Ratangad the Jewel of all forts & Trek to Pravarotri, the origin (उगम ) of River Pravara.
7 of my friends decided to explore one of the most beautiful forts of Nasik region on 22 September 2019, Sunday.
↑ Photo credits: my friend with DSLR even in the rains, SM ↑
Grade: Moderate, as the trek is long and the climb is steep. The rock patches have fixed metallic ladders, that make climbing them quite safe. There are lots of river crossings and small streams in between and one may have to wade through waist deep waters. A guide may be required.
The blog post is divided as follows:
1) HOW TO GO? 2) TIME LINE. 3) EXPERIENCE. 4) EXPENSES.
HOW TO GO?
Kasara > jeep > Ratanwadi & Amruteshwar temple > trek > Ratangad & same way return.
Base village: Ratanwadi has Amruteshwar temple.
The GPS map route from Ratanwadi to Ratangad top is available here on Google Maps and Wikiloc.
TIME LINE:
21/09/2019, Saturday. 23:15 start from home.
22/09/2019, Sunday. 00:30 train to Kasara. 03:30 reach Kasara & start the jeep journey. 07:00 reach Ratanwadi. 08:45 trek starts from Ratanwadi. 12:20 reach Ratangad top. 14:40 backtracking (return starts). 17:45 reach Ratanwadi. 18:15 return journey from Ratanwadi to Kasara starts by jeep. 20:45 reach Kasara. 21:15 train starts from Kasara.
23/09/2019, Monday. 00:30 reach Dadar. 01:30 reach home.
EXPERIENCE:
↑ Photo credits: my friend with DSLR even in the rains, SM ↑
It was bitter sweet, in one word. Did water enter my phone or did I enter the water with my phone, is the big question. There are many river crossings in between. I wanted to use my mobile for photography as usual. The cool waters of River Pravara was clear and had varying levels at different locations, ranging from ankle deep to waist deep. I selected the deepest part and was enjoying how the soothing effect of being in the flow. My friends were shouting, but I heard something like "mobile, your mobile." I was in bliss, completely unaware of the commotion. Then I realised. The mobile phone was in my trouser's pocket and the pocket was under water. All my hopes to enjoy photography were crashed. I switched it off and kept it in my bag, knowing that was the end of an era and rising of the new sun.
↑ Water in the phone or phone in the water? ↓
I had taken a few photos, before the tragic comedy struck. So sharing a few photos and the rest were shared by my friends - AS, Capt.AA, SM, AP, DD & CK.
↑ Morning glory ↑
↑ Photo credits: Capt.AA ↓
↑ Photo credits: Capt.AA ↓
↑ Base village, Ratanwadi. ↓
THE TREK STARTS FROM RATANWADI NOW:
↑ Photo credits: Capt.AA ↓
↑ Photo credits: Capt.AA ↓
↑ Photo credits: my friend with DSLR even in the rains, SM ↓
↑ HARISHCHANDRAGAD PHATA / jUNCTION OF RATANGAD & HARISHCHANDRAGAD: Observe the mile stone. The route to the left in the photo below, goes to Harishchandragad if one treks for 12 hours more. Photo credits: my friend with DSLR even in the rains, SM ↓
↑ Photo credits: my friend with DSLR even in the rains, SM ↓
↑ Photo credits: my friend with DSLR even in the rains, SM ↓
↑ Photo credits: SM ↑
↑ Photo credits: my friend with DSLR even in the rains, SM: In the needle’s eye (hole in the mountain)/ नेढे ↑
↑ Photo credits: my friend, DD ↓
↑ Photo credits: Capt.AA ↑
↑ Photo credits: my friend with DSLR even in the rains, SM ↑
↑ Photo credits: Capt.AA ↓
↑ Photo credits: Capt.AA ↑
↑ Insectivorous plant, Blaaderwort - Photo credit, my friend AS ↑
Enjoy the 1-minute video showcasing the उगम or origin of Pravara River on the summit of Ratangad.
↑ Photo credits: SM ↑
EXPENSES:
70/- rickshaw. 105/- train ticket. 715/- shared jeep (5000/7). 5/- parking (30/7 at Ratanwadi). 85/- snacks.
(15,000/- lesson learnt, mobile lost).
Total = (15) 980/- in our usual non-commercial TTMM way.