tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51704226175821265512024-02-20T21:06:10.255+05:30Travel BlogThis is a blog of my travels.Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-4157995119694140072010-07-31T23:04:00.001+05:302010-07-31T23:14:59.124+05:3025-Jul-2010 : Katraj to SinhagadAll those who are active in trekking around Pune are fascinated by the idea to reach Sinhagad from Katraj side. It is said that this trek should be done at night time during the summer. The moon light guides us. It takes entire night to complete the trek. Once we start the trek, we come out from either Katraj or Sinhagad. No escape in between.
Location and Getting there:
Take a PMT bus to Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-24176808903722287512010-07-11T22:19:00.064+05:302010-07-18T10:15:19.542+05:304-Jul-2010: Trek to Purandar and Vajragad fortsPurandar and Vajragad forts are twin forts near Sasawad, Pune. Both these forts are historically significant. They are very much accessible from Pune. Purandar and Vajragad are two of the forts in the basin of river Karha. Purandar is the place of Lord Indra. Indra's weapon is Vajra. Vajragad is very much important for Purandar.
Location and getting there
From Swargate, take a ST bus going Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-42754020683265288372010-07-04T00:36:00.001+05:302010-07-31T21:42:14.764+05:3027-Jun-2010: Trek to SinhagadSinhagad (सिंहगड) is fort adjoining Pune city. It is host to many historical events. It was closely associated with Shivaji Maharaj. The fort is so accessible to Pune that every holiday, several people throng the place as a picnic spot. Just a few years ago, the fort was visible from most of the places in Pune. Due to recent increase in high rise buildings in and around Pune, the fort can be seenRahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-26724029904974653552010-06-05T19:06:00.669+05:302010-06-21T01:05:46.320+05:305 to 6-Jun-2010 Jeevadhan Fort and NaneghatJeevdhan (जीवधन)fort is the guard fort for Nane Ghat (Pass) (नाणे घाट). This is the ancient trade route from Konkan to the Desh. During Saatwaahaan (सातवाहन) reign (1st century BC to 3rd century AD), this route used to connect Kalyan and Naalaa Sopara in Konkan to Pratishthan (modern day Paithan), the capital of the Saatwaahaan dynasty. Seemuk was one of the earlier kings of this dynasty. During Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-67429975539490104032010-05-05T10:07:00.007+05:302010-05-16T23:19:02.346+05:301-May-2010: Vandaloor Zoo, ChennaiVandaloor Zoo is one of the largest zoo in India. It is situated in a village called Vandaloor on the outskirts of Chennai. The new name of this park is Kalaignar Anna Zoological Park. The zoo is so big that you must spare at least one day to enjoy all the animals in the zoo.From Trips - Vandaloor Zoo May 10 Entrance to Vandaloor ZooIt was the first zoo to be established in India in 1855. It is Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-6737901543939762452010-05-05T10:06:00.003+05:302010-05-17T00:07:54.340+05:3026-Apr-2010: Bannerghatta National Park BangaloreBannerghatta National Park is situated at nearly 20 kilometers from Bangalore. It is one of the major biodiversity region. It covers an area of nearly 100 square kilometers. It is connected to the Satyamangalam forests in the Nilgiris.How to reachThere is a very good connectivity to the National Park from Bangalore. Any city bus bearing 365 should go to the National Park. Most of the routes to Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-22174416393685715072010-04-18T22:37:00.016+05:302010-05-17T01:15:22.733+05:302 to 4-Apr-2010: Gaavilgad NarnaalaaTill now we had seen the forts and the forest in Sahyadri range. This trip offered us a chance to see forts and forests in Satpuda range in the North Maharashtra. Melghat Wildlife Sanctuary is situated between Amaravati and Akola districts. Gaavilagad and Naranaala forts are on the fringes of the sanctuary. They were built to obstruct the invaders coming from the North.How to reach thereGaavilgadRahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-91734709378216920762010-01-01T20:37:00.005+05:302010-05-17T23:05:42.095+05:3030-Dec-2009 to 1-Jan-2010 Bhairavgad KoynaGenerally all of have an impression that there are no forests left in India. However, if we visit the area around Koyana dam, our perception will change for good. Koyana Chandoli is declared as a reserved forest. Many villages have been shifted out of this area so that the forest is continuous and without much human intervention. The tree cover is increased. This explains how the forest cover in Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-49997475728171422532009-12-28T16:21:00.003+05:302010-05-17T23:23:14.372+05:305 to 6-Dec-2009 Kalawantin Durg (Bastion)Kalawantin Durg (Bastion) is a small pinnacle adjoining the fort of Prabalgad.Location and how to get thereThis place is very accessible from both Mumbai and Pune. On Mumbai Pune expressway, take Shendung exit. This is nearly 30 kms from Khopoli towards Mumbai. From Shendung, take a left turn towards Thakurwadi. It takes nearly half an hour to reach the base from the expressway. There are state Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-20973376021474369462009-12-04T16:20:00.000+05:302010-06-08T11:25:17.379+05:3028 to 29-Nov-2009 Harishchandra GadHarishchandragad is one of the massive forts. It has minimal ramparts constructed. Nothing much of any significance has happened on the fort. The fort and the surrounding area was inhabited for more than a thousand years.
