Rajmachi Trek

Rajmachi Fort is situated in Lonavla region, on the top of the Western Ghats. The highway from Khopoli to Khandala-Lonavla, known as Borghat, is an ancient trade route. Overseas trade of the Western India and the Deccan was carried through the ports of Chaul, Revdanda, etc., on the western coast. The trade route passing through the Borghat connected these ports to the region around Pune and beyond on the Deccan plateau. Fort Rajmachi was built to control the trade route of Borghat.

Rajmachi affords a magnificent view of sprawling ranges of the Sahyadri mountain and one can see from here a number of historical forts in the Sahyadri. Manik Gad, Karnala, Irsal and Prabal Gad (all forts) and Matheran (hill resort) are in the west. Dhak is in the North, Lohagad is in the east and Koyri Gad is in the south of Rajmachi. A beautiful view of Shiravta Lake in the east can be had from Fort Shrivardhan. Water from this lake is used by Tata Power Companies at their hydro electric power generation station at Khopoli. Sometimes, with the pre-monsoon showers the climate becomes very clear and affords visibility of very long distance. On such rare occasions, it is possible to identify from Rajmachi the Arabian sea and high-rise buildings in Mumbai. This year (i.e. 2003) in the wee hours of 15 June, the powerfull flickering signal on the high rise chimney of Tata Thermal Power Station at Trombay (in Mumbai) was visible from Rajmachi. After sunrise, people at Rajmachi could identify, in the west of Karnala Fort, the skyscrapers in Mumbai.

There are two Fortresses on Rajmachi –the taller one in the east is Shrivardhan and the other in the west is Manoranjan. Rajmachi is a unique fort having wide plateau on all sides of the twin fortresses. There is a rich treasure of historical monuments on Rajmachi, viz. mighty ramparts and walls, gateways, secret exit gates, administrative offices, water storage tanks and reservoirs, residential quarters, temples and idols of deities. Kal Bhairav temple is situated in the col between Shrivardhan and Manoranjan. Local inhabitants worship Kal Bhairav even today. The Budhdist caves on the western slope of Rajmachi plateau (at present known as Kondhane caves) were carved in the period around 200 BC. The existence of these ancient caves indicates that Rajmachi had been identified as an important place right from the Budhdist period.

28th October 2006
6:00 AM My Alarm Clock goes...Cock a Doodle Doooooooo I get up rubbing my eyes surprised, its already 6, feels like i just went to sleep like always..:) Quickly, headed for a shower after waking up my other two companions who were just as exited about the trek as me. With anticipation and nervousness I headed for my first overnight trek not knowing yet that it was going to be one of its kind...;)

We took a train at 7:10 from Ghatkopar to Karjat. Met other Nisarga Brahman folks including the comforting familiar faces Rohit, Sameer and Shrikant , the NB Group. The scenic stretch from the train was worth having a look at. After wat was supposed to be few hrs of Train Journey that passed away in a jiffy getting aquainted with each other, we all got down together 'all set to Trek'.

Took an Auto to the bottom of the village and then started the trek with gr8 aspirations of getting glimpses of natures creative feat. After passing through a few fields and thatched Houses we had begun to climb upwards on the stoney and winding paths carved by passing cattle and villagers.

I was out of breath before i knew it due to the scorching heat and the steep rocky path. There were times when i was so out of breath that i realised i need to cut down on my snack and eat healthy...kidding..It was probably because of the Heat and also that i was trekking after quite sometime, besides, it has always been tough for me to climb up with gravity at its foul play.

After what felt to all like millions of breaks and tons of glucose, i finally reached the top with everyone else and it seemed like the effort had paid it off. The beautiful ambience topped with amazing food and hospitality not only made me forget my ordeal of climbing up but also gave me energy and enthusiasum to go on. Only If I had known earlier that such a grad feast was awaiting at the top of the hill i probably would have had the inspiration from the start. It was endless dishes of Marathi Cuisine for instance Taandul(rice), Naachni Bhakris(Rice Rotis), Masoor ki Amti (Dry Moong Sabzi), Potato aur Cauliflower ka Dry teekha bhajji, Waran(marathi Daal), Lonchai.e pickle, Kaanda(chopped onions), Papad and Taak(buttermilk). My mouth still waters when I think of it. This was definately not the end of trek.


After a small seista, we headed to the manoranjan fort to get a glimpse of sunset, all loaded with energy and geared with cameras. After getting through the beautiful entrance where sameer and ronald did a small act of gaurding the entrance and scared the wit out of the others. Shivaji Maharaj ki JAI!! echoed fiercly into the ears of other trekkers, as though time has moved back couple of centuries.

