The Great Escapers

 Salher is a place located near Waghamba in Satana tehsil in Nasik district of Maharashtra, India. It is the site of the highest fort in the Sahyadri mountains and the second highest peak at 1,567 metres (5,141 ft) after Kalsubai in Maharashtra and 32nd highest peak in Western Ghats. This was one of the celebrated forts of the Maratha Empire. The money acquired after raiding Surat was brought to this fort first on its way to the Maratha capital forts. 

According to a legend, Lord Parshuram did his Tapascharya at Salher Fort. After winning the earth and giving it as donation, he made land for himself to live in, by pushing the sea back with his arrows, right from this place. The twin fort Salota (4986 feet) is very near to Salher. 

An ancient and historically significant place like this is also famous for its battles during the reign of Shivaji. 

Salher Fort was under Shivaji Maharaj in 1671. The Mughals attacked the fort in 1672. Almost one lakh soldiers fought in this war.[1] Many soldiers died in this battle but finally, Shivaji Maharaj won the battle of Salher. Of all the face-to-face battles between the Mughals and Shivaji Maharaj's troops, the battle of Salher takes first place. Such a big battle was not won before. The bravery and strategy used by the Maratha troops in the battle spread far and wide and increased Shivaji Maharaj's fame further. After winning Salher, the Marathas also captured Mulher and established their reign over the Baglan region. In the 18th century, the Peshwas occupied this fort and later by the British. 

Battle of Salher-The fort of Salher was captured by Shivaji Maharaj in 1671, during his campaign of the Baglan region. This news reached the Mogul emperor in Delhi. He got incensed with this news and said "I have sent lakhs of cavalry but they have come back shamefully, now whom do I send?" The emperor then decided "As long as Shivaji is alive, we are not leaving Delhi". He then called Ikhlaas Khan and Bahlol Khan and sent them with a cavalry of 20,000 horses to attack Salher. Ikhlaas Khan then laid siege of Salher Fort. When this news reached the Maharaj, he sent message to his Commander in Chief Prataprao through his secret agents "Go to Salher with your troops and drive off Bahlol Khan". He also sent a parallel letter to Moropant Peshwa to go from Varghati Konkan along with his troops and meet Prataprao near Salher. As planned, both Prataprao and Moropant rode to Salher from both sides and a fierce battle ensued. 

Writings of Sabhasad Bakhar describes it as follows: "There was a fierce battle throughout the day and night, Mughals, Pathans, and Cannons, Elephants, Horses and Camel troops fought alongside each other. The battle was so fierce that the dust which was raised by the troops rose up in an area of 3 km and the troops could not recognize who was fighting on which side. The Elephant troops arrived and both sides saw 10,000 troops perish and blood flow like rivers". The Marathas defeated Ikhlaas Khan and Bahlol Khan in this bloody battle, which saw tremendous destruction all over. There were 1,20,000 troops of Raja Shivaji and it returned 10,000 less, lost in battle. 

Shivaji's troops captured 6,000 horses, 6,000 camels, 150 elephants, heavy gold ornaments, gold coins and expensive cloth from the enemy troops. The maratha soldiers showed extreme courage during this battle. Moropant Peshwa and Prataprao Sarnaubat exchanged pleasantries. Suryarao Kakde became a martyr during this battle. He fell after being hit by a cannonball. He was no mere soldier. A soldier who was as brave as "Karna of the Mahabharata" lay dead on the battlefield. 

Of all the face to face battles between the Mughals and Shivaji's troops, the battle of Salher takes first place. Such a big battle was not won before. The bravery and strategy used by the Maratha troops in the battle spread far and wide and increased Shivaji's fame much higher. After winning Salher, the Marathas also captured Mulher and established their reign over the Baglan region. This battle is looked as a milestone in establishing the Maratha Empire. After the battle, Shivaji became a nightmare for the Shah of Surat. 

The nearest town is Taharabad, it is 112 km away from Nashik via Satana. The climbing to Salher fort can be started from village-Waghambe, Salher or Maldar. It requires equal time( 2 hrs.) and effort to climb from either of the three villages. However, from Waghambe, it is a regular path which reaches in the saddle between Salota and Salher forts. Night camping can be done either at the top of Salher fort or in Forest Camping rest house at village Salher. There are no good hotels or shops in either of the three villages.