The fort has a lot of greenery. So much that one feels that it drizzled very recently.
Location and getting there
From Shivaji Nagar bus stand in Pune, there are several Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-90471569409749892522009-11-15T16:19:00.000+05:302010-06-08T11:26:46.730+05:3014-Nov-2009 Karla, Bhaje, and Bedse cavesMaharashtra has a large number of caves. Out of nearly 1500 caves identified in India, nearly 1200 are in Maharashtra. The basalt rock is conducive for excavating the caves.
The earliest known rock cut caves are excavated near Gaya in Bihar. Four in Barabar and three in Nagarjuni hills. Some of these caves were donated by Emperor Ashoka (272-232 BC) to the ascetics of Ajvika sect.
In Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-16596292713132603092009-11-08T19:13:00.003+05:302010-06-05T19:15:53.962+05:307 to 8-Nov-2009 RaigadRaigad has a special place in the history. Shivaji Maharaj ruled from this place from 1670 till 1680. His coronation was performed on this fort. He breathed his last in this fort.
Shivaji Maharaj moved the capital from Rajgad to Raigad in 1670. Raigad was perceived comparatively safe and isolated. Rajgad was becoming increasingly susceptible to enemy attack.
Location and getting thereRaigad can Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-57754085727411767042009-10-31T16:15:00.000+05:302010-06-08T11:27:44.071+05:3024 to 25-Oct-2009 Madhu-Makarand GadMadhu Makarand Gad is a twin peak in the Sahyadri. It is visible from Pratapgad and Raigad. This fort was a watch fort guarding the trade route of Radtondi pass connecting Wai-Mahabaleshwar to Poladpur.
Out of the two peaks, Madhu peak is inaccessible to the common trekkers. Makarand peak was converted as a fort.
Location and getting there
This fort is near Pratapgad. Makarandgad can be Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-90307389088275726842009-03-22T23:08:00.015+05:302009-05-17T16:41:38.670+05:3021 to 22-Mar-2009 Bhorgiri BheemashankarIn India, we have a general perception that there are not many forests left. However, this perception is not entirely true. There are some patches of forests preserved to this day. Quite a few of them are in the Sahyadri ranges. These patches may not be as thick as earlier times. But they give us a feeling of what a forest is like.Bheemashankar is one such wildlife sanctuary. The Giant Squirrel Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-753299710368768702009-03-15T22:24:00.008+05:302009-05-17T16:49:57.566+05:3014-Mar-2009 Someshwar temple, Pashan, PunePune has very beautiful temples lost in the concrete jungle. These days one has to find these architectural gems. Not much is known to the general public about these temples. History is slowly being forgotten.One such temple is near Pashan village in Pune. It is a Shiva temple known as Someshwar temple. It is situated on the banks of a stream. The original construction must have been nearly 250 Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-74728081613429086052009-03-08T22:10:00.009+05:302009-05-17T17:12:36.741+05:308-Mar-2009 Katraj ParkI am always of the opinion that the public parks and zoos in India are nowhere in comparison with the best in the world.Take an example of Singapore Zoo. It is a huge enterprise. There are several animals from all around the world. They are kept in almost their original habitat. There is a lot of information for the tourist. The staff that maintains the zoo is very well trained on their job. ThisRahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-41919601659225223212009-03-02T23:34:00.007+05:302009-05-17T20:54:53.867+05:3028-Feb to 1-Mar-2009 LohagadMost of us are intrigued by the mysteries of sky some time or the other. To most of us, sky is ever changing. And we will not be able to distinguish planets from stars on our own. There was a program announced by Trekdi about astronomical night out on Lohagad fort. I took it as a opportunity to learn some of the mysteries of the sky.Lohagad was an important fort right from Satwahan dynasty, Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-36240893976403585302009-02-23T16:26:00.007+05:302009-06-16T09:07:23.663+05:3021 to 22-Feb-2009 Vasota Fort (Vyaghragad), and Nageshwar CaveVasota fort is a jungle fort situated in Sahyadri ranges. From this fort, one gets beautiful view