Dear All,

शिखर वेध, has arranged Trek to Malhargad, Jejuri & Purandar – Vajragad near Saswad, Pune on Sat-Sunday 20-21 October 2012
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Hope to c u on trek :-)

Details r as follows

Brief Introduction about Malhargad / Jejuri / Purandar – Vajrgad :

Height: 3100 feet/ 2355 feet/ 4472 feet
Grade: Easy
Base Village:Sonori / Jejuri / Narayanpur
Location: Pune region

Malhargad : Malhargad is a hill fort situated around 30 km from Pune. Malhargad is also known as Sonori fort because of the village Sonori situated at its base. It was the last fort built by the Marathas, Sardar Paanse. Hence it is also known as Tarun Killa. Tarun in Marathi means young and Killa means fort. The fort is believed to be built to keep watch on ‘Dive’ ghat along the Pune-Saswad route. The fort was built during the period of 1757 to 1760.

Jejuri: Jejuri is one of the famous temples in Maharashtra. Popularly known as ‘ Khandobachi Jejuri ‘ – it is one of the major Gods in Maharashtra. The God of Jejuri – Mhalsakant or Malhari Martand – is popular amongst the Dhangars. As the temple is on the hill, one has to climb almost 200 steps. But the climbing is not so tough and the wonderful view of Jejuri town is marvelous.

PURANDAR: The fort, being quite a huge one was a good place for defense. It had the capacity to house many soldier-troops, foods grains and ammunition which proved sufficient for long durations during wartime. Nonetheless, the fort hosts strong fortified places from which a watchful eye can be kept over surrounding area. The history of the Purandar fort goes back to the 13th century. The Bahamani Sultans in the 14th century built here some walls and bastions. From 1484 AD, for about a hundred years, the fort remained in the hands of the Nizamshahi rulers. In 1596 AD, the fort was given as Jagir to Maloji Bhosale, grandfather of Shivaji. However, Shivaji had to struggle very hard to establish his control over the fort in 1646 AD. In 1665 AD, Purandar was besieged by the mighty Mughal forces under the command of Jai Singh and Dilir Khan. In the ensuing battle Murar Baji Prabhu, the gallant commander of the fort, was killed. Shivaji, under a treaty, had to surrender to the Mughals his 23 forts, including Purandar and Vajragarh. At the lower fort a statue of Murar Baji Prabhu has been installed in his memory. Purandar was recaptured by Shivaji in 1670 AD Later it became a favourite retreat of the Peshwas. Purandar was captured by the British in 1818 AD. During the Second World War, the British kept here the German war prisoners. Dr. H. Goetz, one of the German prisoners, thoroughly studied Purandar and wrote a monograph on it. Maharaj’s son, Sambhaji, was born on Vaishakh Shudhha 12, Shake’ 1579, ie., 16th May 1657, Thursday on this fort.

Plan:

Mumbai participant can reach Pune by 12525 – Indrayani Express — Timings are as follows
05:40 Hrs : CST
05:50 Hrs : Dadar
06:10 Hrs : Thane
06:35 Hrs : Kalyan
07:15 Hrs : Karjat
08:50 Hrs : Shivaji Nagar
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From here by Local transport to Swargate bus depo
For comfortable journey ppl can book a reserved tkt in Train
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Option 2) Can catch Any MSRTC bus from Dadar around 05:00 hrs & reach @ Swargate Depo
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Note: Pune participant can directly meet us @ 09:30 Hrs @ Swargate Bus Depo
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Meeting point at Swargate Bus Depo, Pune @ 09:30 hrs sharp on Saturday 20th October 2012
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Saturday 20 October 2012
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09:30 Hrs: Departure from Swargate by ST
11:00 Hrs: @ Saswad
11:45 Hrs: @ Sonori by hired Tumtum
11:45 Hrs: Trek Starts
12:30 Hrs: Atop
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Rest, Lunch, EXploration 1.5 hrs maximum
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14:00 Hrs: Descend
14:45 Hrs: @ Sonori
15:30 Hrs: @ Saswad by hired Tumtum
16:30 Hrs: @ Jejuri by ST / Tumtum
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Visit Jejuri Temple, gad, Kade-Pathar till sunset
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Dinner (PURAN – POLI special ) & stay @ Jejuri

Sunday 21 October 2012

06:30 Hrs: Post Break-fast & Tea, Leave Jejuri
08:15 Hrs: @ Saswad by ST / Tumtum
09:00 Hrs: @ Purander base by hired Tumtum
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09:00 Hrs: Ascend
11:00 Hrs: Atop
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EXploration of Purandar & Vajragad for 3 hrs maximum
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14:00 Hrs: Lunch Time
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15:00 Hrs: Descend
16:30 Hrs: @ Base
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16:30 Hrs : Depart 2 Saswad
17:00 Hrs : @ Saswad by hired Tumtum
18:00 Hrs : @ Swargate by ST
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Departure 2 Mumbai by Asiad bus / by CAB / by Train from Pune station
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We will reach Mumbai by 22:30 Hrs on Sunday (Subjectively)
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The Cost of the trek would be Rs. 750/- per head
The above cost includes

Travel from Swargate to Swargate by ST bus / Tumtum
2 Refreshments + T ( Saturday evening & Sunday Morning)
1 Dinner (Saturday – Puran Poli special) + 1 Lunch (Sunday) (Veg only )
Shikhar Vedh charges

Maximum 30 seats

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Deposit Rs. 500/- (Non-Refundable) advance on following A/c for Food, Stay & vehicle booking

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Name: JAGADISH GOVIND PATIL

ICICI Bank A/c No.: – 026801521464

Vartak Nagar Branch, Thane (W)
Last date for registration: – Tuesday 16th October 2012, 5 pm OR Till the reg. gets full
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Things To Carry: -
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A Water Bottle (~2.5 Ltrs) ( a must)
Lunch for Saturday (a must)
Bedding – sleeping mat/bag (a must)
Torch with extra cell ( a must)
Raincheater (Optional) for those who don’t want to wet
Camera, Cell Phone (Optional)
Pls avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments
Some ready to eat food. Plum cakes, Biscuits etc.
Medicine those if u require usually (Optional)
Extra Pair of clothes,
Good trekking shoes,
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A haversack to put all these things
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For confirmation pls reply here or do contact on
Jagadish Patil (Organiser): 09869369836
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Leaders for the Trek :-
Supriya Chaudhari: 09881843813
Mahesh Gavasane: 09820636634
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Also join us @
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Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/shikharvedh/
Website: http://shikharvedh.org/