TRIP TO RAIGAD FORT

                The Monsoon is here, we were still on with our trips. This time the destination was Raigad Fort.

HISTORY OF RAIGAD FORT
"Raigad is a hill fortress situated near Mahad, Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. The Maratha king Shivaji made the fort his capital in 1674 when he was crowned King of a Maratha Kingdom which later developed into the Maratha Empire eventually covering majority of modern day India.

The fort, which rises 820 meters (2700 ft) above sea level, is located in the Sahyadri mountain range. There are approximately 1737 steps leading to the fort, through today an areal tram exists to reach the top of the fort. The fort was looted and destroyed by the British upon."

It was 170 Kms away from Mumbai. This time the trip was with a different group of people and from two different starting points. Mathew and Myself  from Mumbai and Shibin and Tarak from Pune.

This time we could start by 06:30AM as decided. The expected time to reach the fort was 09:30AM. But due to the worst condition of the road we have reached below the Fort by 11:45AM only.

There were two routs to reach Fort from mumbai. One is through Mumbai-Pune Exp Highway - Khopoli - Pali - Nizampur - Raigad Fort. As we were in the bike we couldn't go through Exp Highway. Our rout was through Panvel - Pen - Vadkhal - Kolad - Indapur - Mangaon - Mahad - Raigad Fort.

We  have planned to meet our pune team at Nizampur and then reach Fort together. Panvel to Mahad was a part of Mumbai - Goa highway. Till Indapur the road was very bad. As we have started very early we were very hungry and had breakfast at Vadkhal by 09: 00AM.

 We met an another friend in Mangaon and he told us to go via Mahad as the Nizampur to Fort road was very bad. We have reached below Fort by 11:45 AM. By the time our pune group was 10Km behind the Fort. We have waited there for few minutes. The Fort is on the top of a mountain. There are two ways to reach the Fort one is by steps. There were 1737 steps to reach the Fort by walk. We didn't want to take that risk. So we opt to go by Rope-way. We couldn't see the Fort from bottom because of Fog.

Finally our Pune guys are here.

View from Rope-Way

Due to thick fog it was very cold in the Fort. So we had a cup of  coffee from the entrance and proceeded further.

About Raigad Fort by Archaeological Survey Of India.

 Entrance steps to the Fort 

 We knew that its worthless going to fort without a guide. So first we took a guide  from the entrance gate. There were lot of guides available in fort. The cost of guide was Rs. 350 per group. He explained us the history of the Fort and each and everything in side the fort. It was not so visible due to the thick fog.

 Ruins of the old palaces at Raigad Fort.

Guide explaining about Fort.

Statue of Shivaji Maharaj at the spot where his Rajyabhishek took place.

 Nagarkhana Darwaja

Bajarpeth and Nagarkhana (Market)

 Temple inside the Fort.

Shivaji Maharaja's Samadhi

Shivaji Maharaja's Dog's Samadhi 

(Behind Shivaji Maharaja's Samadhi)

The last thing to see in the fort was Shivaji Maharaja's Samadhi. After that we have decided to have lunch. There were no Restaurants in the fort. The guide has arranged lunch for us in his own house in the fort. That was  basically a hut and it was a different experience for us. 

 Guide and his Aunt preparing food.

After the lunch we have decided to leave the place. We saw a huge crowd near the rope-way system. Our waiting number was 22. We have waited for 2 hours for our turn. We have reached ground by 5 PM. As it was already late we have decided to leave the place without any delay. Because the route from Fort to Nizampur was too bad, Shibin and Tarak decided to come with us till Mangaon and then go to pune.

On the way back, after Mahad we have spotted a beautiful waterfalls. We have taken a bath in that waterfalls and had some snakes from the nearby restaurant and started the return journey. From Mangaon, Pune team has proceeded to Pune and we to Mumbai. There was heavy rain whole the way. It was really difficult to ride the bike due to the worst condition of the road and rain. We didn't take any stop between Mangaon and Mumbai. It was around 3 to 4 hours continues ride and we have reached mumbai by 11 PM.

