A jungle Trek to Vasota

I was very much desperate for the big trek that to be kind of never been felt thrilling . Before that I had done with small trek, but wanted to do something different. So I just asked my friends to go for the same .It was winter, the month of Jan being the best season for trekking. Fortunately I saw the notification regarding the jungle trek to vasota on the website of Giridarshan Trekking club (One of the best trekking clubs in Pune) and decided to go for that. I asked Rhishi and colleagues Ramesh about this, they both confirmed to come. So we started to count down for going to Vasota.

As we were going with trekking club, didn't worry about travelling plan. We were supposed to leave on Saturday night at around 10:00 PM by bus, so we started arranging trekking things (like torch, cam, sack, water bottles, etc.) from Saturday morning itself, as this was our big one. We got everything ready and decided to meet at GTC’s office.

We were very excited about the trek and were waiting at GTC’s office for bus to come. We were around 80-84 trekkers. Meanwhile Ramesh bought something eatables. Around 11:00 PM we started our journey towards Vasota. 





A temple at Bamnoli where we spend night



For that we have to reach Bamnoli, which is base village of Fort Vasota.So we headed towards Bamnoli and reached at the same place on Around 3:30 AM in the Sunday morning. There is one enough big temple to stay for 60 -80 people in the Bamnoli village. The trek leaders instructed us to take rest and to wake up early in the morning at 7:00 AM.





Early in the morning at Bamnoli



So accordingly we woke up in morning and finish our activities, took breakfast and gathered near Shivsagar Lake for everyone’s introductions. We got introduced to all our trek leaders and trekkers and told to follow instructions as per leaders. After introductions we were waiting for boat trips to be launched.





Koyna dam back water



Bamnoli, in Satara district, one of the best tourist destinations to visit in monsoon/winter. You can get awesome view of Shivsagar Lake, like being around European lake destination. The village is around 30 km from Satara and 140 km from Pune.





Beautiful view of Shivsagar lake,waiting for boat to be launched



After waiting for some time, on around 10:00 AM, we started our boat ride towards fort Vasota. We started capturing beautiful images in our cameras.

Backwater of koyna dam

We could experience awesome atmosphere while riding through this Koyna dam backwater. We’re feeling great while going through that clean water, one could see the reflections of sun rays in that water. 



Around the lake,Lush green forest





Dense forest





One could see the water level indicator



Being lush green trees around both the banks of lake, it took around 1 and 1/2 hours to reach Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary from where we would start trekking.



Reaching entrance to the tiger Sanctuary





Welcome by Forest Department



A very rare temple with Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesh together



Fort Vasota comes under Tiger Project (forest department).We have to take prior permissions from the forest authorities and can be done on the same day as you plan your trek from Bamnoli. This was taken care by trekking club.

There are two forts actually. The old Vasota and new Vasota. The old Vasota is not easily accessible. We were supposed to hike new Vasota.



The only water source before reaching the top



So we started walking at around 12:00 PM.  On entering the into jungle , there is Hanuman temple. Beside that temple, there is small pond of water .Leaders instructed us to take enough water be filled in water bottles. 

Somewhere Sun rays not reachable to earth

Being very dense forest of Vasota, at some place on the way ,The sun rays are not allowed to touch earth. We were enjoying every moment of walking. The trek leaders instructed us not to make any noise so that placid (dead silence) of the jungle can be maintained.



Koyna back water from half of the distance



Heading towards the top, we noticed the temple of Mahadev on the way. On reaching around half of the distance, we rewarded with some spectacular views of Shivsagar Lake and the water way from where we got here. We forgot all the tensions in life within a moment and just enjoying the beauty of nature, we thanked god for giving us this wonderful gift of world.





Destructed Temple at the top







Babu Kada



On Around 3:30 PM in clock, we reached the top of the fort. We started wandering on fort. We were enjoying spell bounding views of Babukada. There is no special construction on the fort, but having one dilapidated temple there. After some sightseeing, we got hungry. And then that was the time for lunch!





Beautiful Nageshwar Peak



We finished lunch and took rest for a while. Again after energizing ourselves, we started walking on the fort for sightseeing and getting some beautiful snaps of Nageshwar peak in cameras and most importantly in our eyes that never been deleted from our eternal memories. That was just greatttttt!!!!!!!!





On return journey









Sunset at Bamnoli





After that we commenced our return walking. Reaching Bamnoli at around 6:15 PM in the evening, Sunset was looking great, we captured last image of the sun and got ourselves ready for travelling towards Pune.

Trek Details

History:  Fort Vasota was belonged to Raja Bhoj of Panhala(1178–1193). Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj brings the fort in Swarajya in 1655 and renamed as Vyagragad, because of its difficult natural defense. As usual British bombarded the fort in 1818 destroying the structures such as Daru-Kothar,Chandika Mandir,Mahadev temple,etc. Today we can see the only Mahadev temple in dillapited state on the fort. 

Height:3842 ft above sea level

Level:Difficult

Distance from Pune: 140 km, we have to reach Bamnoli first from where we can hire boat launch to reach entrance to the Sanctury. It takes 1 and 1/2 hr to reach by boat. From entrance it will take approximately 3-4 hrs to reach the top.

Sightseeing:Babu kada,Nageshwar Peak,Mahdev Temple and if you are planning in Aug-Oct,you can enjoy awesome views of Kas-Pathar the valley of flowers and ofcourse Tapola.

Accommodation:There is enough big temple at Bamnoli to spend the night and you can get breakfast too in the morning at the nearer snacks center.

