"EVEREST OF MAHARASHTRA - KALSUBAI TREK"

ABOUT BLOG

Hie guys ones again back with my new blog "EVEREST OF MAHARASHTRA - KALSUBAI TREK". In this blog, I will be summarizing our trek to Kalsubai which we have done in 2015.

ABOUT KALSUBAI

Kalsubai is a mountain of the western ghat range located in Maharashtra. Situated at an elevation of 5400ft is the highest peak in Maharashtra which earns it the much glorified title of the "Everest of Maharashtra".

ABOUT TREK

One more dream come true "Trek To Kalsubai".

Kalsubai, the highest peak of Maharashtra. As Mount Everest is for the world, Kalsubai is for Maharashtra. I first read about this peak on Travellogs. Since that moment, I decided to do this trek. After discussing with friends we finalized the day of 5-Sept-2015,Saturday.

Initially, we were 5 friends for this trek, but at the last moment, we left only 3: Sumit Da, Subodh Da and myself. Still we decided to do this trek. 

We took train from CST-IGATPURI at 12.10 am.

And got down at Igatpuri Station at 3.10 am then we proceeded towards Igatpuri ST stand, were we had to spend another 2 hours for bus. Fortunately, it was not very cold out there, so we didn't have any problem. Meanwhile we enjoyed eating pumpkin seeds carried by our Iron Man Mr. Sumit da. The first bus from Igatpuri to Bari Village (Kalsubai Base) is at 5.00 am. It's a typical Lal-Dabba Janata Gaadi. We got down  at Bari at 6.10 am. Bari village is 1 km inside from Bus Stop. Here we met a guy Mr. Manik he showed us the starting path. He also arranged Garm Garm Kanda Pohe and Tea for us at his place.

We started our actual trek at 7.15 am. Within 15 minutes, we reached to the temple. This is the temple of "Chhoti Kalsubai". Rote to the top goes from back side of this temple. After an hour of climb, we came across one ladder. This is an iron ladder for passing through a rock patch.

The route here onward till the second ladder is difficult with all the rock patches. Within half an hour, we reached to the second ladder which was steep. Some of its supporting rods are loose, which adds more thrill to the climb.

After going through this ladder, we felt that the trek is over and the peak will be there only. But that was not the case. Some more thrill was left for us. After 30 minutes, we came at the third ladder. The third ladder also covers a rock patch and takes you directly in front of the Klsubai Temple, The highest point of Maharashtra.

We reached at the top at around 9.45 am. It took us whooping 2.30 hours for the trek as we were taking halts frequently. But by making very few halts, the climb can be comleted within 2.30 hours.

The view from the top is just amazing.

Mountains, Greenery, Clouds are just out of this world. 

After capturing some good snaps of heaven we started descending. This trek was impossible without my friends and their support, So a Big thanks to Subodh Da and Sumit Da for making my dream trek come true. 

 Ye mat sochna tumlog chut gae kyoki abhi aur trek baki hai mere dosto.... Lol.....

Thank You For Reading.

KHUSHBOO GUJARAT KI

ABOUT BLOG
I just got back from 5N/6D Gujarat tour with unforgettable memories and happy faces of our 26 guests. We traveled around 1650 kilometers, enjoyed Gir Lions safari, Saw 10 temples, Triveni sangam, Birth place of Gandhi, Step well etc. So this post will document the trip with pictures.

ABOUT GUJARAT
Gujarat is state in western India. sometimes referred to as the "Jewel of Western India". It has an area of 75,685 sq mt with a coastline of 1600 km, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula, and a population in excess of 60 million.

ABOUT TRIP
The trip started from Ahmedabad Airport. We ( Me & Saumitra) received 26 guests at airport and then proceeded towards our first destination Sasan which is approximately 360 kilometers from Ahmedabad. we took 2 halts in-between for lunch and for tea break. We reached there at around 8.00 pm, we checked-in to the hotel Gir Lions Pow Resort.

Next day morning we checked out from hotel and proceeded to enjoy Gir Interpretation Zone-Devaliya Safari.

We saw 5 lions, 12-13 monkeys and dozen of deer.

After experiencing wildlife safari we started our journey towards next destination Somnath (70 km). In Somnath we visited

Bhalka Tirth

Is the place where Lord Krishna was hit by arrow shot by a hunter named Jara, after which he is said to have left the earth for heavenly abode.

Geeta Mandir

Also known as Birla Mandir. Built in 1970 by the Birlas. This temple famous for its depiction of Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, which is carved on 18 marble pillars.

Triveni Sangam

It is the meeting point of three holy rivers Kapila,Hiran and mystical river Saraswati.

Somnath Temple

This temple is the first among the twelve Jyotirling shrines of Shiva. We visited Somnath temple in the evening so we got a chance to attend Maha Aarti.

