The trekkers were expected to gather at Panvel Railway station at 7:30. By the time, everyone gathered, it was 8:30AM. A subset of the trekkers are seen on platform number 1 (the rails are yet to be laid). We walked towards the bus stand, crossed the NH4 and reached Hotel Visawa. We had our breakfast and then crossed NH4 and reached the bus stand. The bus to Thakurwadi (the road head to Kalavantin Durg) came 15 minutes later.
Just before we reached Thakurwadi, and on the left side of the road, we saw a fancy set of tent like structures, and a wind mill. Near the top right corner of the photo, one can see the 'V' shaped cut in the granite hill range. The conical shaped hill to the left of the cut is our destination, kalavantin Durg.
A close up view; should be nice to stay for a day, if you can afford it :-)
We alighted the bus about 100m ahead of Thakurwadi proper. A board at the junction exhorts tourists to visit a resort. The V shaped cut is visible in this photo.
There were quite a few flowering plants on one side of the road. Someone has maintained the garden well.
A view of Thakurwadi village from a height.
There was a 6 year kid in the group. His presence helped me actually; the group walked up at a leisurely pace. The boy (Aditya) did manage to climb up without much grumbling!
Marketing strategy:
A flat stone on the road (bottom centre of the photo) was also used for advertisement!
A few hundred metres later, Shree Lakshman Ganu Shinde again draws your attention to his cullinary skills
There was a temple with idols of Lord Ganpati and Hanuman carved out of granite. Curiously, a red flag with a sickle was fluttering nearby! I had thought that communists are atheists :-(
A hero shows off his 'rock climbing' skills; his friend clicks a photo. A couple of girls are trudging up the hill around the rock.
A trekker is resting on a raised platfrom around a tree. Nearby are the remnants of a viewpoint.
There was a check dam to store water. People used to opportunity to cool themselves. The trekkers from Pune must have been specially happy since they are not used to the humid coastal weather.
Aditya playing with water.
Video: A panaromic view; our today's destination is visible at the end of this video.
Soon, we reached a plateau. Aditya is pointing towards the peak -our destination today.
A photo session is in progress. Both Kalavantin Durg (left) and the Prabal gadh (meaning: strong fort)(on the right) are visible.
On the edge of the plateau, Mangesh, the leader, is in a playful mood.
prabal machi village; there are about a dozen houses.
There is even electricity connection even though the supply is for a few hours in the evening. Note the dish antenna on the roof of a house.
Video: the trekkers took a break.
bajra is being dried in the courtyard of a 'house'. The walls of the house are nothing but intervowen reeds plastered with mud.
An obsolete petromax lamp hanging from a reed wall.
An elder man was sitting on the veranda of his house.
Three local kids were curiosly watching the trekkers. They were happy to receive a 'polo' each. Such an inexpensive candy gives so much pleasure to kids on this remote village.
Voice of a cock
Video: Aditya patting a lamb.
The team started moving up towards the V shape cut. There was a small field where paddy was grown.
Soon, the group reaches the col. People are tired; it is 1pm. They search for any sheltered place just to sit (crash) down.
Murli rajan grinning here!
The group starts climbing up Kalvantin Durg proper.
Steep, but well cut, steps.
At one point though, a step is too high (close to a metre high). Tall people managed it easily; others had to think of means of climbing (clambering).
Here is a clearer view of the step.
Aditya managed these steps well. At my age, I start wondering about the energy and agility of youngsters.
Steps viewed from top.
The hill range at the far end is Matheran!
The steps go the zig zag way.
Finally, we reach the top. Some have still enthusiastic enough to climb the last patch.
The rest are too tired to think of anything other than a shaded place to dump their body.
A mini dam on plains towards the Matheran
Aditya's father climbing up the last patch of granite rock to reach the top.
Chief at the first stage of climbing.
Chief seem to say: "OK, made it up to here". The drama was climbing up this moderately difficult patch was co-directed by (a) Aditya's father (with red shirt, standing at the top) and Mangesh (directing from the base). The lady with a hat adorned with a red ribbon is learning the 'ropes' of rock climbing. She is attentively listening to the leader; watch the gesture of her hands - imitating the holding of a rock hook.
Victoreeee!
A group photo on the peak of Kalavantin Durg : travelarks leader, Mangesh Halbe, is sitting in the front.
Video: A photo session is in progress. A panoramic view: prabalmachi village below; then comes the Prabal gadh; the, Matheran, and finally the group (dispersed after the final photo).
Prabal machi village velow. Further down is the Thakurwadi plains. Mangesh is sitting pretty (bindaas) at an edge.
Murli rajan on the edge, well near the edge :-)
Preetam flashing victory sign.
Video: The trekkers are enjoying the view on the peak just before getting down.
Video: Mangesh guiding trekkers climbing down from the peak.
Mangesh was the first to get down; he ran to the edge to pose for a photo!
Video: A trekker getting down the tricky rock patch at the peak of Kalavantin durg. Climbing down was scarrier than climbing up. Note how the young kid is managing!
Video: Aditya gets help at the last point. His daddy follows him down.
Video: Climbing down on slurry is a scary experience.
The team on the way down.
The team gives out a war cry
A group photo on the way down.
Mangesh was leading the team and was far down. So, he was not visible in the previous group photo. He was vociferous in expressing his displeasure. So, here comes a photo where others have moved to side so that Mangesh is visble. Of course, he deserves it.
video: "Shivaji Maharaj ki Jai. Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji"
Descent
video: I captured a lamb in the village that seem to be dozing
Video: The trekkers had their lunch at 4pm. A few crumbs thrown out attracted the attention of hens and tiny chickens.
We moved out of the village just befoe 5pm; we had to board the 6pm bus for Panvel. The next bus would be at 8pm. So, we had to walk fast. Rays from afternoon sun was getting reflected from small water bodies on the plains.
A view in the evening (~5pm)
video: a train of ants was crossing asphalt road!
Fortunately, we all reached the road a few minutes before the 6pm bus arrived. At Panvel, we had tea and dispersed. It was a good trek; I enjoyed it.
