The Utterances of a Peculiar Mindset

Here is account of my Rajgad trek this Sunday in Ritin's words...


Hello friends..

This Sunday's trek was one of the most memorable one I did so far. It went like a mega event which has all twists, turns and excitement...

Changing the trek venue is kind of becoming norm these days for us, living upto the dictionary meaning of the word TREK. But this time it was for good reason. Though we had decided to go to Vairatgad, after talks with couple of friends from Satara side, I concluded that it will be too risky to go that far on bikes given the heavy rains and landslides.So I decided at night that we will change the venue in morning.

Morning was accompanied by heavy rains...I was in catch 22 situation--should we do it or should not we- then vijay called up asking how many r going- I asked shld we postpone it to next Sunday-he said the rains will make it more enjoyable (was not he right !!!)-dinesh had already started for SWAR GATE.

It was expected to be a group of 10+. Finally it was only 4 of us- Myself, Vi jay, DDineshand Sonal. Since the sstraightwas less, we decided to go by VVi jay'scar..such a solace it was given the menacing showers..

Thus started our excursion..then we tossed coin to decide about the venue- no it was not SHOLAY coin- between ROHIDA and RAJGAD- the coin suggested RAJGAD (thaz what I wanted)- so we started for RAJGAD at 7.30 am.

The route we took was Swargate-Narsapur-Gunjawne. Gunjawne is the base village of RAJGAD. The journey was rreallyexciting..greenery everywhere-water pools, streams, waterfalls every now and then..At one point, a stream was flowing well over the bridge, almost 1.5 ft, with very strong current. So we had to turn back and take another route..Fortunately substitute route was available- this was thru' something called as Patbaba Chi Morey..if u understand Marathi- We had to cross a very narrow, long dangerous bridge over river Gunjawane.

We reached Gunjawane village around 9.30 am. after some pohas, vada pavs tea n coffee n all, we started hiking for the fort..needless to say our shooting, video n still, was going on uninterrupted...we post these asap..

This proved to be one memorable hike..to begin with it looked like cakewalk..we were whistling..giggling..singing n all..really it reminded the immortal "Suhana Safar Aur Ye Mausam Hassien song"...so we decided to take a narrow path in the direction of one of the Machi's. It was probably Suwela Machi..There r three Machi's on Rajgad Suwela,Padmavat iand Sanjiwani..We had taken the Gunjawne Darwaja route...which we would later discover was the toughest..

We had to cross more than a dozen powerful streams which would form a waterfall few meters down the line..one mistake and u would get drowned in the powerful stream and fall from the waterfall..the track was full of thorny trees..u must see my palms..we could see the mmachi'sbut soon discovered that the route we had taken was too unwinding and it was raining heavily throughout. As such crossing the streams was dangerous and the water was swelling continuously..we decided beating retreat was the only option..

Then we came aacross some hell of a challenge..one stream, which was followed by a very high waterfall, was too difficult to cross. water current was too strong to negotiate. we spent 15 mins thinking what to do.. something had to be done fast..waiting was not going to help..water level and pressure was soaring continuously.. I decided we should jump and cross the stream..as it was some 6 feet..but was not easy..had to take risk..I took a deep breath and actually jumped across..I landed on my toe..though was not hurt too much..my jump was successful...but others were too scared to emulate me..u shld ask Dinesh... sonal was the braver one..we put a bamboo across..vijay and dinesh were holding it from one side..me from another side..and the gal started moving across..only to loose grip..for a second she was gone...but for my firm grip..I managed to pull her back..seeing her trauma Dinesh said "I will not cross this stream".. so I went upwards, asked them to move parallelly on other side and showed them narrower sections which Dinesh n Vijay cld cross...fortunately we all met again on another side, alive, one piece..that was something...

The descent was again full of criss crosses..
We reached the the base village around 4.00 pm..took steaming, delicious village food (u should take it from one Purohit family)..

Now getting to our car was not an easy thing.

One needs to cross a 25 feet long narrow bridge before entering the village. In the morning itself it was flooded, so we had to park our car before the bridge.
When we were about to leave, the water over the bridge was something to be seen..the villagers advised us against crossing it ..many of us, including villagers, visitors were stranded on both the sides..we waited for some time hoping that the water will recede ...it was not to be..it started raining again..waiting anymore meant spending night in the village.. so we decided to form human chain and with great courage..u can say so..crossed the stream..I cannot describe in words the intensity of those moments..

Finally we started the return journey..again we had to cross lots of flooded bridges..one supposedly simple excursion gave us so many experiences..

though we enjoyed thoroughly, not actually visiting the fort was a dampener..

some time soon..

look forward for the snaps,

Cheers,

Ritin