Be there in moonson . Review on Rajmachi

*Trek Date:-  02-June-2007

*This was my first trek before moonson start in mumbai.  Rajmachi is fort  which is  55 kms from Pune &  just 20 kms from Lonavala.

There are 2 ways    which I know   [ There are many other route also ] to reach rajmachi.

1.  Get Down at Karjat station and take  Auto or bus  upto Kodivade village & reach upto Kondana caves which is famous for waterfall.  From there is is steep trek   [ I would say it is not easy trek from there specially in moonson ].  Make sure that you go with person who knows the route other wise you will lost in jungle.

1. Get down at Lonawala station  &  take route which goes to Tungarli Lake  & there route is easy like plain road.  It will take around 4 hrs to reach base of  rajmachi fort.

We were 4 people and we took Lonawala route and we started our trek in mid-night at 1:30 a.m.  On the way we were lucky to see  Jugnu [ insects with light ] and there were in huge number and they were on the tree. It was like tree is full of light  [ Disco lights ].

Last time where my friends been there,  at certain point villagers told them that 5 minutes before they saw wild animal   [ I am not sure but it was leapord ] so this time when we reach at that point, we were more alert and looking around in the bush.  At this point there are  tall grass.

We reached  at base of Rajmachi  at  5:30  a.m.  We had tea and breakfast  at  one of villagers  home   [ Name is  suresh ].  My friends were tired so they went to sleep.

Rajmachi of comprises two peaks viz Shrivardhan and Manaranjan.  I been to Manaranjan and take photo & video. Since it was summer so I can not expect good photographs because of dry grass and strong sun light.

About Video.

1st Clip :-   I had started for  Manaranjan and you can hear voice of wind and village at the bottom.

2nd Cllip :-  I am near wall.

3rd  Clip:-  I was on top of peak and taken video from small window made to keep eye on region. You can feel the depth of the fort.

4th Clip :-  I am walking on the edge and on other side you can see another peak which is tall  named  **"Shrivardhan"

We started getting down from other side of mountain,  toward Karjat. We had bath in Ulhas river and reached home around 8 p.m.

Tenalirama