MANIKGAD TREK

I was very disappointed when my trek to Garbett had to be cancelled due to my work commitments but luckily God has made Sunday after Saturday aur meri yeh holiday koi nahi cheen sakta mujhse and as incorrigible as I am, I started checking out if any of friends are going for the trek. Well at this point, Pankaj our master blaster trekker informed me that they are planning to go for the trek to Manik Gad. so chalti gadi me mai bhi kud gaya and I joined them.

All set for early morning train ride to Wadala

Generally when the treks are from Panvel side, I have to get up very early. So today I got up at 3.30 a.m and by 4.30 am I left my house and reached at the desolate booking counter with not a soul to be seen around, for a second I panicked and thought to myself  Bhai counter chalu bhi hai kya ...my logical reasoning was saying chalu hoga and thankfully the counter was indeed open and  a sleepy looking clerk gave me the ticket and I dashed to catch the 4.41am train for churchgate and reached Bandra Station by 5.00 am. From Bandra Station there was this CST local train of 5.13 am, which reached Wadala by 5.25 am. Pankaj my friend who had arranged this trek had told us to catch 5:36am panvel local train from Wadala.( I hope, now you understood why so much jumping around being done by me) warna kis pagal kutte ne mujhe katta tha jo mai trains badal badal ker travel karta. Mera bas chalta toh mai seedha CST local leta.


At Wadala Station  I met rest of the gang and we were all boarded on Panvel local. It was 7.00 am when we reached Panvel station. Where we were met by Sanjay sir and Mehul bhai. Both of whom had offered us their car for travelling to the base village. the group was split into  two groups and we were now travelling in cars to the base village which is Vadgaon. The route to Vadgaon is around 21 kms from Panvel ST stand ,enroute you cross Indiabulls Park , one gigantic Maruti Idol.

Enroute while driving from Panvel to Vadgoan
you see this gigantic Maruti idol on your left

 Just keep driving straight towards Rasayani (17.1kms) where on your left you will see long Reliance Industries Factory and driving further for approx 2.5kms from here you will see a sign board of  Manikgad and next to that signboard of  Vadgaon. From the signboard you got to take right turn and keep driving straight for around 1.4kms until you reach at a dead end.

Vadgaon signboard on the main road, Take right turn from here 

As soon as you reach the base village on your left you will see a general store from where you can buys biscuits, chips, water etc and yes even ice cream. ( I actually enjoy eating ice cream after the trek). Aur Manikgad ka trek katam  karne ke liye aap ko icecream toh milni hi chaiye after all you deserve it )

View from the general store , go from the right side

Little ahead of the shop you see the Vadgoan village, you need to take the road from the right side, the one which has Maruti temple. Keep walking till the end of the village, one very distinctive thing you will note is that the initial houses are little bigger and fancy but when you reach the end the houses are more of basic kind. Is the difference due to the stature or are the poorer people tribal. I wish I could have found the reason.

Walking towards the end of Village

We started our trek little late because our friends from Pune were so busy enjoying the waterfall nearby that they forgot that the Mumbai team was waiting for them at the village. Lekin aisi choti choti baate ho jaati hai badde badde trek me.

10:05am : Trek starts

We started our trek at 10.05 am. As we walked till the end of the village the route opens to a big field. The lush greenery and the majestic Manikgad could be seen.

Coming out from the Village the trek opens into large green field

A little walk and we are into the climb. This initial  climb is quite stiff  through some muddy trial. As you are climbing you get all the more beautiful view of the green fields on your left side , do catch a breath and soak the nature's beauty.

After walking for around 10-15 minutes you will see a diversion one going straight and one moving on the right, Ignore the one going to the right side, keep walking straight as the Mighty Manikgad is on your left side.

Some rock cut stairs on the way as we trek towards the fort.

10.25 am (Reaching First plateau)

After the stiff climb of 20 minutes from the base we reached the first plateau where we rested for 5 minutes. Relaxed a bit and took pictures.

Its Photo time 

10:38 am ( Reached the large plateau)

10-15 mins more of a gradual climb we reached a large field. It is like the walk from the forest breaking out in open. A natural green carpet is a sight to behold. we walked through the open field , almost getting our foot stuck in the muddy field. Once you cross this field you will reach the ridge section.

Walking through the open field to reach the ridge

 10.54 am. (Reached the Ridge)

The view from the ridge is amazing , one can see the Karnala peak very prominently. we all took opportunity to click few pictures here.

Once you reach the ridge you need to move on your left where you will see a large tree . recently they have also put up a signage on this tree. Once you take left turn at the ridge keep walking straight.

