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Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharashtra

Wednesday, February 7, 2018


Tala Fort is located near to Tala Village in Raigad district in Maharashtra. The fort bastion and the orange flag swaying in the wind can be seen from a distance.

Watchout for this signboard while trying to reach Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra

Bastion at Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra

After visiting Kude caves we traveled for around 12 KM to reach Tala Village.

We asked the locals for directions to trek up to the fort. Watch out for this signboard at the village. Note there is no provision to park vehicles here, but food and water provision is available in the market area.
Path to reach Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra
There are no steps but the stones are placed like steps to climb up the fort premises. Now watch out for this second signboard, the way up the fort leads from here.

We walked over loose soil and small stones to reach the fort premises.
Narrow path leading to Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra
Water tank atop Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra
As we get near to the entrance of the fort, the climb becomes a bit tricky, the rock cut stairs get narrower and to top it they were wet. Which made or climb difficult. But we still managed to reach the main entrance.
Orange flag at Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra
Maruti temple on the way to Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra
At the main entrance, there is sculpture of Maruti (Hindu God) Painted Orange. Near is  a cave. Currently water is filled in the cave premises, but it can offer refuge when dry.

We then walked to one of the bastions of the fort. The bastion offers a fantastic view of the surrounding. As there was little to no wind and hot sun, we decided to go up to the top most point of the fort for exploration.
Cave at Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra
From the bastions a series of steps takes one to the top of the fort.

Atop the fort are placed a couple of water tanks (water not portable), broken structures and a Shiv Temple.
Dominic, Manohar and Me at Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra
There is no shade atop the fort, no trees up here.

Atop one of the bastions sways the orange flag, we then crossed the water tanks and walked to the other end of the fort.
Bastion at Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra
We were not able to spot cannons atop the fort.

The fortification is not intact and broken in certain places.
Ruins at Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra
It took us around 30 minutes to reach the top, 30 minutes to explore and another 20 minutes to reach the base.
Structure at Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra
History doesn't state as to who built this fort, but Adilshah of Bijapur, Shivaji Maharaj, Siddhis of Janjira, Peshwas and finally British had control over this fort.

View of the hills and valleys from Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra
Fortification of  Tala Fort located near to Tala Village in Raigad District in Maharastra
The time was now 11:30 AM on my watch,  we braked for lunch at Indapur. There we decided that we would travel to Nizampur from there inorder to see the Mangad Fort. 


NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them. 

Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra

Monday, February 5, 2018

Kude Caves are located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra.

Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashta

Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra

Kude Caves is around 12 KM away from Tala Village, directions to the same are tagged on google maps, so one cannot get lost.

River Body enroute Kude Caves
Dominic, Manohar and Me near Kude caves
The journey offered breath taking photos of the surroundings. the hills in a distance capped with due, the long winding roads were just amazing to travel on.
Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra
Stupa at Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra
Stupa at Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra
One has to park the car on the main road and then walk on the muddy road to each the caves premises. The road comprises of loose soil and small rocks and it is uneven, so it is best not to get a vehicle here, else the tire can get punctured. After walking for 30 minutes we then get a glimpse of the caves.

Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra
Note, there is no provision for food and water here.

Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra
History states that these caves were built in the 1st century.
The caves looked identical. The first cave, had a Stupa within its premises. At the entrance we could see coconuts broken and kept and some garlands, meaning that the villagers offer prayers here. We also saw inscription on the cave walls, not sure what they meant though.

Frogs at Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra
The small water tanks near the caves, had gigantic frogs sitting next to them, they didn't even budge when they saw me coming close to them to take a photo. The water from the water bodies doesn't seem portable.

Carvings on the walls of Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra
Carvings on the walls of Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra
The cave which had the face of the elephant, was the best amongst the caves. It had sculptures near the elephant head, artwork at the base of the cave, writings on its walls, sculptures within the cave and also a Stupa. I am guessing that this was the main prayer hall.
I find myself at peace here. There is no noise in the caves, total silence. Hence caves were built by the monks in the wilderness. 

Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra
Some caves are located on base level and a few caves are located on the first level, a series of steps takes one to the first level.
The caves are being looked after, there is no graffiti nor litter around the cave premises.  Guess what I found a Swachh Bharat Abhiyan banner here.  

Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra
Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra
Kude Caves located in Rahatgad in Tala Taluka in Raigad district in Maharashtra
It too us around 30 minutes to see the caves, post that we walked for another 30 minutes to reach the car. We then headed over to see the Tala Fort located near Tala Village.



NOTE: Please click on the words in large font in the blog to read about them. 

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