Ratangad - Mountain to Trek

About 

Ratangad  is a fort in Ratan Wadi, Maharashtra, India, overlooking the locale of Bhandardara, one of the oldest artificial catchment area. The fort is about 2000 years old.
Ratangad has a natural rock peak with a cavity in it at the top which is called 'Nedhe' or 'Eye of the Needle'.
Ratangad was captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle and was one of his favorites. The base village Ratanwadi has an Amruteshwar temple which is famous for its carvings. The fort is origin for the river Pravara/Amrutvahini. The Bhandardara dam(arthar dam) is built on this river.
The main attraction at Ratanwadi is the Amruteshwar temple dating back to the Hemadpant Era - roughly from the eighth century.
The base village Ratanwadi is approached by boat from Bhandardara. By boat, it is a 6 km journey and further it is a 4 km walk till Ratanwadi

Ratangad is an intersting trekking getaway from Mumbai and Pune. It is actually a 400 year old fort and is located 180 KMs from Pune. Ratangad has a unique cavity in the rock at the top which is popularly called Eye of the Needle or Nedhe in Marathi.



'Nedhe' s hole in the sheer rock face due to constant erosion is a major attraction atop Ratangad fort offering splendid view of the valley and surrounding hills.

What i liked about Ratangad Trek was its unique approach. You need to take a ferry over the Arthur Lake to get to the base camp. A series of waterfalls and a thick jungle follow next. Finally the entrance to the Fort is well hidden and you need to enter it from a chimney!

The base camp for Ratangad is at Ratanwadi Village. The village is separated from Bhandardhara by Arthur Lake. Bhandardhara can be reached from Igatpuri via Ghoti village. Igatpuri is the nearest railway station from where road transport is available all the way to Bhandardhara. From Bhandardhara ferries are available to reach Ratanwadi. There is a much longer road route also available from Bhandardhara to Ratanwadi but it is in very bad condition.

Temple at base
The Amruteshwar Temple in Ratanwadi is more than a 1000 years old. Lord Shiva is the main deity in this temple. Legend in fact says it was built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata period. Amruteshwar Temple is built in Hemadpanthi style of architecture. This style uses black stone and lime in the construction and was propagated by Hemadpanth, the prime minister in the court of Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri. The Amruteshwar Temple has several carvings worth having a look. During Rainy season even the inner sanctum gets filled with water.

The Trek up
The trail to Ratangad starts right after the temple. The first stretch is full of paddy fields. You will cross the Pravara River several times as it cuts the Trail. Soon the gradient changes and the ascent starts. After an hour of brisk walk you will enter a thick jungle. Towards the other end of the jungle are 2 ladders out up by good Samaritans. These ladders help in crossing the steep boulders. However one needs to exercise utmost  aution on the ladder during the rains as it can get very slippery. Sometime bare feet give you the best grip better than any shoe. Usually the trek from base camp to the Fort takes 3- 3.5 hours.

The Fort
Once you have crossed the second ladder a small adventure awaits you. The entrance to the Fort is from a Chimney! There are 2 grand gates to cross- Ganesh Darwaza and Hanuman Darwaza, before you can get some rest in the 2 caves located on top.

Further from the Caves is a third entrance called Chor Darwaza or the door of the thieves! It was a secret entrance but is caved in today. Kalyan Darwaza is the 4th Entrance to the Fort and the least known of the lot. There are as many as twelve fresh water tanks on top of Ratanwadi Fort. On the eastern side of the Fort, there is some fortification in the form of bastions and stone walls left. The Rani Mahal or the Queen’s Chambers is located here.

Eye of the Needle 
The “Nedhe” or Eye of the Needle is a hole in the Rock formed by Wind Erosion. It is a magnificent sight even from the base camp. You get a sense of achievement to sit inside the orifice after a 3 hour trek as you experience the howling wind. The Eye is pretty large and can accommodate 6-7 people at a time. The Eye of the Needle is both literally and figuratively the high point of the Ratangad Trek as you relax and lord over all that is below you!

Stay Options
MTDC has cottages in Bhandardhara. These are picturesquely located facing the Arthur Lake. A more adventurous option is to stay overnight in the Cave on top of Ratangad Fort!

Best Route from Mumbai to Ratangad


Mumbai - Kalyan - Asangao - Sakurli - Ghatgar -Bhandardara - ratanwadi - Ratangad

Best Route from Pune to Ratangad

Pune - Nasik Phata - Narayangao - Otur - Bhramanwada - Kotul - Rajur - Bhandardara - Ratanwadi - Ratangad

Distance from Major cities..

