Madhe ghatat bhar pavasalyat......

Madhe Ghat is located around 62 km south west of Pune bordering Raigad district and in the vicinity of Torna Fort, Rajgad, Raigad Fort and backwaters of Bhatghar dam. It is about 850 meters above sea level and situated in dense forests behind Torna Fort. From this place, you can have a view of vast area such as Raigad fort, Lingana, Varandha ghat and Shivthar Ghal. This place is very cold and is a developing hill station. In history, when the great warrior Narveer Tanaji Malusare died in the Sinhagad battle, his body was to be taken for last rites in his native village Umrath near Poladpur. Tanaji Malusare's funeral procession was taken to his native place from this Madhe ghat route The road at Madhe Ghat is quite steep and muddy. Also there are no hotels above and the area is still under development.

                         The Beautiful waterfall in Madhe Ghat

I got in Running

Many will think about the addiction :) means ... I know you filthy mind. But yes I am got addicted (I think this is best way to express) to running. It started by accident in June 2013, I got introduced untouched word of running, thanks to Pune Running group http://www.punerunning.com/and my enthusiastic college Ganaga.

In those days I had severe back pain issue and unable to sit more than 30 min. on chair. You can that was Kick..

My first 5K with timing of 47:26, please bare me one can complete the same distance with simple walking. I am saying my running timing certificate ! But yes whatever timing it was great joy to finish first 5K, yes I got certificate as recognition.

Then onward my unstoppable journey begin that never ended till date !! After my first run I have participated in every run that is organized by Pune Running most of time 5K. Yes in month of Nov 2013 I have crossed my limit yes I have finished 10K in Amnora City Run, that was my first 10K. Thanks for enthusiastic crowd and my energetic friend Kunal who help me push more.

One thing I realized in between that there is nothing like pain or exhausting. Everything is decided and controlled by your mind and your slave body have to follow it.  

Now I thought that lets give try for some big event and I have enrolled for Pune International Marathon www.marathonpune.com. On the race day I was little bit nervous but amazed to see the cheering crowd. In my college days I have roamed around Laxmi road, Deccan and Camp but never though that some day I will run on that memorable route. The running route was very familiar and there are lot many memories are attached with it, good thing is that whole road traffic is blocked for us ! I started my  10 marathon from Deccan there are cheering crowd with dhol tasha at every chouk , that give us boost to drag our feet to finish line. The climate was little bit humid as I am first time running inside the city, but who care if you decided and spend good amount for registration after all ! Ah finally I reached finishing line where we get the meddle, what a filling that can not be expressed in the word. That was my first meddle throughout my life ! till date I have never received any meddle. Me and Kunal came by Bus from station to Deccan and yes we have not removed meddle afterall this is my first meddle!

Till pune marathon participation I run only for marathon there is no regular practice. But after Pune Marathon we have started the regular practice session 3 days a week. We started it on Balewadi Stadium (after all we are becoming Professional !) 

Kille Lohagadh

Lohagadh is located on Mumbai Pune highway, nearby to malvali station. From malvali station you can take turn toward Bhajegaon where the Bhaje Baudhist caves are located, you can visit the caves and move toward the Lohgadh fort.

Lohgadh Situated close to the hill station Lonavala and 52 km (32 mi) northwest of Pune, Lohagad rises to an elevation of 1,033 m (3,389 ft) above sea level. The fort is connected to the neighboring Visapur fort by a small range. The fort was under the Maratha empire for the majority of time, with a short period of 5 years under the Mughal empir

People can also hike all the way to the fort. Bhaja Caves is on the way to Lohagad if a small diversion is taken. This walk is a particular favorite of trekkers, especially in the monsoon season. It is a simple, very scenic and pleasant trek and the distance from Malavli and Lohagad can be covered in around two hours. The trekking route becomes slippery during the rainy season and is dangerous to hike to the fort during this time. 

First you reach Ganesh darvaja, then Narayan Darvaja, maha Darvaja and lastely hanuman Darvaja.

When you enter in Hanuman Darvaja, you see at your left side one historical temple.

There are several historical places like Dhanya kothar, Ghodaychi paga, darga and pond with 16 edge symmetry. There is one pond with colourful fish one must visit that.

The lohagadh fort has one machi which has shape similar to scorpion tail, hence names as vinchu machi.

You can enjoy the village food and snacks at the base village Lohagadwadi.

Kille Sinhgadh

If you are visiting Pune your trip will be be not complete unless you visit the Sinhgadh. It is nearest for from Pune and there ample trekker who visit the fort regularly. I have visited this fort more than ten times. If you are coming by city bus then there are regular buses from Swargate and Shaniwarwada. 