 Daulatabad Fort, also known as Devagiri or Deogiri, is a historical fortified citadel located in Daulatabad village near Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. It was the capital of the Yadava dynasty (9th century–14th century CE), for a brief time the capital of the Delhi Sultanate (1327–1334), and later a secondary capital of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate (1499–1636).  Around the sixth century CE, Devagiri emerged as an important uplands town near present-day Aurangabad, along caravan routes going towards western and southern India.[6][7][8][9] The historical triangular fortress in the city was initially built around 1187 by the first Yadava king, Bhillama V. In 1308, the city was annexed by Sultan Alauddin Khalji of the Delhi Sultanate, which ruled over most of the Indian subcontinent. In 1327, Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq of the Delhi Sultanate renamed the city as "Daulatabad" and shifted his imperial capital to the city from Delhi, ordering a mass migration of Delhi's population to Daulatabad. However, Muhammad bin Tughluq reversed his decision in 1334 and the capital of the Delhi Sultanate was shifted back from Daulatabad to Delhi.[11] In 1499, Daulatabad became a part of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, who used it as their secondary capital. In 1610, near Daulatabad Fort, the new city of Aurangabad, then named Khadki, was established to serve as the capital of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate by the Ethiopian military leader Malik Ambar, who was brought to India as a slave but rose to become a popular Prime Minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate. Most of the present-day fortification at Daulatabad Fort was constructed under the Ahmadnagar Sultanate.

The area of the city the hill-fortress of Devagiri (sometimes Latinised to Deogiri). It stands on a conical hill, about 200 meters high. Much of the lower slopes of the hill has been cut away by Yadava dynasty rulers to leave 50-meter vertical sides to improve defenses. The fort is a place of extraordinary strength. The only means of access to the summit is by a narrow bridge, with the passage for not more than two people abreast, and a long gallery, excavated in the rock, which has, for the most part, a very gradual upward slope.

About midway along this gallery, the access gallery has steep stairs, the top of which is covered by a grating destined in time of war to form the hearth of a huge fire kept burning by the garrison above.

 At the summit, and at intervals on the slope, are specimens of massive old cannon facing out over the surrounding countryside. Also at the midway, there is a cave entrance meant to confuse the enemies.

The fort had the following specialties which are listed along with their advantages :

No separate exit from the fort, only one entrance/exit - This is designed to confuse the enemy soldiers to drive deep into the fort in search of an exit, at their own peril.

No parallel gates - This is designed to break the momentum of the invading army. Also, the flag mast is on the left hill, which the enemy will try to capitulate, thus will always turn left. But the real gates of the fort are on the right & the false ones on the left, thus confusing the enemy.

Spikes on the gates - In the era before gunpowder, intoxicated elephants were used as a battering ram to break open the gates. The presence of spikes ensured that the elephants died of injury.

Complex arrangement of entryways, curved walls, false doors - Designed to confuse the enemy, false, but well-designed gates on the left side lured the enemy soldiers in & trapped them inside, eventually feeding them to crocodiles.

The hill is shaped like a smooth tortoise back - this prevented the use of mountain lizards as climbers, because they cannot stick to it.

 Bidar Fort is a fort situated in the Bidar, Karnataka, India. The fort, the city and the district are all affixed with the name Bidar. Sultan Alla-Ud Din Bahman of the Bahmanid Dynasty shifted his capital from Gulbarga to Bidar in 1427 and built his fort along with a number of Islamic monuments.[2][3] There are over 30 monuments inside Bidar fort.

Bidar city and fort are located on the edge of the Bidar plateau, the northernmost in Karnataka state. The plateau area, comprising low laterite hills, ends to the north at the Manjira River, a major tributary of the Godavari River. The Karanja River, a sub-tributary, drains the surrounding low-lying areas and feeds into the Manjiri River. Bidar district comprises the only part of the Godavari basin in Karnataka.[7]

Geologically, Bidar district is predominantly Deccan Trap with underlying layers of gneiss emerging along the eastern boundary.[6] The plateau has an altitude of 2,200 feet (670 m), and measures 22 miles (35 km) in length and 12 miles (19 km) in width at its broadest. The plateau encompasses a total area of 190 square kilometres (73 sq mi).[2] Bidar fort is built in the form of an irregular rhombus on the edge of the plateau with sheer walls built along the North and the East.

