TREK #1- LOHAGAD

Place: Pune

Date: 9th

January 2016

Participants: SE (DIV- I and II)

Organizer: Prof. Pratik S. Soygaonkar

Importance of Trek:

Set amidst the picturesque Western Ghats, located about 68 km from Pune is one of

the best built forts of the Maratha Empire. At a height of 3,450 feet above sea level lies this

pre-British era marvel of Indian history called Lohagad Fort. Steep slopes, high altitudes, lush

green mountains characterise this fort. The fort is located close to the hill station of Lonavala

in the state of Maharashtra. The fort is connected to the neighbouringVisapur fort by a small

range.

History Of Lohagad:

Lohagad has a long history with several dynasties occupying it at different periods of

time: Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizams, Mughals and

Marathas. ShivajiMaharaj captured it in 1648 CE, but he was forced to surrender it to the

Mughals in 1665 CE by the Treaty of Purandar. ShivajiMaharaj recaptured the fort in 1670

CE and used it for keeping his treasury. This fort was used to keep the loot from Surat. Later

in PeshwatimeNana Phadnavis used this fort for living for sometime and built several

structures in the fort such as a big tank and a step-well.In the recent years the fort has been

declared as a protected monument by the government.

Lohagad is part of the Western Ghats.Pavana reservoir, located to the south of the

mountain. The nearest train station is Malavli, which can be accessed by suburban trains

between Lonavala and Pune. The nearest major train station is Lonavala, on the Mumbai-

Pune railway line. Lohagad is connected by the Mumbai-Pune Highway and can also be

accessed from Paud via Kolvan and DudhiwareKhind for all vehicles. People can also hike

all the way to the fort. This walk is a particular favourite of trekkers, especially in the

monsoon season. It is a simple, very scenic and pleasant trek and the distance from Malavli

and Lohagadcan be covered in around two hours. The walk to Lohagad Fort is enjoyable with

the epic scenic beauty, lush green grass, cool mountain air, the pleasant climate and site of

the villages that can be seen along the way to the fort. A variety of birds and insects can also

be spotted in the hills.From the top of Lohagad Fort, a view of the villages, beautiful

bungalows, hotels and the entire hill station of Lonavala is visible. One can really relax

andget some peace here.

Planning for Trek:

The Lohagad trek had been organised by the Computer Engineering Department of

the Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune on Saturday, 9th

January 2016. Students in

large numbers from both the divisions of Computer Engineering Department had

enthusiastically vouched for the trek. Transport, food, communication services, travel routes

had been looked after and sought to by the efficient and organized staff of MIT, Pune by

corresponding with some of the students who had already been on this trek before.

Execution of trek:

The students had been told to report at the college at 6:45 am sharp which was rightly

done. The necessary formalities like taking the attendance, student count, giving instructions

of dos and don‟ts on the trip were then done. We were to travel to the base of the fort by two

college buses – a 30 seat bus for division A and a 50 seat bus for division B, around 80 of us

in all along with 8 faculties. We started the journey at 7:30 am. The cool breeze, rustling

dewy leaves, excited laughter, rumbling of food packets – all filled the morning air. As soon

as the buses roared, the excited cheers and hoots of the students drowned any other noise in

the surroundings.

At around 8:00 am we were provided breakfast. The college itself provided the

carefully wrapped food packets. Now was the time for the classic „ Antakshari „ , a game that

makes every journey so much more fun. We sang our hearts out and even danced to the tunes

of our favourite songs. Clicking photos throughout, no wonder the time passed away so

quickly. We reached our destination i.e. the Maval Village at about 9:30 am. The climate was

quite pleasant with a mild breeze. We saw a beautiful waterfall at the foothills of Lohagad.

We started our way up the fort. A fortnight of rain had changed the surroundings

considerably. The lush green carpets were quite soothing for eyes. The morning sun gleamed

at us through the canopy. Since the fort is more accessible now there were reasonable

numbers of trekkers that day.

We started the trek at about 10:00 am. The slope being quite steep, we had to take

extra efforts to climb up the hill. The original fort was built in the 12th Century by Raja Bhoj.