An overnight trek at Raigad

Were finding some plan to go for trekking, but unable to think about due to extreme summer.

And also getting bored, so we thought we would go for any overnight trek. Finally got the place for hanging up in the night, The Raigad.

I just called my friend Rishi and got him ready, and obviously my brother being always ready for Raigad anytime. We did the final plan to go for and decided to leave in the night.

My bro (Pappu) who was excited for driving, because he just got CNG kit been   
installed in his car.

So we just got ready and left the home at 8:00 PM of April 7 2012.

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's samadhi

Being on the way, we were at Hotel Ayushi which is around 60-65 km from Pune just after passing Bhor, decided to take a dinner. This hotel is famous for AKKHA MASOOR as told by brother and ordered the same . The food was good ,So we finished the dinner and started the journey towards Raigad.

The Raigad which is second capital of SWARAJYA established by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (The first one was Rajgad), called me so many time and I was missing it every time. But this time I got it. The fort being around 120-130 km from Pune in Raigad district in the Sahyadri ranges.

Beautiful view of Nira Devghar dam from the road towards Varandha ghat

Interestingly, the way towards the Raigad is as much adventurous as itself; means, am talking about the Varandha ghat. This ghat always attracted me. Every time I got there feeling something new, refreshing, inexpressible peace, adventurous and in the night it just is like getting out of hell. Means it is just being heaven.

Awesome Varandha ghat peak(Photo Not taken in this trek)

After covering the around 12 -13 km distance we reached the peak of the varandha ghat and this is the place I was talking about. It was 11:00 PM in the clock. No vehicle to and fro on the road. There is small temple of Waghjai Devi.

Shivtharghal located in middle most lush green region(Photo not taken in this trek)

We the three were just feeling peace of mind.  From here we could see Shivtharghal, the place where Samartha Ramdas swami written “DASBODH”.

After staying for some time, we headed towards the fort.

So we finally reached the base village of Raigad (Pachad). Being 12:15 AM in the Clock. We could see the way in the night because it was the full moon day, the day before. We were supposed to hike two hills to reach there at top of the fort. 

Reaching pachad, 4-5 dogs were barking loudly, first we got irritated but I think then they decided to come with us and walking with us very calmly. Where there we stopped they did.

Beautiful rising sun

Rising sun from Sahyadri

One of my favorite pics

We started hiking; having wonderful night, calm atmosphere, full moonlight, the time was just excellent, and we got shivered. I never experienced that peace of mind ever before. Around 1:45 AM we reached top of the fort. After wandering at some places, we got best place to spend the night; very near to tomb of Shivaji Maharaj. Already two people were sleeping there and told us they are police, any how we got permission to stay there.

Early in the morning At samadhi

Entrance to the samadhi place with lightning moon in the morning

Waghya's samadhi

We woke up early in the morning around at 6:15 AM and decided to go for sightseeing. We started from Samadhi itself. At this place, the whole night I was thinking how would be the atmosphere at the time of Shivaji Maharaj and also was feeling very happy to spend the night besides Samadhi. As usually we started capturing the images. The sun was just rising and full Moon was beautiful at the same time.

Jagdishwar Temple (built like mosque)

There is tomb of Maharaja’s dog “Waghya” as people say. Waghya was very loyal to Maharaj. But there is no base of explanation in history regarding this, some people says that this is tomb of Holkar’s dog that did renovation of Shivaji maharaja’s Samadhi.

Seveshi Tatpar Hiroji Indulkar

Any way we started walking, we noticed step at entrance of Samadhi on which some text is written it says “Seveshi Tatpar Hiroji Indulkar” meaning always ready at the service/duty of Swarajya.

Hiroji Indulkar who built The Raigad was one of most trusted men of Shivaji Maharaj

BajarPeth

The famous statue of Maharaj 

An entrance to Grand Darbar Where Maharaj was crowned as Chatrapati

After leaving from Samadhi, we headed towards Jagdishwar temple of Shiva; it is built like mosque to be protected from attacker/destroyer.  Then we visited Darbar, Entrance to Darbar is in good state but “Ranivasa” the place for queens are in worst condition destroyed by attackers.

Minister's residential

"RANIVASA" The queen's residential 

Maha Darwaja(Nagarkhana Darwaja)

After visiting bajarpeth, couldn’t stop thinking about how it would be crowded at that time and for moment I was stunned. There is famous statue of maharaja at very centre place called Holicha Mal where people on fort used to gather for any celebration.

The way to TAKMAK tok ,point of execution

After that we headed towards the famous TAKMAK Tok this was place where rebels were punished by pushing them from there.

way to Ropeway

Gangasagar Talav

Climbing down towards base Village

The second doorway towards Fort

An first entrance to Fort

After visiting almost places, we spend some time on the fort and started our return journey

Trek Details

History: Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj seized the fort in 1656 from ChandraRao More.He then declared Raigad fort as capital of Maratha Empire in 1674. He was crowned as Chatrapati at the same place. In 1765 fort was target of an armed expedition by British and subsequently destroyed by EAST INDIA Company in 1818. 

Height: 2700 ft above sea level

Level: Medium

Distance from Pune: 126 km, daily buses from Swargate,Shivaji Nagar

Sightseeing: Gangasagar Talav,Takmak tok,Raigad Ropeway,Pachad Village,Darbar, Nagarkhana darwaja,Holicha Mal,Jagdishwar Temple and of course most important Samadhi

Accommodation: food and accommodation is easily available at MTDC Resort also we can use open space on the fort for spending night  to get thrilling experience

Save the Nature,Live the Trek!!!!!!