#caves – Desi Explorrer

Overview

Lohagad “Iron fort” is one of the many hill fort of Maharashtra State. Situated close to hill station Lonavla and 52km (32mi) northwest of Pune, Lohagad rises to an elevation of 1,033m (3,389ft) above sea level. The fort is connected to the neighbouring Visapur fort by a small range. The fort was under the Maratha Empire for the Majority of the time, with a short period of 5 years under the Mughal empire. Elevation:- 1,033m. Location:- Pune District, Maharashtra, India. Function:- Fortifications. Parent:- Western Ghats

History
Lohagad has a long history with several dynasties occupying it at different periods of time Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizam’s, Mughals and Marathas. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured it in 1648AD but he was forced to surrender it to the Mughals in 1655 AD by the Treaty of Purandar. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj recaptured the fort in 1670 AD and used it for keeping his treasury. This fort was used to keep the loot from Surat. Later in Peshwa time Nana Phadnavis used this fort living for sometime and built several structures in the fort such as a big tank and a step-well. The lohagad fort also has caves on it’s south side facing Lohagadwadi.

Geography and Climate
Lohagad is part of the Western Ghats. It rises to an elevation of 1,033m (3,389ft) above sea level, and is located to the south-west of the Visapur fort. The range divides the basins of the Indrayani River and Pavana Lake. Lohagad overlooks the Pavana reservoirs, located to the south of the mountain. The hills extends to the North West to a fortified spur, called Vinchukada (scorpion’s tail) because to its resembling shape. The four large gates of Lohagad are still in good condition and reasonably intact. During the monsoon, the top of the fort is covered with mist and clouds and becomes particularly wet with growing moss. The roads and trails leading to the hill are quite slippery at this time of the year and precautions are necessary to be taken while venturing the routes.

Accessibility
Lohagad fort can be accessed by various modes of travel. The nearest airport is the Pune International Airport. The proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport will serve as the nearest airport in the coming future. The nearest train station is Malavli, which can be accessed by suburban trains between Lonavala and Pune. The nearest major train station is Lonavla, on the Mumbai-Pune railway line. Lohagad is connected by the Mumbai-Pune Highway and can also be accessed from Paid via Kolvan and Dudhiware Khind for all vehicles. People can hike all the way to the fort. Bhaja caves is on the way to Lohagad if a small diversion is taken. This walk is particular favourite for trekkers, especially in the monsoon season. It is a simple, very scenic and pleasant trek and the distance from Malavli and Lohagad can be covered in around 2 hrs. A tar road exists all the way to the Top from Malavli station and one can hire a tempo or cap to the top. The best season to visit is monsoons it is absolutely safe and many vendors selling onion fritters and lemonade are present by the roadside. One can also cut across the hills as well.The fort has around 350 steps from the base, and it is not advisable to take a personal car as the road is single lane, sleep & very Bad. Variety of Insects can also be spotted in these hills.

Nearby attractions

Bhaja caves – 2km (1.2mi) from Malavli, once home to Buddhist monks.
Karla Caves
Lonavla 20km (12mi), famous and scenic hill station.
Aamby Valley City – 22km (14mi) from Lonavala.
Visapur

Bhaja caves
It is a group of 22 rock cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC located in the city of Pune, India. The caves are 400 feet above the village of Bhaja, on an important ancient trade route running from the Arebian sea eastward into the Deccan plateau (the division between North India and South India). The inscription and the cave temple is protected as a Monument of National importance, by the Archaeological Survey of India per Notification no 2407-A.

Karla Caves
It is complex of ancient Buddhist Indian rock-cut caves at Karli near Lonavla, Maharashtra. It is just 10.9 kilometers away from Lonavala. Other caves in the area are Bhaja Caves, Patan Buddhist cave, Bedse caves and Nashik caves. The shrines were developed over the period from the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. The oldest of the cave shrines is believed to date back to 160 BCE. having arisen near a major ancient trade route, running eastward from the Arabian into the Deccan.

Lonavala
Refer to Lonavla blog in my explore menu.

