Profiling : Ratangad (A gem of a fort!)
FACTS on Ratan(Gem) gad fort
Location: Bhandardara Region, Sayhadri Ranges, Maharashtra.
Altitude: 4255 ft
Closest Village: Ratanwadi at the base of the mountain.
Vicinity: Near Harishchandragad and Kalsubai peak. It lies 20 kms away from the Bhandardara dam.
Transport: By train/vehicle reach Igatpuri. Village Shendi/Bhandardara is
about 35 km from Igatpuri (1st bus at about 5.15 am). From
Shendi, walk to village Murshet, cross the lake by launch
(enquire to local people for the timings), land on the other
side of the lake and reach village Ratanwadi. If you have your
own vehicle, you can go on other side by the road and reach
Ratanwadi directly
Climb to the top: About 3 hours from the base
Places to see: Darwajas (Gates), caves, nedhe (natural hole to
the hill), Amruteshwar temple, Bhandardara lake.
Difficulty level: Easy
SO WHAT?? - Take a trek! Its worth a check!!
We have trekked to this place.... and it is one of the supreme examples of how beautiful the Sayhadris ranges are. From the heights, the view is AWESOME and breathtaking... the shades of the mountains change so beautifully, and sometimes when you look down... you cannot percieve the depth from where you stand. There are a couple of caves on top (whoa!!) so shelter is no hassle,,, unless there are more than 60 people on the top.
