If you staying in Pune and it's rainy season then your mind will take you to beautiful Mountains & Waterfalls
But in Rainy season places like Lonavala, Khandala, Mulshi and Tamhini Ghat are heavily crowded on weekends, then you will like to opt out a less known place.
After thinking a lot I started reading the list of Forts which I haven't explored, during that time I came across a Fort called Mrugagad.
Name sounds different and it took my attention.
I saw its pics on Google, I liked it and came to know it's rarely known, less people visit it, so I decided to explore on coming weekend.
Details From Pune given below
Name - Mrugagad
Difficulty Level - Easy
Time required - Max 2 hrs
Base Village - Bheliv
Distance from Pune - 120km
Best time to visit - Rainy season
I read about this place on Tuesday, packed my bag on Wednesday itself and was very eager for upcoming weekend as it was going to be very beautiful.
Things to Carry
* Waterproof Bag
* Min 2 Water bottles
* Snacks like Wafers, Farsan, Chips
* Energy drinks like Glucose
* Fruits
* Extra pair of Clothes
* Shoes
* First aid kit
* Mobile, Camera on Personal risk
* Plastic bag to cover your mobile and camera
Started my journey early morning, it was drizzling and I was lucky it wasn't raining harsh, start of the day I felt day is lucky n gonna be great.
On the way only I had breakfast and before reaching the base Village I came across a name plate Umberkhind.
As I know history a bit, I remembered, There was battle in Umberkhind and it was fought between Shivaji Maharaj and Kartalab Khan.
As it was on my way I decided to do it and Pay my tribute to Brave Marathas
Finally reached the base Village Bheliv, parked my car in started taking info about the route.
The villagers told, the route is easy, I just need to follow the markings which were made by trekkers, it sounded good and easy
I decided to follow the instructions and started following the markings, the markings took me through dense forest, the forest was very dense and very beautiful and after 20 mins I came to a place where I need to start ascending the fort.
The ascending was easy and there was one rock patch and way was narrow and was between the 2 rocks, anyway I had the experience of trekking so it wasn't a big challenge so I passed easily.
As I was ascending, rising above the ground I started seeing the forest from top and beautiful mountain range with waterfalls.
After some time I completed the first part of Ascending, there I saw a way, the way was towards cave, reaching the cave was very challenging and Thrilling, should be done only by Experienced Trekkers.
After that there was a beautiful rocky stare case which starts the beginning of 2nd Phase of Ascending.
Within no time I got on top of fort, the fort was small and nothing to explore, but it's one of the most Beautiful Photogenic place, so I spent most of my time in clicking.
I had my lunch as carried it. I took rest for some time and started descending.
Descended in half hr, reached the car and took rest for 20 mins and started my Journey towards Umberkhind
Umberkhind
Umberkhind is the place where battle was fought between Shivaji Maharaj and Kartalab Khan.
This battle was in dense forest where just 1000 Marathas defeated 20000 Mughals.
For more details please read it in Google, after reading you will definitely feel proud to be part of Maharashtra.
Umberkhind has only the Monument of Victory over Mughals and as it was raining season there was a Water stream.
I checked the depth of water it was not over the knee so I played and enjoyed in water stream.
At the end of the day I payed my tribute to the Brave Marathas and moved towards my home.
The place is small and one of the most beautiful and should be in list of every trek lover.
Keep Travelling, Keep Trekking and Keep Enjoying.
I would like to end with below Words...
“Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets”
“Don't listen to what they say, go see”
