Chincholi-Peacock, Nighoj-Potholes-RanjanKhalge

Peacock’s Chincholi and Potholes at Nighoj
A relaxed outing at Chincholi, Nighoj, Ranjangaon and Chakan at weekend with Alaka, Sanju, Nitin Bhosle and YHK gang. We left at 7:30pm from Mulund and reached Chincholi around 1:30am. We took Mumbai Talegaon Rajgurunagar-Khed route.

Chincholi village is famous for peacocks around the home, in fields and surrounding jungle.
We had night hault at Khandoba temple and next day morning ventured out for Peacocks. With all chatty friends it was difficult to trace peacocks as they could easily hear and used to run away. But I enjoyed watching so many peacocks on the trees, flying and also so close to human habitat. We heard strange tradition as Villagers don’t serve the tea because their religious tradition is not use milk in tea. We went outside village towards entrance of the village and had tea and Kandepohe. Here all enjoyed wearing turban of one Dhangar and clicked snaps.

From Chincholi we moved towards Nighoj. One villager suggested us to go though Malthan as other road is bad so we took Malthan road. After 10 minutes we saw one Indica totally up on the road. The driver was very scared. Sanju, NItin Bhosle and Bapat helped him to get vehicle away from road.
We then asked Sanju to have safe speed. On the way to Nighoj we also visited a Palace of UdayRaje Pawar at Malthan. The palace had interesting two floors well and also underground route going till Kavathe, next village. We reached Nighoj around 11am. Here on the bank of Kukdi River, you will see lot of potholes on the riverbed.

The scientific reason is …

…This is a geographical phenomenon where the pebbles that are carried by the river get locked in the cracks developed in the basalt rock riverbed. These pebbles, which rotate due to the water current, form pot shaped cavities in the basalt rock over the hundreds of years….From Net
These are believed to be the largest natural pot holes in Asia. Seems this site is recorded in the Guinness Book of World records.

After Nighoj we also visited to Ganpati temple at Ranjangaon but due to crowd just had DoorDarshan. On the way at Chakan we also explored Palace which is now making over with the local volunteers.

Check out the snaps:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.203040259730139.54613.100000724990816&type=1&l=f1b4566689

Kamalgad-Pandavgad 11-13 February 2011

Kamalgad-Pandavgad 11-13 February 2011

Since long I wanted to do Kamalgad and Pandavgad trek as I read lot of about ‘Geruchi vihir”, well on Kamalgad and Menvali village, one of the base of Pandavgad. Finally took leadership for YHK trek and been to this beautiful duo at Wai region near Mahabaleshwar. Needless to say, my camera was on passive mode as I was more worried about timings and reaching top.

We left at 11:30pm on Friday night from Dadar by private bus and reached Wai at 5am. When we reached Wai hardly anyone on the road so we followed the straight road going to Dhoom dam and Vaygaon. Then I realized that all the village name I read going towards Vasole is not this. They at one village we found one villager got up so we asked him the way going to Vasole, so he informed us that we have taken the another route of going to Kamalgad. Since Dhoom dam is on both the route of going to Kamalgad we took the road going to Vaygaon. Then we came to Wai village, where one can see river side temples from there we went into the Wai village and then took left route, the road going to Vasole

Village. After reaching Wadivali village we took left turn and pass through Washivali village. After reaching Vasole village a boy from one travel bus told us that since its 17 seater small bus it can go up till Tupe Wadi. So we went straight and then took right turn going to Tupewadi. By the time we reached Tupewadi, it was 6am. We requested one lady to cook poke and make tea with the stuff which we brought with us.

At 8:15 we all left for Kamalgad, the route goes from wadi and once we reached dry stream there are arrows which leads us to Kamalgad. We also saw “Mhatariche Dat” i.e. old lady’s teeth i.e. the stones on some distance at the top. The route goes on the ridge so if u see Kamalgad at your front then take right side, proper trodden trail goes till the top. After reaching the top of ridge there take the route going to left i.e. the route going to Gorakshnath temple, Dhangar Wasti on plateau.

