्या फोर्ड फिगो या गाडीच्या प्रेमात पडलो. किंमत वाजवी होतीच आणि मुळात फोर्ड हा माझा स्वतः चा आवडीचा ब्रँड असल्याने फारशी खळखळ न करता तिला पदरात घेतले. मनोमन तिचे 'मंगळी'असे छानसे बारसेही केले.
नोंदणीचे सोपस्कार पार करून १ मार्च २०१८ म्हणजे होळीच्या दिवशी ती आमच्या डोंबिवलीला आली. बरेच दिवस डोंबिवली-प्रभादेवी अशा फेऱ्या झाल्या नंतर तो दिवस उगवला. ५ मे २०१८ या दिवशी पहिल्यांदा ती लॉन्ग ड्राईव्हसाठी सज्ज झाली आणि स्थळ होते बसगडचा किल्ला. कल्याण-इगतपुरी-घोटीमार्गे भल्या पहाटे आम्ही निरगुडपाड्यात दाखल झालो.
त्यानंतर हळूहळू बरीच ठिकाणे पाहण्याचा योग मंगळीमुळे आला. लॉकडाउन असल्याने अनायासे वेळ मिळाला आणि विस्मरण होऊ नये म्हणून ही यादीच बनवली. १ मार्च ते जून २०१८ पर्यंत : निरगुडपाडा (बसगड), देहू-आळंदी, खिडकाळेश्वर, त्र्यंबकेश्वर (दुर्गभांडार), गणेश-घोळ देऊळ ;
जुलै २०१८ ते जून २०१९ पर्यंत: घणसोली-गवळीदेव, वांगणी-बेडीसगांव,
कोंडेश्वर, माहुली पायथा, हट्टी-चांदवडपर्यंत (कांचना-मंचना,धोडप, इंद्राई,
राजदेहेर), लोणावळे, कोराईगड, दुधिवरे खिंडीतून लोहगड आणि तेथून घाट उतरत
भाजेमार्गे मळवली, धोकावडे-आवास, उरण-बेलापूर किल्ले, मुळगाव-खंडोबा,
नांदगाव-विनायक, पंढरपूर ते अक्कलकोट मार्गे पार गाणगापूर, सोलापूर किल्ला;
जुलै २०१९ ते जून २०२० पर्यंत: सिन्नर-गोंदेश्वर,
गणेशपुरी-वज्रेश्वरी, पोशीरमार्गे खांडस (पदरगड), रेवदंडा-साळाव-कोरलाई आणि
लॉक-डाउन कृपेने बदलापूर :)
Members: Mahesh Raut, Vishal Chaughule, Sambhaji Chopdekar, and MangaLi (Ford-Figo).
When we started from Dombivli and reached Badlapur via pipeline road, our Google baba showed us the fastest road-going through #Poshir village that connects the Murbad -Mhasa road near #Khandas, instead of the usual Neral-Kothimbe-Kashele-Khandas road. It was lonely but quite enjoyable as going through the jungle. However, at some points, it is filled with little stones - authorities have forgotten to add the tar, it seems!
At some junctions, it was confusing but the map was getting adjusted accordingly. So, initially, there was not any problem. However, at one point, we had to halt on the way to confirm the route toward Khandas from a local motorist as the map shown by Google baba was not helpful.
Though we were not able to find out Padargad, the beautiful view of Sidhhagad was heartening. Soon, we reached a junction from where the Padargad was far away in the right-hand direction. It was obvious as we had on a different path toward Khandas. By keeping the Bhimashankar range to our left-hand side, we, at last, reached the Khandas bridge.
There is a tar road that goes till the base of the Ganesh ghat. Initially, we thought it to be the ideal place for parking.
However, we realized there is ample space ahead for parking and the vehicle was parked safely there. There was nobody except us. In monsoon, this parking space might have been getting fully occupied - thanks to the beauty of this trek then!
The parking space at the base of Ganesh ghat
We started and within 30 minutes reached the small but famous Ganapati temple. That's why the name of this route is Ganesh ghat. It goes toward Padarwadi - a big well is an indicator.
