Trekking in Maharashtra, India : 150 Forts

Sajjangad fort has temples and many monuments on top. It was home of Swami Ramdas, the spiritual guru of Shivaji from 1608, when he lived in Parali and later from 1673 to 1681 on the fort. It had a small history and the Mughals controlled it from 1700 after the death of Shivaji and Swami Ramdas.

Buses ply directly to the fort from Satara ST stand (10 km). The fort has three temples (pilgrim centre), ashrams, accommodation and ruined buildings. Swami Ramdas samadhi is visited by many and is a good temple with a gopuram and an underground chamber for meditation.

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The Peshwa fort's construction was started and completed on a Saturday. So it is named as Shaniwarwada. The fort has five entrances, four cannons, water reservoirs, palace in ruins (foundation), good fountains, bathing tubs, Durbar hall etc and is rectangular in shape. The fort is well preserved and there is wall paintings near the main gate. Above the main gate, there is a balcony made of wood with carvings.

Balaji Bajirao (1740 -1761) the third Peshwa constructed the Diwan Khana (Main hall of audience) for celebrating Ganapati festival in 1755. Later on Nana Phadanwis, Prime minister to Sawai Madhavrao (1774 -1795), constructed a few more rooms. Captain Moor who visited Pune when Peshwa's power was at its height described the splendor of this hall. He had seen more than a hundred dancing girls in the palace at one time.

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Pune has 25 forts, more than 100 rock cut caves and 125 ancient temples.

Patta is one of the most interesting and towering forts with a huge plateau on top. It was also called Vishramgad ('fort for rest' as Shivaji has stayed to recover from an illness). The weather is always very pleasant here, even in summer due to breeze.

Travel from Igatpuri near Nashik to Konkanwadi phata via Taked by Sinnar bus (30 km, 1145 am). On the way one can see around 40 windmills. The road from Konkanwadi phata bifurcates (left) and climbs to Avandh (1322 m). The right road leads to Konkanwadi (7 km). The Patta hill range has a summit on the left and the range breaks at right with a separate hill. The road further goes to base of the fort via this gap.

From the road one can see a small domed temple. Follow the easy 'kachha' road to the temple, 2 caves, a cave cum water tank, a small tunnel and to the top plateau. On the extreme southern end, there is a hall - Muslim style (domed) construction in - fairly good condition. One km flat walk leads 12 water cisterns in series and two fairly large caves near the summit. The summit is having an grant view of Avandh fort, windmills and lakes. The to and fro trek from Konkanwadi phata takes 4 hour. If one is having vehicle, it is an easy fort to climb (1.5 to 2 hour trek).

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Pawnanagar to Lonavla via Shiv Khind pass (20 km trek in 7 hour). Pawna lake is one of the largest water bodies of the area which supplies water to places beyond Pune. The road is on the banks of the Pawna dam with views of Tung fort. Dam has long walls and an electric power station nearby. The lake has boating facility - water scooter, speed boat (Rs 50 for a round trip) and motor boats.

The road zigzags on the banks of the Pawna lake to Mantru temple of Sant Gyaneshwar. The two waterfalls nearby are a good place to visit. Lonavla is on the other side of the hill range at a distance of 9 km. The road climbs gently to Shiv Khind and the pass is a narrow one cut through solid rock. Just after the Shiv Khind, a road on right side goes to the upper plateau of Lohagad fort. The road further leads to Aundhe village and then to Khusgaon. Sinhagad educational institutions are nearby. The road further goes to Lonavla via Bhangarwadi.

Tung fort can be approached from Pawna dam by launch or from Tikona by a long march (road). On the left side of the massive rock face there is a Hanuman temple is located. From there approach the rock face and a small track leads to the top. A nice trekking experience with grand views of the surrounding hills and Pawna lake.

Lohagad fort is 10 km from Lonavla by this road. Visapur fort can also be easily trekked in a day. No shops on the way and the monsoon time (July - Aug) is the best time for a visit. The route is motorable and is popular with two wheelers.

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Panshet dam is 40 km from Pune connected by ST bus (Swargate station). Jeeps are also running on this route with a travel time of one hour. On the route, first comes Khadakwasla dam (11 km) and is a popular picnic spot. National Defence Academy, National Water Academy, Indian Armament Technology, Institute of Defence Studies etc are the prime national institutes located here. The road follows the Sinhagad fort road and takes right diversion to Khanapur. The area is scenic and a good road traces a curved path on the banks of Khadakwasla lake to reach Panshet. Two main dams - Panshet & Varasgaon - are located nearby.

Both dams can be visited and are at a distance of 2 km each from Panshet ST stand. The flow of water from Panshet dam can be seen by following a road from dam site. It is frightening sight with deafening sound of the flowing water, a small Niagra flalls !. Don't beleive my words or the photographs, go to Panshet and experience it during monsoon months.

Varasgaon dam has a small electric power station is located at the base of the dam. There are two boating clubs are functioning - Varasgaon boating club and Dolphin boating club. Both has facilities of speed boat, water scooter and motor boat. Walking on both dams and photography are not permitted.

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Little after Randha falls, Malegaon Phata to Kumshet by bus. Zigzag tricky route to top.

Views of Godishep (861 m) horse shoe like projection and Napta. Panchnai village is nearby.

Kolhapur is famous for the Mahalakshmi temple and the old palace. The other tourist attractions are Chattrapati Sahu museum, Town hall museum, Binkhambi Ganesh temple and the Ronkala lake - temple. Khidrapur temple is 75 km away.

The Panhala fort (24 km) is 1 hour travel by bus from Kolhapur. A huge water reservoir - Narnala - is located on top.

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Travel from Ratnagiri to Amba (60 km) via Sakhara. The 5 km Amba ghat - Amba road stretch is scenic. During the monsoon season, one can enjoy the beauty of forest, flora and fauna. A small road leads to the fort (20 km). A dargah and temple on top of the fort. Pavankhind is nearby.

Trek from Gajapur near Vishalgad fort to reach a huge plateau named Ghod Uddanadha Mal. A 5 km trek takes one to a 30 m deep gorge. A further 5 km trek via Dhangarwadi takes one to Dandhrepani (15 km from Malkapur). From where one can get bus to Kolhapur.

Reach Mulher village from Taharabad (7 km). Good track leads to the top of Mulher and the trek takes 3 hour. Hargad can also be visited through a chor darwaza and a rocky staircase.

Travel from Junnar to Godre (12 km) by ST bus. 4 km trek to the fort.