Pune to Ratangad : 180 KM

Mumbai to Ratangad : 140 KM

Kolhapur to Ratangad : 400 KM

Nasik to Ratangad : 100 KM

Nagpur to Ratangad : 775 KM

B'lore to Ratangad : 1000 KM

Mahabaleshwar - the Queen of hills..

Mahabaleshwar is known for its "points", from which a person can stand and enjoy the entire scenery. There are more than 14 points in total, which provide unique view to the tourists.

About

Mahabaleshwar  is a city and a municipal council in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a hill station located in the Western Ghats range. With one of the few evergreen forests of India, it served as the summer capital of Bombay province during the British Raj.

Mapro Garden

Mapro Gardens is a garden park in the hill station of Panchgani, Maharashtra, India, situated close to Mahabaleshwar, known for their strawberry produce, and a popular tourist destination.  It is host to the annual Strawberry Festival. Mahabaleshwar contributes to 85% of the total Strawberry produce in India and about 80% is consumed fresh. The Strawberry Festival encourages the strawberry cultivation in the belt. The highlights of this festival are fresh farm picked strawberry lined up on tables for visitors to eat to their fullest as well as traditional folk performances such as Shivkalin Dhol and Lezim, a high energy dance for which dancers are invited from Pratapgarh.


Strawberries in Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar is famous for the strawberries and nuts and the famous Mahabaleshwar 'chana'! Stroll through the Mahabaleshwar market, though slightly crowded you could find bargain footwear here. Visit Mapros if you want to see a strawberry farm in Mahabaleshwar from close quarters.

Points

Arthur's Seat

View from Arthur's Seat
Arthur's seat is a point at an elevation of 1340 mts. The point was named after Sir Arthur Mallet, who sat here and gazed at the Savitri River, where he lost his wife and children in a tragic ferry mishap. The point is a very scenic location to visit. Many tourist cabs have this point in their tourist plans.

Kate's Point
Balakwadi dam viewed from Kate's Point
Kate's point is located to the east of Mahabaleshwar and is famous for its view of two reservoirs, Balakwadi and Dhom. The point is around 1280 mts high. The point got its name from Sir James Malcom's daughter Kate, who developed a liking for the place.
Needle Hole Point


Needle hole rock
Needle hole point is located near Kate's Point. One can see a natural rock formation with a hole in between, thus giving the name Needle-hole. The point is also famous for the view of Deccan traps, which look like an elephant's trunk.

Wilson Point
Named after Sir Leslie Wilson, the Governor of Bombay from 1923–26, Wilson Point is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar at 1439 mts. Known as Sindola Hill during the colonial rule, Wilson point is the only location in Mahabaleshwar where both sunrise and sunset can be seen. It offers a spectacular glance of Mahabaleshwar in all directions.

3 Monkey Point
Named because of the natural sculpture of the stones which looks like three monkeys sitting beside each other and potraying 3 monkeys of Gandhiji.

Sights

Mount Malcolm

Built in 1829, this was one of the famous buildings of its time.

Holy Cross Church

The stained glass windows of this old Roman Catholic Church still retain their beauty.

Mahabaleshwar Club

Built in 1881, the Mahabaleshwar Club offers a peaceful retreat for those wanting to get away from it all.  The Club offers many recreational facilities, including a badminton court and a mini golf course.  Facilities are available to everyone at a very low fee.  For those who prefer the quiet outdoors, there is a jogging track encircling the premises, edged with beautiful rose bushes.  The Club also offers a clear view of Venna Lake below.  Every year, Christmas is celebrated here with much fervour and pomp by the club members.

Pratapgad Fort

About 24 km. away from Mahabaleshwar lies Pratapgad, the pride of the Maratha Empire.  Built in 1656, it is a maze of ponds, chambers and long dark walkways, some of which lead to trap doors that open to a 100 meter fall!  It was here that Afzal Khan, the mighty general of Bijapur, met his untimely death at the hands of Shivaji.  Since Pratapgad lies slightly off the road to Mahabaleshwar, a visit to this historic monument is recommended in all travel itineraries

Mahabaleshwar has many points offering great views of flat-topped ghats, dense forests and lush green valleys.  Lodwick Point, towering almost 1,240 meters above sea level, is one of the most visited Points and holds a monument in memory of General Lodwick Arthur’s Seat is well liked too for its great view of the Jor Valley.  About a kilometer away lies Tiger’s Spring, and if you venture further down you’ll come to a ledge named The window – a point that’s famous for its mesmerizing view.

