Hey Mates,
We at Trek Mates India, invite you all for a Range Trek from Rajgad to Torna on 12th -13th Jan ‘13 (Starting on Friday night 11th Jan by 11 pm)
Little info about the fort.
Type: Hill Fort
Height:
Rajgad Fort: 4182 feet
Torna Fort: 4200 feet
Grade: Medium
Endurance: Medium
Base Village: Gunjavne - Velhe
Rajgad – The name describes the place itself. The king of all the forts.
It is to the south-west 40 Kms from Pune. It boasts the highest number of days stayed by Chhatrapati Shivaji on any fort. He spent almost 25/30 yrs here. Rajgad is famous for its construction.
The fort can be divided into four different parts based on geographical terrain and fortification. These are the three sub-plateaux (Machee) namely Padmavati Machee, Suvela Machee and Sanjevani Machee, and at the centre is the Ballekilla.
Padmavati Machee (north end) : This machee is the site of Padmavati Temple, Padmavati Lake, Chor Darwaja, Pali Darwaja, Gunjavane Darwaja, Daru Kothar (storage of arms and ammunition), Diwankhana, Rajwada (ruins), Ghod Tale (Horse Lake), Sadar (office) and Dhalkathi (flag hoisting place).
Suvela Machee (south east) : This is another grand machee facing east with lots of secret routes and doorways. This one is a double-stepped fortified machee with the steps separated by a beautiful bastioned doorway. At the end of first step a hole cuts across the rock; one can sit in this hole (nedhe). The final (lowest) step like Sanjeevani Machee has a double curtain wall. To the south side of this machee one can see a beautiful triangular bastion called Kaleswari buruz having an escape door near it. The home of the renowned military leader Tanaji Malusare was in this machee.
Sanjeevani Machee (southwest/west end) : This huge, beautiful and royally constructed machee faces west and has a three-stepped (layered) fortified structure. Each of the lower levels is separated from the higher one by a fortified bastion with a gate that could be defended independently. The lowest level is beautifully fortified by double curtain walls (chilkhathi) separated by a deep trench, on average 12 feet across. One can walk between these walls. The outer wall has openings to let soldiers out for sudden attack.
We at Trek Mates India, invite you all for a Range Trek from Rajgad to Torna on 12th -13th Jan ‘13 (Starting on Friday night 11th Jan by 11 pm)
Little info about the fort.
Type: Hill Fort
Height:
Rajgad Fort: 4182 feet
Torna Fort: 4200 feet
Grade: Medium
Endurance: Medium
Base Village: Gunjavne - Velhe
Rajgad – The name describes the place itself. The king of all the forts.
It is to the south-west 40 Kms from Pune. It boasts the highest number of days stayed by Chhatrapati Shivaji on any fort. He spent almost 25/30 yrs here. Rajgad is famous for its construction.
The fort can be divided into four different parts based on geographical terrain and fortification. These are the three sub-plateaux (Machee) namely Padmavati Machee, Suvela Machee and Sanjevani Machee, and at the centre is the Ballekilla.
Padmavati Machee (north end) : This machee is the site of Padmavati Temple, Padmavati Lake, Chor Darwaja, Pali Darwaja, Gunjavane Darwaja, Daru Kothar (storage of arms and ammunition), Diwankhana, Rajwada (ruins), Ghod Tale (Horse Lake), Sadar (office) and Dhalkathi (flag hoisting place).
Suvela Machee (south east) : This is another grand machee facing east with lots of secret routes and doorways. This one is a double-stepped fortified machee with the steps separated by a beautiful bastioned doorway. At the end of first step a hole cuts across the rock; one can sit in this hole (nedhe). The final (lowest) step like Sanjeevani Machee has a double curtain wall. To the south side of this machee one can see a beautiful triangular bastion called Kaleswari buruz having an escape door near it. The home of the renowned military leader Tanaji Malusare was in this machee.
Sanjeevani Machee (southwest/west end) : This huge, beautiful and royally constructed machee faces west and has a three-stepped (layered) fortified structure. Each of the lower levels is separated from the higher one by a fortified bastion with a gate that could be defended independently. The lowest level is beautifully fortified by double curtain walls (chilkhathi) separated by a deep trench, on average 12 feet across. One can walk between these walls. The outer wall has openings to let soldiers out for sudden attack.
Bale
Killa (centre) :
This is the highest part of the fort which has remains of palaces, water
cisterns and caves. It has a beautiful entrance door called Mahadarwaja. One
can view the whole fort and the vast surrounding expanse.
Torna: the fort is also known as prachandagad (huge fort), due to its massive size. In 1646, when Shivaji was 16, he launched his first military attack by capturing Torna fort, paving the way for the great empire. Many battles have been fought on this fort.