That's the way to go my dear friend

The walk on the ridge very easy, you walk quite a distance on a flat ground with Manikgad looming ahead of you. the breeze is very pleasant. Boss jitna enjoy karna hai yahan enjoy kar lo kyo ki aage kuch aur hi milne wala hai. this flat walk lasted for 30 minutes until we entered the forest portion of this trek.

Easy walk, enjoy it to the maximum

11.20 a.m ( Entry into the forest )

After this walk on the ridge you see more of trees with lesser open field and you realise that you are entering in the forest. The walk in the forest was coming as blessing in disguise for us because the sun was becoming hotter by the moment and humidity was killing us. (Kehne ko hum monsoon trek per nikle the...sab popat ho gaya)

Time to enjoy the forest walk

As you walk this jungle trail lots of small streams comes on your way, at places the trail is little rocky and confusing,but keep walking straight till you reach a point where there is this large tree and a small waterfall kind of setup. one needs to turn right from here. Please be careful especially during the jungle trail as  I was told that people often get lost in this jungle and they had to be rescued.

confusing trail routes

11.52 am (Reached the diversion point)

30 minutes walk into the forest and we reach the diversion point from where we take right turn. landmark huge tree in front and a waterfall on your left ( water may and may not be flowing as its a small waterfall).

Trekkers have put markers in forms of stones , placed one above the other

12.12 pm (Hanuman Temple)

From the diversion point we hiked for  ten minutes reach the Hanuman temple, the trail go up and down but is an easy walk, We paid our respect to Hanumanji and moved on. Behind the temple there was a board on which some one had written that climb to Manikgad is just 10 minutes away and on the left.

Hanuman temple in the jungle with the board behind

As we had hired a guide so finding this spot to climb on the left side was easy otherwise it can be tricky task. In other words here lies another point from where we can miss the trail. In 8 minutes we were indeed near to our climb point and started the climb. This climb was again stiff till we reached the flat portion of lush greenery and with nature doing its dance of joy. 

Sitting and reminiscing the Daffodil poem

I sat there and could actually empathise with the feelings of the famous poet William Wordworths, who in his poem Daffodils says and I quote

"The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:"

The green grass was so inviting that I felt like skipping rest of the trek. As the humidity was also taking its toll on me.(This was bound to happen because I haven't been trekking lately and fitness levels are at abyss).Meanwhile Mehul our friend who was happily clicking my pictures felt pain in his shoulder and gradually dropped his speed. a small suggestion I would like to give, Please don't attempt to do this trek if you are not physically fit. It indeed test your endurance.

Enjoying the green slopes with sanjayji

The next climb from this grassy green land is a rocky trail and steep too, I was almost running out of my breath. Ek point per toh I could actually hear my heart pounding.
Par yeh kis ne kah diya tha ki jannat yu hi naseeb hoti hai, 
Arre uske panne ke liye khub mushakkta karni hogi.

I stopped took a sip of a water and rested for a while, Body is getting old, I got to realise this because but my younger friends were hopping away to the top. Honestly speaking I hated this last portion because Har time lagta tha peak aagaya and then the mountain calls "April fool banaya "and you see another climb.

Me: Sanjayji lagta hai top aagaya hai
Sanjay : Pakka na, is baar no april fool !! 

1.25 p.m Reached first water tank at the base of the top.

First water tank  near the Top

I felt like a dead meat on reaching the top. Seeing the water filled water tank was so refreshing  But I was soon given a rude reality check when our younger friends were waving from the top some 100 feets above. I was like Oh Shit abhi aur baki hai. 

This is the Oh hell moment standing at the first water tank.
Please look closely at small figures of our friends on top

Body was aching , heels were squealing with pain and seriously I wanted to give up but I somehow pushed myself Aisa laga ki itne paas aakar bhi na upar gaye toh hamesha koste rahenge apne aap ko. Jai bajrangbali bole aur nikal pade. Actually the cool breeze and sudden rain shower only helped me and I was finally at the top at 1.52 pm.


Nothing much is left on the top except for few ruined fortifications wall.

Ruined fortification wall

 Then there is a small gate which has a ganesh idol carved on it.

I entered through this door and came across a huge water tank. We were told that this is a potable water and remains available through out the year.(Request to the visitor to this place , please don't throw any waste or put your feet in the water tank as they serve like a life line for a hapless trekker who may come here during the summers)

large water tank at the top

 and just little ahead there is a small Mahadev Temple.