The ancient capital Kalyani (Basavakalyan) of the Western Chalukya Empire is situated about 40 miles (64 km) to the west of Bidar.

 Lohagad ("Iron Fort") is one of the many hill forts of Maharashtra state in India. Situated close to the hill station Lonavala and 52 km (32 mi) northwest of Pune, Lohagad rises to an elevation of 1,033 m (3,389 ft) above sea level.[1] The fort is connected to the neighboring Visapur fort by a small range. The fort was under the Maratha empire for the majority of the time, with a short period of 5 years under the Mughal empire.

Lohagad has a long history with several dynasties occupying it at different periods of time: Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizams, Mughals and Marathas. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured it in 1648 AD, but he was forced to surrender it to the Mughals in 1665 AD by the Treaty of Purandar. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj recaptured the fort in 1670 AD and used it for keeping his treasury. This fort was used to keep the loot from Surat. Later in Peshwa time Nana Phadnavis used this fort for living for some time and built several structures in the fort such as a big tank and a step-well.The lohagad fort also has caves on its south side facing Lohgadwadi.

Harihar Fort is located in Nashik district of Maharashtra, India. Harihar Fort is also known as Harishgad or Harshgad. Harihar Fort is situated about 43km, 51km, 48km from Nashik, Kasara and Igatpuri respectively.

Nirgudpada and Harshewadi are the two base village for Harihar Fort. Harihar Fort is a popular place among adventure lover due to its 80-degree rock-cut stairs. Harihar fort provides a great view of Brahmagiri, Brahmaparvat, Anjneri Parvat, Bhaskargad, Fani Hill and Utwad. Harihar Fort was constructed to keep watch on Gonda Ghat Trade route.

Sarasgad (Marathi: सरसगड किल्ला) fort is situated near village Pali in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. Pali lies about 10 kilometres East of Nagothane along the Nagothane-Khopoli road. This fort height from sea level is 490 meters.

Sarasgad Fort is the twin of Sudhagad Fort. It can be identified by its four pinnacles and thus was mainly used as a watch place to check the surrounding region. The construction of the fort is now not in a good condition but the huge rock steps are something to be seen. On the way from the south, there are 111 steps carved in stone. The door from this side is known as 'Dindi darvaja'. There are two routes that lead to the top of this fort from Pali.

गडावर जाण्याच्या वाटा

पाली गावाला लागूनच असलेला सरसगड त्याच्या कातळमाथ्यामुळे अधिकच बेलाग झालेला आहे. समुद्रसपाटीपासून ४४४ मीटर उंचीच्या सरसगडावर जाण्यासाठी पाली गावातून उत्तर आणि दक्षिण अशा दोन बाजूंनी मार्ग आहे. उत्तरेकडील वाट तलई या लहानशा गावातल्या रामआळीतून गडावर जाते. गणपती मंदिराजवळून म्हणजे देऊळवाड्याकडून जाणारी वाट चांगलीच रुळलेली आहे. एका वाटेने चढून दुसऱ्या वाटेने उतरणेही सोयीचे आहे. दक्षिणेच्या बाजूकडील कातळमाथ्याला एक मोठी नाळ आहे. नाळेतून ९६ भक्कम पायऱ्या चढल्यावर मुख्य दरवाजा येतो. मध्यभागी असण्याऱ्या वाटोळ्या सुळक्याभोवती चक्कर मारता येते. या ५० मीटर उंचीच्या बालेकिल्ल्याच्या तळाशी टाकी, तळी, कोठ्या, गुहा, तालीमखाने आहेत. याच गुहांमधे पांडवानीही वस्ती केली होती असे म्हणतात.

 Lonavala, a popular hill station in Maharashtra, India, is especially enchanting during the monsoon season. The rains bring lush greenery, flowing waterfalls, and misty landscapes, making it a perfect getaway. Here are ten must-visit places in Lonavala during the monsoon:

1. Bhushi Dam

• Description: A popular spot where visitors can enjoy the overflow of the dam, creating a natural waterfall.
• Activities: Relaxing in the cascading water, picnicking.

