Our gang of four decided to go Lohgad trek that too by local train and not car or bike.
That was my first time for travelling by local. Only one member has travelled by local, so he was the guiding light for remaining three people.
As per our plan, we were supposed to reach Shivaji Nagar railway station by 6.30 to catch local of 6.35 from Pune to Lonavala.
But we missed that local and had to wait for local of 7.45.
Finally after doing one hour time pass and some photography show off, we somehow managed to get into 7.45 local for Lonavala.
We reached Malvali station i.e. one station before Lonavala. We four were going first time and did not aware of routes.
Our tension flown away when we saw near about 400 people got down from train for Lohgadh. JToo much crowd.. but it helped us.
It was continuously raining heavily, not a single umbrella was able to protect us. Then decided to enjoy rain to the fullest.
We started walking with crowd towards Lohgad via Bhaje village.
After 1 km from station, we saw one big waterfall, do not know the name but we called it as Malwani Umbrell fall as it was looking like umbrella .
Because of heavy rain, we could not capture photos, but it was awesome.
We reached to Bhaje village, where we found another big waterfall and famous Bhaje caves.
As our plan to visit Lohgad , we skipped Bhaje caves and added it for next trip.
Finally, after around 8 kms of walking we reached to Lohgad base. There we found lot many stalls of Corn,Tea and wada-pav.
Lohgad – means “Iron fort” in Marathi and is situated in Lonavala region It divides the basins of the Indrayani and Pavna and is situated on a side range of the Sahyadris. The Visapur fort is located on its eastern side. The four large gates of Lohagad are still in good condition. Historians tell in the later Peshwa period, Nana Phadnavis (1742-1800 AD) built several structures in the fort such as a big tank and a step-well (bawali). On the west side, there is a long and narrow wall-like fortified spur called Vinchu kata (scorpion’s tail) due to its shape. If one has to explore the fort along with the trek till Vinchukata and view the Mumbai Pune Expressway then 2 hours is a good time.
It is said that Shivaji Raje did have Lohagad his capital for a short time before Raigad and Rajmachi.
Lohagad fort history over a long period of time confirms that several dynasties have been here such as Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizamshahis, Mughals and Marathas. Shivaji Raje captured it in 1648 CE, but he was forced to surrender it to the Mughals in 1665 CE by the Treaty of Purandar. Shivaji Raje recaptured the fort in 1670 CE. This vast fort has been a superb creation of its time. I still feel it displays an architectural wonder.
The entrance to the fort and most of its still is intact. Which is marvellous and astonishing. Later in Peshwa time Nana Phadanwis has also lived here for some time. The fort has been declared as a protected monument by Archaeology Survey of India.
With these beautiful memories, we started our return journey towards Pune.
That was my first time for travelling by local. Only one member has travelled by local, so he was the guiding light for remaining three people.
As per our plan, we were supposed to reach Shivaji Nagar railway station by 6.30 to catch local of 6.35 from Pune to Lonavala.
But we missed that local and had to wait for local of 7.45.
Finally after doing one hour time pass and some photography show off, we somehow managed to get into 7.45 local for Lonavala.
We reached Malvali station i.e. one station before Lonavala. We four were going first time and did not aware of routes.
Our tension flown away when we saw near about 400 people got down from train for Lohgadh. JToo much crowd.. but it helped us.
It was continuously raining heavily, not a single umbrella was able to protect us. Then decided to enjoy rain to the fullest.
We started walking with crowd towards Lohgad via Bhaje village.
After 1 km from station, we saw one big waterfall, do not know the name but we called it as Malwani Umbrell fall as it was looking like umbrella .
Because of heavy rain, we could not capture photos, but it was awesome.
Bhaje waterfall
We reached to Bhaje village, where we found another big waterfall and famous Bhaje caves.
As our plan to visit Lohgad , we skipped Bhaje caves and added it for next trip.
Finally, after around 8 kms of walking we reached to Lohgad base. There we found lot many stalls of Corn,Tea and wada-pav.
Lohgad – means “Iron fort” in Marathi and is situated in Lonavala region It divides the basins of the Indrayani and Pavna and is situated on a side range of the Sahyadris. The Visapur fort is located on its eastern side. The four large gates of Lohagad are still in good condition. Historians tell in the later Peshwa period, Nana Phadnavis (1742-1800 AD) built several structures in the fort such as a big tank and a step-well (bawali). On the west side, there is a long and narrow wall-like fortified spur called Vinchu kata (scorpion’s tail) due to its shape. If one has to explore the fort along with the trek till Vinchukata and view the Mumbai Pune Expressway then 2 hours is a good time.
It is said that Shivaji Raje did have Lohagad his capital for a short time before Raigad and Rajmachi.
Lohagad fort history over a long period of time confirms that several dynasties have been here such as Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizamshahis, Mughals and Marathas. Shivaji Raje captured it in 1648 CE, but he was forced to surrender it to the Mughals in 1665 CE by the Treaty of Purandar. Shivaji Raje recaptured the fort in 1670 CE. This vast fort has been a superb creation of its time. I still feel it displays an architectural wonder.
The entrance to the fort and most of its still is intact. Which is marvellous and astonishing. Later in Peshwa time Nana Phadanwis has also lived here for some time. The fort has been declared as a protected monument by Archaeology Survey of India.
With these beautiful memories, we started our return journey towards Pune.
Nice info you can also visit rajgad it's great place.
ReplyDeleteRajgad fort information and trekking experience.