Yupp that’s exactly how our latest trek was… Though we were unsure if we could make it, now in hindsight, it seems like there was something which ensured that we completed this trek. On reaching what seemed like dead end every time, a new path would open which empowered us to go further. Read on for the whole story…
After changing the destination for the fourth time we zeroed in on Rajmachi for our next trek. Venue decided, all geared we set forth for our trek as usual at 5. 30 a.m. Rajmachi is a place near Karjat. It’s a 2 hour trek through the Karjat route which as per internet sources is supposed to be a difficult trek. Hence we took the option of the longer but easier route through Lonavala. We reached Tungarli near Lonavala from where the trek starts or rather the long walk to the actual trek starts.After some five minutes of an uphill climb we reached a huge wall, which we later realized was a dam built on the Tungarli Lake. We were lost at that point since we couldn’t see any fort or any sign for Rajmachi anywhere. However we went over the dam. The water of the lake was gleaming under the bright morning sun.
We chose to take the path on the right as we had no clue whatsoever and started our exploration.It was nice walk through the trees with a nice cool breeze blowing. We walked ahead till we reached a dead end. The path downhill ended on the expressway. We turned back, still clueless about the way to Rajmachi. And there was no sight of any human being. We thought we had reached some wrong place. By the time we reached the lake (which was about an hour after we began our journey in the wrong direction). We saw a group of students along with their professor/guide. The professor/guide seemed to know the place well, so we asked him the route to Rajmachi. He asked us to take the route on the left and keep walking across 3 mountain ridges till we reached a village at the foothills of Rajmachi Fort. We started our walk and passed a small village. Pra and Sachhu asked local security guard the directions to Rajmachi. I and Kalpi were walking behind when we heard him say “Rajmachi jaa rahe hai. Inki toh haalat kharaab hone waali hai” Little did we know how close to the truth he was. The walk started getting tougher as the road was strewn with stones. After covering the stony patch the road started to get boring. There was no sight of Rajmachi or even another specimen of the species Human Beings. The breeze also had stopped and the sun was also increasing its intensity. We took a break but our destination still seemed distant and out of reach. Our path seemed like going downhill and we wondered if we would have the strength to make the return journey uphill…The weather had turned arid. The place would have been nice for a monsoon trek as there were many locations which would have waterfalls during the monsoons. After walking for an hour, we were exhausted. The straight, unadventurous route started boring us and we thought of turning back. We stopped for lunch at one of the places which could be a waterfall during the monsoon. We saw the group of students going in the direction of Rajmachi. After lunch we were about to turn back and were thinking of other options. But then the thought of returning halfway pricked us… and since the other group had already moved on the way we decided to go ahead. And we walked till it seemed like ages.. with no sight of the fort….then after walking for another hour… we could see the cliff within a reasonable distance. We estimated that it would be around an hour’s walk further. This motivated us to move on. However the path wasn’t straight and soon we realized it was around the mountain. We walked nonetheless .. completely exhausted. The path then progressed into the woods from the barren lands amidst rocky mountains which we had passed. Soon we reached a point where the path split into two directions. There was no signboard around but someone had inscribed “Rajmachi” on a board of the forest development department. So we took the path on left. After the winding path through the woods we reached a clearing from where we could see our destination clearly. But the approach was direct but around another mountain. This was the final test of our stamina. We had even almost exhausted our stock of water. That’s when the group passed us again. With their guide shouting “wait at the end of the road. There is a stream there” Well even though we were sure there would be no water in the stream. We joked that perhaps the guide’s throat must have dried to scream ‘there is a dry stream ahead’J. Taking that as the motivation we moved on and yeah true to our guess it was a dry stream. The path seemed unending and all the motivation had almost disappeared. But there was no way that we could return, so the only option was to move ahead. Finally after what seemed like a decade we came across a shack at around 2 p.m. First we thought it was mirage. Since it happened earlier with us, we came across a temple under construction and we thought there is well. However later we realized it is only a wall. This shack seemed like heaven on earth where we could finally get water!!!. We quickly bought the Bisleri bottles available with the guy. (God Bless the concept of Rural Marketing) This was at the foothill of the mountains. There were two forts on the two peaks namely, Manoranjan and Srivardhan. We had given up even the thought of going to the fort. We were contemplating to take the Karjat route on the way back. That’s when the another miracle occurred. We saw a boy driving a Bolero through that path. We asked the shack owner if we could find a ride back to Tungarli. The boy happened to be his relative and after some negotiation we finally hitched a ride. That left us with enough time to rest and regain our strength and also to explore the fort which lay ahead. Around 3 p.m. we started the ascent for the 2710 feet. Midway we came across a tank which is the source of water to the villagers. As we moved further we came to a landing where there was a temple and some structures built opposite. It looked like some voodoo location. The final climb was bit tiring and taxing but we made it. As you move onto the next level. There are some caves which again have some idols placed so it must have been some temple. There is a lot of open place for camping at night during this trek. We trudged ahead till we reached the top. The sense of conquering the fort Shrivardhan combined with breathtaking beauty of the Sahyadri around us was truly outstanding. We finally did it!!!! And that called for a toast!!!! We had saved our last pack of litchi juice and it was apt for the celebration!!! The enterprising Pra cut the bottles into glasses… well some wine glasses (i.e the overturned top part of the bottle) and we raised the toast!!! A Toast to the Spirit of BOTI!!!!. BOTI Rocks!!!We began our journey downwards around 4:30 p.m and reached the shack “Heaven” by around 5:15. Our interim driver Praveen all of 17 years of age came with his Bolero. Now this guy deserves a special mention because had it not been for him we wouldn’t have made it to the fort and returned defeated or we would have to stay back at the village. The way he drove through the absolute rocky terrain and the difficult path up and the down the hills was truly commendable.
Finally we reached Tungarli, the point we had left our car at around 6:15 . All thanks to our little star Praveen.
On the way back we stopped over at Ramkrishna in Lonavala. A must visit place for its awesome food specially the bhurji pav and totally delightful dahi wadas.
Really proud of BOTI!!!! For the spirit and the determination!!!! One more fort Conquered by BOTI!!! Be ready Sahyadri… We are coming again soon!!! :)
