SHIKHAR VEDH :: Rajgad to Torna Range Trek on 8-9 November 2014

Dear All,

 

We @ शिखर वेध has arranged much awaited Rajgad to Torna Trek on 8-9 November 2014
Cost of the event :: Rs 2000/- per head

.Brief Introduction about Rajgad / Torna:-

Height:  4182 ft / 4200 ft
Grade:  Medium/Medium 
Time: ~ Maximum 2 / 3 hrs from base villages Gunjavane / Velhe
Location: Pune

RAJGAD – The name describes the place itself. The King of all the forts. 
It is to the south-west 40 Kms from Pune. It boasts the highest number of days stayed by Chhatrapati Shivaji on any fort. He spent almost 25/30 yrs here. Rajgad is famous for its construction. The fort can be divided into four different parts based on geographical terrain and fortification. These are the three sub-plateaux (Machee) namely Padmavati Machee, Suvela Machee and Sanjevani Machee, and at the centre is the Ballekilla. 

Padmavati Machee (north end) : This machee is the site of Padmavati Temple, Padmavati Lake, Chor Darwaja, Pali Darwaja, Gunjavane Darwaja, Daru Kothar (storage of arms and ammunition), Diwankhana, Rajwada (ruins), Ghod Tale (Horse Lake), Sadar (office) and Dhalkathi (flag hoisting place).

Sanjeevani Machee (southwest/west end) : This huge, beautiful and royally constructed machee faces west and has a three-stepped (layered) fortified structure. Each of the lower levels is separated from the higher one by a fortified bastion with a gate that could be defended independently. The lowest level is beautifully fortified by double curtain walls (chilkhathi) separated by a deep trench, on average 12 feet across. One can walk between these walls. The outer wall has openings to let soldiers out for sudden attack.

Suvela Machee (south east) : This is another grand machee facing east with lots of secret routes and doorways. This one is a double-stepped fortified machee with the steps separated by a beautiful bastioned doorway. At the end of first step a hole cuts across the rock; one can sit in this hole (nedhe). The final (lowest) step like Sanjeevani Machee has a double curtain wall. To the south side of this machee one can see a beautiful triangular bastion called Kaleswari buruz having an escape door near it. The home of the renowned military leader Tanaji Malusare was in this machee.

Bale Killa (centre) : This is the highest part of the fort which has remains of palaces, water cisterns and caves. It has a beautiful entrance door called Mahadarwaja. One can view the whole fort and the vast surrounding expanse.

TORNA :- The fort is also known as Prachandagad (huge fort), due to its massive size. In 1646, when Shivaji was 16, he launched his first military attack by capturing Torna fort, paving the way for the great empire. Many battles have been fought on this fort. The fort is truly grand and stretches for couple of kilometers.

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14:00 Hrs : Descend

16:30 Hrs : Refreshment - Tea
17:00 Hrs : Start return journey back 2 Mumbai by private vehicle
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The Estimated expenditure of the trek is Rs 2000/- per head, which includes Travel expenditure from Dadar 2 Dadar by private vehicle, 3 veg meals, Refreshments & Tented accommodation