GHANGAD FORT

OVERVIEW

District : Raigad
Hill Range: Lonavala
Height above sea level : 2565 feet approx
Difficulty rating : Hard
Base village : Ekole
Nearest Railway Station: Lonavala
Approx. time to reach the top : 1 hr from base village
Google Map Co-ordinate : 18°32'45"N 73°21'32"E 

How To Reach

The way to reach Dhangad is from Sahara valley - Ambavane. Moving further ahead is a village called Bhamburde, which is nearly 40 km away from Lonavla. Then another 20 min. walk from village takes you to the Ekole village. Ekole is the base village for the fort. A foot track will lead to temple of godess Garjai in another 20 min from base village. In this temple there is a Shilalekh which says ‘Shree Garaai Maharajachi and Kille Ghangadachi’. From the left side of this temple, there is a col to be climbed which is between Ghangad and adjoining hill. Proceed while keeping your back towards col keeping the cliff of Ghangad on to your left. Further you will reach to a steep patch of 15 ft. It is advisable to carry long rope to climb it, which will directly take you to the fort. A bastion can be seen little ahead. Make your way through dilapidated gate adjoining this bastion.

Other way is from Mulshi before Tamhini take a right towards lonavala and reach Bhamburde, this is a bumpy ride and not recommended for the meek ones.

Place To Stay / Eat

Accommodation Facility :
There is no accommodation facility on the fort. But around 20 people can be easily accommodated in the Garjai temple.

Drinking Water Facility :
Water is not available on the fort.

Food Facility:
Food is not available on fort, Trekkers need to arrange for the food on their own.

Places Of Interest

On entering the fort one will come across two Rock cut caves right in front of you. Floor of these caves are uneven and not suitable for sleep. Turning right one will sight massive chunk of rocks detached from the cliff in a strange way. Under this massive rock there is an idol of goddess Waghjai. A cave ahead of it contains water.

Turning back walk towards left side of entrance and reach a rock face. Climbing up a rock patch of about 10 to 15 feet one will reach rock-cut water cistern. Moving towards little left, one need to climb a rock patch. One will also find bolts on the rock for tying rope. On reaching top one will come across 5 - 6 rock cut caves. Two or three of them contains water. The remaining has better surface to camp for 10 - 15 ppl.

A little ahead there is a crumbled entrance. After reaching this door one will reach old armoured bastion

The view from the top is great; you can see telbaila rising from the plateau, Sudhagad to the left of Telbaila and Sarasgad at a distance. On the other side you can see the backwaters of Mulshi Lake, also Nandand Ghat, Savashnicha ghat and Bhorpaychi Nal, which descend to Kokan.