Next day we proceeded towards Dwarka which is actually 235 km from Somnath but due to road maintenance more 65 km added in our journey but because of this problem we also got a chance to visit Madhavpur Beach also known as Mini Goa.

While Dwarka journey we took halt at Porbandar and visited 

Kirti Mandir

Birth place of Mahatma Gandhi. In 1947 this place converted in national memorial.

Sudama Temple

This temple dedicated to Sudama who was the childhood friend of Lord Krishna constructed in 1902.

We also enjoy our lunch in Swagat Restaurant. This restaurant is famous for their Butter Roti and Shrikhand. after enjoying delicious food we covered remaining journey. It was almost 6.00 pm when we reached at our Dwarka hotel Goverdhan Greens Resort.

Next day we visited....

Dwarkadhish Temple

Also known as Jagat Mandir dedicated to the God Krishna, who is worshiped here by the name Dwarkadhish (king of Dwarka).

Rukshmani Temple

Nageshwar Jyotirling, Gopi Talav and Bet Dwarika. Best part from this sightseeing is boat ride from Okha to Bet dwarika. 

Next after completing Dwarka to Ahmedabad journey which is approximately 460 kilometers. On arrival at Ahmedabad we visited Akshardham Temple and then checked in to our Hotel Le Grande.

Next day morning we visited 

Gandhi Aashram

Also known as Sabarmati Aashram. This wasone of the residence of Mahatma Gandhi who lived there for about twelve years along with his wife Kasturbha Gandhi. It was from his base here that Gandhi led Dandi March also known as the Salt Satyagraha on 12th Marcg 1930.

Modera Sun Temple

This temple dedicated to the Solar Deity Surya located at Modera village of Mehsana district. It is situated on the bank of the river Pushpavati. It was built in 1026-27 AD Bhima I of Solanki Dynasty.

Rani Ki Vav

Build as a memorial to an 11th century AD king. It was added to the list of UNESCO,s World Heritage sites on 22 June 2014. Step Well are a distinctive form of subterranean water resource and storage systems on the Indian subcontinent and have constructed since the third millennium BC.

After finishing our sightseeing we proceeded towards Ahmedabad and by 10.30 PM dropped our group at Ahmedabad airport and concluded tour.  

ENTRY FEES

Gir Interpretation Zone = Mon-Fri 150 rupees / Sat-Sun 190 rupees

Modera Sun Temple = 15 rupees

Rani Ki Vav = 15 rupees

HOTEL PRICING

Gir Lions Pow Resort = 5000 per night for double room

Lords Inn Somnath = 3000 per night for double room

Goverdhan Greens Resort = 2600 per night for double room

Le Grande = 3800 per night for double room

RESTAURANT PRICING

Sugar & Spice Limdi = 250 rupees per person (Try Gujarati Thali)

Swagat Restaurant Porbandar = 300 rupees per person (Try Butter Roti & Shrikhand)

Comfirt Inn Rajkot = 200 rupees per person 

Food Zone Patan = 250 rupees per person (Try Spring Roll)

There you go, a summary of the tour with photos. This all for now will post more later. 

Thank You For Reading.

LIFE IS LIKE RIDING A CYCLE, TO STAY BALANCED YOU MUST KEEP MOVING

CYCLING AT NATIONAL PARK

Hie guys this is Sachidanand ones again back with my new article "MORNING CYCLING AT NATIONAL PARK".

Usually whenever we get free time from our busy schedule we plan Trek or short picnic but this time we decided to experience something new.

While searching on google I find that at Sanjay Gandhi National Park they are started giving cycles on rent and after reading that immediately i have decided to go for cycling and inform dat to other members of our group.

Because of our group members Manoj Dhangar (Gavthi Ranveer) busy in there gaming session 💪🏻 and Amol Jadhav (Driver) busy in there nakli Baba Giri 😂 three of us Me, Sumit Jadhav & Subodh Jadhav decided to go for experience this new activity in city.

As always I planned schedules for this and we meet at SNGP gate 8.30 in the morning.

We enjoy breakfast at nearby hotel and then proceed to get cycle's. When we reached at cycle booth we saw all cycle's were haired by a group ☹. I thought this a bad day for us but Sumit said we'll wait for some time and guess what three Guys came their to deposit there cycles... n same wr taken by us. We felt like "We got wings and now we are ready to take off"😇

The plan was to ride dcycle till kanheri caves which is about 7 km away from SGNP main gate and then come back. It was the first 2-3 km itself, me Nd Subodh Da got tired so we took 2-3 haults in between. At every upward slopes "we were getting tired". I would like to mention here that Sumit da who is x boxer and jogs about 7-8 km daily was leading our group. The sheer Beauty of the park with trees on the sides, mountain in the front and relatively empty road with fellow cyclist made us forget the fatigue. In 30-40 minutes we reached kanheri caves.

