Lohagad Fort, Lonavala, Pune district, a trek that was on my mind for a really long time...

08.43 am on Lonavala station

       So this time not being with the usual group of friends I travel with, one of my college friends asked me if I'm interested to come to Lohagad Fort a short trek for one day in the weekend. Since this fort was on my thoughts to cover in my travelling journey, I quickly responded 'Yes!' (Well not immediately to be exact but after a couple of hours, when I returned home from work)...... Later on I realized that it was one of my college friend's birthday and it was planned to go there to celebrate, he booked the tickets for all of us.

At the base of the fort

       We were suppose to meet at 06:45 am at Thane station from where we had to board on Intercity Express which arrives on Thane station at 07:00 am. And I was about to be late as usual( sigh..) but luckily made it in time on the station (not to mention I had search for my friends for a good 15 minutes....oh god bless me). So we searched for our names on the seating arrangement and the wonderful journey began.

Moments to cherish!!

       So Journeys can be amazing as for me I met my college friends after a long time and also got know a new member addition  to our friend circle. On 08:43 am we reached Lonavala station from where we booked tickets for Malavali station which is the stop via a local train. Malavali being the most nearest to Lohagad is a village situated at the base of the fort.

           We all start walking and on the way came across a hotel which was a perfect place for having our breakfast and also for the caking cutting to celebrate his birthday. After being stuffed we continued our walk towards the fort and came across various waterfall which are active in the monsoon. And my friends decide to enjoy in one of them on our return.

           Although I have a slight regret while blogging this that we couldn't manage to do Bhaja caves that had a different course to climb up, somehow I managed to get a blurry shot of it

Bhaja caves (Bhaje Leni)

      Time is precious otherwise we would have missed the train for our return journey. So moving on we walk and walk in that muddy shortcuts only to get our clothes soiled and I almost slipped while filming my video and reached the plateau region where we took a while to get some beautiful pictures.

Visapur fort

Visapur

    As we continue, we come across the very huge Visapur fort adjacent to Lohagad fort  and of them look like two giant battle ships facing each other. Certainly a great view to capture. Finally after sometime stairs towards to fort start and small ancient canons can be seen lying near some steps ahead. Weekends are fun but its

more fun if you don't have to deal with a hectic crowd that is

Lohagad

moving on the same destination. There fort was crowded :(

     Anyways ignoring that unavoidable crowd we moved forward climbing and reached the First gate of the fort called 'Ganesh Darwaja' (the only gate name I remember).

     The fortification is still strong even after so many years of environmental effects on it which is why most other part of the fort is in ruins. The climbing goes up and up until you reach the second gate where you can see the food grains and gunpowder storage areas and further through the third gate you will be entering the most upper part of the fort.

    You can see my YouTube video for Lohagad fort

P.S I apologize for the video being rushed but usually my aim is to complete videos within 10 minutes. Link below

    As you enter the Top most part of the fort you will find many ancient relics like the first which comes in view is The King's and Queen's tomb, Horse stable of the ancient times, mosque, ancient Shiva temple, large water tanks, ruined soldiers' shelters etc.

  And not to forget the breathtaking view of Visapur and the entire village below.

King's and Queen's tomb

view of the fort from above

Soon running short of time we starting our return journey which was really tiring (trust me!) and then as decided my friends went to get drenched in the waterfall as it didn't rain through the day only drizzle....

     At the end of the day it was worth it that we all connected again and I got to buy a Captain America shield keychain which is cool....By 06:45 pm we arrived on Thane station.

                                                                                                  Thank You