Mumbai: Lohagad Fort - Destination for Trekkers
by Eugene D'Souza Mumbai
Pictures by: Deepak D’Souza, Dombivli
September 16, 2007
The Lohagad Fort in the Western Ghats near Lonavla on Mumbai-Pune highway is believed to have been constructed during the Satavahana dynasty (30 BC to 200AD). It had withstood the ravages of history and weather. It was one of the significant forts of the Maratha warrior King, Chatrapati Shivaji. The Marathas used this fort to keep watch on Konkan and Bhor Ghat.
Presently, the Lohagad Fort is a favourite destination for the hikers and trekkers from Mumbai and its suburbs. Those who wish to go for trekking to Lohagad can take any train from Mumbai and alight at Lonavla and take a Lonavla-Pune local train and get down at Malawali Station, next to Lonavala on way to Pune. The seven kilometer distance from Malawali Station and the Lohagad Fort can be covered in two and a half hours. The 3,400 fee high fort is accessible through a flight of steps.
The monsoon season is the best period for undertaking the trekking of the Lohagad Fort. With lush greenery and small water-falls around the natural beauty of the region is just out of he world.
Opposite to the Lohagad Fort there are remains of another fort known as the Visapur Fort.
Another attraction for the trekkers are the Bhaja Buddhist Caves which are two hours trekking distance from the Lohagad Fort. The 18 Buddhist Caves are believed to have been excavated during the second century BC.
Fortyone youths from the Infant Jesus Parish, Dombivli undertook the trekking expedition to the Lohagad Fort on Saturday, 15th September 2007.