Mangesh was behind and since he has the attitude of I can cover you all I wasn’t at all worried about him. Nitin Bhosle was very angry about his behavior of lay behind in spite of several calls and waiting for him so many times.

When we moved up from Dhangar Wasti towards the top of Kamalgad we found a small rock patch of hardly 10 feet. Pagan was not ready but Girish helped her and we all came at the top of the fort.

We then saw Mahabaleshwar from top, Pandavgad, Dhoom Dam area; it was beautiful to see water all around. We also went inside the dry well which was 40feet inside, cold and our hand became maroon colored like we have put up mahendi.

Mr. Mangesh came after sometime and asked me like why I didn’t kept my cell on, since there was no range I didn’t kept my cell on. He also told proudly how he came straight on the ridge and climbed the rock patch and reached plateau. I was not at all surprised by his behavior.

After spending an hour on the top we came back to plateau level front of the Dhangar house and had our lunch. We also asked them for water. By 1:30 pm we started descending the fort and to avoid yellow grass descending ridge took another trail which was bit lengthy but we reached village by 3pm.

From Tupe wadi we left for Menavali village, another attraction which I wanted to visit since it is picturised in many movies. We had tea at the Menavali stand. In the village you will find most of the houses with rangoli, front of the door. It is beautiful place with river flowing, the built ghat and also temple on the ghat. There is also palace of Nana Phadanvis from Peshave era. I enjoyed my photography here and enjoyed watching the water flowing slowly as if it is calm and content.

We halted at Wai to buy Pohe from stores and then also pre pone our visit to Ganapati Temple at Wai.

All enjoyed tasty vadapav and had hot tea. I didn’t felt like am on trek as if it was picnic.

Then we proceed to my cousin sister’s place at Dhavadi village, base of Pandavgad. My cousin wasn’t there but her in-laws were very helpful. NItin Bhosle, Pavan, Maria, Prakash and me all were busy in preparing Khichadi. My cousin’s mother-in-law was curios on how we are cooking.

Mean while another cousin in the same village came to meet me and I went with her to her place.

Here my cousin’s relative told me about Mr. Wadia who was in mind from the moment I read about him online.

My cousin’s place, every Sunday children from village comes to recite ‘Manache Shlok’ by Saint Ramdas.

So next day morning, Sunday I asked everyone to leave at 8am. We had Pohe and tea and one of our relative came to show us the path till road. We reached the second house and asked the villager how to go top, this is the first time I found any villager arrogant and he said search on your own. The path going from this house follows that and then takes right trail going toward the top.

When we reached top Mr. Wadia was giving all the fake stories like this is not a fort and just hillock come into existence in Deccan development. He saw leopard and villagers have poisoned the water tank. If villagers have poison the water tank then why he has taken the pipe line from the tank to house.

He says he is the third owner and now he has sold the fort to Mapro and he is just a caretaker.

He didn’t mention the first two owners of the fort.

When we asked him the path going to the top he also was uncooperative and said see if you can find, I don’t know. The villager staying down is his servant. We found something fishy as we hardly saw anyone staying on the plateau or even nearby areas of so unhelpful.

When you reached the so called bungalow of Mr. Wadia follow the trail and from first water tank take left. Even if you go straight doesn’t matter you will take full circle to the top and the path will finally lead to the entrance of the top. Here we saw the temple of Hanuman and also Pandjai Devi. There are water tanks on the top but they were dry. We again came at the entrance and had snacks.

Here again Prakash was missing and even otherwise I don’t put my cell on I finally put cell on so Mr. Prakash was started descending down. I asked him to stop at plateau level near bungalow. I also told Mangesh that you passed the wrong message by being too behind and not being in group.

When we reached the plateau the four members were waiting there. I told everyone about being in group which I instructed them in the very beginning of the group. In spite of that they were late for different reasons and since Pandavgad is like go from one side and come out from another side in circle they four thought we started descending down.

I wasn’t interested in arguing with them so just told them that moral of the story is be in group and we all started descending down. Dharit’s knee was injured so we waited for him at the base near road.

