#rajgadtornarangetrek #rajgad #torna
We were planning for the Rajgad Torna range trek for a long time. Finally we decided to go for it in January last week. A day before the trek, We stayed at the Padmavati devi temple on Rajgad.
At around 7 in the morning, we left the Padmavati Machi. We reached Vyagrah mukh exploring Fortification on Sanjivani machi. Vyaghra Mukh is a architectural structure of the entrances designed for protection. Here we can exit the fort from Alu darwaja.
After exiting Machi, Need to take a u turn and reach the last bastion of Machi. From here the path to the right leads to Torana. Rock patch next to Sanjivani machi need to be descended carefully. This patch is not that difficult. People who come to the fort from nearby villages to sell buttermilk and water bottles come up this way.
After descending the steep rock patch near Sanjeevani Machi, one has to go up and down 2-3 small hills till Pali - Bhutonde mountain pass. Looking back from this route, you can see magnificent Sanjeevani Machi and Balekilla of Rajgad.
After about 2.5 hours we reached Pali Bhutonde pass. Here you have to cross the tar road and take the path to the other side of the hill. Many trekkers call their vehicles to put their extra luggage in it. There is definitely an advantage of having less luggage when climbing the rock patches of Torna fort.
On the way further, in some places, the path goes through bushes and shadows. As trekkers come on weekends, people were selling buttermilk and water at 3-4 places on the route.
The route from Rajgad to Torna is prominent. One should walk straight without leaving the path in front to the Torana. After walking approx. An hour from Pali Bhutonde pass, we reached god's place in the forest. Mr. Mahadu Kachare's house/hotel is 15 minutes away from here. This is the only house in the entire trek from Rajgad to Torna. One can get food/ meals here. We arrived here at eleven o'clock. We had poha and tea here. Filled empty water bottles. Overnight stays can also be arranged here.
Keep plenty of water with you for this trek. From here, there is no water anywhere on the way till Bale killa of Torna. Meals can be arranged near the Padmavati temple at Rajgad. Sharing person's mobile number from Rajgad who can arrange meals.
In this trek, a total of 15-16 small and big hills has to be crossed. The trail from Rajgad to Torana is one of the most scenic trails.
We stopped here for an hour and a half and left at 12 o'clock. After climbing the small hill for 20-25 minutes, we started walking towards the torana from the mountain ridge.
Now the Fortification wall on the torana, the Radtondi bastion and the Budhala Machi were clearly visible. Rajgad was far behind. There are no trees or shade anywhere along the way.
After walking for about an hour and a half from Mahadu Kachare's house, we reached the foot hill of Torna. From here the rock climb of Budhala Machi begins. The initial climb is a bit slippery. Going further, one has to climb the steep rock patch carefully under the Radtondi bastion. There is a ladder.
Coming up from here, the path that leads to the left from the Radtondi buruj leads you to the railings near the Balekilla. This route takes about 1 hour to reach Balekilla. The rock patch where railings gets started, is a bit difficult and tricky. so one has to go cross and climb it carefully.
Going further, we enter the fort through the Konkan gate. After visiting the Mengai Devi temple and Zunzar machi, we started descending the torna from Bini Darwaja. It took 2 hours to descend the fort.
We left the Padmavati temple at 7 am and reached the Alu Darwaza within an hour.
At about 9:30 we crossed the tar road in Pali-Bhutonde pass Around 11, we reached Mahadu Kachare's house.
About 2 hours from there we reached the foothill of Budhala Machi. From here we climbed the steep patch & ladder and reached the radtondi bastion by 3 pm.. It took us 7 hours to reach the Radtondi bastion of Torana from Rajgad and 1-1.5 hours to reach Balekilla from Budhala.
We have taken 5-6 short haults of 10-12 minutes in the entire trek.
This complete trek of 12-13 kms requires a lot of endurance to cross 15-16 small and big hills and climb difficult rock patches on the Torna. So only those who have good trekking experience should do this trek.
24 сен 2024