There are many locations offering pleasant views of the plains below: Wilson Point, Carnac Point, Helen’s Point, Elphinstone Point, Babington Point, Bombay Point, Falkland Point, and Kate Point are all well known

There are pleasant waterfalls also worth visiting, such as Chinaman’s Falls, Dhobi Falls and Lingmala Falls, the latter being the most impressive, cascading amost 600 ft from a cliff!

Another tourist attraction is the Sangam, or the confluence of the five rivers that flow over the Deccan Plateau.  There are many old temples too, which become the focus of attention during the festive season,

More...

Location

Mahabaleshwar is situated 1,372 meters above sea level in the Western Ghats, in Satara District of Maharashtra State, in India.

Languages spoken

Marathi, Hindi and English.

Climate and clothing

The climate is pleasant throughout the year, but the best time to visit is between October and June.  Temperatures range from 16°C to 20°C in summer and can fall as low as 5°C in winter.   Cottons and light woolens are recommended attire.

Shopping and food

Mahabaleshwar is famous for its fruit products, Strawberries, honey, Jams, crushes and chikki (a sweet made from jaggery and an assortment of nuts) are a favourite buy-and so is handcrafted leather footwear.

Also Visit ...

Panchgani

About 19 km, from Mahableshwar lies the hill station of Panchgani. It is surrounded on all sides by hills (“Panch” = 5, “Gani” = hills) and is very popular with tourist owing to its close proximity to Mahabaleshwar. Panchgani is known for its resident boarding schools and its strawberry and raspberry farms. Visitors to Mahabaleshwar almost always come to Panchgani to make the most of their holiday in the hills..

Getting There

The nearest airport is Pune, 120 km.

Nearest railhead is Wathar, but Pune is considered to be more convenient.

Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar via Mahad, 247 km. State Transport buses ply regularly between Pune-Mahabaleshwar and Mumbai-Mahabaleshwar

Distance from Major cities

Pune to Mahabaleshwar : 140
Mumbai to Mahabaleshwar : 110
Kol'pur to Mahabaleshwar : 370
Nagpur to Mahabaleshwar : 920
Nagpur to Mahabaleshwar :620
Nagpur to Mahabaleshwar :1000

Matheran

About

Matheran is a Hill Station and a municipal council in the Raigad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a hill station in Karjat Tahsil and is also the smallest hill station in India. It is located on the Western Ghats range at an elevation of around 800 m (2,625 feet) above sea level. It is located around 90 km from Mumbai, and 120 km from Pune. Matheran's proximity to many metropolitan cities makes it a popular weekend getaway for urban residents. The name Matheran means "forest on the forehead" (of the mountains).
Matheran is an eco-sensitive region, declared by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India. It is one of the few places in the world where vehicles are not allowed, which makes the place different from others. Matheran takes you over a hundred years back in time when there were no vehicles.
Because of vehicles being banned in Matheran, the place is quite peaceful despite the thousands of visitors coming to visit throughout the year.
There are lots of lookout points that provide spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Matheran has a reasonably dense forest cover.
There are around 38 designated look-out points in Matheran, including the Panorama Point that provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding area and also the Neral town. From this point, the view of sunset and sunrise is breathtaking. The Louisa Point offers crystal clear view of the Prabal Fort. The other points are the One Tree Hill Point, Hart Point, Monkey Point, Porcupine Point, Rambagh Point, and more.

Attractions

Mount Berry: Mount Berry is a popular tourist destination that is located 5+ km from Matheran. It offers a bird’s eye view of Neral. The major attraction is the slow train that chugs up the hill in the midst of pristine natural beauty. matheran peak is visible from here.

Charlotte Lake: Also called the Sharlott Lake, Charlotte Lake is one of the most picturesque spots in Matheran. On the right side of the lake, there is the ancient Pisarnath Temple. The two picnic spots Louisa point and Echo point are located on the left side of the lake.

Best season to visit this place is monsoon. Tourist can experience the scenic view of waterfalls.

Lookout points: There are around 38 different lookout points in Matheran, from where tourists can view the amazing beautiful valley. The spectacular view of the valley remains in the memory of the tourists for a long time.

Valley Crossing: An adventurous activity like Valley crossing by a rope can be experienced at Honey(Moon) Point. Though it appears risky, there are safety measures in place.