 We all sat down near the watertank and had continental lunch ranging from cakes,kakaras, idlis,bakewadi parathas,omlets. Clicked few pictures and moved on for descend at 3.00pm.

Extravagant  and  sumptuous Lunch 

The descend was uneventful except for the fact that our friend Mehul who had decided to give up the trek halfway was waiting for us at the ridge and with whom we all reunited and he welcomed us back with yummy cheese slices.It was 6.20 when we finally finished our trek.

Trekker Tips :

1. Start early
2. Better do this trek in monsoon, In any other season it could be          very high on endurance.
3. Take a guide( Its a small cost but necessary here)
4. If doing this trek in summer carry lots of water even though the        water may be available on top.
5. Stay, Food and Guide can be arranged at the Vadgaon. Our local      contact was Rahul Jambhulkar mob no : 9011807551


Trek break up:

1 hr from base to Ridge
30 minutes walk on ridge till you enter the forest.
30 minutes approx walk in the forest and you reach the diversion to right side point.
10 minutes till hanuman temple
10 minutes till the next ascend on the left.
1.20 minutes to reach the first water tank on top
20 minutes to the final top.

Total time for the trek - 7hrs 20 minutes
 To climb 4 hrs &
 To Descend 3 hrs 20 minutes ) 


How to Reach:

BUS: S.T buses are available from Panvel ST stand to Vadgoan. (the bus will drop you in the market from where you need to catch auto or walk 1.5 kms to raech the base village of Manikgad)

CAR : Panvel-Rasayani-Vadgoan


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Tung Fort Aka Kathingad

The Imposing Tung Fort

Last week when we were going towards Korigad fort,I noticed this mountain top which looked quite imposing, upon inquiry I was given to understand that It's Tung Fort. "Bas ab kya tha, Dil ne soch liya ki bahut jaldi is kille ko bhi fathe karna hai !! (My heart was set to conquer this fort soon) but believe me even in my wildest dream I wouldn't have thought that the next Sunday I would be on the Tung Fort.

Our Journey:

It all started when my friend Avinash called and said "Aashish bhai, chalo yaar kuch program banao, I said yaar last sunday Tung fort dekha tha , kare kya ? and he immediately agreed and the best part was that Avinash offered his car for the trek,We set out early from Panvel the common meeting place,Driving down the expressway we proceeded toward Lonawala, It was a cool morning and sun was just peeping out of the fog making our journey all the more pleasant.

Morning sunrise on the way to Lonawala

Our drive from Panvel to Lonawala took  around 45mins, It was 8 am when we reached the Kumar Resort junction at Lonawala, Here we were to meet our friend Shashi who was coming on motorbike and from here we all proceeded towards the  Amby valley. In case if you are not having your own vehicle than in that case one can take Sahara bus or bus going to Bhamburde village  from Lonawala ST stand and get down at the Ghosalkhamb bus stop and from here there is a road going toward left side to Tungwadi the base of Tung Fort.Its a 8-9 kms long journey from here to base.

8-9 kms stretch of road leading toward the Tung Fort. 

The only problem is that there is no local transport available from this point, trekkers often trek this 8 kms route till the base or hitch a ride from passing by Tempo. Actually for this trek one should have own vehicle, the road as you can see is not in a very good shape but manageable. Driving down the road you can have the glimpse of Tung fort.

 Glimpse of Tung fort

The rough road ensured us the rattling drive passing through few villages and few Green houses. Soon we were seeing the Tung Fort ahead, the sight of the imposing fort right in front of us made us all excited. Here please note that one need not go till Tungwadi, You must take a little diversion to your left  before the Tungwadi which will take you to the Hanuman Temple.

Hanuman Temple at the base

and just opposite that there is this information board of Tung Fort which gives complete information of the fort.

Information board put up by Sahyadri Prathishan

We parked our car here and started walking towards the Tung. There is this tar road which takes you to the start point of this trek.One can see the fort on the right side from here.

Tar road leading towards the start of the trek

One look at the top of the fort and you may say "Arre baapre itna upar jane ka hai " In fact at first glance the fort true it's name looked Kathin ( The marathi word for difficult, hence aptly also named as Kathingad). 

Just 2 minutes of walk on the above tar road and we reached the stone stairs which is the start point of this trek.

Stone cut stairs at the start of the trek

Climbing on these stairs you realise that the ascent is quite steep but however the advantage of this is that you quickly gain height.

Steep climb 

The view was very beautiful as we climbed from here.Though the climate was hot but the breeze was cool. Most of the climb is on the edge of the mountain and route is quite narrow, hence we are always exposed toward the valley.

