Super Monsoon on Lohgad

As for a the all Maratha boys, me too have a thing for trekking, forts, monsoon getaways etc etc.. So when the monsoon start pouring in, its time for the yearly once lonaval area outing. This time me and lovely wife, decided to go to Lohgad a fort near Malvali. As the name suggests its Loh-gad, the Iron Fort. Parked my car at Malavli and started the hike to fort. Though now a rough road is being constructed, we decided to hike to the fort. 

As a typical day in that region, it was raining when we reach the malvali. On the way on the left side during the begining portion of the hike, are the Bhaje Caves, the Rock cut, depicting Indian mythology & Budthism., dating back to 200 BC.  The Rain and the sun played hide and seek till we were hiking toward the base of the fort. We felt happy that we dint get our car up, as the road had vanished into a dirt track of potholes & flowing waters. The surrounding mountains were offering nice view of number of waterfalls falling off the mountain cliffs. Snow white water falling of background of black basalt rock cliffs was looking extremely picturous. 

Once we reached the base of the fort, it was happy thing to see some snack centers under the temporary sheds. Yes, we were hungry of the one and half hour of hiking, but as a rule, we decided to reach the top of the fort first and then take a break. So we climbed on. The Fog surrounded the top hillock of the fort. All one can see was fort wall and steps getting lost in the fog after 30 -40 ft. Like the name of the fort, it has a very strong stone bastons and stone steps, leading to the entrance of the fort. The main entry gate of the fort is an amazing example of the Fort Architecture of the old times. It really very strategically constructed to be as a absolute strong defensive structure, denying the entry to enemy. The structures seems to also, recently restored to its original glory at few places, where it was damaged due to weathering. 

The most thrilling part of our climbed all the way from Malvali, was that intensity of the rain was increasing as we were moving up. As we reached the top of the fort the rains started pouring so wildly that it felt like standing below lakhs of taps of running water. Only difference was, due to wind the rain seemed to be coming from all the directions. Few people who had come with the umbrella's, were already running behind their flying umbrella's. The visibility had come down to 20-30 ft and all we could see the fog and rain. 

We got wet do the depth our souls. These are the times when you feel nirvana. Just standing there and feeling the beauty of nature.  The Height, The Fog, The Wind, The Pouring Rain, The Sound of water.. thats all, thats all was there.  

We wondered here and there for some time in that heavy rains, but visibility and no hope of Rain God calming down, we decided to climb down. It was a tricky affair to while coming down on the stone steps, as due to monsoon, much of area of steps had a moss on it and secondly a carpet of flowing water was making the steps even more slippery. Finally we came to base of fort and our stomachs raised a loud alarm for lunch. We went to one the sheds order our snacks. When we sat down the chair, then we realized that 3 hrs of nonstop walking had make my legs shout in pain. Also we were absolutely drenched. and now under the shelter of shed, we starting feeling the cold. I even experienced a wild cramp in my leg as i got up after the snacks. I normally get cramps after i get drenched or i come out of water after a swim. Its painful for a while, but got better after some time. 

So after taking 10 min break, we started back to Malavli. We could see how high we had climbed up, as the village was looking like a small spot from the top. It didn't took us much time to reach back, but still good 50 min or so. Rain still was accompanying us to the car. First thing we did after seating the car was to start the heater. We changed into dry cloths and started our journey back home.

On the way back the Visapur fort, partly covered in the fog was inviting us. Next Time I said. :)

The continuous rain, didnt much allow us to take out the camera for photography. 
How to reach: We went from the Pune - old Pune Mumbai Express Highway - Malvali Station - Lohagd
Another alternate route is available - Pune- Chandani Chowk - Paud - Right Turn, Pavna Dam - Lohagad. This road leads directly till the foot of the fort.