Aamby Valley City
It is a township developed by the Sahara India Pariwar in Pune District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is about 23km (14mi) from Lonavala, 87km (54mi) from the city of Pune and 120km (75mi) from the city Mumbai. The township is connected by road of Mahabaleshwer. City is spread over 10,600 acres (4300ha) of hilly terrain. 3 large Man made lakes have been created by constructing dams. The largest lake is 1.5km in length, it also boasts of a PGA 18 hole golf course. This city was so designed and master planned by Gruen-Bobby Mukherji and Associates in the year 2003.

Visapur Fort
It is at a Higher altitudes than Lohagad fort, water tanks, old houses, arch, waterfalls, temples are on the Sahyadri Fort. There are two buildings which are Roofless now, are government offices from the past. A stone built home at Visapur fort called Peshwas Wada popularly. Lord Hanuman carving seen the fort, there are many temples dedicated to him at the fort. Visapur is an ideal trekking destination near Mumbai, Pune, Lonavla.

Below are the Clicked images at the top of the Fort with details

Shiva Temple built from black rock one of the toughest rocks in the world.

A statue of Lord Hanuman sculpted in between in the water tank

Sculpted rock as Shiv Ling built in between the walking path.

Broken bridge, people used to travel from one end to another from above the stored water.

Cannon which been used by Great Marathas during wars, Weighing Almost more than a one ton approx.

Roller not in a normal size as compared to household one

Mud crab specially found inside the Fort territory still exists.

Highest point at the Fort, holding the saffron colour flag, which is dedicated to GREAT MARATHA WARRIORS.

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Overview

It is a 87kmsq (34 sq mi) protected area in Mumbai, Maharashtra State in India. It was established in 1996 with headquarters at Borivali. It is notable as one of the major national park existing within a metropolis limit is one of the most visited park in the world. The rich Flora and Fauna of Sanjay Gandhi National Park attracts more than 2 million visitors every year, also visiting 2500 year old Kanheri caves sculpted out of the rocky cliffs which lies with the park.

History

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park area has long written history dating back to the 4th Century BCE. In ancient India, Sopara and Kalyan were two ports in the Vicinity that traded with ancient Civilizations such as Greece and Mesopotamia. The 45km (28mi) land route between these two ports was partially through this forest. The Kanheri caves in the centre of the park were an important Buddhist learning centre and pilgrimage site sculpted by Buddhist monks between the 9th and the 1st centuries BCE. They were chiselled out of a massive basaltic rock outcropping.

Geography

The park occupies most of the Northern Suburbs of Mumbai. To the west lie the suburbs of Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Borivali and Dahisar. To the east lie the Suburbs of Bhandup and Mulund. To the south lies the Aarey Milk Colony and the university campus of IIT Bombay. The Northern reaches of this forests lie in Thane city. The park and these areas surrounding it, except Thane city are all parts of Mumbai. It is only forest located within the limits of a city. The region is hilly with elevations between 30m (98ft) and 480m (1,570ft). The park has two lakes, Vihar lake and Tulsi lake. Which meet a part of the citys water requirements. The park is said to be lungs of the city as it purifies much of the air pollution of the City.

Biodiversity

The park is a bustling forest, with an estimated 800 types of mauve. This flower is native to the park and the surrounding regions, including karnala, the Yeoor hills, Tungareshwar and some parts of Goregaon Film City. The park is also home to small population of Leopards.

Wildlife

The park is home to numbers of endangered species of Flora and Fauna. The forest area of the park houses over 1,000 plant species 251 species of migratory land and water birds 5000 species of insects 40 species of Mammals. In addition the park also provides shelter to 38 species of reptiles 9 species of Amphibians 150 species of butterflies and large variety of Fishes.

Flora

Kadamba, teak, Karanj, Shisham and species of acacia, ziziphus, euphorbia, flame of the forests, red silk cotton and number of other varieties of flower. Karvi or karvy a flowering plant that blossoms once in eight years can be found in the park.

Fauna

The forest cover in the park helps provide the ideal habitat for many wild animals.

