Ratangad

Trek to Ratangad 24-25th September 2016

Description/ History
Ratangad a 400 year old fort at a height of 4250ft is, as per folklore also one of the favourite forts of Shivaji Maharaj.
Bhandardara is surrounded by The Wilson dam and Arthur lake, Kalsubai Peak, The Amruteshwar temple and the Randha Falls - the region in the Sahyadris sorrounding Ratangad is truely a little paradise, a secret well kept, and Ratangad true to its name is like a jewel in its majestic crown.
Pravara river orginates in Ratangad.
The local legend has it that Agatya rishi meditated and performed penance in Ratangad.
At that place two drops of ‘Amrut’ was dropped and water started flowing out from Ratangad continuously resulting in the river Pravara hence the name ‘Amrutvahini’

In the Ratangad fort there are many interesting points.
Nedhe’ a natural orifice in the rock is a special attraction, one route goes above nedhe view from that point is awesome, one has to be careful while going up
In rainy season fog completely block the view of the surrounding mountains
Rani Mahal is a structure of which only some broken walls are remaining.
There is a Ganesh temple in a small cave.
There is another bigger cave spacious enough to accommodate about 20 people.
A villager makes arrangement for food, he serve tea, lunch (Veg Only)

Region: Bhandardara
District: Ahmednagar
Range:  kalsubai
Nearest railway Station: Kasara

Height: 4250 Fts
Grade: Easy/medium
Trek Time:  3-4 hrs  

Food : Available at top, Villagers make arrangement as required
Drinking Water: Yes, available, on the top only, not in atrekking route
Stay: One can set up their own tent , also there are caves to stay
Best Season to Visit: September is the best period season to visit the fort, as the fort gets covered by beautiful yellow & lovender colour flowers.

Routes :
        1) Samrad ( Base village well known for Sandhan Valley )
        2) Ratanwadi

One can combine Sandhan Valley & Ratangad trek , however Sandhan valley descend can not be exited  in Asangaon, one has to return from half way…before rappelling point
You can start the ascending from Samrad village & descend to Ratanwadi visiting Amruteshwar temple..which can be visited just after finishing trek as route ends to point near  where Amruteshwar temple
Guide is availble from the base village Samrad they charges around 700-900 rs to take you to top


How to reach
Mumbai - Kasara -Samrad-Ratangad
Mumbai - Kasara -Ratanwadi-Ratangad

From Kasara you can hire a jeep to reach Samrad or ratanwadi, these are available on sharing basis also but no jeep goes directly to these villages, most of them will drop you at rajur Or Ghoti, & from there have to look for another sharing jeep which is not recommedable as it will be time consuming & cost more or less same.

ST Bus depot is just outside the railway station these ST are connected to railway timing, but one has to be very quick to catch these buses, as these buses wont stop for more time, they follow their fix timings.
Also if train is late, chances are higher that you will miss your bus for sure...
Also there are very few buses connected to these destination directly, one would be early morning & last will be early evening.
havent got the fixed timetable from ST depot, they say hourly one bus ply to one of the central location( I think till "Ghoti") & from their you can chk for other transpotation

PFB contact details of the local Jeep drivers who will take you to base village

Ramdas Zade: 9325325463/9158651357 call them they will arrange for stay n travel, & guide for trek

Bus or Jeep journey will require 45mins to reach, ratther bus will take more time