The fort is truly grand and stretches for couple of kilometers.
Fascinating points on Torna fort:
Goddess Toranjai: it is a simple temple where goddesses Somjai and Toranjai are worshiped. Ahead we can see the lakes toran and mhasoba.
Maal and Safeli Bastions: On the west of Kothji Darwaja are the bastion maal, and the latter one is to the south of the former. Near Safeli is the construction called lakadkhaana, where wood was stored. Here is the way to Kokan Darwaja and Budhla Machi.
Budhla Machi: In Marathi ‘budhla’ means vessel, and budhla machi looks like a vessel kept upside down. This cliff is a breathtaking spot on the fort.
Bini Darwaja: This is the main entrance to the fort from velhe and is situated to the northwest of the fort. The bastion on the left side has collapsed. The path ahead leads to the Kothi Darwaja.
Kothi Darwaja: Ascending the steps carved in the rock, we enter the Kothi Darwaja facing east. Here we come across some guard rooms. Way along the wall towards east takes us to the temple of goddess Toranjai.
Hanuman Bastion: This bastion is situated to the east of Kothi Darwaja. Here we can see the idol of hanuman facing south and a flag post. The way ahead leads to the bastion Bhel. Further eastwards we come to Zunjar Machi.
Temple of goddess Mengai: this is the only place on the fort where one can stay. It has two doors and the roof is stillin the needs of repairs. In front of the temple is a Deepmala.
Zunjar Machi: It is situated on the western side & a wonderful spot to see.
The itinerary for the Trek is as given below:
11th Jan:
Meeting Point : Dadar(e) Swami Narayn Temple at 11.00 pm sharp
> Our journey starts with the private vehicle from Dadar till Gunjavne, the base village of Rajgad.
12th Jan
> Start our trek by 5 am, reach the top till 9 am.
> Explore the fort till 4 in the eve. (Lunch enroute – self carried)
> Start Descending towards Torna
> Dinner in the village in between.
> Start the night walk by 9 pm.
> Night trek till the base of the Budhla machi.(till 1.30 am)
13th Jan
> Sleep in open till 6 am.(everyone needs to carry his bedding.)
> Start ascending torna.
> Explore the fort
> Lunch by 12 noon.
> Explore again till 2 pm.
> Descend
> Start our journey back by bus/private vehicle
> Return back to Mumbai by 10 pm tentatively.
The charges of the trek are RS 1700/per head, which includes
Travel expenditure from Dadar to Dadar
1 lunch (Sunday),
1 dinner (Saturday),
Tea, breakfast, refreshments, etc.
Payment Details :One needs to deposit Rs 1500/- advance into the following bank account to confirm his/her registration.
SBI a/c no: 30665796091 S/A in the name of Mr Nilesh Patil.
Branch: Panchpakhadi, Thane.
Torna: the fort is also known as prachandagad (huge fort), due to its massive size. In 1646, when Shivaji was 16, he launched his first military attack by capturing Torna fort, paving the way for the great empire. Many battles have been fought on this fort.
The fort is truly grand and stretches for couple of kilometers.
Fascinating points on Torna fort:
Goddess Toranjai: it is a simple temple where goddesses Somjai and Toranjai are worshiped. Ahead we can see the lakes toran and mhasoba.
Maal and Safeli Bastions: On the west of Kothji Darwaja are the bastion maal, and the latter one is to the south of the former. Near Safeli is the construction called lakadkhaana, where wood was stored. Here is the way to Kokan Darwaja and Budhla Machi.
Budhla Machi: In Marathi ‘budhla’ means vessel, and budhla machi looks like a vessel kept upside down. This cliff is a breathtaking spot on the fort.
Bini Darwaja: This is the main entrance to the fort from velhe and is situated to the northwest of the fort. The bastion on the left side has collapsed. The path ahead leads to the Kothi Darwaja.
Kothi Darwaja: Ascending the steps carved in the rock, we enter the Kothi Darwaja facing east. Here we come across some guard rooms. Way along the wall towards east takes us to the temple of goddess Toranjai.
Hanuman Bastion: This bastion is situated to the east of Kothi Darwaja. Here we can see the idol of hanuman facing south and a flag post. The way ahead leads to the bastion Bhel. Further eastwards we come to Zunjar Machi.
Temple of goddess Mengai: this is the only place on the fort where one can stay. It has two doors and the roof is stillin the needs of repairs. In front of the temple is a Deepmala.
Zunjar Machi: It is situated on the western side & a wonderful spot to see.