The route goes through a beautiful jungle known as Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary. In monsoon, its beauty enhances multifold, and hence, lots of enthusiastic people flock to Bhimashankar to enjoy - the so-called monsoon picnic.
Beauty with two cute beasts! :D
On the way, we came across this wonderful source of chilled water that was replenished in our stomach as well as bottles.
Slowly but steadily we reached that big well.
From that big well, the usual straightway goes toward a big waterfall (obviously in full swing in monsoon) - the waters of it fall swiftly into the vast valley between the Padarwadi and the Bhimashankar range. From that waterfall point, the route goes further toward Bhimashankar and meets the path from the Shidi ghat.
For Padargad, however, one should look for the pathway slightly ahead of that big well that moves to the right-hand direction into the thick jungle. Fortunately, some trekkers had already marked this point which made our task quite easy.
Arrow indicating a direction toward Padargad
The route through the jungle ahead of that big well up to the base of Padargad is very well marked with red painted rekhi and numerous
balanced stones models.
In order to understand the exact route to the top of Padargad, one should consider the following snap of the fort taken from the point near the well:
We can clearly observe - there are two V-shaped structures. The left-hand side (LHS) V has to be negotiated with chimney climbing followed by a slightly difficult rock patch to the RIGHT-hand side that takes us to the base of the first hillock.
Video courtesy: Mahesh Raut
Traversing the first hillock, one comes across the first rectangular excavation.
It offers a beautiful display of Bhimashakar dense jungle from here for sure!
First cave of Padargad, Photo by Mahesh Raut
Then the way enters the second V with broken steps as the first set.
One should be vigilant while ascending them. The route then moves toward the right-hand side with the second set of steps.
Here one should remain cautious as the bridging point might be scary due to exposure to the valley. I would never ever forget a mishap had happened with a group here while returning. Fortunately, there was not any casualty but the incident was quite scary. However, if one remains calm and careful, such unhappy events can be certainly avoided.
The second set of steps is in a well-maintained condition that makes it easy to reach the plateau atop the fort.
The second set of steps in the second V, Photo by Mahesh Raut
Just after ascending those steps, there are two dried up water tanks on the LEFT-hand side at the plateau. One can easily locate Kothaligad (Fort Peth) from here.
Dried water cistern on the left-hand side (LHS)
We moved further toward the second hillock known as Nandi pinnacle. There is a small pit to cross over.
Toward the second hillock (Nandi pinnacle)
The Nandi pinnacle of Padargad!
There is one
potable water cistern on the RIGHT-hand side at the base of the Nandi pinnacle beside the remainings of a house type structure.
Potable (?) water tank at the base of Nandi, Photo by Mahesh Raut
After moving ahead keeping Nandi (the second hillock) to the RIGHT-hand side, we reached the third and last, largest hillock bearing the second cave/excavation.
It is easy to locate the Tungi fort behind this hillock if the skies are clear.
The second cave excavated at the base of the third hillock, Photo by Mahesh Raut
This second cave is easily visible with naked eyes from the point where that big well is situated. We had the much-needed rest here. It was really enjoyable to observe the
wonderful forest through which the ladder route goes to Bhimashankar!
Nandi pinnacle and Bhimashankar, Photo by Mahesh Raut
We started our return journey after having lunch and a peaceful nap.
Look at Mahesh behind - carefully walking toward Nandi!
Nandi pinnacle from the base of the third and last hillock
We carefully descended through the second V.
The steps in the second V
The major challenge for me was alighting the rock-patch just before the chimney. It was negotiated very well.
Vishal alighting safely through the chimney
Descending thereafter was quite smooth. We replenished our bottles at that point mentioned earlier. While returning, we looked at the mighty Padargad astonishingly as we had been there a short while ago.
The route was still enchanting - thanks to the beautiful Padargad from various angles.
We took some rest at the Ganapati temple and resumed quickly. As we approached the base, I felt relieved to check the vehicle safe and intact. While returning we took the usual road from Khandas to Neral.