Shibin and Tarak has experianced a heavy fog in Lonavala  region and they reached Pune safely by 12 PM.

Overall the trip was really fun and was a different experiance.

Trip Members: 

• Vizal Mathew
• Mathews Mathew
• Shibin Oommen Zachariah
• Tarak Purohit 

TRIP TO MATHERAN

Our next trip was on 22/06/2014. this time we have decided to go to Matheran which is 55 kms from Kharghar, Mumbai. 

Matheran is the smallest hill station in India. It is located on the Western Ghats range at an elevation of around 800 m above sea level. Matheran's proximity to many metropolitan cities makes it a popular weekend getaway for urban residents.Matheran, which means "forest on the forehead" (of the mountains) is an eco-sensitive region. It is Asia's only automobile-free hill station.

As usual we have started our trip by 9:30 AM from Kharghar. On the way we had our breakfast and headed towards Matheran. As the destination was nearby we didn't have much stops in between.

Once started climbing the Matheran hill we have seen this beautiful view point. Also there was a  railway station nearby. We have spend 30 minutes there and clicked few pics. 

Next stop was at the entrance point of Matheran. As Matheran is an automobile free hill station, we have parked our bikes at the entrance and walked in. Matheran town was 1 km from the entrance point. There were 3 ways to reach Matheran from the enterance. One is by train, Second is by horse and third is by walk. We chose to walk. There are around 38 designated look-out points in Matheran. From the entrance first what we have see was the Amanlodge  railway station. From Amanlodge there was no road to Matheran. We were walking through the railway tracks.

After walking around 1 km we have reached Matheran town. View points starts from here. As we have reached Matheran late, we couldn't see all the places.

                                                         View points map.

Belvedere Point

One Tree Hill

Big Chowk Point

We have walked around 5-6 kms to see all these places.We all were tired. Thanks to god, there were small shops on the way for refreshments. 

We were also surprised to see lot of private guest houses in side the forest.

Out of all those guest houses only one name was familiar to us "Sri. Ratan Tata"

 It was getting dark so we have decided to leave the place. One shopkeeper shown us the shortest route to reach the entrance. Still it took 1.5 hours. We had enough food and coffee in a restaurant outside the entrance. All were tired and hungry because of such a long walk.
The best time to visit Matheran is at the mid of monsoon. There will be lot of beautiful water falls during the monsoon and mist also. We have decide to visit the same place again during the monsoon also. And one can see all the places only if he reaches the spot in the morning. There were lot of private resorts also available in Matheran for night stay.

Trip Members:

• Kurian Jacob
• Santhosh Mohan
• Tony Abraham 
• Vizal Mathew

TRIP TO LAVASA

Hi Everybody!!

This blog is about a trip we have gone to a place known as “Lavasa” near Pune. To know more about “Lavasa” you can go through the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavasa.

We have visited Lavasa on 08/06/2014. Actually we have planned to go for a normal bike ride to Lavasa. But at the end it became  an adventures ride. Thanks to Google and Nokia map. I don’t want to bore you with lot of dialogues. So let me explain you about our trip with some photos.

We have decided to start our trip on 08/06/2014, 6:30 AM from Kharghar, Mumbai. But as usual nobody could wake up by 6:30 and we have started our trip by 9:00 AM. 2 Bikes 4 People

Filled the petrol, Trip set to zero and ready to go...

Before going to the depth of trip details, let me introduce everybody. Kurian on the riding seat of pulsar, Tony on the pillion seat, Myself on the royal enfield and Santhosh the photographer. And the trip starts here.

On the way we have stopped at McDonald's kalamboli for breakfast. Few clicks from the McD compound.

The busiest fellow in our group was Kurian. Soo busy in the phone and Tony wanted to take a selfie.. Tony: " Mr. Kurian, please lift your head for a second"

Tony: "Thank you... Got it.. Please continue.."

Ofcourse... we couldn't avoid this selfie.."YOOOOO...."

Had enough burger and again started our ride...Vooooooo.....

 Kudu...Kudu...Kudu....