We went a little further up to have a look at the subtle yet impressive Sunset. Impeccably Circular in shape ,the Sun, almost like an Orange creating amazing silhouettes. Gazing at the Sun going behind the clouds and then the mountains, all of us were mesmerised by GOD's play with colours.

In no time the sun had set and we had started heading towards our next destination Shrivardhan Fort. After about 30 more mins of climbing up the almost destroyed staircase, destroyed by britishers to avoid any further use of the forts as they were considered invincible, ironically enough, told to me by Rohit our Trek Leader, we finally made it to the top.

Our fellow trekker, Sameer, didn't sieze to surprise all of us, by saying out aloud the whole call that is done before Shivaji maharaj himself arrives at the Fort, flawlessly in the same tone and pitch. I have not seen passion going this far, Kudos to Shree Shree Shree Samir...!! trying it myself. Ain't gud enough!

Playing Chineese whispers had never been this much fun, sitting at one of the highest forts at the highest point, its was so wonderful. Snacking, playing, teasing each other the time swept by like comforting breeze of wind.

Noone can beat me when it comes to coming down a hill, i am sure NB folks will agree. If i climb at the pace of turtle i get come down with swiftness of squirrel. In no time we were back to what was going to be our abode for that night, mausi's home where another sumptous meal was awating us. Sleep came in as soon as we we hit the bed, tired that we were from the trek, anticipating more fun the next day.

Before we knew it, its shining sunrays next morning, and Rohit's clicking of snaps wakes me up. Some guys decided to go up the shrivardhan fort again while the rest of us who were almost slaughtered by the climbing up and down, decided to get some more sleep.

We all hung out around the village Pond and the Shiv Temple near it, till it was time for some breakfast and group snaps. and As going down a Hill is my favourite excercise, no prizes for guessing who was down with the first group to return. Moi!!

Until the others from the group returned, we rested at a temple in the village. We all headed to the railway Station to return to our homes with memories and time again, it gets easier to bid adieu to people, in the hope of meeting in one of the future treks organized by NB.

P.S. Those of you who are wondering wat this NB is? It stands for Nisarga Brahman and its a community on Orkut Started by a group of avid trekkers imbibing and enlivening the spirit of Trekking and Outing. Trust me, they are really good at it. Post 3 treks and 1 nature trail with them, I feel like its one big family. NB Rocks!

To Add to my Glory..Rock Climbing..!! More Pics!!


Waiting for My Turn....All Geared...


Starting Not bad huh??
Just a Wee Bit More...I know i can do it..!!!

My Latest Feat-Rock Climbing!

'Its the Attitude That Decides your Alititude!' -Surely it does, waking up at 6 AM on a Sunday morning to go Rock climbing is a gr8 feat in itself.

7 :15 AM : There i was at the bus stop waiting or the bus to get to Andheri. Eventually, took an Auto anticipitaing that others waiting for us wont be too happy if i get late and then a train to goregoan where we would do our much coveted Rock Climbing Adventure on the Arun Samant Climbing Wall.

8:15 AM : Alas! We had made it before even the organisers had arrived. Along me, there were a bunch of guys who were just as Enthu and looked like pro's at Rock Climbing and were incessantly rambling about Do's and Dont's of it. Although it was my first time, I cudnt be less exited and was all ears for the invaluable Info.

8:30 AM: We do our warm up excercises.

8:45 AM:
All Geared up with the Harness and other paraphernalia.

The First guy Goes up Level 1. He slips midway and tries again and makes it.

Then goes the next, he makes it without slipping. Hmmm...Competition grows tough!

Then the next and the next. Leaves me wodering..' Maybe its not all that tough'!.

My turn!!, I gather all my courage and strength and climb up a third of the rock without much effort, and then i look up, and down , and then at others. Wats on my mind? 'Its not tough, i am all sweaty, my Arms aching to the bone, but i have to make it'. Take a deep breath or Two, Climb on. Trying to find the foothold and gripping my hands on anything on the top i went up another cpl of feet but my hands seemed to have lasted all its strength it was like a herculean task ! Thats it! I loose it. I lost the Foot hold and am swinging half way up. Urghhhhhh!! How embarrassing?!!! "Let me down!!" is all i cud Scream!!!

The amount of enthusiasam and Energy i went up with i came down with the same amount of Embarrassment and Pain!!...

Other Guys Tried the other levels with the same ease as level 1, i cudnt wait to get inspired!!

I carry my Attitude in my Blood!!.. It Says B +ve!!

Few more failed attempts, dint budge my anticipation to Reach the Top. "I will come Again and Conquer this Wall" was wat i thought when i was leaving the Place.

11:00 AM Had a Late Breakfast and Returned home all exhasuted .