One of the most famous battles for Sinhgad was fought to recapture the fort by Tanaji Malusare,a Mard Maratha Koli and a general of Shivaji in March 1670. A steep cliff leading to the fort was scaled and thereafter, fierce battles ensued between Tanaji and his men, and the Mughal army headed by Udaybhan Singh Rathod a Rajput sardar, that had the fort at the time. Tanaji lost his life, but his brother Suryaji took over and captured Kondana.^[3] There is an anecdote that upon hearing of Tanaji's death, Shivaji expressed his remorse with the words: "Gadh aala, panh sinha gela" - "We gained the fort, but lost the lion". The name Sinhagad, though, pre-dates this event, and can be seen in written communiques from the era. A bust of Tanaji has been established on the fort in memory of his contribution to the battle

If you are not regular trekker, then you can reach the fort top as there is direct road is there.

                                    Kalyan darwaj (Way Towards Kalyan Village)

Birth Place of Shivaji Maharaj- Shivneri

Shivneri is near to Junner Village, it is nearby to Pune. One can plan the one day trip to visit the shivneri. There are two ashtavinayak (Ozar and Lenyadri) near to shivneri that you can cover if you have time.

Shivneri fort is just 2 km away from Junnar Bus stop. One can catch auto if you use public transportation. There are ample parking space at base of fort.

Now a days Maharstra Govt. renovated fort hence you can walk easily with stairs upto top of fort top. There are around six darvaja before entering main fort. Just before fort top one can go to shivai devi temple from which the the name Shivaji have kept.

                                                  Pari Sitting quitely!

There is newly created building where statue of shivji maharaj and Jijabai are kept.

there are ample natural view one can see from the top of fort. One should visit the takmak point which is at extreme end of fort.

Tung Trek

 Finally !! I bring my Camera for this trek !! Able to get beautiful photo of Tung enjoy it ! don't be confused with dates in photo :) I am forgot to set it correctly !!

 View of Fort from Base

It is about 12 km from Malawli railway station and can also be approached from Lonavala. Tung Fort has an elevation of 1075 m above sea level. Since Pawna dam was built, it is now surrounded by water on three sides. One can ferry across in a boat from Pawna dam to its base village, Tungi.

Stairs @ Start

You will think that it is easy to trek by looking @ stairs !! don't be in wrong assumption in mind you have to take some efforts !!

 From Lonavala, one can reach the base village Tungwadi around 20 km via Bushy Dam-INS Shivaji-Peth Shahapur-Tungwadi. From Tungwadi village, reaching this fort requires about a 300-metre climb.

Mehnat ka fal Mitha hota Finally we reached

 Taking rest Near Ganesh Mandir












Sadar Surrounded by kela trees !!

This fort is small, and not able to hold more than 200 troops at a time. As such, it would not have been able to defend itself on its own for a long time. Its shape and structure suggest that its main function was as a watchtower guarding the road to Pune city.

 You Have to go there Balekilla !

Its sharp, conical peak makes Tung Fort a prominent landmark, even from a distance. It has an oval shape, thick walls and numerous bastions. A steep climb on grassy slopes leads to the ruins of a temple at the summit. A rocky staircase leads several feet down to a water reservoir. From the top of the fort, the Lohagad, Visapur, Tikona and Korigad forts are clearly visible.

View of fog on Balekilla

View of Pawna Dam from balekilla !!

Purandar

we visited Purander on 18th Aug, this fort is near to Saswad, you can go via hadpsar by Solpur highway or by Banglore Mumbai highway visiting Narayanpur.

we went Purander via Narayanpur  on the way there is lord  Balaji Temple & Lord Datta  temple is there you can visit there if u want.

This fort is base camp of Army so there is strict timing to visit fort 9 am to 5: 30 pm.

We parked near to gate after verification army person given permission. After few min walk you will lake, just passing after lake you will the statue of Great Marath warrior "Murarbaji Deshpande".

Murarbaji Deshpande's Statue

At entrance of fort you will see the Bini Darvaji from the fort is started, if you strted trek from base you will reach at Bini Darvaja and can skip the Army check.

Bini Darvaja

After crossing Bini Darvaja you can reach the only snacks place in the fort, here you can enjoy the pital bhakri, bhaji and vada pav.

Canteen

Then go ahead to Purander fort, again there is one more check post of army here you have to enter the details. It takes 40 to 50 min. to reach top of the fort.

On The way of Fort

Alas Finally We Reached !!

Way To Kedareshwar Temple

Aha Reached Base of Kedareshwar Temple

Kedareshwar temple

Pari With Shrutika !!