Singhad:Located on an isolated cliff of Bhuleshwar range in Sahayadris, the fort is naturally protected owing to the steep slopes of the hill. Yet this is the fort which was conquered, lost and reconquered many times by Chhatrapati Shivaji and his forces till finally it landed in British hands in 1818.A story that is most famous in recapture of this fort in 1670 by Shivaji Maharaja’s trusted general Tanaji Malsure is that of a monitor lizard named ‘Yashwanti’. A monitor lizard sticks with its webbed feet on to the surface which prevents it from falling from vertical surfaces. Tanaji Malsure utilized this quality of Yashwanti, in scaling the Sinhgad fort from the side where enemy was least expecting. The story goes that a rope was tied to the monitor lizard and it was allowed to climb up the almost vertical hill side and fort walls. Once the monitor lizard crossed the parapet of fort ramparts, it stuck to the wall side and the entire army scaled the fort from the hanging rope. The lizard acted as an anchor.At just 35 kilometers, Sinhgad is most popular destination for picnickers in Pune. It is relatively easy trek and can be reached by road too. Small eateries sell kanda-bhaji, corn-on-cob and vada-pav. Its fun monsoon trek.
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| monsoon trek |
Rajgad:Before Chhatrapati Shivaji made Raigad his capital, he ruled from Rajgad fort, earlier known as Murumdev fort. His son was born in this fort. Built on a hill called Murumbadevi dongar, 60 kilometers south-west of Pune, this fort is one of those that was retained by Shivaji while signing a treaty with Mughals. The main entrance door to this fort is named ‘Mahadarwaja’ where it is said that the head of Afzal Khan, military commander of Adil Shah was buried. Afzal khan had tried to kill Shivaji treacherously but it was he who met his end at Shivaji’s hand who had worn ‘wagh-nakh’ (tiger nails hidden in his finger rings).Clouds hang low at this fort trek during the monsoons and the entire landscape is covered in a green carpet. The trek is however a little difficult, at least for people like me. Enthusiasts however take about 40 to 50 minutes to reach at fort.
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| the shades of green and paddy fields en-route to Rajgad |
Rajmachi:The twin forts of Shriwardhan and Manaranjan at Rajmachi are strategically placed to control the historical trade route. This trek if taken from Karjat is a steep climb and a difficult one at that. Reaching Rajmachi from Lonavala is easier with almost flat trek trail. However it takes roughly three and half hours at least to cover the distance on foot. The route is not vehicle friendly.
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| Somewhere along the trail to Rajmachi |
The entire landscape is dotted with small and big silvery waterfall, gurgling streams and lush forest painted in fifty shades of green!
Torana:
I did not even try to go on this trek as it is slightly difficult. The rain had made everything slippery and I wasn’t very enthusiastic of sliding in mud. This trek was done by the husband with his friend and they were gone all day having a boys day out!
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| Entrance to the fort |
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View of river from along the way to Torana Fort
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Closer to Lonavala, misty clouds descend on the fort during the rains and it becomes little difficult but then trekkers enjoy that very challenge. Bhaja-Karla caves are also near this fort.With weather already cooling down slightly, trekking will turn out to be more enjoyable this year as rain showers hit the region. There are more fort treks besides other trails near Pune-Mumbai for the enthusiasts.