Mahuli the highest point in the Thane district. The forest surrounding Mahuli has been declared as a sanctuary. Once Shahaji Raje, father of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, had this fortress under his belt. The nearest railway station to Mahuli is Asangaon. One can catch either Asangaon or Kasara Local from Mumbai CST, which could also be caught at Kalyan. Junction. 4 Km. walk from Asangaon station will take you to the base temple in 11/2 hours. 3 hours trek will take you to the summit.

It was the Bright Sunny Day of 13th August '06 when the whole group of Nisarga Brahman decided to trot along on another Trek cum adventure activity To Mahuli. From Powai i Started at 6:15 AM headed to Ghatkopar station(closest fast station from Powai) to take the first fast Train to Asangaon.
It took us more than 1 hr 30 minutes to get to Asangaon Station where we had to wait for others who had taken the next Train. Once the whole group had gathered, Rohit the organizer took a headcount and collected money(250 Rs Each). It was to accomodate the Water Rapelling Equipment and Trainer Fee.

We all started marching on the Railway Tracks(not a very rare sight in mumbai) towards our Destination which was more than 3kms away. The Only GROSS thing about walking on the tracks is if you stamp on the human excreta by mistake and it does not require very careful scrutiny to avoid any human dumplings. It was Irony of Nature, that it had not dripped a single drop since morning inspite of it being Monsoon Trek and Season and it was getting Hotter and Stuffier as we walked along on the tracks. We walked till the next Check post from where we all decided to take a Bus to the Cottage where the Trainer Lived Perhaps, Atleast i thought he lived there.

There we were sitting inside the Bus, wondering 'Wasnt this supposed to be a Trekk, which normally is a walk till your destination?'. The view from the Bus was beautiful. We ogled on as we crossed tree after tree and spring after spring. We were glad the sky had given way to the black clouds and it meant a downpour anytime soon. After 20 minutes of swaying in the bus and ohh-ahing at the beauty of Mahuli we finally gotto the small Cottage house with thatched roof. Heavenly smell of cattle dung only drove us closer to nature.

We had a small photosession while the Villagers were cooking breakfast for us Hot and yummy Poha( dish made out of Puffed Rice, Onions, turmeric, Salt and Chillies) We finally were going to have our Breakfast, hungry like pigs that we were, happy just by the thought and then our Journey begins to the water Rapelling Site which is a Waterfall around 2 kms away from this cottage.

We finished our breakfast, and headed towards the waterfall where we were going to be trained on repelling, ofcourse, not before the life saver instructions from the trainer.After crossing a cpl of Rivers, where the rocks were deade slipery and scary, we were glad
we cud see the waterfall closing. The sight of gushing water from midst of huge rocks was
breathtakingly beautiful Although The fear of having to rapell down it was persistent.We all reached the top having fun and frolic in the small streams on the way. The view was panaromic, and the weather just right!

After a small demo and instructions session from the trainer, We all started rapelling one by one and the fear started to cummulate in me. Finally i gathered all my courage, gripped the descender and the Rope, and decided to go down the 120 feet waterfall. After a little brainstorming from the trainer i was ready to go down on my own. I swayed, i turned around, I cudnt get the grip of rock on my feet most of the time but i kept releasing the rope, afterall i had to go down not up. In a matter of few minutes my feet touched ground, it was
not at all tough thats wat i thought when i got down. I cud do it 100 times all over without getting tired of it. I simply loved it. There was water showering all over due to the gushing wind and the waterfall, almost like it was raining incessantly. The dead slippery Rocks that we climbed to get on to the waterfall were the tougher part. Rapelling is the safest and easiest way to come down a Hill.

After waitng a little for everyone to return we decided to return and to our dismay the rain was washing the rivers with mud and dirt making it tougher to walk than ever before. We struglled to stand on the rocks after a lot of kungfu with the rocks and river water we finally gotto the cottage. We were drenched to the core and had to change without electricity. We rested for half an hr when we realised the last bus back had already left and we wud have to walk 5 kms back to the railway station. Having no second choice we walked on when only small torch came to our rescue to pioneer our way. We walked continously for 1 and half hr without stopping untill we reached the tracks where we cud see the last fast train leaving in front of our eyes. We figured after a while that we had a slow train in another five minutes while we refueled on tea and snacks.

That was the begining of my new found love for an adventure activity Waterfall Rapelling.

Work so you can vacation

I have been night shifts for the past 2 weeks. It kinda Sucks. I just sit at home all alone watching TV as my landlady is also away. This makes me realize that its so important for any person to have people around and your family makes all the difference. They are always there for you.
I will go on a week long holiday after this production support work. Will get my life back. ITs just so cool to be back with people you really luv.

It Sumtimes makes me wonder why is it that inspite of acknowledging the inevitable existence of our luved ones in our lives, we seem to ignore the importance of spending enough time with them.