Later on it was brought into swaraj by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The steps to the fort were

rebuilt during his time. The location of the fort had strategic significance because

travelers/traders from the deccan plateau used this route to travel to kalyan. The fort has

multiple levels of fortification. Interestingly most of the fortification is still intact and in good

shape. On reaching half way up the forth, we were able to see the Pawana lake behind the

fort. So huge is the reservoir that it can actually be seen from three sides of the fort. There are

a couple of caves in between, which ideally must have been used as store house. Like most

other forts on the sahyadri, you will find large number of monkeys over here. They follow us

if we carry foodstuff in our hands, playing their usual monkey games. Trekkers were clicking

photos all the way up to capture the scenic beauty. The local people selling water bottles,

natural as well as packed foods, lemonades were making quite a business that day. We helped

ourselves to some of these items. The dirt track also had two medium size canons laying

enroute. There were few caves enroute which were supposed to be grain stores in those days.

Just short of second gate, there was this bastion for which steps lead from the left of this gate

through a small arched gate. The climb through remaining gates is not complicated but the

degree of difficulty increases in the final two flights of stair which have become uneven and

can have running water coming down over them and certain places may also have moss. The

final door called Mahadwar leads to a courtyard having walls on three sides and a door

leading to the areas of the fort, which must have had some specific use. There is no roof on

this courtyard. We reached the top of the fort at 1:00 pm. Students had been told that they

could spend an hour or so roaming about, clicking photos, eating, playing etc.Allthe teachers

had been extremely caring and friendly throughout the trek, helping all those in need.

The top of the fort is quite expansive and offers uninterrupted views in all directions.

The highlight of Lohagad is its Vinchukata fortification (resembling a scorpion‟s tail). This

structure juts out from the main section of the fort and requires an additional 15-20 mins of

walking to reach the edge. We didn‟t go for this as were pressed for time. The beauty of this

place gave us a sense of satisfaction that it was worth all the efforts taken to climb up the fort.

Once inside, there is vast expanse of land most of it flat and some of it high ground. We

roamed around in the fort and saw Shivaji / Shivji and Hanuman Mandir, Shatkonitalav

(TrimbakTalav), 16 koniTalav (hattitalav), Dargah, a domed structure which is the first thing

that is seen as the fort is reached. After roaming for some more time, we reached a huge

water tank. This tank, it is said does not dry up even in the summer season. Due to the

strenuous walk, all of us were extremely tired decided to take some rest. We sat about the

tank and had some snacks. Its one of the blessings of such treks that we can sit together and

share food with each other. There we met a local man who enlightened us about the history of

this fort.

What‟s a trip without a few fun games? We equally divided ourselves into two teams,

and had a lot of fun playing the game “Dog and the bone”, in the lobby area of the Hanuman

Temple that was present just beside the water tank. At about 2:00 pm we embarked on our

journey down the fort. Climbing down the fort was much less tiring than climbing up. On our

way down, a monkey had tried to snatch a water bottle out of a student‟s hand but in vain.

We reached the base of the fort at 4:00 pm.

Our next destination was the tiger point in Lonavala. We set forth on our journey to

Lonavala. On the way we had also taken a halt at a local dhaba to have lunch.We reached our

destination at 4:30.Lonavala is perfectly poised to offer an experience that is both, authentic

as well as unique! This place was definitely more than what I had heard about it. The

picturesque hills, lush green hills, calm and serene breeze all summed up to make it a

beautiful place. After clicking a tonnes of pictures and videosat 5:30 we left the place to

return back to the college.

On our way back to the college in the bus, our enthusiasm had yet not drained away.

We played a lot of games in the bus including everyone‟s favourite “Dumb Charades”.

Singing songs, watching the beautiful sunset, teasing each other and some dozing off in the

bus – we reached the college at 7:30 pm. By this time all of us were extremely tired and even

sleepy.

Our tans will fade over time, but the memories of this trek will never fade. Such was the day

of the Lohagad trek!

Photographs: