2006-09-17T09:25:00.000+05:30

At a height of 2200 feet, Sudhagad trek was our first real monsoon trek this year. Sudhagad can be accessed from Paachapur village, about 24 kms from Pali. From Mumbai, take the Goa highway, take a left at Nagathone and 8km inside is Pali. Pali is also famous for one of the Ashtavinayak temples.

History

Sudhagad fort is believed to have been in existence since 200 BC. The Bhora devi temple on top is said to have been built by Sage Bhrug Rishi. The rulers of Bhor dynasty were worshippers of Bhoraidevi.

The first reference of Sudhagad is in the year 1436 when the Bahamani Sultan won over the fort. In 1657 the fort came under the control of Marathas and the name was changed from Bhorapgad to Sudhagad.

Read an interesting blog of Ashish Tiwari about this trek here.

2006-07-30T09:15:00.000+05:30

Getting ready at the base village.

Rains started as we reached the base. Few of us had rainwear. For the rest, a large plastic sheet which we were carrying were cut and makeshift ponchos were made.
Traversing the plains near the base village
Warm-up climbs
The short climb on to a small peak takes us to a ladder

Rain lashes again as we cross the ladder, forcing everyone to get back into the rain gear. Showers were intermittent making us shift between in and out of rainwear far too often
A few kilometers ahead we come across the traces of the fort. A series of dilapidated and steep steps, between two ridges take us up
Deep, down below the valley is the river with its muddy gushing water. The water is muddy since it has been raining non-stop on the top

After climbing for another 10 or 15 minutes, we stop for lunch and rest for some time

Simply amazed at the nature's beauty
The climb continues through the misty mountain trail...

passing water falls, streams and slippery rocks

Reaching the plateau on top. A long walk for another 10 minutes looking for an old structure and temples
View of adjacent mountains and valleys

with countless number of water falls and lush greenery
After some hot tea (a couple of people / tribals live on top who will cook for trekkers provided the provisions were given to them) we take a stroll in the plains and then relax, enjoying the drizzle and winds

The area near the temple is dotted with hundreds of tombs and mounements. Supposedly of many warriors and their wives who practiced 'Sati'

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 2

Day 2 started with the exploration of the fort. It was misty and visibility was near-zero
Old dilpidated structures were storage areas for either food or arms and ammunitions
After about 45 minutes of walk, we started descending down through one of the sides. There was a pathway, which took us to a darwaza in the middle of the forest. This was the route used to get elephants from the base to the top of the mountain

A huge entrance at the middle of the forest was a bit scary. Stone walls were constructed along the steep slopes of the mountain.

Back on top, after breakfast we set out to explore the 'Chor Darwaza', those secret exit passages in many a forts that is used by the soldiers to escape only to make a gureilla assualt later on their enemies

Climbing down through narrow forest paths and slippery rocks, we again discover a stone wall. Through the sides we walk to a sudden, deep trench which takes us right through the wall
A few feet below, we emerge out through the other side of the wall with a deep valley and a narrow path down

The steps, right through the wall
Back after exploring the Chor Darwaza

Through the plateau on top, during our return journey. Seen far is the Taelbilla or the wall mountains
The return journey
Taking each step carefully
A break

After reaching at the base, we decided to move to the other side of the village, searching for the stream. And half-way, we loose our way

Finally, we make it to the stream and spends a couple of hours in the water