Hi Friends,
We at Trek Mates have arranged an overnight trek to Bhandardara-Region (Ratangad-Sandhan Valley) on 10th – 11th October 2009.
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Little info about the fort.
Type: Hill Fort
Height: 4255 feet
Grade: Medium - easy
Base Village: Ratanwadi
Ratan means Jewel in Hindi. This hill fort is indeed jewel in all the hill forts here in Sahyadri. It is located in the district of Ahmednagar and is located about 4255 feet above sea level. It lies in the Ajoba mountain range surrounded by great mountains of Kulang, Alang, Kalsubai, Katarabai, Ajoba and Ghanchakkar.
Geographically Ratangad is at the banks of Bhandardara lake of Ahmednagar district. With views of lake and highest mountains in Sahyadris looks very much lost in time.
At the base of this fort is an ancient Lord Shiva (Amurteshwar) temple. About 1000 years old temple of Lord Shiva, the Amruteshwar Temple at Ratanwadi, is an absolute paragon of high class architecture of our ancestors.
Ratangad has still the remains of fortress with bastions and stone walls. Cave on the top is cut from the rock face and can easily accommodate 25 people at a time. Water cisterns are usually filled with water throughout the year and trekkers use them as water source. Eastern side of the fort has some fortification left, one can see Rani mahal here. From the southern side on can see Katrabai and Ajoba fort very close. This side has also some fortification left, but most of it is damaged. Climbing up on the northern side, one can see natural orifice (hole in rock, locally called nedhe) in the rock face, mostly made by wind. This orifice is big enough to be seen from base of the fort and can accommodate about 6-7 people at a time. Strong winds can be experienced at this orifice. Climbing down the nedhe to the western end of the fort leads closest to the Khuta pinnacle via triambak Darwaza.
The itinerary for the Trek is as given below:
Day one
Take first Kasara local and get down at Kasara,
From Kasara take Akole (7.30am) bus and get down at Shendi (10.00am),
Breakfast break.
From here reach Ratanwadi by boat through back waters of Bhandardara Dam (11.30am),
Visit Amruteshwar Temple.
At 12.0pm start the trek.
Reaching atop by 2.30pm.
Lunch break.
Fort exploration (Nedha, Konkan Darwaja, Water tanks, Gol Buruj and reach the Bastion at Katrabai cliffs).
Start descending via Trimbak Darwaja by 5pm.
Reach Samrad in next two hours.
Evening refreshment, dinner and retire for the day at Samrad.
Day Two
Day stars early morning at 6 am.
After tea and breakfast we will be visiting Sandhan valley.
Exploration of Sandan valley and places nearby.
Return back to Samrad for lunch.
Start our return journey.
We will be returning to Mumbai on 11th Oct by 9.30-10.00pm tentatively.
Things To Be carried:
Identity Proof
Lunch for Saturday,
A bottle of water,
Candles and TORCH with extra batteries (compulsory).
Towel, a napkin, Extra Pair of clothes.
Windcheaters,
Camera (Optional)
Cap, etc.
Some ready to eat food. Plum cakes, Biscuits etc.
Medicine those if u require usually (Optional)
Good trekking shoes, extra pair of socks.
Good Bedding (Sleeping bag / Two bed sheets/
A haversack to put in all the things to be carried....so that one has ones hands free while trekking.
(Please do not carry sling bags or Jholas.)
Its raining heavy these days, so pack your bags accordingly to save them from getting wet.
Double pack all things in polythene bags.
Please avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments.
The cost for the trek is Rs 550/- per head which includes
Travelling from Kasara to Kasara,
Food and shelter facilities. (Except lunch on Saturday)
Interested people may contact us on the nos. given below for registration or further details:
Nilesh Patil: 9967436211
Vikram singh :9987757665
Priti Patel : 9869524260
Prasad Tandale : 9870491140
For Pics :
picasaweb.google.co.in/patel.priti.28/Ratangad300808#
Also Join us on
Orkut@ : http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community.aspx?cmm=58853326
Facebook @ : http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=76034705414&ref=nf
Twitter @ : http://twitter.com/TrekMates
Ning @ : http://trekmates.ning.com/
Regards,
Trek Mates.
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