Search This Blog

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Hatgad (Saputara) Trek 19/05/2013... Some pics....

Hatgad (Saputara) Trek 19/05/2013...   

Village:Hatgad, Block:Surgana, District:Nashik, State:Maharashtra, Country:India, Continent:Asia, Time Zone:IST ( UTC + 05:30), Currency:Indian Rupee ( INR ), Dialing Code:+91, Language:Marathi, Latitude:20.5390012, Longitude:73.7562437


No historical mention of Hatgad has been traced. The only local story is that in the time of Rangrav Aundhekar, the last officer who held the fort for the Peshva, one Supkarna Bhil came with a large following and laid siege to the fort. The siege continued for some time and was not raised until a shot from the garrison destroyed one of the Bhil guns. The Bhils then burnt the village and withdrew. In 1818 Captain Briggs, who visited the fort, reports that it was not more than 400 feet (121.92 metres) above the plain. Like other Nasik forts it had a perpendicular scarp of rock all round, and its want of height was more than made up by the strength of its gateways and the works connected with them. It had a wall all round which, though not very thick, was sufficient to give the garrison over from everything but large guns. There were five gateways in a large tunnel which traversed the rock as it ascended by steep steps. There was one small built bomb-proof filled with mortar for repairs to the fort. In the middle was a round tower which appeared much like a work but was only a deposit for grain.

Places of Interest 
Two reservoirs, called Jamna and Ganga, are very deep and spacious, and contain a good supply of excellent drinking water throughout the year.

How to Reach
Hatgad Fort, near Mulher and almost on the edge of the Sahyadris, stands overlooking the Surgana taluka and the southern Dangs. It occupies a flat-topped hill which rises some 183 metres (600 feet) above the plain, and about 1,097.28 metres (3,600 feet) above sea-level. At its foot lies the village of Hatgad.

The ascent to the fort is through a narrow passage cut in the rock, provided with steps; It was defended by four gates which have fallen into ruins to-day. Most of the passage is roofed. Below the natural scarp the hill-side is pleasantly and thickly wooded. The path climbs through the woods, and, after passing under one or two small ruined gateways, enters the rock and runs underground for a few yards. As the natural scarp is not very perfect a masonry wall has been run completely round the upper plateau. The wall is now in disrepair.


Some pics....


















Saturday, January 26, 2013

Markandeya Trek on 26/01/2013... Some pics...

Markandeya Trek on 26/01/2013...  

Type : Hill fortsFort Range : Ajantha - Saatmal
District : NashikGrade : Medium
      The mountain range starting from Saptashrungi hosts many forts viz; Saptashrungigad, Markandeya, Ravlya-Javlya, Dhodap etc. Markandeya stands opposite to Saptashrungi hill. The mountain and the fort derives its names after Sage Markandeya who had stayed here.

History :
      Aurangzeb had ordered Alivardi Khan to gain control over the forts of Nashik province. In 1639, Alivardi Khan won all the forts mentioned above and the inscription mentioning same can be seen on Indrai fort which is in Persian text. Shivaji Maharaj won the forts of Nashik in the battle of Wani-Dindori which included Markandeya. The Mughals regained control over these forts after the death of Shivaji Maharaj.
Fascinating Spots :





The pass/valley between Markandeya and Ravlya-Javlya forts is known as Mulanbari. The ascend to Markandeya starts from here where we come to the open part of the fort first and further rock cut steps lead to the citadel. Towards the left side on this route, beneath, there are two caves known as “Dhyaan Guha” (literally means caves for meditation). Moving upwards one can see the remains of bastions and fortification wall. Where these steps end, we can see Saptashrungi gad and from here towards left, rock cut path takes us to the citadel. Here we first come across a rock cut water tank named “Kamandalu tirth” which has water throughout the year and further there are three water tanks in a row and a dried tank alongside. There is a temple of Lord Markandeshwar on the summit which has an idol of Sage Markandeya and a Shivling. Saptashrungi gad, Dhodap, Ravlya-Javlya can be seen from the top.
Ways To Reach :
      Wani is 40 kms from Nashik on the Nashik-Saputara highway. 9 kms from Wani on Wani-Kalwan road there is a village named Babapur which is the base village of the fort. There are two ways to reach the fort. One can reach Mulane pass by a vehicle/ST bus which is 2 kms from the base village. Moving towards Kalvan village from here the road to the right leads to Ravlya-Javlya while the one to the left to Markandeya. Another route is via the valley between Saptashrungi gad and Markandeya which has a steep ascend.
Accommodation Facility :
      Nil
Food Facility :
      Nil
Drinking Water Facility :
      Throughout the year
Time To Reach :
      1 hour from Mulanbari/Mulane pass.

Some pics...