Places of interest

There are altogether 28 points, 2 lakes, 2 parks, 4 major worship places and a racecourse to visit inside Matheran. If you want to see all of them then you may need 2–3 days on your feet. One can move around on foot or horseback, but it is recommended moving on feet to take the best glimpse of nature. If you are on Horse back you may not be able to spend your desired time on the points. All the points’ gives a unique view and you can’t miss them.There are many walking paths for a leisurly walk. Points to see;

• Alexander Pt.
• Rambag Pt
• Little Chowk Pt
• Big Chowk Pt
• One Tree Hill Pt
• Belvedere Pt
• Olympia Race Course
• Lords Pt
• Charlotte Lake
• Pisharnath Mahadev Mandir
• Celia Pt (Actually a water fall mouth)
• Echo Pt.
• Porcupine Pt (Sun Set Pt)
• Panorama Point (Sun Rise Pt)
• Khandala Pt
• Madhavji Garden & Point
• Matheran Railway Station
• Louisa Point
• Mayra Point

Weather

Temperatures vary from 16° C in winter to 32° C in summer, with an annual rainfall of 524 cms. October to May is the best time to visit.

Getting There

Nearest airport is Mumbai, 100 kms.

Mumbai-Neral, 90 kms. Neral-Matheran, 21 kms, Pune-Neral, 120 kms. (Neral-Matheran mountain train)

Mumbai-Neral-Matheran, 108 kms. State Transport buses ply from Mumbai and Pune to Neral.

Reservation

Mumbai and Matheran.

Distance from Major cities..

Pune to Matheran : 125 KM

Mumbai to Matheran : 100 KM

Kolhapur to Matheran : 350 KM

Nagpur to Matheran : 850 KM

Ahm'bad to Matheran : 600 KM

B'lore to Matheran : 950 KM

Murud-Janjira

About

Murud-Janjira is the local name for a fort situated on an island just off the coastal village of Murud, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India.It was occupied by the Siddis and is famous for being the only fort along India's Western coast that remained undefeated despite Dutch, Maratha and English East India Company attacks.

 History

The fort was originally built in 15th century on a smaller scale by a local Maratha-Fisherman Chieftain- Ram Patil to protect his people from pirates thieves and was known as " Medhekot". He was a fearless man with independent bent of mind who was quite popular with the local fishermen. Nizam, the ruler from Ahmadnagar sent one of his Siddi commanders Piram Khan, who came with three ships armed with necessary weapons and soldiers and captured the fort. Piram Khan was succeeded by Burhan Khan, who demolished the original fort and built an impregnable much bigger, 22 acre, stone fort sometime in between 1567 and 1571. The fort was called 'Jazeere Mahroob Jazeera ' which in Arabic means an Island. Siddhi Ambersatak was nominated as Commander of the fort.

Despite their repeated attempts, the Portuguese, the British and the Marathas failed to subdue the power of the Siddi's, who were themselves allied with the Mughal Empire. Major historical figures from Murud-Janjira include men such as Yahya Saleh and Sidi Yaqub. The fort has a tunnel which opens in Rajpuri. The fort was made by a mixture of lead, sand and gul.
The Marathas led by Shivaji attempted to scale the 12 meters high Granite walls but failed in all his attempts. His son Sambhaji even attempted to tunnel his way into the fort but was unsuccessful in all his attempts.[3]

Janjira ruins

The small pond inside Janjira fort
In the year 1736, Siddis of Murud-Janjira set out to recapture Raigarh from the ravaging forces of Baji Rao, on 19 April 1736, Chimnaji attacked the gathering forces in the encampments of the Siddis during the Battle of Riwas near Riwas, when the confrontation ended 1500 Siddi's including their leader Siddi Sat were killed. Peace was concluded in September 1736, but the Siddis were confined to Janjira, Gowalkot and Anjanwel.


How to Reach Murud-janjira by Air
Mumbai is the closest airport 165kms away. From here hire a taxi to get to Murud-Janjira, a 5 hour drive away.

How to Reach Murud-janjira by Rail
Trains will get you as far as Roha and Panvel from where you can take a bus to Murud.

How to Reach Murud-janjira by Bus
Murud is 165 km from Mumbai by road, a journey of about 5 hours.
State Transport buses operate from Mumbai Central to Murud's Durbar Road.
 The most convenient way to get here is by ferry from Mazgaon's Ferry Wharf, to Rewas,
which is 23 kms from Murud, or by catamaran from Gateway of India to Mandwa.

Location

Pune to Murud :200 KM Mumbai to Murud :150 KM Kolhapur to Murud :320 KM Nagpur to Murud :1000 KM Ahm'bad to Murud :675 KM B'lore to Murud :925 KM

Languages spoken

Marathi, Hindi and English.

