Rajmachi October 24, 2009

Rajmachi October 24, 2009

A lot awaited trek was brought forward and again plenty poured in and poured out. Interestingly in the trek three people turned up and the DIL CHAHTA HAI scenario continued. As always Manohar without hesitancy opted in and his parents checking him up every moment. To my surprise Anil showed up at the last moment at the station completing us for the three. The plan was to catch the last local, poor Anil was already at the station around 2200 on Saturday without knowing much of the plan. Manohar and I where on time as we where supposed to meet up around 2300.

Locals that day were late, way, way late coz a pipeline bridge had fallen near Mulund Thane area causing a malfunction in the lifeline of Mumbai. Our local was of 0035 Karjat which was at least way late and came around 0130 which we had no problem. We reached Karjat around 0330 in the morning and saw the first local living for CST from there filled with people. Our option was to spent night in train itself, but we were asked to vacant the train. So we slept at Karjat Station and for the first time Manohar had bought a mat, the debut of a mat, which of course was not used by Manohar coz he does not feel sleepy and was used by Anil. Well Manohar for the time being was jogging all around the platform keeping himself warm as the night was cold. We later around 0500 moved towards Karjat ST station where we found place more good to sleep, well the bus was around 0530 so I decided to sleep while Manohar and Anil had a nice kadak chai at a stall early up.

The bus to Sandshi was on time 0545 and it dropped us at Khandpe where we had to walk about 2 to 3 km for Kondivade village. The walk was a pleasant one before the sun could have rise. There was even a nice river beside our route with early morning fumes coming out. Well we did a mistake we kept walking and walking into the village instead of taking a left, but then the villagers showed us a shortcut. Early morning trek was way pleasant we must had walked about 1-1/2 hour, awaiting for Kondana caves to show up, but we missed it. It was only when a old villager bring a huge pile of wood showed up and trekked us down to show that place.

We almost had to trek 45 minutes down the hill and then he showed us a left turn, which we had to take towards the cave. I was frustrated to return down as it would harm our further program, but this place was worth to see. Just a flat walk around this plateau for next 20 to 30 minute took us to this place. Out of nowhere in this jungle a huge carved cave showed up of Buddha with well architecture and design though it was dirty with all our human plastic but a wonderful site to see. This was not a monsoon season but our guess that during monsoon this place must be hidden behind the falls. Having a little breakfast out near a monsoon fall we moved ahead.

We trekked for the next 2 hours, we could see trains in the ghat probably Indrayani, Intercity, Deccan, Udyan, and Koyna had all showed up by that time. Anil was below pace with Manohar just driving freely, poor Anil was his first time for such one though he lived up to the promise. We reached I guess crossing at most 6 plateau as mentioned by the markings on the place. Finally around 1030 or 1100 something we reached up near a hut from where we could see the fort.

After resting in the hut we moved ahead when we crossed few trekkers who where going towards table mountain for valley crossing. Within 10 minutes we were in Rajmachi village were we picked out a house. Note all houses over here accommodate trekkers and if ordered serve food too. We had our khandapavah and tea and moved towards the fort.

On the way a small cave was found. Furthermore the fort was divided into two by a col separating them. These are two forts Shreevardhan and Manoranjan, I call them Twin Watchtower of Rajmachi. Between the col there is Bhairav’s temple whom the locals worship. We walked towards the tallest one and one which had an access a little steep kinda.

Manohar led us to the fort, but it was me who discovered a secret passage and decided to have rest over here as there was a marvelous view, shadow, cool breeze, combining combinations over here. After an half hour or more we left this place and walked towards the highest peak around the place. And thoroughly this one gives a magnificent view Karjat, Lonavala, Khandala, Dukes Nose, Thakurwadi Ghat, valley, etc. too good.

As the sun was over our head we came down from this place and with hunger striking us decided to go to that house for food. We had a homely food comprising of dal, roti, bhaaji, rice, a perfect food, and for that Manohar ordered us to pay more as he has this nagging habit of paying extra towards the chef and waiter in restaurants.

After finding out the route going from here to Lonavala which is fairly a flat trek though about 3 to 3-1/2 hour long, and Anil scarred to go back the way we came from we opted to go to Lonavala. It was fairly a flat, U turned kinda encircling the plateau long, long walk. We walked for almost 3 hours but looking behind the fort was hard far from us, coz we had to walk in a U shape manner with a beauty valley between the place. Walking right below the hills was a sensational and thrilling experience with sun dawning down picturesque Khandala and Ulhas valley was mind-blowing though our body was tiring we kept on and on and special thanks to Anil who kept up to our pace.

Finally after 4 hours on long walk we made it to Lonavala and further more 45 minutes to the station. Train was not our option as they would be full and it was too late to opt for them. Buses were all full and not going to our destination. Sunday plenty of people travel. We spent at most 2 hours at the station and then decided to get into the Jeep, which were around 200 rs. This was expensive but no option.

Our pockets were all emptied we not more then 1 rs also left. On the way Manohar and Anil went fast asleep. I was kept awake and a fellow uncle sitting opposite me was just thrilled up hearing how long we walked and from where we came. Sion arrived and I got down, those two got down at Bandra as they had passes.
In all we saw Kondana Caves, Rajmachi, Shreevardhan, Manoranjan, TwinTowers, Ulhas Valley, walked almost 32 km, for about 14 hour trek…..great experience.