Torna

Torna....

How:

Pune to Velha

Velhe is base village of Torana. Its around 60 km from Pune at South-West. There are frequent buses from Swargate, which take around 2 hours to reach Velhe. Many jeeps are also there from Nasrapur phata (around 30 km from Pune on Pune-Satara road) to Velhe.

It takes 3 hrs to reach the top from base village Velha.

What :

The Torna trek is divided into 3 parts, a big mountain, the actual fort and a plateau connecting the mountain and the fort.

water & food should be taken along.

Bus leaves from Swarget Stand.

Bikes can also be a good option.

why to visit: Temple of Tornjai, Buruj (there are lots of them)

Purandar

route was Swargate - Hadapsar - Saswad - Purandar

After crossing Saswad,take Narayanpur Road. After around 10 km, you get Purandar phata. Purandar base is just 3 km away from this phata. The climb is very easy

Its around 45 minutes climb to Balekilla. This part of the fort is called Balekilla. There are two water tanks here. A very old Kedareshwar temple is also there. Nothing more to see on the Balekilla except the temple. The temple is the highest point on Purandar fort. The view from the temple is very scenic. The surrounding valleys gives you a pictursque view of the area. You can see see Neera river valley, Karha river valley, Sinhagad, Vajragad from the top.
There is a statue of Sambhaji Maharaj. Purandar fort is birth place of Sambhaji. This part is very near to Vajragad. From Sambhaji statue, the Vajragad is very near. Time it would take to reach vajragad. is 20 min. walk.

The route to Vajragad is very easy. Its is covered with thorny bushes. The main Darwaza of Vajragad is unseen until you reached just 10 meters to it. Its very easy path from the Darwaza inside the fort. Vajragad is very small fort, having around 5 buruj. There are two small temples of Shiva and Hanuman. Also the fort is having plenty of big rocks. This is feast for rock climbers. There is nothing more to see on this fort. This fort can be visited within 1 hour.

The total run is around 100 kms (Up & Down) so bikes can be used very easily.

Tikona

Tikona is a small fort on the backwaters of Pavna dam, near Kamshet. This fort is also called Vitandgad. It's height is around 3500 ft. and it got Tikona name because it is somewhat triangular in shape.

Tikona is 40 km from Pune.

Pune-Pirangut-Paud (Tikona is just 20 km from Paud)

A small village with name Tikona Peth is base village of Tikona.

From here the trek starts. You have to park your bikes here.

Its just a 30 mins of walk to the fort.

There are few caves here. It is said that these caves are from Saatvahan era. A water tank is also there. Its water is not potable. Its good to take water with you. From here to reach on Bale-Killa, there are around 60 steps and those are very steep. These steps take you to the top of the fort.

On top, there is a small Trimbakeshwar Mahadev temple. An under ground water tank on top has potable water. The view from top is amazing. At the East, you can see Tung fort. Tung looks very much challenging from this spot. At North, you can see Lohgad-Visapur forts. Pavna dam, its backwater and Paud-Lonavla road passing by it makes the view more memorable.

Enjoy...!

Raigad

Paud - Mulashi - Tamhini (vile)-Mangaon

Mangaon, around 18 km from Vile.

From Mangaon, take Mumbai-Goa highway upto Mahad. Mangaon-Mahad distance is 30 km. Just at the entry point of Mahad, there is Raigad phata. Raigad is around 25 km from this phata.

There are two options to go on Raigad.

First is, you have to ascend Raigad by the steps. It takes around 2 hours to reach the top. This route takes you to the front side of the fort. The other option is to try Raigad Ropeway. It takes just 4 minutes to reach the top by ropeway. But this is paid service. You have to pay aronud Rs. 120 for to-and-fro ride. (they might have raised the fare now)

Rani Mahal, Gangasagar talav, Market, Takmak tok, Jagadishwar temple, Rajwada, Shivaji Maharaj samadhi.

(to be concluded....)

Neel Kantheshwar Hill

Neelkantheshwar is actually a big hill which is around 23 km from Pune (Warje Over bridge).

It is near Panshet. It got its name because of the temple of Neelkantheshwar, i.e. Lord Shiva.

You can take the same road as sinhgadh or you can take the road straight from Warje-Malwadi.

The Warje Road is always preferable (if you are not thinking about Sinhgad also in the same stretch)

Its a nice, scenic (especially in monsoon) and safe bike ride.

Here, you ride along the river (i think mula) straight to panshet.

you have to park your bike, car at the base of the temple.

It takes about 20 to 25 minute walk to reach the temple. The path is wide but very steep.

Please take your food and water with you. There is nothing up there except suki bhel and nimbu paani or tea.

You can roam around the hill. There are many statues/idols to see.
These are mainly associated with Hindu mythology.

The view from the hill-top is amazing. You can see backwaters of Panshet, Varasgaon and Khadakvasla dam. You can also see Sinhagad from here.