2. Tiger's Leap (Tiger Point)

• Description: A cliff-top with a drop resembling a tiger leaping into the valley.
• Activities: Scenic views, photography, enjoying the mist and fog.

3. Rajmachi Point

• Description: Offers a panoramic view of Rajmachi Fort and the surrounding valley.
• Activities: Trekking, photography, enjoying the verdant landscape.

4. Lonavala Lake

• Description: A serene lake that fills up during the monsoon, surrounded by greenery.
• Activities: Boating, relaxing by the lakeside, picnicking.

5. Kune Waterfalls

• Description: One of the highest waterfalls in Maharashtra, cascading down in three tiers.
• Activities: Viewing the waterfall, nature walks, photography.

6. Karla and Bhaja Caves

• Description: Ancient Buddhist rock-cut caves with intricate carvings and stupas.
• Activities: Exploring the caves, learning about history, trekking.

7. Pawna Lake

• Description: An artificial lake popular for camping and scenic views.
• Activities: Camping, boating, relaxing by the lake.

8. Lohagad Fort

• Description: A historic fort with well-preserved structures and panoramic views.
• Activities: Trekking, exploring the fort, photography.

9. Duke's Nose (Nagphani)

• Description: A cliff resembling the shape of a snake’s hood, offering breathtaking views.
• Activities: Trekking, rock climbing, enjoying the view.

10. Visapur Fort

• Description: A large fort adjacent to Lohagad Fort with ruins and scenic vistas.
• Activities: Trekking, exploring historical structures, enjoying the monsoon greenery.

Tips for Visiting Lonavala in Monsoon

• Travel Preparedness: Carry rain gear, wear sturdy shoes, and be cautious of slippery paths.
• Health and Safety: Stay hydrated, carry insect repellent, and be mindful of leeches in some areas.
• Timing: Start your day early to make the most of daylight and avoid afternoon fog and mist.

Lonavala transforms into a lush paradise during the monsoon, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers, trekkers, and those looking to escape the city’s hustle and bustle.

 Visapur Fort (also called Visapoor Fort) is a hill fort near Visapur village in Maharashtra, India. It is a part of the Lohagad-Visapur fortification.

It is located in Pune district, 5 to 6 km from Malavli Railway station out of which 3 km is steep road. It has an elevation of 1084 meters above sea level.[1] It is built on the same plateau as Lohagad.

It was built during 1713-1720 CE by Balaji Vishwanath, the first Peshwa of Maratha Empire. 

Visapur fort was built much later than Lohagad but the histories of the two forts are closely linked.

In 1818, when reducing the Peshwa's forts, the strength of Lohagad and its fame as the treasury of the Maratha kingdom, caused the English to make special preparations for its attack. A detachment of 380 European and 800 native soldiers, with a battering train, summoned from Konkan, were joined by artillery from Chakan, and two other British battalions. On 4 March 1818, Visapur was attacked and occupied.

Making use of its higher elevation and proximity to Lohagad, the British troops set up their cannons on Visapur and bombarded Lohagad, forcing the Marathas to flee. Thus, in 1818, Lohagad-Visapur was taken over by the British in 1818 AD and placed under the command of a Colonel Prother. Considering, the strategic importance of Visapur, both the north (Konkan) and the south (Deccan) gateways were blown up, and except a few huts, nothing was left standing. In contrast, most of Lohagad fort is still intact.

 Malang gad (also called Shree Malang Gad), is a hill fort located in the Matheran Hill Range, Raigad District, Maharashtra. The fort is located at about 789 m above the sea level.

Malanggad was built by the King Naladev of Maurya Dynasty in seventh century. The fort was initially captured by the Marathas in the 17th century and was later conquered over by the British.

Ketakars were the Kiladar’s of the fort, which is of Shri Malang Wadi Village.

Nearby Kalyan East 15 km, the reinforcements arrived in early October as Colonel Hartley and Captain Jameson and their troops advanced on Malanggad and finally defeated the Marathas.

Malanggad is built on three levels. The lowest level is a plateau which is 1000 feet broad and 2500 feet long on which stands the Dargah of a Sufi saint - Haji Malang. At the other end of the plateau is the Panchi Pir which lies almost at the edge of the rock and is named after the five pirs who accompanied Shree Malang Gad.[2] This plateaus is called Pir Machi.

