"Traversing through a Life Away From Life” ... The Raireshwar to Mandhardeo Peak Ridge Expedition - DAY 1

Our team started from Mumbai on 2nd Feb 2006 night by State Transport bus for Bhor. The main objective of this expedition was to research on a strategically important mountain ridge route which spreads from one district to another, namely Pune district into Satara district, which was probably used prominently during Shivaji’s regime for defence purposes

Our trekking expedition route was Rairi village (Pune district, Bhor Taluka) -Raireshwar Plateau (fort Raireshwar) –Kenjalgad fort – Asre Khind (Pass) – Amobode Khind (Pass) – Mandhardeo Peak (Satara District, Wai Taluka), around 45 kms over the mountains.

 We reached Bhor via Pune early 3rd morning and caught a connecting bus to village Rairi, our base village from where our climb to Raireshwar fort would begin. We were lucky to experience a local Jatra – a fair, on our arrival. Locals from nearby villages come and set up stalls for the visitors. Stalls of sweets, toys, snacks etc are set up.After a brief visit to the Jatra, our journey into the mountains began with a steep ascent from the northern side of the fort, which was known as the Sambardaycha Vat. We had heavy rug sacks and the weight slowed down our climbing speed, along with the scorching sun. But our preparations were good enough to fight all hurdles. We made it to the top of Raireshwar plateau in 4 hours, to find quite a number of huts and the presence of electricity. 

 

 

We were welcomed by a villager,by offering us butter milk. Due to the increasing number of trekkers on this fort, the innocent villagers have now understood the scope for business and a new way of earning their livelihood apart from the seasonal farming. They offer food and lodging for the trekkers and pilgrims visiting the ancient 16th century temple, for a paltry sum of money. We talked to villagers and gained a lot of information from them. The evening was spent surveying the massive fort. Forts like Kenjalgad, Kamalgad can be viewed from the southern side of the fort, along with the Dhom Lake and the Panchgani plateau. As the sun came down, we pitched our tents near the 16th century temple. Children from the nearby village saw us pitching the tent, and thought it was a parachute which we were assembling. 

 

Innocent people, quiet mud houses, golden wheat  fields, with the sound of birds chirping and the crickets singing, astounding landscape all around, is what Raireshwar fort plateau is made up of, standing at an height of 4589 ft.

 

 

Team members:
Prateek Deo, Glean Gonsalves.
Date: 3rd Feb to 6th Feb 2006
Total approximate distance of trekking: 45 kms
We crossed 2 passes, 7 hills and 2 forts.