Finally we all reached the village back at 2pm. If one follows the right trail Pandavgad can be reached within an hour.

When we reached cousin’s place, her mother-in-law insisted to have tea and then I asked everyone to have it as otherwise it shows disregard to their hospitality. Very sweet couple with spiritual back ground my cousin is really lucky to have such peaceful life.

We left Dhavadi village at 2:30pm and had our lunch at Vele village just before Khambatki Ghat.

9pm and we reached Dadar and I was happy to have smooth trek. But driver came out with demand to have to-and-from kilometer charges from where the bus came i.e. Vikhroli to Dadar. Since earlier I never paid like this so I argued with him and his owner a lot. He also called up Vanraj travels from where I booked the bus but I wasn’t ready to listen. Next day when I told Anil about this he said to pay the difference according to them and I did the same. But this was something new learning to me as am still thinking why we have to pay for – from where or which garage the bus is coming and not only that also return fair of the same.

Snaps link 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.191203557580476.49882.100000724990816&type=1&l=3e9b10a6d1

Kalavantin Durg

Kalavantin Durg 26th Jan 2011

YHAI Kandivali Unit's Republican Day Celebration.

Watch out the snaps!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.184612808239551.47002.100000724990816&type=1&l=8ef97f880f

Lonar 2011, 15 Jan

Lonar Trip

Last weekend been to Lonar lake with our YHK team with Kruttika, Vicky, Ashish, Mani Family and others. We left 11.30pm on Friday, Jan 14 by 18 seater bus and reached Lonar next day 12pm. After having lunch at MTDC we left at 4pm to see all nearby temples. Prof Bugdane very well explained the history of temples and also scientific information about Lonar lake. MTDC Lonar has very good accommodation and food arrangement so families were happy.

Next day we went to see lake at 7am from descend at one temple side till half circle at the bottom of Dharatirth temple. We took 2 and half hour to complete half circle including our photography and Ashish collecting trash on the way. By 11am we came back to MTDC and got fresh up and left for SindKhed Raja where we saw Palace of Lakhuji Jadhav, father of Jaijabai. On the way we also clicked the snap of Jijau Srushti, a garden and hall in memory of Jijabai. We reached Aurangabad at 4pm and had delicious lunch at Kruttika's cousin's posh restaurant. 5pm we left and reached Mumbai by 12pm by Ahmadnagar-Pune-Chakan-Express Way. Luxurious outing [not used to with trekking adjustments in mind] with our team and first time with my friend - Vaishali-'s baba and sister, Vaidehi. Yes Lonar is not a trek it’s a trail which anyone can enjoy only with patience of 12 hours travel by road so recommended in winter! :)

Check out the snaps at

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.183497251684440.45928.100000724990816&type=1&l=2a37e0e9e8

Jangali Jaigad Bhiravgad Ramghal, 24-26 Dec 10

Jangali Jaigad-Bhiravghal-Ramghal
Been to Jangali Jaigad-Bhiravgad-Ramghal with Priti and group. The forts are in Koyananagar range in between Chiplun and Patan, Satara. We went by private vehicle and reached morning at Koyananagar ST Stand. Priti already spoke to RFO so the Guard came with us for Jangali Jaigad. JJ is easy to climb and hardly any monuments on fort. One can see wild animal if there is no noise and one or two people. One has to carry ample amount of water and food on the fort.
After JJ we went by vehicle to Helvak, in between we had food and also got packed lunch from Koynanagar ST Stand. At Helwak we were waiting for jeepwala to drop us till temple. The jeepwala didnt turned up on time, we waited for him first at Helwak but he came with one party to whom he was supposed to drop at top, so again we waited for him at Taloshi the base village from where the kaccha route starts and only that sturdy jeep can go!
So here we waited from almost from 5 till 8. At last the jeepwala came and we started our journey for Bhairavgad. But since we started at night we could see few of wild animals in the night. After reaching at 10pm we had dinner and camp fire, me and Pawan went to sleep.
Next day morning i missed my YHK tradition of getting up ealy and making & having breakfast. We got up very late at 8am and just had tea and went to see fort, there is one water tank on the fort. At 12.30 we came back again and started our journey towards Ramghal. There is descend and ascend route in the range so at 4pm we reached Ramghal. On the way we had some snacks but since our whole group used to eat on the way here again i was exhausted as this time i carry little food in hurry and fall short of snacks. Ramghal is beautiful place if there is no other group and no noise. Fortunately only we were there so we could enjoy some people even enjoyed splash of water from small waterfall.
After Ramghal we started our journey back to Helwak stand. Some villagers couldn't understand why we started from Helwak, went to Bhiravgad and again came back to Ramghal and Helwak. But as usual trekkers are mad according to others so we didn't explain them, we just said "just like that" :) . We had tea and i bought lot of eatable as i was damn hungry then on the way we had dinner at Kanse village that was very delicious but also very spicy! We left at 7 from Helwak and reached 4.30 at Mumbai. In all, very relaxed trek and with different group but still i enjoyed with Priti, Pavan, Sourabh and everyone around!:)