After taking 10 minutes break we started returning journey. In between we took 3-4 photo haults and covered our return journey in only 20 minutes.

After reaching at starting point we decided to spend some more time with our Wings (cycle)

After exploring almost 20℅ of SGNP beauty we returned our Wings (cycle's) and left the park.

It was awesome experience for all of us and now we decided whenever we get free time we will go for cycling in SGNP. So guys ye picture yahi khatam nhi hua hai... "Picture toh abhi baki hai mere dost"😄

National park entry fees :

Main Entrance fee: 

Adult: Rs 44 /-

Child: Rs 23/-
Park timings: 7:30 am - 6:30 pm
Monday closed

Parking charges:
2 wheeler: Rs 33/-
4 wheeler: Rs 133/-

Cycle rent: Normal cycle: Rs.60/- for 2 hours Btwin cycle: Rs.80/- for 2 hours

Thanks for reading. Happy Traveling.

TREK TO TORNA FORT

After Harishchandra, Kalsubai, Ratangadh, and Rajgadh, it was time to do one more trek. We wanted to step up the endurance level so we decided to go to the Torna Fort. It was our monsoon trek. There was no sign of rain on the day but cloudy weather and soft sun light played their best role to unfold nature’s beauty in front of us.

Trekkers for Torna were me, sumit da (our guru nd leader), Suvidha Desai (Nakli photographer), Amol Jadhav (Driver 😂), Manoj Dhangar (Vasai cha ranveer singh)

About Torna fort: 

Torna Fort or Prachandagad (means ’massive fort’) is located in Pune , State of Maharashtra. It is the first fort captured by Shivaji Maharaj in 1643, at the age of 16, forming the nucleus of the Maratha Empire. The mountain has an elevation of 1,403 meters (4,603 ft.) above sea level, making it the highest fort in Pune.

The base village for trek is Velhe and it is hardly 30 km from mum-pune express highway so we decided to go by car. We meet at Borivali station by 11.00pm and left for velhe village at 11.15.

It was a adventurous journey to Velhe via Pabe ghat because "Humare driver k basic mehi problem tha😂". We parked our cars at a restaurant in the village. It was 7 in the clock and we had Poha/Misal pav in breakfast. After a power nap and fresh up our trek began at 9.00 AM.
Weather was perfectly set for trekking conditions. The sun was busy in hide and seeks game with rainy clouds. Starting route is little confusing that's why we take wrong route and after passing through "Guranchi vaat" nd "Nalyachi vaat" finally we find right route for fort. 

 Reaction of new members (Manoj) after watching height of Torna fort and its route was like, are we sure that we’ll climb this fort? Sumit da's reply was not to think about the peak but just try to focus on the hills. The trek to the Torna fort was simple and straight on the path nicely laid after climbing first hill. After 1 hour of hike, we reached on top of one hill. You can see beautiful nature view of Gunjavne Dam once you’re on top of the connected hill. It was not possible for us to start climbing on massive Torna fort without capturing its beauty in our cameras. From the top of hill, you need to walk on small plateau before actual hike. We also found little Kaas pathar on this hill.

 The last 45 minutes of trek uphill are indeed pretty interesting. Torna fort offers you two small rock patches. For safety purpose, railings were mounted. Any person with basic knowledge can climb it easily.

Soon we reached the entry gate of the Torna fort ‘Bini Darwaja’ by 12.15 pm. All were really happy to reach here.

As we were on height, sunny weather was replaced by cloudy weather and cool strong breeze was playing around us. We took a break (limbu sarbat break) and then decided to go to Goddess Mengai Temple.

On the way to the temple, you can see a water tank, constructed room without roof and a Konkan kada.
After 3.15 hours of trek, everyone was hungry and we decided to descend fort. We started descending at 1.20 pm. Myself and Sumit da helped Manoj Nd suvi to descend the rock patch. Descending was not a difficult job but after some time, pressure on the knee becomes troublesome. After descending half the way (Rock patches), we took a break for 10 min. No reason as such for the break. Yet after the small break, we started to cover the remaining distance but suddenly heavy rainfall started so we take another break but barish band honevali nhi thi so we started descending with lighting speed. We reached Velhe village at 3.10 PM. After we reached at our parked car at base village, we had tea Nd Kanda bhaji break and then we left this historical place.
Torna is truly a place to visit and to remember the greatest Maratha King. One must visit the fort and enjoy the nature and the beauty of the great fort. It was a perfect end to an adventurous weekend. We reached home by 10.30 PM safely ending a pleasurable trek in monsoon.

Thanks for reading.

Happy traveling. 

Sachidanand Pawar