Best time to visit

Best time to visit is September to June, may keep off monsoon months.

Lonavala - The Misty Hills..

Lonavala, sequestered between two major cities Mumbai and Pune, Is a popular get away and a weekend destination. Lonavala sprawl over an approximate area of 38 sq km with some of the most popular forts like Lohagad, waterfalls and lakes. Lonavla an hours drive away from Pune and Mumbai is one of the best spots for a weekend one day trip from Pune especially during and just after monsoons.

Places of interest around Lonavla and Khandala

• Rajmachi Point 

• Rajmachi Point is located about 6.5 km from Lonavla. This point commands a view of Shivaji's famous fort, Rajmachi (Royal terrakouioce) and the surrounding valley. Regular State Transport buses ply between Rajmachi Point and Lonavla from the State Transport Bus Stand. The famous Vaghjai Dari is also located here. 

• Ryewood Park & Shivaji Udyan 

• This is an extensive garden situated in Lonavla. The garden covers a lot of ground and it is full of tall trees. There is an old Shiva temple in the park. The garden has plenty of place for children to play. 

• Valvan Dam 

• Valvan Dam has a garden at its foot, and is a popular evening spot 2 km from the town. The dam supplies water to the Khopoli power station at the foothills of the Sahyadris for generating electricity. The Kundali River feeds into the dam's reservoir. 

• Lonavla Lake

• Lonavla Lake is surrounded by natural scenery, about 1.6 km from the town. The lake dries up during the winter months. 

• Duke's Nose

• Duke's Nose stands 12 km from Lonavla, clearly visible from the highway while driving towards Mumbai. This landmark in Khandala is popular with hikers. The cliff owes its name to the Duke of Wellington. whose ample nose it resembles. 

• Tiger Leap 

• Tiger's Leap also known as Tiger's Point is a cliff-top with a sheer drop of over 650 m, giving an extensive view. Buses are available up to I.N.S. Shivaji and the remaining distance of about 1.6 km has to be covered on foot. 
• Just around tiger's leap, there is an small waterfall active only during the monsoon. It serves the purpose of relaxing in the water better than Bushy dam, as the force of the fall is higher. Also, after the brief steep descent, the fall becomes a stream with a fair amount of force to go all the way down to the base of the Tiger's Leap. Adventurers can trek down the stream whilst intermittently stepping back on land where the water current is too strong and the fall is steep.

• Karla Caves 

• Karla caves, located near Lonavala, is a complex of cave shrines built by Buddhist monks around 3rd to 2nd century B.C. A famous temple of Goddess Ekvira Devi is also present here. 

• Lohagad Fort

• A robust climb of about 11.2 km from Malavali Railway Station takes you to the 'Iron Fort', once a formidable battle-station of Shivaji. The fort commands a view of the surrounding hills and hamlets. 

• Bhushi Dam 

• A waterfall near the dam is a popular spot between Lonavla and I.N.S. Shivaji. Buses running on the I.N.S. Shivaji Road stop here. 

• Lion's Point 

• Scenic point midway between Bhushi Dam and Aamby Valley . 

• Tungarli Lake and Dam 

• This lake and Dam come to life during the Monsoon season, where youth climb the mountain top to the Dam. This dam was built during the British era and features a serene surrounding. 

• Shooting Point 

• Another scenic point in the town of Khandala (Bazaar peth), which provides magnificent view of the Rajmachi Fort and the valley. Also the home for the St. Mary's villa. 

• Wax Museum

• The 'Celebrity Wax Museum', modelled on the famous Madame Tussauds in London, is located only 3 km away from the railway station at Varsoli, near Toll Plaza is a new attraction for the tourists.

More...

Location

Khandala and Lonavala lie 5 km, apart, on the western slopes of the Sahyadris, straddling the Mumbai-Pune highway at an altitude of 625 m. Karla is 8 km. from Lonavala.

Languages spoken

Marathi, Hindi and English.

Climate and clothing

Temperatures vary from 12° C in winter to around 36° C at the height of summer.  The annual rainfall averages 450 cms.

Best time to visit

October to May

Getting There

The nearest airport is Pune, 66 km. away..

The convenient railhead is Lonavala, on the Mumbai-Pune line (118 km from Mumbai). Pune-Lonavala: 64 km.

Mumbai -Lonavala, 104 km. Pune-Lonavala,  66 km..

Accommadation

Besides a number of luxury and budget hotels in both Khandala and Lonavala, the MTDC runs a resort at Karla and another at Rye Woods, Lonavala

Reservation

Mumbai-Pune and other regional offices.