The next higher level is called the Sone Machi as it is the lower part of the fort. This is a projection of rock which is 70 feet broad and 100 feet long. It is shaped like an elephant trunk.[2] It has a parapet wall with bastions on two sides but there are no machicolations to fire at an invading army.

The highest level is the Citadel which is 200 yards long and 70 yards broad. This is the summit of the hill and has no fortifications. The water supply is from five cisterns at the top of the hill with a copper pipe to carry water to the lower levels.

Shree Malang Gad is different from other forts in Maharashtra. Whereas other forts have several gates and multiple watchtowers, art of the main gate itself. With a wall with no machicolations to fire at the enemy and no fortifications, Shree Malang Gad is one of the few forts to depend completely on natural aspects of the hill to defend itself.

In Thane district of the state of Maharashtra a king by name "Nal Raja" ruled. The atrocities on the common folk and the havoc created in his state by the demons reached unbearable proportions. The cry from the oppressed had reached to God and God ordered Baba Malang to pay a visit to the place from where these crimes against the society are committed and to ensure safety and wellbeing of the common man by eliminating these demons.

Baba Malang and his followers reached the small village called Brahman wadi near this mountain. On reaching, he felt very thirsty and asked for water from a house belonging to a Brahman Ketkar Family. The Brahman, realizing that Baba Malang and his followers are tired, arranged for a place to rest and offered them Milk instead of water. This holy act of the Brahman was duly appreciated by Baba and he blessed him. He took leave from the Brahman in order to complete the work ordered by the God at the earliest.

They found a small and cleaner place where Bakhtawar wanted to put so Baba Malang blessed him, and said 'that during "Kali Yuga" this place will be known as "first Step" and will be treated as sacrosanct.'

According to legend the King and Queen have been turned to stone and even today are stoned by believing public. A climb to the mountain includes being carried by a rope across two peaks for Rs. 20.00. After this you carry on climbing and try to stone the peaks and it is believed that if your stone hits one of the peaks then your wish will be granted as long as you do not wish for the throne of Delhi.

 Kalavantin Durg is a 2,250 ft (686 m) high summit located in the Western Ghats, near the Prabalgad fort in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India. It is also known as Kelve Teen, Kalavantinicha Sulka, or Kalavantin Pinnacle; alternative transliterations include Kalawantin, Kalavati, and Kalavanti. It is a popular trekking destination.

There is a series of steps leading to the top of the pinnacle, but little is known about the history of structure. According to local guides, it was built for a queen called Kalavantin in the 15th century, around the same time as the neighbouring Prabalgad.[1]

In Marathi language the word "Durg" means fort. Although it is called as "Kalavantin Durg", there is no fort. Kalavantin is a pinnacle which was used by the ruler to have watch on surrounding area.

The trek to the top of the Kalavantin Durg is considered one of the most challenging ones in the Western Ghats. The summit is accessible via a 3 km hike from the Thakurwadi village in Karjat taluka. After Prabalmachi village (2 km from Thakurvadi), the hike route diverges into two paths: the shorter one towards Kalavantin Durg, and the longer one towards Prabalgad fort.[2] The route to the Kalavantin top is a roughly 60-degree incline, and involves climbing rock-cut steps that are as high as 2 feet.

Kalavantin Durg is a perfect one day trek (I Will does not recommend it for beginner trekkers). one can easily reach Kalavantin Durg from Panvel railway station. Kalavantin Durg and Prabalgad and close by so one can complete both the forts in one day. The base village of  Kalavantin Durg and Prabalgad is Thakurvadi Village. From Panvel, ST bus, private auto, TumTum, and taxies are available. ST bus has a very poor frequency so I suggest hiring an auto or taxi (Depends on how big is your group or you can find some trekkers on the way who are going to the same location and then you can hire an Auto/taxi. it will cost you Rs 100-150 by an auto/taxi. 

from the base village (Thakurvadi) one has to walk from 3-4 Hrs to reach Kalavantin Durg. at the Start, you will have to pay Rs. 50 per person as an Entry frees. Here they will check your bag and Cigarettes, lighter/ matchbox, Alcoholic drinks, Sharp weapons are strictly prohibited. 

If you have any other doubts, please ask me in the comment box. Thank you. 

 Bhramhgiri,  Bhramhgiri Trek, Trimbakgad, Nashik, Fort, Durg Bhandar, Godavari,  त्र्यंबकगड किल्ला

Brahmagiri is a mountain range in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. It is situated in Nashik District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple is located near this place. The origin of the sacred Godavari river is near Trimbak. It flows for 1,465 kilometres (910 mi), first eastwards across the Deccan Plateau then turns southeast, entering the West Godavari district and East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, until it splits into two watercourses that widen into a large river delta and flow into the Bay of Bengal.

Brahmagiri (1298 meters) is to the west of trimbakeshwar and this fort offers a commanding view of the Jawhar Mokhada region of Thane district. Trimbakeshwar itself is a place of worship because it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

From Trimbakeshwar, through regular steps, Ganga dwar is reached and the Gorakshanath cave which is end of Trimbakeshwar. Now again while climbing down, there is a road going towards Brahmagiri towards right. Following this route one reaches the carved steps in the rocks. The steps are very good even in the recent times. They were blown off by Britishers in 1818 but later on, they were rebuilt somewhere before India gained independence. From the base village, Brahmagiri is around 450 to 500 meters elevated

From base village, it takes 45 minutes to see Ganga dwar, the Gorakshanath caves and 108 Swayambhu Mahadev caves and in the halfway while descending, the road towards Brahmagiri takes you till the top in around 45 minutes and almost 2 hours to see the fort completely. There are 2 temples on this fort the place which is believed to be the origin point of Godavari river. From here, the river flows till Ganga dwar and then towards Kushavart teerth in Trimbakeshwar village.

One can reach this place by an ascent of about 750 steps made on concrete. There is a shrine dedicated to Goddess Ganga. The river appears here as coming out from the mouth of Nandi. Kolambika Devi temple and a group of 108 shivalings are seen nearby.

 Jivdhan (or Jeevdhan) is a hill fortress situated 1 km near the modern day town of Ghatghar in Junnar Taluka of Pune district in Maharashtra, India. The fort, which rises 1,145 meters (3,757 feet) above sea level, is located in the Sahyadri mountain range. The fort was looted and destroyed by the British upon siege between 1815 -1818 Jivdhan is a part of the 'Famous 5' trekking destinations among trekking enthusiasts. Chavaand, Hadsar, Shivneri, and Naneghat are the other destinations in the Famous 5 trek. This is a high difficulty grade trek due to the misleading jungle tracks and the necessity and knowledge of using climbing equipment. The rock cut steps are wonderfully carved, which lead to the kalyan gate. There are hooks attached on the walls of the rock cut steps near kalyan gate, which makes it easy for regular climber.

“Kataldhar Waterfall Trek” gives us the immense pleasure of Trekking. “Katal” means the wall of Rock & “Dhar” means a Waterfall.

Located close to Lonavala, the Kataldhar trek takes about 4-5 hours to get to the waterfall. You'll start your trek by walking along a road that cuts through tropical forests. The waterfall is not too far from Rajmachi. Take on the challenge of an adventurous route | Traverse a dense forest filled with the sounds of nature. 

Kataldhar is a waterfall near Lonavala in Pune district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. This waterfall is not so famous because reaching the valley is somewhat difficult and requires basic trekking experience. Water is not available there for the whole year, but a good amount of water falls during the monsoon season.

Kataldhar Waterfall is located near Rajmachi Fort. To get there, find 3 mango trees on the Rajmachi Trekking route, at which point you can descend the Ulhas valley through dense forest. After reaching Kataldhar Waterfall you will see one eye shaped cave that could easily accommodate 100 people. At this cave, you will see Rajmachi Fort (Srivardhan Fort Balekilla).

The height of Kataldhar Lonavla is about 350 feet with an overhand of more than 100 feet. 

 Ever heard of an ancient defense system that reveals the enemies intentions just through their whispers and movements? This episode takes us to the Golconda fort and Gol Gumbaz to highlight the ancient acoustic systems in place.

