दिपावली २०१८

।। श्री आशापुरी देव्यै नमः ।।

Yes, all is fine with title.. 🙃

It was that rare instance of perfect holiday setup for a week-off (9 days in total), having to apply leave for only one.. time to travel native, आमची evergreen 💚 and beloved 😘 नाशिक, to celebrate country's most popular festival - festival of lights 🎆.. पण trekking चा किडा आता घरी बसू देणार नव्हता.. and by now, Harshad had also developed his tasting buds in trekking.. 

04 November 2018

On his return journey to रायगड 🚩, in order to not get caught by Mughals, छत्रपति शिवाजी महाराज rested on पट्टा fort for few days, and hence, known also as विश्रामगड..

The morning was journey time via then recently built सिन्नर bypass 🛣️ and very well maintained tar road till base of the fort (a trouble-free driving is worth a mention 🙂) coupled with close-up views of windmills - those are huge..

It's an easy climb fort, with forest department and villagers doing great in building pathways, steps and gazebos.. the area on the top is not small and has a gazebo (छान शब्द आहे ना ! आजच शिकलो आहे 😀) at every viewpoint.. the reconstructed अंबरखाना with huge paintings presenting major events from महाराज's lifetime was unexpectedly cheerful..

eye-pleasing views of surrounding forts / mountains, especially औंढा, coupled with equidistant windmills in big numbers, and to top them all, the C shaped कडा was nothing less than spectacular.. कड्याच्या ह्या टोकावरून photo 📸 काढायच्या कार्यक्रमाला चांगलाच जोर आला होता पण घरी जेवायच्या वेळेत पोहोचतो आहे, हे सांगून आलो असल्याने, हा मोह आवरणे पण गरजेचे होते..

after exploring rest of the fort, which included 12 dried-up cisterns, it was save-yourself-from monkey 🐒 brigade to end today's adventure..

ह्या गडावर आम्ही केला तो विश्राम इतर गडांवर अनुभवलेल्या आनंदापेक्षा / आरामापेक्षा थोडा जास्त सुखकर होता.. शेवटी नावाचा फरक पडणारच.. 😉 

06 November 2018

Unplanned.. though had heard about कळसुबाई being the highest peak in महाराष्ट्र, it was never on todo.. so, it was an adhoc plan, executed within 24 hours of the first moment it struck..

On the way to base village बारी, today was that variant of sunrise 😊, which used to be only drawing option from childhood, बरोबर दोन डोंगरांच्या मध्ये.. 🌄

Initial ascend of half-n-hour or so, and waiting time for preparation of and having breakfast, slowed down the further proceedings for a while.. 

Supported by cool weather, it was less tiring than expected.. more than 2 hours from the starting point and peak was not yet in the vicinity, but we had 📸 some snake 🐍 time.. a localite spotted and warned about that 3 feet reptile just-in-time 🙏.. another 30 mins of last sprint and we were atop..

The total ascend (and of course, descend also 🤣) is comprised of 4 ladders, safely placed at much needed locations.. can be 😇 conveniently skipped if interested in trying rock options (first is slightly tough).. will be also unfair to not mention the delicious 🍲 शेव भाजी and भाकरी, on the way back, at the first sighted hotel..

If you reside in महाराष्ट्र, this is a must.. to experience the feeling of satisfaction, from the highest feet altitude, earned by spending worthy efforts, whether or not you are into trekking..

10 November 2018

Decided to climb रतनगड from Samrad side, only because the Google maps 🌏 shows a trail.. आता २-४ जणं घेऊन trek करायचा आणि त्यात guide ला पण पैसे द्यायचे म्हणजे बरोबर येणारे अजून कमी होतील.. त्यापेक्षा आपल्या lifesaver Google ने पुरवलेल्या (शिवाय फुकट) सोयी आणि इतर blogs ची मदत सहसा पुरते..

So, it was time to set Samrad as location and start the navigation 🔛.. to our dismay, it was probably the longest to-n-fro journey on the worst maintained road (a trouble-full driving is equally worth a mention ☹️).. but rest of the adventure was first among equals / one of the bests..

Trekking from this side is said to be tougher than the other and leads to the fort entry via त्र्यंबक दरवाजा which has enough handrails protection for rough / tough patches..

The route provides equally scenic views in west direction of the fort, that has a 🍫 Snickers shaped, unique pinnacle in the valley, deserving and getting special attention - top basked in mild sun and remaining waiting to.. as always, rocks and ladders did their best in ensuring there was enough thrill to make it part of this post..

As the name suggests, it is indeed the jewel 💎 of सह्याद्री.. visit the कल्याण दरवाजा and know why - the view of कात्राबाई side of mountains is simply breathtaking 😍 that marginally beats similar view from Arthur's Seat in महाबळेश्वर 🍓..

Many mountains in सह्याद्री have a special attraction in the form of a naturally created hole, popularly known as नेढं or eye of the needle.. after राजगड, it was time to explore another one.. encashed some time in this eye 👁️ to experience the highly energizing, cool and non-stop breeze.. unlike other forts, one can get to the top of नेढं here and relish simply awesome views of Sandhan Valley exit and fort's own, adjoining, very popular खुंटा..

Did check with a villager at the top for possibility of any transport 🚘 🚛 option from रतनवाडी till Samrad.. "अवघड आहे" ऐकल्यावर अमृतेश्वर पुढच्या वेळेस करायचं ठरलं.. had afternoon meal 🍱 in the same home-cum-hotel, where have had morning snacks..

A touch-n-go visit to the entrance of Sandhan Valley (popularized due to a television 📺 commercial) ended the day on a high..

Next time will be,

१. औंढा fort on the other end of C

२. family time at the top of महाराष्ट्र

३. jewel from रतनवाडी, for अमृतेश्वर