Check out the snaps

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.177871478913684.43502.100000724990816&type=1&l=bc7695dbae

Tringalwadi Fort, Dec 5, 2010

Tringalwadi

After EBC i just stopped every physical activities like going to gym, going to Shivaji Park for jogg, rock-climbing practice, the only activity i am doing is walking from Mudra house to Maratha colony bus-stop. I have gone into complete comfort zone. It is like had enough of trekking.

But again when I saw Tringalwadi on circular ...no...I want to do this. Then i put it up on FB and also send a mail. I think that was the last volunteer online activity for the group. anyways...

Two days before I checked and came to know that all regular member are coming for the trek

after so many months. Nagesh, Sameer, Suraj, Nitin Bhosle and also Akshaya were there.

First we thought we will go by public transport but then there were 22 members so arranged bus. I went to Teju's house for dinner and gupshup before catching the bus from Malad highway.

Its like ages me, Teju, Suraj and Nagesh were chatting and laughing together.

We started our journey around 9:30 from Malad highway and on the way picked up everyone.

After hault at Kasara for tea and fresh-up we reached Tringalwadi around 3:30am

Morning we had tough time to get place to relax ourselves as it was bright sunny and we ladies do not know where to go but somehow managed far away from the village.

After having Poha and tea we proceeded towards Talaya wadi.

Snaps:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.172188779481954.40670.100000724990816&type=1&l=ca8da481e3

Everest Base Camp Sep 24 - Oct 13, 2010

Everest Base Camp

[will write as and when possible:) ]

Preparation : please start 6 months earlier with cardio exercise like jogging, cycling, etc.

Pranayam is must to adjust with low level oxygen. With these two physical preparation you won't face problem of high altitude sickness.

Travel:
Lokmaya Tilak Terminus to Gorakhshep by Train - 2days

Gorakhshep to Sonouli Border by sumo - 3 hours

Sonouli Border crossing by handcar - 1 hour

Border to Kathmandu by Tempo Traveller - 5 hours

Kathmandu to Lukla Air time - 45 mnts

Lukla to Monjo from 1pm to 6pm

Monjo to Namche Bazar - 8am to 2:30pm

Namche to Khumjung Acclaimatization - 9am to 12pm

Namche to Tangboche - 8:30 to 2pm > Tangboche to Debuche 5pm

Debuche to Dangboche - 8:30 am to 3:30pm

Dangboche to Chukhumg Ri acclaimatization walk - 8am to 12pm

Dangboche to Lobuche - 8am to 2pm

Lobuche to Gorakhshep - 8am to 11am

Goraphshep to Everest Base camp - 12:30pm to 3:30pm

Gorakhshep to Kalapatthar - 6am to 9am

Every where you get to stay at tea-houses so dont carry sleeping bag. Battery charging you will have to pay extra cost. Have Nepal currency from Kathmandu as from Lukla they accept only Nepal currency, however they do accept 50 Rs. Indian notes.

Check out the snaps:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.159464590754373.36696.100000724990816&type=1&l=a8f5e51a0b