Days turned to weeks,
weeks turned to months but our plan of going to Kalavantindurg was not turning
into a trek. I was only looking at its pics.
Finally I put my foot
down and decided to make the trip. We decided on Thursday to go for the trek on
Saturday in the morning. For a change this time we were going for real.
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| Kalavantindurg and Prabalgad in a distance |
Nimish, Nelson and his
friend Titus accompanied me for the trip.
We decided to meetup at
Kurla station on the harbour line. These guys were late so we couldn't board
the 5:58 am train as decided. We had to then board the 6:28 am train to Panvel.
Now we were 30 minutes
behind schedule. I only hoped that we don't miss the bus to Thakurwadi from
Panvel ST Bus Stand.
The journey to Panvel
was a laugh riot as we sat discussing our previous trek mishaps. Finally at
7:17 am we were at Panvel.
We headed straight to
the bus stand to check on the bus timings to Thakurwadi. The bus was scheduled
to leave at 8 am.
We decided to have
breakfast in the form of vada pav outside the bus stand. The vada pav was
amazing. After we finished them we decided to have bhajiya. But our plans
crashed when we saw him sneezing near the batter. Eeooo.
Now I am re thinking why
the vada pav was so tasty. Eekks. We had tea and went on, on our hunt for
packed chips and biscuits to have on the fort.
After gathering our food
stock we went on our search for water. I had 2 litres of water, Nelson had 1
litre, Nimish and Soumil were nil on the tally. We didn't get any water, we
decided to head off to board the bus else we might miss it too.
We boarded the bus at
8am and it departed on time. The ticket was just Rs. 60 for the four of us. The
driver rode the bus as if we were driving a formula one car on the narrow curvy
road. Finally in thirty minutes time we were in Thakurwadi.
Thakurwadi was a small
village consisting of around 20 houses. There is no hotel over here. We were
hoping that we find food and water up the hill as we were short on it. We had a
few chips packets with us and only 3 litres of water.
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| Hills and Valleys from up here |
We started our journey
after taking instructions from the villagers. Soon we were on the wrong track.
Trekking in the thorny bushes and dried water bodies. It was now two hours and
the time was 10:30 am and we were still in the wilderness. Finally we managed
to get on track.
It was a proper trek
path leading to the top. Not sure leading to which hilltop. Though there was no
sign of any human nor any sign board there, we still decided to trek on. We saw
a couple of bikes and 4*4 vehicles parked there, they though empty boosted our
confidence that we were now the right path .
As we were climbing uphill
the view was getting better . Finally we met two boys. We just inquired with
them if we were on the correct path to which they replied that we were.
The boys told us that
there is a short cut from there. Short cut 30 minutes, long cut 1 1/2 hours. We
decided to take the short cut. Another blunder. The short cut was at a 70
degree angle on loose soil , no doubt , that we reached the top faster but it
did test our stamina and reduced our water supply. It took its toll on me
for sure.
Finally we reached the
patch where both the long cut and short cut meet. We rested there to for some
time. I gathered energy to take me to the top.
Our next stop was at the
place where a local was selling thand gar nimbu pani. Cold lemon water. 10
bucks for a glass. We had a couple of them. We inquired with him in regards to
directions to the fort. To this he replied that in another 15 minutes we would
reach the village. There is a hotel there that caters to food water and
lodging. Impressive.
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| Hanuman Temple carved in the rock |
There is a Hanuman
temple carved in the rock.
We then headed off and
reached the hotel in 30 minutes time. The climb was easy. Whenever a villager
gives you an estimate of time do add another one hour to it, to be on the safer
side.
We met other fellow
trekkers here. Some who had spent the night here exploring both Prabalgad and
Kalavantindurg .
We refilled our water
supply here, inquired about the food and then headed off to see Kalavantindurg.
The time was now 12 noon and the sun was doing what it does the best. Heat up.
We were feeling the heat.
We located a cave on the
way up. Though it was a man made one, one has to crawl in. We didn't crawl in
as it smelled awful and to top it, none of us had a touch.
The climb started
getting steep. 60 degree climbs over rocks and loose soil. Finally we reached
the place, the meeting point of Kalavantindurg and Prabalgad.
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| A cave on the way to Kalavantindurg |
My body gave in. I
couldn't climb further. My stamina was over. I didn't have the energy to go
further. We had reached the place which had steps cut in the rocks to reach the
top. The one I had seen in photos.
Nelson and I decided to
stay back while Nimish and Soumil decided to go on. A rocky patch and the steep
80 degree climb via the steps cut in the rocks.
The best part is that
the steps camouflaged with the rock. So you couldn’t figure where they are from
the place where we were standing.
Nimish and Soumil headed
off to the top. They told us that they reached the rocks on which the flag was
posted. They couldn't climb as it was huge and steep.
The return was scary as
per them cause of the steep steps. With fear dangling over their heads and with
a lot of precaution they made it safe and sound down to join us for some
snacks.
They were so shit scared
that they didn't take any snaps up there.
As the time was around
1:30 pm we decided to head back to the village to have lunch. I had a hard time
getting down due to the loose soil and small stones. But we managed to get to
the hotel by 2:30 pm.
We had lunch there in
the form of pitla bhakar along with potato vegetable, pickle, salad and papad
in our thali. Similar to what we had in Panhala Fort in Kolhapur. They also
served gauti chicken. Though we didn't try it. The food was yummy and tasty.
When you are tired anything edible is tasty. The lunch bill totalled to
Rs.360. Water is served free of cost, even refuelling is free.
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| Lunch |
After a heavy lunch we
decided to rest for around 20 minutes. We decided to kick start at 3:15 pm.
"No short cuts guys" to which they readily agreed. As it had taken
its toll on our legs.
Checked with fellow
trekkers and they told us that the climb to Prabalgad though not steep but was
long and winding. It is a plateau with no fortification but it was huge. They
told us that it would take us an entire day to see the entire fort.
We departed on time
though we went down slowly. The journey was fun and less stressful. Finally we
reached the base.
There were wonderful
bungalows constructed there. Nelson immediately said that he wouldn't mind
retiring and spending time here.
We looked up towards
Kalavantindurg to see the place where I had given up. The divide between both
forts. Prabalgad looked massive from here.
We then headed off to
Thakurwadi village to board a bus to Panvel. We confirmed with the villagers
and they informed us that the bus is at 6 pm. The time now was 5 pm on my
watch.
We sat near the temple,
watching the village children play. The children played in the mud,
constructing roads for themselves with mud and small rocks which they towed in
a handmade wheel barrow.
The time was 6:15 pm and
there was no sign of the bus so far. It was also getting dark. We could only
hope that the bus comes, as that was our only mode of transport to Panvel
station.
Finally we heard the
sound of the engine in a distance; we kept our fingers crossed hoping to see
the bus to take us to the station. And there is was, our prayers were answered.
We boarded the bus at 6:45 pm.
We reached the bus depot
at 7:20 pm. The return ticket cost us Rs. 60. The cool breeze let us take a
short nap in the bus. So was feeling a bit refreshed.
The moment we reached the
bus depot we raced to the railway station to board the train. As it was a
Sunday we knew that the trains would be crowded and they were, to top it they
were running late by 20 minutes. I boarded the 7:50 train to CST to alight at
Vadala to board a train to Andheri.
Finally we got into our
respective trains to take us home. I reached home at 10 pm.
I was a little
disappointed with myself that I couldn't climb Kalavantindurg. I take this as a
challenge to climb both Kalavantindurg and Prabalgad in my next trip.
