RATANGAD

                  
                                            RATANGAD




                      Being a trekker in sahyadri no way that you haven't heard about "Jewel of forts" as its known famously, "RATANGAD".It is one of the forts on every nature lovers wishlist due to its sheer beauty,significance and breathtaking views.In winters dense clouds view ,carpet of sonaki (senecio bombeyensis )flowers all over the fort and in rainy season water streams of pravara river,beautiful weather,fog,mist makes this fort lifetime experience.


HOW to REACH:

        Ratangad fort comes in Ahmadnagar district.
1)         If you are travelling by your own vehicle then Mumbai-thane-Shahapur- Khardi-Kasara-Ghoti-Bhandardara-Ratanwadi is the route. Ratanwadi is base village for ratangad.

2)        If you are travelling by public transport then catch late  local to kasara.from kasara to shendi ST buses are available. from shendi onwards one need to take available vehicle till Ratanwadi. 
            Now a days direct private vehicles are available from Igatpuri which drops you directly at Ratanwadi. once finished trek same vehicle can be called by calling on drivers phone number and mostly people choosing this option now a days.
         Also ferry service is available from Shendi village to Ratanwadi. (however shendi o ratanwadi road distance is 22km)However its subject to season as well one need to walk a bit to reach those pickup drop points of ferries.(not much sure about distance need to walk but heard its 3 to 4km walk).this water route is 6km ferry ride.
          Some visits ratangad via samrad village also.by this route it takes 3 to 4 hours to reach a top and is moderate route
    



HISTORY OF FORT:
          This 2000 years old fort comes in Ahamadnagar dist,Akole taluka and falls in  kalsubai mountain range,with approx. height of 4250 feet above the sea level.
          As per indian vedas /mythology sage agastya meditated here by consuming only water and air for a long tenure. Seeing his devotion lord shiva blessed him and left a stream of ganga that is known as Pravara /Amrutvaahini.
          At base village there is amruteshwar temple which is believed to be 1200 years old.It's an intricately carved shiva temple.This has beautiful Hemandpanthi style of architecture from yadav Era of 800AD.
        There are references that this fort was captured by Shivaji Maharaj.as well in Peshve era there are references of this temple referring it God Of Ratangad.



PLACES TO SEE -ON the fort as well around the fort
1) Ganesh darwaja,chor darwaja,kokan darwaka,tryambak darwaja
2) NEDHE (eye of a niddle)(Natural hole in Hill)
3)Ladders enroute top
4)Old circular structure on top
5)Beautiful small yellow flowers-SONAKI
6)Main Cave(only proper shelter on ratangad(can accomodate 10-12 people)
7)water cirstirns at many places
8)view of kalsubai,AMK from tryambak darwaja side & katrabai,ajoba,ghanchakkar,munda 
     fort and backwaters of Bhandardara.
9)Amruteshwar Mandir and Pushkarani beside it.


DIFFICULTY LEVEL:

From Ratanwadi - Three hours.Easy hike with very few steep patches.Ladders in last patch.dense forest enroute 

From Samrad - Moderate level of difficulty .one needs 3 to 4 hours to reach top 

streams of pravara river during start of trek

Trek ratangad 2009 link:
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNmj5tJaYRtB8eS9pJsToLvYB5UMfhHwCb0Wizf


Trek Ratangad 2016 Link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B-S5w0dGAadzS3FRRGNFWmRsMVU