Padargad (Kalavantin Mahal) trek

Trek group

Sunday, 20th October we went for Padargad (Kalavantin Mahal) Trek.  This in on the route of Khandas - Bheemashankar via Ganesh Ghat.  Around 5:45 in the morning we decided to meet and catch Sinhagad Express.  It was decided that everyone will reach to Karjat on their own and from there trek will start. We alighted from train at Karjat railway station.  Everyone needed breakfast. It was decided that we will have everyone's favorite food Wada-Pav and then we will catch the Bus. 

To reach Khandas one has to catch bus at Karjat to Kashele, and from Kashele we should take 6-seater for Khandas.

Padargad  (At base Kalavantin Mahal)

When we got down there were many hawkers selling Wada-Pav.  But suddenly all of them vanished as there came train on other side.  We had no option but to go there and have Wada-Pav.  After having Wada-Pav we decided to go to Karjat Bus stand for catching bus.  When we came out there were 6 seaters rickshaw who offered us to drop.  But we found that they were charging more. Our bargain failed and we decided to catch the ST bus.  After reaching at bus stand (at 9:00AM) we came to know that the next bus is only at 9:50AM.  We had no option but to wait.  We utilized this time for having Tea.  

If we had avoided breakfast we might have got the earlier bus.  But there was no point in discussing this. We had already missed the bus.  Bus started on time and we headed to Kasheli.  We were totally 21 people in group.  After 3/4 stops bus was crowded.  Some of us offered their seats to old people or ladies.  We were not sure how far we had to travel.  Finally we reached Kashele and now we had to catch the 6-seaters for Khandas.  Immediately we found two vehicle and we headed to Khandas village. 

Kalavantin Mahal, where normally no one goes we decided to take guide.  We inquired with 2/3 ppls but no one was ready.  One of them got one person who asked for heavy charge.  We decided to go on our own.  We were hoping that we will find someone at Ganesh Temple in Ganesh Ghat.  It was already 11:30AM when we started.  The weather was too hot.  By the time we reached near the base of hill, we were dehydrated and already consumed lots of water.  One of us decided not to continue and waited at base.  

 

When we started climbing it was difficult.  But it was better than walking on road. In some patches there were no trees (were cut) so heat was felt more. We were less not interested in photography.  Still we managed to take snaps. Finally we reached at Ganesh Temple and found no-one was there.  After resting for some time we decided to move ahead.  When we reached near stream we could not stop ourselves and enjoyed the water.  We refilled our bottles and started going ahead.  Only 4 of us were left behind, rest of group went ahead.  This was because they met one old person who was ready to show them path which leads to Padargad.  

There is big valley at V junction there is water fall, just before that there was this way which goes to top of Padargad.  By now it was already 2:30 PM.  We had to return back to Khandas by 5:00PM as the last bus from Kashele to Karjat was at 6:00PM.

  

View from Top

After majority we decided not to climb but return from this water fall after having lunch.  Few of us wanted to climb and check the route.  So we finished our lunch early. It was 2:40 we decided that we will check and return by 3:20. This way we can easily come down by 5:00.  We started going near Padargad. The route was through dense forest.  We decided to go fast, within 10 minutes we reached near the base.  Still had some time so we climbed and reached top between two hills.  The path was difficult.  As we checked next patch required rock climbing experience plus time.  We did not had both, so we took some pics and decided to return.  It was easy going up.  We took almost 30 minutes to return and finally headed towards Khandas.  It was really great experience going on top.

Caves (Kalavantin Mahal)

While descending we decided to book the vehicles directly for Karjat.  The bus journey was very easy compared to this Vehicle journey.  Road conditions were poor and we were almost 11 peoples in one Bolero.  Finally we reached Karjat and found Pragati Express at platform.  We could not catch Pragati as we had to take tickets. By the time we took our tickets, Deccan Queen came. We even did not get time for change/tea/snacks break.  We decided to continue journey directly to Pune.  Some of us wanted to go by Local from Lonavala as we were standing.  But luckily we got place to sit and we directly came to Shivaji Nagar.

As we could not go near Kalavantin Mahal, we decided to visit this place again with proper resources (time/equipment).  Though we could not manage to go near Kalavantin Mahal it was a great experience.  

Clear sky

Reached down.