SAHAYDRI SANGH RATANGAD TREK ***A JEWEL OF SAHYARI***
Ratangad is a perfect destination for those who like adventure travel. This is a fort about more than 400 years old, located in Ratan Wadi, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, India. This fort lies in the Ajoba mountain range which is surrounded by mountains of Alang, Kalsubai,Kulang, Katarabai etc. Ratangad fort is around 4500 ft above sea level and and has a natural rock with cavity, which is known as ‘eye of the needle’,in the peak of the fort. It is simply amazing to watch the entire region from the peak. The fort as its name indicates, is really a A JEWEL AMONG ALL HILL FORTS IN SAHYADRI.
The fort is located on the banks of Bhandardara lake in Ahmednagar. The journey through the fresh water lake with the great hills on the sides is actually a visual treat. It will take around 2-3 hours to reach the top from the base. The climb to the fort is not so steep, and merely before the final climb there are two steel ladders and some rock steps before reaching the door of the fort. There is a chance of losing the way at this point and better to hire local guides to show the route. From here route right leads to the fort where the route left leads to Rani Mahal. The rock steps are slippery and dangerous and should take care in this point. This oldest contrived catchment area with its beautiful locale of Bhandardara is really amazing. An ancient temple about 1000 years old is located at the base of this fort. This well preserved temple of Lord Shiva at Amurteshwar is really an apotheosis of architectural skill of ancient civilisation.
Sahaydri Sangh Members ( Sachin Chavan, Nilesh Shinde, Umesh Mane, Bhushan Indulkar, Vinayak Galve, Vishal Mhaske, Ajit Sherkar, Prakash Prajapati, Santosh Sarak, Rajesh Rahatwal ) decided to trek the same fort on 21st August 2010 by catching Guwahati Express from Tilak Terminus ( Kurla ) in mrong 8.00 Am. Till Kasara. From kasara we need to arrange ( Tracks ) to Village Shendi. This time with sahaydri sangh one more group came for the same trek, Saurabh Shivalkar, Ajinkya, Mangesh n all.. They are 6 of them. So it means we all are 14. We catched Guwahati express in mrng. 8, reached Igatpuri around 10.15. From Igatpuri a we took share autos till Shendi, from shendi we traveled to Ratanwadi Village from Shendi Via Launch of Bhandardara Dam.. We had food in Shendi village. After that around 1.30 p.m. we start walk towards Bhandardara.
It was so awesome view in Bhandardara Dam. U need more than Half n hour to crossed it. As we crossed the Big Dam and reached Ratanwadi Village, Rain Started slowly, what was climate it wassss ……Just Superbbbbb. We happily start our trek with the help of one guide, You must have guide with you, Cuz starting pathches are difficult and many route are their, you cant judge which one is right one. So Better to have a Guide with us.
We start our trek at around 2.45 and reached the top around 4.30. Their were no other group on the Fort, its feel good for us, Cuz there is only two caves on the fort to spend a Night. And we were 14-15 over all. After reached the top of caves we found one Pauranik Ganesh Mandir in Inside the Cave. Due the Fogs climate was just awesome, we saw Buruj also on top. There is facility of a good and cold water on top of the fort.
While having dinner at atoung 7.30 – 8.00 p.m. we listened Shivaji Maharajas wonderful songs on mobile with a large volume.. It was so cold on the top. So we think, its better to finished food quickly and go to sleep asap. And We did same. We slept around 10.00.
Second day morning we all wake up around 5.30 a.m. cuz we need to reached Base village before 8.30 to catch the Boat for 8.40. So around 6.45 in morning we start coming down for the top. While coming down, the Rockpath is the toughest patch. You all must need good shoes to passed it.
Sahaydri Sangh reached Ratanwadi village, when we had nice darshan of Lord Shiva Temple ( Amruteshwar ), this temple is haddapakalin sankriti. You will find some signs also. It shows how old it is. We catch our Speed Boad at around 9.00 and then way to Mumbai Again from Igatpuri to kasara ST.
Amruteshwar Temple
Sahaydri Sangh
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