 "WOW" What a selfie??...Now days selfie is the trend. So also we tried one while riding.

Again one more..This time somehow Santhosh could accommodate all four in the frame.

Kurian and Tony... Keep Riding...Vooooo....

Me and Santhosh also...Kudu..Kudu...Kudu....

After an long ride we have stopped at Khandala for a break.

Again a selfie from the Khandala.

We have started from Khandala after a small break.

We have crossed Lonavala and headed towards Lavasa. On the way we have spotted a huge wall. This was a part of a reservoir. But unfortunately it was empty.

  

After the reservoir the altitude started increasing. We got these view from the top of the mountain. Isn't it beautiful?

The right time to visit this place was in the mid of monsoon.

During the monsoon we could have seen lot of water falls. Also this is a part of the reservoir we have seen already.

Few clicks from the view point.

Tonykuttan is finishing the last bottle of water.

A click in that background.

After riding few more Kms we have seen a sign board. As this was not in our plan we have taken a right turn.

We have seen a tea shop in the same spot. Decided to have a  tea and then continue the trip. There we have taken our DSLR out. Till this location the road was excellent. We have really enjoyed  the ride.

Kurian is ready to move. Waiting for tony.

After a tea we have started again.

The road started getting worse.

Further route was through a small forest. So you can imagine the condition of the road.

But the views were really beautiful.

Santhosh wanted to take some snaps on the way. But actually we didn't understand what he is trying to shoot.

So we have started taking his photo. Just for fun...

But once we have returned to Mumbai , we have realized what he was actually trying to shoot.

What a photography?

But still we couldn't understand what he was trying to shoot.

On the way we could find some mango trees and we have enjoyed some mangoes also.

In between we got some doubt in the route. Tony and Kurian are discussing seriously.

After a long discussion they came to conclusion and we have started again. But we never knew that there was a surprise waiting for us.

After few Kms the road ended.. The road ahead was too worst.

Kurian started searching in Nokia Map for alternate rout.

No way... We have decided to cancel the trip and return back to Mumbai. Suddenly we have surprise to see that a bike is coming in the same direction carrying three men. We spoke to them and they said "for next 3 kms the road is worst and then the road will be good". They have given us the inspiration to go ahead.

It was totally on risk. We may fall, Tyre may get punctured. But after seeing the other bike with 3 men moving ahead so easily, we have decided to go ahead.

Tony on the move.

But we couldn't go by two men.

For next 3 Kms we couldn't even change the gear from 1st.

 This was a real experience of off road riding. we have almost made our bikes "All Terrain Vehicle"

While riding through this road santhosh was telling " this will be a good experience for our future Ledakh trip."

After 3 Kms we could find better road.

At last we have seen that beautiful.view of "LAVASA". We have reached our destination.The time is 3 PM now.

We have parked our bikes near a restaurant.

All were tired. We have decided to have some water first. Past 50 Kms we were riding through forest and we couldn't even buy some water. Because of the worst condition of road it took 4 hours to travel 50 kms. 

The weather was so hot. So we have decided to stay in the restaurant till evening. After having a late lunch, by 5 PM we have gone to see the reservoir. The main highlights of Lavasa are the Reservoir, Water Sports and Italian Model Infrastructure.

As usual photo shoot on reservoir.

Smile please..:)

Tony's style of photography.

By 6 PM we have started our return journey. Return we have decided to go through Pune.

On the way we could click this pic from the top of Lavasa.

Thanks to god, the road was really good.

An other view of Lavasa.

Again selfieeee....

We have reached the other side of the reservoir.

Last break before pune.

The sun is going down, its getting dark. We have decided to leave to pune. There was around 90 Kms from Lavasa to Pune. We have reached Pune by 9 PM. Nobody were in a position to ride back to Mumbai. So we have stayed in our friends flat and in the next day early morning we have left Pune and reached Mumbai by 8 AM.

Overall the trip was amazing and we have enjoyed a lot. We have decided to go for more trips in future.

Thanks for reading this blog and hope you enjoyed this. Please feel free to ask if you need any details about the Trip to Lavasa and please be connected.