of the Koyana dam backwaters.How to reachVasota fort can be reached by two approaches.a) Via Met IndavaliFrom Satara, take a bus to Bamnoli. This village is situated on the banks of river Koyana. From Bamnoli, one has to take a launch to Met Indavali forest camp. This journey through Koyana Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-79905003349178331882009-02-23T16:24:00.006+05:302009-06-16T09:00:53.530+05:306 to 8-Feb-2009 Ramsej, Dhodap, Kachana FortsOn a long weekend, I joined this trek without realizing the difficulty. In the end, I was rewarded appropriately.The trek consisted of three forts in the Nashik region of Maharashtra. These forts are in the Chandor (or Satmala) range. Dhodap is the highest hill in this range. Vani, the temple of Saptashrungi is also in the same range.How to reachFor all the forts in this region, one has to travelRahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-14184914160481935922009-02-23T16:23:00.008+05:302010-05-22T16:53:00.205+05:301-Feb-2009 Bird Watching Kawdi, Dalaj, DhiksalI was starting to recognize a few birds. Thanks to Mrs Manasi Wagh. She had arranged a trip for watching birds. I thought of augmenting my knowledge.Birds are resident and migratory. winter is the season when most of the migratory birds visit various parts of India. Birds are found where they can get food easily. This can be wetlands.Along Pune Solapur road, backwaters of Ujani dam offer a Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-31080823525105703242009-02-23T16:23:00.007+05:302010-05-22T16:34:26.083+05:3024 to 26-Jan-2009 Sangameshwar, Marleshwar, MahimatgadWe did not know what is Marleshwar and where it lies. We just wanted some outing on this particular week end. Seeing that Marleshwar jungle trek is organized by Trekdi, we enrolled ourselves.One has to go to Sangameshwar in Kokan. Marleshwar temple, and Mahimatgad are in the vicinity of Sangameshwar. From Sangameshwar, there is a village called Kundi. This is one of the base village for the Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-41157009935006602842009-02-23T16:22:00.003+05:302010-05-22T17:09:54.912+05:3017 to 18-Jan-2009 Suvarnadurg FortSuvarnadurg is one of the most important sea forts built during Shivaj Maharaj's era. Shivaji Maharaj laid emphasis on building strong forts. This was one of the pillars of swarajya. Suvarnadurg, along with Sindhudurg, Vijaydurg, and some others searve the testimony of this strategy. The rising dominance of the foreigners through sea was rightly recongnized. Building strong sea forts and army wasRahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-38821433201205795932009-01-03T16:21:00.000+05:302010-06-08T11:29:47.112+05:3024 to 28-Dec-2008 Kokan TripI have always heard that Kokan is beautiful. Prior to this trip, I visited Ratnagiri and Ganapatipule. (Leaving Mumbai aside). Giridarshan Trekking Club had arranged a trip of sea forts in South Kokan. Since all the forts were almost at ground level, we decided to take children with us. Aditi and Omkar Wagh were also joining the trip. Hence the four kids formed their own team.
24-Dec-2008
11:00 Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-47625049575034596042008-12-20T16:19:00.000+05:302010-06-08T11:42:59.964+05:3014-Dec-2008 Shivaneri FortShivaneri is the birthplace of Shivaji Maharaj. It has a special place in the history.
From Pune, one has to go to Junnar. Shivaneri fort is just outside the town.
14-Dec-2008
6:00 AM Shivaji Nagar bus stand
We met at the Shivaji Nagar bus stand at 6:00 AM. We did not board the bus to Junnar. It did not have place for our group.
8:00 AM Started from Pune
Finally we boarded a bus to Rajguru Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5170422617582126551.post-65836278997243203172008-11-22T16:17:00.000+05:302010-06-08T11:51:20.911+05:3015 to 16-Nov-2008 Rajgad FortI wanted to see different forts. However accessibility was a big challenge. The public transport is not good enough to see many places on our own. Fortunately, I came in contact with trekking groups. I decided to take the first trek available at the time. This was arranged by Giridarshan to fort Rajgad.
Rajgad has been the capital fort for Shivaji Maharaj for maximum time. I was very happy that Rahulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06078028735405253507noreply@blogger.com0