Trekking has been one of my favourite passtime since my college days . Though I have not done too many treks, every trek had been a treasure of joy, experience and memories for me. Recently I trekked to 'Lohgad' , one of the lovely forts in the lonavla region with my NDS colleagues . Actually I had been to Lohgad few years ago with my friends and I do not like to do same trek again as there are a lot of forts unseen by me . But many of our group were first trekkers and the monsoon was blossoming green all over , so it was just too irresistable to omit Lohgad .
We were all 'seven' to the 'heaven' as many of our friends took a U turn on the picnic issue . Though seven , enjoyment and enthusiasm was guaranteed with the presence of Shailesh , Sandy , Dalvi and Vaishu , the only female in out there . Initially it was decided to leave at night by passenger , but the 'Soda' problem was so serious that we decided to go in the morning by 'Indrayani Express' . As usual I got up early in the morning , but due to acidity problem just managed to reach Kalyan 10 minutes before arrival of train . Vaishali just reached the platform just before the green light turned on . Fortunately , we all seven were on our reserved seats . During the journey to lonavla the time passed quickly in the everfresh gossip and we alighted at Lonavla.Then we catched the Pune local to reach Malavali station .
At the station we had tea and parathas and we set for lohgad . At Bhaje , the village at the base of the fort , we decided to go to the famous Bhaje Caves first and then to the fort . The Buddhist caves are in pretty good condition and one can get there by the steps . Vaishali was much behind than others , but finally managed to reach the caves . The waterfall at the end of the caves was simply superb but we had no time enjoying it . Then we came down by " Dalvi Marg " for cattle through slippery mud and set for the fort . The road is pretty clear and an hours walk can get one at the steps . Since the new members were tired we rested on a lush green grass for a while for the photo session with the fort behind . Then after some distance we had " sharabat" and everyone was refreshed . Also a group of school children from pune was accompanying us . Tata network was good enough for some calls to friends and we reached lohgadwadi near the steps of lohgad . I was surprised to see a lot of restaurants with accomodation facility , as last time when I was here no restaurant was there and we had haulted in the cave on the fort . But it is a good sign that people are visiting here . Only the need is to preserve our heritage with proud respect .
We decided to take lunch at the restaurant before going to the top . We had our parathas with jhunaka . Then we set for the top . On the way through darwajas we viewed the fortification which is timeproof and still tough till the top . We had snaps at the darwajas and finally we were at 3420 feets on the top. One can see the wet green grass everywhere with the clouds on top ready to pour anytime . The backwater of pavna dam was glittering . We explored the fort a lot and reached the item number of the movie (joking ) , the "Vinchukata" . The long tail of plateau resembles the leg of a scorpion , hence the name "Vinchukata" . It is worth watching , creation of nature .
When we reached there the rain clouds started gathering and the area was under a white blanket . The road was not completely viewable but we were very keen to experience the way, started walking through . It was a memorable walk and all especially Vaishali in her first experience was good to complete it . The small journey was a good example of teamwork all over.
After viewing Vinchukata we set for the Lakshmi Kothi , the big cave at lohgad . The cave was already full as a big group from B.G. medical college pune with pretty beautiful number of girls was resting there . I spent some time in the cave remembering previous visit and the cooking memories to give some rest to my legs . But others thought it as a "bahana" for watching girls (!) . When I rested enough we again decided to visit vinchukata as we were not able to catch it in my camera previously due to poor light . Now the clouds were gone and the sky was clear . After taking snaps we all rested at the small shiva temple before leaving back . Dalvi had enough time for his worship . We loaded our stomachs with snacks left and started walking down .
The downward journey was not that exhausting and by 8 p.m. we were at Malavali station . We got one holiday special till kalyan . The journey was made tasteful by the fameous "Lonavla Chikki" with Shailesh , Kishore and some 'Dalvi' comments . Soon we reached kalyan and departed home .
The body was tired , but the mind was freshened enough by the nature made beauties to deal with the man made computers again from tomorrow . Above all it was something to cheer for ! The past history, the present with friends and the upcoming future ..!
Abhijeet Date
