Fort Sudhagad (16-01-2016)

Members: Mahesh Raut, Vishal Chaughule, Rajesh Raut, Santosh Surve, Pradeep Uthale, and Sambhaji Chopdekar.

Sarasgad, Soorgad and Sudhagad aka Bhorapgad are the three jewels present in Pali (One of the AshtaVinayak places) region of Maharashtra. Sudhagad was also considered as an option for the capital of Swarajya by the great Chhatrapati himself but ultimately given way to Raigad.

It's a huge fort. There are two easy routes for the common trekkers to approach this mighty fort. Either go to Thakurwadi ahead of Pachchhapur (12 km from Pali) or Bairampada (Dhondse, 8 km from Pali).

It's easier to go from Thakurwadi via Pachchhapur Darwaza due to two ladders placed at the appropriate junctions on the spur connecting to the fort. 

Enroute Pachchhapur Darwaza!...

The route is now having well-constructed steps in the Darwaza section which is a commendable task. 

Toward Pachchhapur Darwaza

The most prominent remanent things on this fort are the Sarkar Wada, the Bhoraidevi temple and of-course the Mahadarvaza (main gate). 

During this visit, we came across a very beautiful structure resembling Telbaila. For me, it was quite special as I had not witnessed it in my earlier visits.

 

Mini Telbaila?

Sarkar Wada is quite useful for having a night stay.

At the Sarkar Wada

There is a complex of three potable water cisterns just before the Sarkar Wada to the right-hand direction toward the valley facing the Takmok point if one comes from the Pachchhapur route.

After Bhoraidevi temple, the path descends through a well-preserved jungle toward Bairampada and soon we came across the beautiful Mahadarvaza. Ahead of this, there are two more dilapidated structures of gates. At the third (i.e. first from Bairampada) gate there is a potable and hence, wonderful water cistern hewn in the adjacent rocks.

The route offers another equally useful water cistern known as Tanaji Tanke after negotiating for about half an hour. As the base approached we came across the mustache bearing Hanuman known as Kasarpeth Maruti. A similar idol is also present at the Soorgad fort.

Kasarpeth Maruti

From here, the route is easy toward Bairampada. You can have the company of a full-fledged water stream if it's monsoon. Don't worry, there is a small bridge over it to enter the village.

The mighty Sudhagad from Bairampada near Dhondse!

Maharashtra ST Mahamandal has now extended its services up to Bairampada. Else, one can approach the rikshawalas from Pali in advance to make a better hassle-free return journey.

 

© SRC Sambhaji Rajaram Chopdekar

Fort Surgad (30-08-2015)

Members: Pranjal Wagh, Rajesh Raut, Nitesh Jagwani, Ketan Kinkale, Siddhesh Patil and Sambhaji Chopdekar.

Surgad (Soorgad) is accessible through the base village - Vaijnath, 2 km away from Khamb on the Mumbai Goa National Highway, which is reachable from Nagothane. 

In monsoon, its top is covered with thick grass and hence, it may not be advisable to explore it then. However, it's altogether an amazing experience to visit forts in the Sahyadris in this season due to beautiful greenery around and immense water availability en route.

So, visiting Surgad during monsoon was a well-thought decision by all of us. The route to the fort starts from a small gully beside the Maruti temple @ Vaijnath and leads to two well-built wells - the second, being installed in the stream itself. 

The path after crossing this very stream through the thick woods is easy to follow due to the path-markings (rekhi) and some great work done by the Durgveer Pratisthan (y). 

Soon we came at a plateau from where the South col is clearly visible.

We negotiated the thick jungle and came across the junction where there is a small sign-board indicating the route through the South col. Just before the ascent from the South col, there is a small water cistern.

GoPro loaded with Pranjal Wagh (Waghya!) :D

We entered the fort from the South col which might be dangerous at some points in monsoon - a rope would be of great help. There are small steps carved in the path at the upper part but the path may become slippery due to the waters! We committed the mistake of not carrying rope - a great learning lesson for sure!

South col route!

Nevertheless, we could negotiate it - thanks to the useful guidance of Pranjal Wagh (Waghya).

The dilapidated gate of Surgad

We then explored the fort till its Northern end. It is enriched with some wonderful monuments such as mustache bearing Maruti, ruins of a big house, stony throne, Shiv-Pindi, a big water cistern beside it, a complex of five water cisterns in the middle part, plinths of some dilapidated houses and a mighty bastion followed by a stone carved with Farsi script.

Five water cistern complex

The path further was not easily identifiable. Pranjal took immense pains to search it for but in vain. 

Finally, we were forced to come back to the South col to descend the fort. It was a little bit scary as it started drizzling in between with some strong winds but due to able support from our Waghya, we were through to the base SAFELY. 

The fort is quite beautiful as it offers the amazing necklace view of Kundalika river from the Southern end.

Kundalika river

Mustache bearing Maruti

Do visit it at least once in monsoon to experience the rich beauty of this tiny fort.

© SRC Sambhaji Rajaram Chopdekar

Bhimashankar - Once Again!...

Date: 18.07.2015

It's one of the most wonderful treks in the Sahyadris – especially in the rainy season. However, somehow I feel really awkward staying overnight there due to some unavoidable reasons (http://hikinginthesahyadris.blogspot.in/2008/06/bhimashankar-october-8-9-2006.html?view=mosaic). 

Nevertheless, I couldn’t resist the opportunity this time as it was asked by an experienced guy like Prasad Mayekar. Fortunately, my nephew Mihir also agreed to join me – my long time wish! :D And because of him, his buddy Nishant Ambre too showed enthusiasm for such a demanding trek - really great!

The actual trek resulted in awesome fun in the company of my trekking friends – Mahesh Raut, Jagdish Sawant, Ajit Rane, Khare, and Kiran. It was overall a fantastic weekend spent in the presence of non-stop pouring! Still, there were plenty of opportunities to keep my camera busy during the hike.

The shidi ghat route has now become quite safe - thanks to such a long ladder put up there. Though it has destroyed all the thrill this trek had in the past, it should have been done to provide better facility to the worshippers who flock to the Jyotirling darshan atop in the month of Shravan.

The newly installed ladder at the Shidi ghat route

After ascending this ladder, the skies became somewhat clear and we could witness the beauty of Padargad on this route. Those who have already been to Padargad can recollect that from the cave therein, one can view this ladder with keen eyes.

Fort Padargad

The trail was enjoyable and soon, we could reach the point where the route from the Ganesh ghat meets that is longer compared to the shidi ghat. However, if one is interested in visiting Padargad or to capture it from various angles then Ganesh ghat is the chosen one.

The joint where Ganesh ghat route meets!

At last, we reached the top. Due to monsoon, the surrounding was really mesmerizing! I wish, Bhimashankar would have been less crowded, but alas! Nevertheless, reaching at the top from the Konkan region (Khandas) through the dense forest was quite wonderful.

Entrance to the Jyotirling Temple

Beautifully carved Ganesh near the Jyotirling Temple

Bheema River originates here!

  
Sakshi Vinayak on the way to Gupt Bhimashankar!

Scenic beauty near the Gupt Bhimashankar!

This time also, I do not have fond memories of the night stay. Due to the monsoon season, we had to take shelter in a small dharmashala. The next day, we returned via Ganesh ghat route.

  Toward Khandas!

This tarred road is now developed till the base of Ganesh ghat and there is enough space for parking if one plans to come in his own vehicle. (We did the same when we planned to visit Padargad afterward). From the bridge near the village - Khandas, we got into the rickshaw (tam-tam) for Karjat for the return journey.

(Clicks using Canon 1100D – modified to some extent in Digital Photo Professional.)