The itinerary for the Trek is as given below:
11th Jan:
Meeting Point : Dadar(e) Swami Narayn Temple at 11.00 pm sharp
> Our journey starts with the private vehicle from Dadar till Gunjavne, the base village of Rajgad.
12th Jan
> Start our trek by 5 am, reach the top till 9 am.
> Explore the fort till 4 in the eve. (Lunch enroute – self carried)
> Start Descending towards Torna
> Dinner in the village in between.
> Start the night walk by 9 pm.
> Night trek till the base of the Budhla machi.(till 1.30 am)
13th Jan
> Sleep in open till 6 am.(everyone needs to carry his bedding.)
> Start ascending torna.
> Explore the fort
> Lunch by 12 noon.
> Explore again till 2 pm.
> Descend
> Start our journey back by bus/private vehicle
> Return back to Mumbai by 10 pm tentatively.
The charges of the trek are RS 1700/per head, which includes
Travel expenditure from Dadar to Dadar
1 lunch (Sunday),
1 dinner (Saturday),
Tea, breakfast, refreshments, etc.
Payment Details :One needs to deposit Rs 1500/- advance into the following bank account to confirm his/her registration.
SBI a/c no: 30665796091 S/A in the name of Mr Nilesh Patil.
Branch: Panchpakhadi, Thane.
Things
To Be carried:
Lunch for Saturday,
A bottle of water (Atleast 2 Ltrs),
TORCH with extra batteries (compulsory).
A spoon, mug and a plate (a must)
Towel, a napkin, Extra Pair of clothes,
2-3 papers, Bedding (compulsory)as we will be sleeping under the open sky.
Camera(Optional)
Cap, etc.
Candles, (must)
Some ready to eat food. Plum cakes, Biscuits etc.
Medicine those if u require usually (Optional)
Good trekking shoes, extra pair of socks
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.
Please avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments.
Lunch for Saturday,
A bottle of water (Atleast 2 Ltrs),
TORCH with extra batteries (compulsory).
A spoon, mug and a plate (a must)
Towel, a napkin, Extra Pair of clothes,
2-3 papers, Bedding (compulsory)as we will be sleeping under the open sky.
Camera(Optional)
Cap, etc.
Candles, (must)
Some ready to eat food. Plum cakes, Biscuits etc.
Medicine those if u require usually (Optional)
Good trekking shoes, extra pair of socks
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.
Please avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments.
Interested
people may contact us on the nos. given below:
Vikram Singh : 9987761562
Nilesh : 8655588508
Nilesh : 8655588508
Registrations are done only through phone calls. Limited seats.
For more of Trek Mates India on the Net Please visit us@
Blogspot: http://trekmates.blogspot.com/
TMI Diaries: http://trekmatesdiary.blogspot.com/
FaceBook Groups:
TMI Mumbai: www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/group.php?gid=76034705414
TMI Pune: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=155919984426659
Few rules we would like our participants to follow:
We follow a strict policy of "no trace" trekking, "Take nothing but memories and photographs, leave nothing but footprints".
Do Not Litter: Participants are requested to carry the waste back to the city and dispose it off in dustbins.
No Smoking, tobacco and alcohol: Smoking cigarette, chewing tobacco or related products and consuming alcohol is strictly prohibited on the trek. Anyone found in possession of the same or consuming it will be expelled from the trek. NO REFUND will be provided.
(Smoking will only be permitted before the trek starts and after the trek is over with prior consultation of the Leader and the person will have to move away from the group to smoke.)
Respect the Heritage: Participants should not deface or damage any monument by writing or scribbling on them. Please help us to conserve and preserve our heritage along with our trek mates.
Be a group: It is of utmost importance that all participants stick together in the group, in the event of any ‘deviation’ by the participant without the consent of the ‘Trek Leader’, he/she/they will be considered as ‘Independent/s’ and will no longer be considered as a part of the group.
Pay attention: Each member will be responsible for his/her own safety and baggage.
In case of any injury, sickness, accident, death or any other casualty or loss or damage of valuables or luggage or any equipment; Trek Mates India, it’s instructors, organizers, volunteers or any other person involved wholly or partially, either individually or jointly, shall not be responsible in any manner for the same and no claims of the participants, parents, guardians, relatives or friends of participants will be entertained.
Any violation of the above rules will be dealt with seriously, and may involve expulsion from the trek or event, and no refund is admissible in such cases.
Adventure activity is arranged considering normal weather. In case of occurrence of any natural calamities, if event is cancelled, in such circumstances NO REFUND will be provided.
The leader’s decision will be final and binding on all members. No Arguments will be entertained.
Trek mates India reserves all the right to change/deviate/cancel the plans without prior notice. No arguments or refunds will be entertained.
Regards,
Team- Trek Mates India