Chital(Spotted deer)
Rhesus macaques
Bonnet macaques
Indian hare
Muntjac (barking deer)
Porcupine
Asian palm civet
Chevrotain(mouse deer)
Grey langur
Indian flying fox
Sambar deer
Leopard
Striped hyena
Four horned antelope
Crocodile
Pythons
Cobras
Monitor Lizards
Russell’s viper
Bamboo pit viper
Ceylonese cat snakes

List of Insects

Blue Mormon
Blue oak leaf
Jezebel
Yellow and white orange tip
Tiger butterfly
Eggflies
Sailers
Moths

List of birds

Jungle owlets
Golden Orioles
Racket-tailed drongos
Minivets
Magpies
Robins
Hornbills
Bulbuls
Sunbirds
Peacock
Woodpecker’s
Paradise catcher
Kingfisher
Mynsd
Swifts
Gulls
Egrets
Herons

Threats to Forest and Wildlife

The park has faced number of problems similar to those faced by national parks elsewhere in the world, involving conflicts between natural and human interests.

In the early 2000s a road as proposed would have cut through the park. Animal activists Tarun Nayar went to court to halt this project.

The lack of space in Mumbai has pushed residential colonies right up to the park boundary. This boundary is poorly fenced and wild animals often wander into human habitation, Slums have mushroomed around the park as well.

In 2004, leopards were responsible for the death of 20 humans within the spam of a week. This was not a first attack on pets and humans. On 16 July 2012 a seven year old girl was killed in Mulund right outside her home by a leopard. A year later a 40 year old women was attacked and killed by a leopard in Bhiwandi and the list goes on.

Poaching unfortunately Sanjay Gandhi National Park has many poachers in recent years. Usually leopards are attacked in many cases these animals had been poisoned and claws or other valuable body parts were cut off and sold. Poaching could wipe out Mumbai’s leopard population.

Fire:- During the summer and any time before the monsoon, fires burn in the park, at least once every two weeks, this has resulted in the loss of trees and the loss for wild animals. The local are often suspected of burning the trees on some of the outskirts of the forest to build their homes. Sanjay Gandhi National Park is said to be one of the most visited national park, according to estimate, around 2 million visitors visit the park annually. Collection at the gates in November 2004 touched INR 9.8 MILLION (US $ 140,000)

Boating:- Boating service is available near the Van Rani starting point with 2 and 4 seater pedalos for sailing in the small Lake, which has a view bridge where visitors can stand and watch boat’s in water.

Tiger and lion Safaris:- Main attractions of the park are lion and Tiger safaris for encouraging eco-tourism. The lion safari is a 20 minute ride through a 12ha (29.65acres) fenced forests area is one of the parks green busses. The park is home to an estimated 25 lions and lionesses of which only 2 can be only seen at close range from the caged busses. There are 4 Tigers that are kept semi-confined in a 20ha(49.42 acres) fenced area that is toured by the buses. A 5m(16.40ft) high and 2,200m (7,217.85ft) long protective fencing surrounds the area.

Walking trails:- There are number of public walking trails in the national park. The popular Ashok Van trail winds through thick forest to a dense cluster of Ashoka trees that are a welcome halfway resting spot. The return journey is usually via the ‘Gaumukh’ trail that leads to an open volcanic rock face and ends at the Kanheri caves. A more challenging route is the ‘View point’ trail and leads to the highest point of Mumbai, which affords a panoramic view of the city and its three lakes – Tulsi lake, Vihar lake and Powai lake.

Jain Temple:- In the forest there is famous Jain temple called Trimurti which means 3 idols. This Temple is widely visited by Digambar sect of the Jain community. It has three huge idols of lord Adinath and his 2 sons, lord Bahubali and Lord Bharat. The statue of Rishabhanatha is 31 feet in height and the tallest of all the three on eighter side are the statues of Bharata and Bahubali each being 28 feet tall. There is a 51 foot Kirti stambh (pillar of glory) also present there. Many Muni Maharaj (Jain saints) often stay here and preach to their followers before moving on.

Kanheri caves:- The Kanheri caves are a protected archaeological site 19°12’30″N 72°54’23″E. The caves were sculpted by Buddhist residents around the 1st Century BCE. The area was a settlement that once served as inns for travellers. The word Kanheri comes from the Sanskrit word Krishnagiri which means “Black mountain”. Seven Buddhist caves older than Kanheri caves have also been discovered very recently. Detailed exploration and documentation is awaited from the Archaeological survey of India.