harshad : Children

Friday, January 27, 2023

Malhar Gad, Last and smallest fort built by Maratha Empire

Malhar Gad

Situated just 30 kilometres from Pune, off Pune Saswad Road, Malhar Gad which is also called Sonori Fort because it is situated very close to Sonori Village, is a small yet beautiful fort close to Pune. It holds the distinction of being the last fort built by the Maratha Empire. This fort is accessible by car to one of its bastions and also by a trek starting at Sonori village, which can be accessed by car or a bus (from Saswad).

Grade of the Trek.

This trek is considered an easy trek suitable for children also.

How to Reach.

By Car - When one goes by car, following Google Map, after crossing Dive ghat. one goes through Kalewadi village and then up to the parking very close to the entry at the rear of the fort through the "Chor Darwaza".

By Trek - If one wishes to trek by foot, the trek starts from the village Sonori village, a few more km down the road after crossing Dive Ghat beyond the turn for Kalewadi. Sonori village also has two more attractions, namely, Sardar Panse Wada with six watch towers (Mostly in a dilapidated state but it has got two temples worth visiting) and Shri Krishna Temple. An easy trek over a ridge takes the trekkers to the fort. To reach the fort from here, one can climbe up to this fort along the ridge of the hill and thereafter moving along the side of the tower to the main gate of the fort. One can climb up the fort along the ridge of the hill, and moving along the side of the Tower, we reach at the entrance door of the fort.

Note - I have followed the Kalewadi route. The information about Sonori route is researched on Internet.

About this Fort

Built in the year 1775 by Krishnaji Madhavrao Panse, Chief of Peshwa Artillery, this fort was meant to keep a watch on Dive Ghat as it was those days. Thorale (Elder) Madhav Rao Peshwa is said to have visited this fort.

There are only a few structures on this fort including one well, one step well and two temples (in fairly good condition) dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Malhari Martand (Hence Malhargad). The Foundation of a Mahal also is visible within Bale Killa (Inner Fortification). A Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Bust is carved on a rock in this Bale Killa.

Food and Water

Please carry your own food and water since these are not available on the fort. No natural shelters also exist there. Food and water are available on the Pune - Saswad road.

Virtual Trip to Malhar Gad.

First Glimpse

Small Climb from Parking

Chor Darwaja (Secret Door)

View for a Gun Position

View from the fort

View from Malhargad

View of the winding road to the fort

Lone Sentinal

One of the Step Well inside

Saffron Flag on an Outcrop outside this fort, Photographed as if it is flag of Japan

Swarajya Dhwaj

Bust of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the fort

Door to Bale Killa, viewed from inside

Shri Malhari Martand Mandir

Another view

Deep Stambha (Lamp Post)

Mahadev Mandir

Bale Killa Door as seen from outside

Bale Killa Seen from the wall of the main fort

Two Bastions on either side of Mahadwar. See also the protective wall in front of the door

Protector Bastion of Maha Dwar

A well

Fort Wall

Bale Killa Bastion

Maha Dwar of Malhargad

Friday, February 11, 2022

A Wonderful Day Trip from Pune - Weekend Idea - Bhigwan Kumbhargaon Bird Sanctuary

Looking for Flamingos - Bhigwan has the answer

Where is Bhigwan?

Bhigwan is about 100 km from Pune on Pune Solapur highway. The drive from Pune to Bhigwan takes about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes.

The road beyond the Pune City limit is 4 lane NH 65. This road is divided with adequate beam cutting plants therefore the lights of the vehicles coming from opposite direction do not bother you. The surface of the NH 65 is very good.

Bhigwan is almost at the end of Ujani Lake, the backwaters of Ujani Dam on Bhima River, about 35 km downstream from Bhigwan.

Why is Bhigwan famous?

The year-round fame of Bhigwan is for the Tilapia Fresh Water fish that is the main catch of Ujani lake adjoining Bhigwan as also Bird watching and wildlife watching (more so, bird watching). Bird watching gets into another higher dimension in the months of December to March (and sometimes till end of April) every year when migratory birds like Flamingos, Painted Storks, Bar Headed Geese, etc make Ujani Lake their home in winters.

Kumbhargaon Bird Sanctuary

Just about 10 Km from Bhigwan, a detour of about 5 km from NH 65 is a small village called Kumbhargaon, this is where Kumbhargaon Bird Sanctuary is situated (Colloquially called Bhigwan Bird Sanctuary). It's a small village with a local atmosphere but a bit of modernity.

Visiting Kumbhargaon Bird Sanctuary.

There are many establishments conducting the boat cruise to watch the birds, native and migratory, into the Lake.

It would be prudent to search Google and identify a good Boat Operator cum home-stay owner. The advantage of doing this is, one, you can make an overnight program. Reach by Lunch, have lunch there, do evening boat cruise, dinner, night stay, morning boat cruise, and then return. The second reason to recommend this is, safe parking for your vehicle and the availability of toilets, etc when one reaches there even if just for one boat cruise.

All such people can serve rustic but authentic breakfast and meals. They have boats and guides and the facilities like parking and toilet are complimentary.

Planning a Visit.

Those coming from Pune have four good options to visit the Bird Sanctuary. Two options are little tough ones and the other two simple ones.

(a) Option 1 - Leave at 4 am, reach Kumbhargaon around 6.30 am. Start the cruise around 7 am. tour lasts 1 hour 30 min (can be done for 3 hours if one is ready to pay double charges) and current charges are Rs 1000 for this trip. Leave for Pune post breakfast.

(b) Option 2 - (Needs advance room booking) - Leave Pune at around 4 am, reach Kumbhargaon by 0630. Do the first cruise starting at 0700, finish it in 1 hour 30 min (or double the time at double the cost). Have breakfast and lunch, relax in the booked rooms. Do another cruise starting at 5 pm. Post cruise, one may stay overnight and leave after night's rest the next morning or the same day without having dinner or post-dinner.

(c) Option 3 - Leave Pune around 1330. Rach Bhigwan town by 1530. Have lunch in the town. Reach Kumbhargaon by 1630. Do an evening boat cruise starting at 5 pm. Return to Pune post the cruise.

(d) Option 4 - (Needs advance room booking) - Leave around 1330. Lunch ay Bhigwan. Reach around 1630, check-in. First cruise at 5 pm. Dinner and rest post-return. Do another cruise in the morning at 0700. Depart for Pune post Breakfast.

Bird Watching and Photography.

The time spent on the boat cruise is used to do quality bird watching and photography (with advanced mobiles, everyone is a photographer today). If one owns a DSLR with an adequate zoom lens (zoom lens is never adequate as much zoom one may have, there will always be things beyond the reach of the zoom one has), this photography is even better fun.

What will you get to see and photograph? Here is my photo gallery for your to see (contributions are mine and of my daughter using DSLR as well as i-phone).