Jul 26, 2005 03:02 PM
34972 Views
(Updated Jul 28, 2005 05:29 PM)
You always feel comfortable to express your feelings about the things that you like the most. Travelling, climbing are my favourite activities. I am writing this review based on my previous visit to singhgad fort. (As a Puneite I am a regular visitor of this fort. It is just that the new motherhood has kept me away for a a while). I intend to start my activities this monsoon. If you do not exercise regularly, you climb the Sinhagad fort every Sunday morning. This is the mantra of most of the people in pune.
The climb starts before sunrise. It is about one and half hour climb. You reach the top have breaksfast (local food) then start descending. Reach the foot of the fort by 10 am. Reach home by 11am and spend your holiday as you wish. Visiting Sinhagad Time to visit: Any time of the year be it summer, winter or rains Distance from Pune : 26 kms. Height :approx 700-800mts (only) How to reach the fort: Obviously reach Pune first. From Pune station or better would be to reach the Swargate ST stand. There are many city buses that ply from Swargate ST stand. The city buses take you to the sinhagad gaon (village).
For Tourist : There are many options to reach the top of Sinhagad fort via TumTum(ie share rickshwas). Dept of tourism has a bus going(I have never travelled..But I know it is there). Pvt vehicles, jeeps and blah blah..There is absolutely no problem in reaching the fort. You need not take the pains of climbing the fort. There is a tar road right upto the top.
For trekkers : Reach the ''paytha'' or the foot of the fort. The paytha is accessible via the sinhagad village. It is around 25-30 mins walk to the ''paytha'' from the village. Once you reach the paytha ..then..then go ahead start climbing. You can climb during day, during night (chandani raat mein) anytime.
If you decide to start early in the morning the best would be to stay overnight at the hotels in the sinhagad gaon. If you really want to trek, then you should consider trekking Sinhgad via Katraj (the seven mountain trek. this is again another subject).
History : The fort was conquered by Tanaji Malasure on behalf of Raje Shivaji. (It is very interesting to read about the battle and the way it was conquered. I will not write about it in this.)
On the top to see : Dev Take - famous tank with sweet and cold water. Tanaji's samadhi on the fort. The tower of Doordarshan is also there on Sinhagad. You can see the Panshet, Khadakwasla and Varasgaon dams and Torana fort also.
To add to it The view of entire Pune city looks splendid.
Warning : Do not carry foodwhen you visit sinhagad. If you do so you will be missing on the taste of the Maharashtrian village deliacy. You may carry water with you. Once you reach the top there is a cool water tank on the fort. People keep visiting sinhgad fort for the scenic beauty, but more so for the food.
There are many huts of the villagers on the top of the fort. They prepare garam garam jhunka-bhakari (jowar roti and besan and sabji sort of) with thecha and also Kanda bhaji (onion pakora) with thecha(red chillies mashed). If you are non vegeterian then you can order full gavran chicken(spicy hot chicken) for around 200 rs. Then there is special matka dahi and butthermilk prepared by the local village maids.
