Ratangad [26 - 27 July, 2008]

It was quite a while after we had been to Rajgad. So we started searching for a fort which we can visit in rainy season. In the list, Ratangad topped the list. So we decided to trek Ratangad.

I had a faint idea where it is situated but details were needed. Also we were in dilemma about the mode of commute [ST or Car or Bike]. So company friends and my trekking sir came to the rescue and we decided to go by car and route chosen was: Pune -> Sangamner -> Bhandardara -> Ratanwadi.

Date: 26 and 27th July 2008.

List of items to be taken with us was prepared and shared with the members [Vikram, Sajith and Mrigank].

We decided to leave by 5 AM and we left on time :) I had already topped up the fuel tank.

[We had this first break for loo just around Chakan.]

I was searching for air filling shop till Rajgurunagar and found one at last. The guy was in deep sleep with the doors of his shop open. When I tried to wake him up, he gave me the looks like "what is your problem?" Taking long time to boot, he came out of the shop and ordered me to take the car nearer his air filling pipe.
Journey resumed after that fun.

We crossed Chandanapuri ghat and located a dhaba where we had breakfast.

[Vikram looks drunk]

In Sangamner we were stuck in traffic for nearly 30 minutes. After passing the traffic jam, two policemen guided us to the correct path.

It was not raining till Rajur but the atmosphere was rainy. And once we started approaching Ratanwadi, it started getting merrier. Sajith and Mrigank deeply wanted to stop the car and enjoy the surroundings.

[Approaching Bhandardara]

Finally we reached Bhandardara and welcomed by a manned check post. We need to pay entry fees here [20 Rs/head, 50 Rs/car]. The man asked in low voice - "pawati banwaychi ka?" [Should I prepare the receipt?]. So got the receipt from him, he opened the gate and here we go! Off to Ratanwadi.

[A waterfall]

Reached Ratanwadi by 1130 AM. We were very happy to see much talked Amruteshwar temple and Pushkarini.

[Amruteshwar Mandir]

[Pushkarini]

These structures are Hemadpanthi. By doing a close observation of Pushkarini, I found that the cap like structures are nothing but the three pieces of carved stones assembled together [just put on top of each other]. It is awesome! Even the main temple looked like it is assembled.

So we set off to Ratangad after spending some time around the temple. It was not raining but atmosphere was cloudy.

[Off to Ratangad]

Folks in Ratanwadi started asking us whether do we need a guide. We were supposed to cross the river. So we took the left bank of river and started searching a fair place to cross. At one point Vikram found such place but water had quite a force. He entered first, then Sajith, Mrigank and myself. Don't know why Sajith took out his shoes and entered bare feet into the current. He had his shoes in his hand and at the same time he was holding hands with Vikram and Mrigank. I asked him to give shoes to me so that he can be comfortable. But few moments after it was difficult for me to hold on the shoes so I threw both of them on the opposite side of the river. Sajith was stunned. So we crossed the river somehow and later we learnt from Mr. Sajith that he removed shoes because he did not want shoes to get wet. We almost beat him :D

After walking for few minutes we realised that we may get lost into the woods. Just after we crossed the river, one farmer had offered to show us the way. So we backtracked and found him on opposite bank. He waved at us and told us to walk along the river till we meet him. So the deal was [after bargain], we pay him 100Rs and he will drop us till some obvious path and we can continue from there.

[Suryabhan was his name]

[Standing in chilled water was tough]

After a walk of 10 minutes we came across a beautiful waterfall [which was far away but looking nice].

Again, after a walk of 30 minutes we reached a metal ladder and astonished to see the way these ladders were installed. They were mounted on thin iron rods and these iron rods [which were bent at their base] were bolted into the rock. There were two ladders in all. The side railings of first one were virtually useless. They were completely loose, so one has to hold on the steps and climb. And the best part was, the last part of the ladder did not have side railings at all! See below.



Once I crossed first ladder I saw 2/3 guys along with two girls sitting in the space next to second ladder. One of the girls seemed to be completely horrified and the other one was trying to solace her. Both of them did not seem to intend to go further.

So we started to climb the second one now. This was scarier than the first one. I think the situation was something like what happens in computer game, the first level very easy to get you some practice. And it gets harder level by level. :)

So, the side railings of second ladder were not only loose but they were a bit tilted towards the valley and obstructing the climber. Not to mention the wobbling of both the ladders.


There was a entrance 15 feet above and a vertical rocky patch in between second ladder and the door. Now we reach the best part of the climb, transitioning from second ladder to rocky patch. The end of the ladder and start of rocky patch were not exactly matching / connecting and there was a torn metal sheet trying to join them. And it was all slippery including the surface of the sheet. You can look through the torn sheet and below is direct fall of minimum 20 feet to the base of second ladder. So you have to step on the bent frame of the sheet to jerk to the base of rocky patch while keeping your left foot on the side of slippery steps on your left and the end of ladder. You can get slight idea of all this by having a look at pictures below [taken from the entrance].


We crossed the entrance and took a pause after this episode and proceeded to a cave [Ratnawati cave] by climbing less scarier steps. The cave was just enough for four of us [10x10]. After sliding into warm cloths, we immediately pounced on the lunch boxes. And stopped only after tanks were full. Nobody was in position to waste time on taking snaps ;)

While we were busy having lunch, one of the primates snicked into our cave and was trying to take away one plastic bag [which was empty and lying near our empty sacks]. We had to shoo them away and be vigilant.

[Filled tummies are smiling]

After relaxing a bit, Vikram started getting disparate to have tea. We had his stove with us. So after playing with it for a while he was able to light it and we prepared tea. Bread and butter tasted awesome with it!

[Tea preparation]

[Time for some cleaning]

It was amazing that the mobile network connection was here too! Only Sajith had connection though. So we tried our hands on it!

There was not much to do because of raining and less visibility around. So we preferred to stay in the cave only. Eating, relaxing then again eating, relaxing cycle continued... :P

[Khichadi preparation]

We prepared "Khichadi". This was my first attempt to make it. Recipe was borne from my wife. So it was good.


Meanwhile Vikram was busy in trying to lit diya [Panati] and he succeeded.

[One of my many attempts to capture good image]

We also lit one more diya to make sure the cave is lightened enough for the night. This is to be able to see clearly if any monkey tries to do his job. But thankfully that did not happen except one mouse supposedly had a party with our left over food and bags. But in the morning we found that he only liked Sajith's shoe very much. All the night we were able to feel his movements around our bags.

Early morning started with much cold atmosphere.

[Mrigank was trying to do some stretching exercise.
According to him ;) ]

[T! T!]

We started to prepare to leave [9 AM] after having tea, since it was not much around to see due to bad weather.

[Our descent]

[Power of 12X zoom]

Reached Ratanwadi at around 11 AM.

[Small dam like structure at Ratanwadi]

[This lizard was trying to hide from me. Somehow shot him]

It was time to start return journey now [12 PM].

[Last look at Amruteshwar Mandir]

[Me, Mrigank and Vikram. Just before we started towards Pune]

[Me, Sajith and Vikram]

We reached Pune by 7 PM and lived happily thereafter...

All in all it was very good experience driving 480KM in two days [my best], climbing the fort. Out of all, "shidichi waat" entertained us the most. We will definitely try this again in one of the winters ahead...

For more/bigger photos, please click here.