Exposed climb with lovely mountain range all around

within 25 minutes we were near the small cave and next to that there was this water tank. We rested for a while and enjoyed the breathtaking views of Pawna back waters.

Enjoying the beauty of Pawna Backwaters

Walking on this narrow path we kept enjoying the beauty of valley and Pawna Waters .

Narrow path

Pawna Back water behind us

Further on this route we saw Tung ki Toppe (Cannons of Tung Fort) in front of us, Now this was the term Avinash used when he saw this.

Tung ki Toppe or Banana trees

I hope to see smile on your face when you see these Tung ki Toppe,  Trekkers can have weird sense of humor. This walk from the water tank hardly lasted for 5mins and we come across Main Darwaza or entrance of the fort. A large stone entrance almost in ruins state.

Main entrance of Tung Fort

Main entrance of Tung Fort

entering through this door, on your left side there is a  fortification wall which allows you to view the mountain range and the road below and straight ahead there is a ridge which we wanted to explore but the overgrown bushes on this portion of the fort didn't allow us to do so.

View from fort wall with overgrown bushes and ridge across

on your right side from here there is this stone stairs leading towards the second gate of the fort.

Stone stairs leading to the second entrance 

a little climb on these stair takes you to an enclosure kind of a place.
.

Enclosure before the second gate

The moment you enter this enclosure you feel quite cool. Standing atop on the stairs which comes to this enclosure offers you lovely view of the main entrance gate ,Pawana waters behind and majestic mountains across.

View of main gate from the top of stairs
 with pawna backwater

On entering this enclosure area you will notice the carving of Hanuman on the wall. 

Carving of Hanuman on the enclosure wall

And right opposite to this carving is the second entrance gate of the fort with the small stairs behind it,leading to the top.

Second entrance with the stairs behind ,leading to top.

Stairs leading to the top plateau

Once you climb these stairs you come across open top, just turn around at the top of this stone stairs you can have a terrific view of Tung fort on top along with the inside view of second gate.

 Terrific view of Tung fort on top along with the
 inside view of second gate

Coming out of this route we moved towards the right side, As one can see the towering fort ahead so there is little scope of losing your way here. Little walk ahead and you come across a small Ganesh temple with a water tank just next to it.

Ganpati Temple with water tank next to it

The water in this tank is quite dirty not potable.

Yours truly checking out the water

Just opposite the Ganpati Temple you see a stone boundary. I was told that in olden days this was kind of assembly hall. There is this board called Sadar which I assume in marathi means assemble hall.

Sader or the Assemble area

We offered the prayers in the temple, rested a bit and started our journey further toward the Tung top. The route is quite straight forward a little walk and you come across the base of the fort top or ballekilla as they say,there is this sign board directing you.

Base of the hill with sign board

As the sign board suggest that on your right there is a water tank and on the left the route leads you to the BhalleKilla

Sign board showing the route to Bhalekilla

The climb from the left of this hill is again a narrow path along the edge but the view of Pawana Backwater is absolutely mind blowing. I was walking carefully because I was worried 
"Ki kahi nature ka maza lete lete stretcher per nahi pahunch jao"  

Narrow path with serene Pawana waters

Walking towards the top of Tung ,on your left ,on the far horizon one can see Lohagad Fort and Visapur Fort behind the Pawana waters. The view all through this ascent is simply amazing.

Pawna waters and on the right side of picture on far end
Lohgad and Visapur Fort

A little simple rock patch and we were on the top of the Tung Fort.

So finally on the top of Tung Fort

Upon reaching the top we noticed that the top is not very large, As you touch the top deck on your left side you notice a small temple of Tungi devi.

Tungi Devi Temple on Top

Standing next to this temple you get amazing view of the Pawna backwater and the Tikona fort.I was completely mesmerized by this out of the world view in front of me.

I can stand for hours to watch this lovely view of
 Tung Fort surrounded by sublime water.

Standing at the top we were able to have perfect view of the base where we had parked our car,the temple and even the diversion of road going to Tungwadi. I must say this top indeed provided a perfect Watch Tower. 

View from the Top , showing the temple and
our parked car outside it

Next on the top we noticed this small cave kind of thing, so naturally the explorer instinct of mine got activated and hence I went to check out the same.

The explorer instinct prompted me to jump
 into that cave formation

There is a cave on the left side once you enter this 

After spending some time on the top , enjoying the lovely breeze we made our way back. All in all it was a superb sweet and small trek. It harddly took us 45 minutes to reach the Top.

Thankfully I can say Kathingad was not at all kathin.(Difficult).

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