 Naneghat, also known as "Nane Ghat," is a popular trekking destination near Mumbai and Pune, particularly appealing during the monsoon season. Known for its historical significance and stunning natural beauty, it is an excellent trek for beginners. Here’s all you need to know about Naneghat:

Historical and Cultural Significance

• Ancient Trade Route: Naneghat was an ancient trade route connecting the coastal Konkan region with the Deccan plateau. Traders used this pass to transport goods.
• Inscriptions: The pass features ancient Brahmi inscriptions and carvings that date back to the Satavahana dynasty, making it historically significant.

Location

• Proximity: Naneghat is located in the Western Ghats, about 120 km from Mumbai and 120 km from Pune.
• Starting Point: The trek typically starts from the village of Vaishakhare on the Kalyan-Ahmednagar highway.

Trekking Experience

• Trail Difficulty: The Naneghat trek is considered easy to moderate, making it suitable for beginners. The trail is well-marked and relatively straightforward.
• Trek Duration: The trek usually takes around 2 to 3 hours to reach the top, depending on your pace.
• Elevation: The pass is at an elevation of approximately 2,600 feet (800 meters).

Scenic Beauty

• Views: The trek offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, valleys, and the Konkan plains. The views are especially breathtaking during the monsoon season with the lush greenery and mist.
• Naneghat Caves: At the top, there are ancient caves and rock-cut water cisterns. The most notable feature is the large rock-cut pot used to collect tolls from traders.
• Flora and Fauna: The region is rich in biodiversity, with dense forests, various species of birds, and butterflies.

Best Time to Visit

• Monsoon Season (June to September): This is the best time to visit Naneghat. The rains transform the landscape into a lush green paradise with numerous small waterfalls and streams.
• Post-Monsoon Season (October to February): The weather is pleasant and the skies are clear, making it ideal for photography and enjoying the views.

How to Reach

• By Road: Naneghat is accessible by road from both Mumbai and Pune. Drive to Vaishakhare village, which serves as the base village for the trek.
  • From Mumbai: Take the NH61 to Vaishakhare village.
  • From Pune: Take the NH60 to Alephata and then follow local roads to Vaishakhare village.
• By Public Transport: Buses and trains are available to the nearest towns, such as Kalyan and Junnar. From there, you can hire a local taxi or take a bus to Vaishakhare village.

Preparation and Tips

• Trekking Gear: Wear sturdy trekking shoes with good grip. Carry a raincoat or poncho during the monsoon season.
• Essentials: Pack sufficient water, snacks, a first aid kit, and insect repellent.
• Safety: Trek in groups, stick to the marked trails, and be cautious of slippery paths during the monsoon.

Additional Attractions

• Jivdhan Fort: Located nearby, Jivdhan Fort is another trekking destination that can be combined with Naneghat for a more adventurous experience.
• Malshej Ghat: Known for its scenic beauty and numerous waterfalls, Malshej Ghat is another nearby attraction worth visiting.

Guidelines and Etiquette

• Respect Nature: Avoid littering, respect the local flora and fauna, and carry back all your waste.
• Local Customs: Be respectful towards the local communities and their customs.

Naneghat offers a perfect blend of history, natural beauty, and adventure, making it an ideal trek for beginners and nature enthusiasts. The monsoon season, in particular, enhances the experience, providing a refreshing and picturesque environment.

 Tailbaila is also known as Telbaila or Telbail is a village and also a watch tower or so called fort nearby. It is a dyke structure consisting of twin walls separated by a V cut and temple. Perfect place for steep free rock climbing activities. Road conditions bad from Saltar Pass or Bayaji Khind.

One can also go to Savashini Ghat to Sudhagad and Waghjai Ghat to Thanala Caves

Easy trek till the temple but rock climbing will require ropes for safety. Contact some professional groups to climb. 

Tail Baila is a village in Mulshi taluka[1] of Pune District in the state of Maharashtra, India.Talukas surrounding the village are Karjat taluka, Talegaon Dabhade Taluka, Mawal taluka and by Khalapur taluka. Districts closest to the village are Raigad district, Thane district, Mumbai City district and Mumbai Suburban district. Nearest railway stations around the village are Vadgaon railway station, Begdewadi railway station, Lonavala railway station, Talegaon railway station and Kamshet railway station.