Sunday 15 June 2014

Monsoon trek to Tung Fort

After Visapur trek, now we were planning for another easy level trek for monsoon. Visapur trek was planned as monsoon trek but turned out to be our summer trek. Now weather was set perfectly fine and we decided to for Tung fort. It is also known as Kathin Gad. The word "Kathin" in Marathi means difficult. One side of route always exposes to valley so need to take proper care while climbing.

Trekkers for Tung fort were me, Renuka (My wife), Girish Ghospurkar (Father-in-law), our friends in couple as Himanshu – Ketaki , Abhijit – Manasi, Advait – Amruta and Swapnil.


Tung Fort
Tung Fort

About Tung fort and Trek:
              It is located near Pawana Dam around 60 km from Pune. The base village of fort is TungWadi. Tung Fort has an elevation of 1075 m above sea level. The fort is conical and has steep climbs with a very narrow route on the edge of the mountain throughout. Its sharp, conical peak makes Tung Fort a prominent landmark. Fort is located close to Pawna dam hence you can see backwater from three side of fort. Not much is known about the history of this fort.

To reach at the base village of fort from Pune is Pune – Chadani Chowk – Pirangut – Paud – Take a right at Paud after Bus stand – Hadashi (No need to take Hadashi temple route) – Javan – Take a left at javan – After crossing Hilton resort, look for proper T junction (Javan to T junction distance is around 14 km) – Take a right at T junction and drive for 3 km – Take a left and park your vehicle at Maruti Temple.

15th June 2014: Trek to Tung (Total Distance traveled: 133 km):
              We woke up early morning by 5 am and left Pune by 6.30 after meeting other trekkers in kothrud area. We all were aware of roads and we were on our four wheelers. Weather was cloudy but there was no sign of heavy rain. After crossing Pirangut, we took our first pit stop for breakfast at Maganmurti Vada-Pav center outside Global hospital. We enjoyed tasty Vada-Pav and it was drizzling outside. After a tasty breakfast, we moved ahead towards Tung fort. We took a right turn at Paud village, and we were making sure that we stay together so that no one loses their way. After crossing small Ghat section, we took left at Javan village for Tung. Road condition from javan to Tungwadi is horrible condition. We reached to Base village “Tungwadi” after 13 km of beautiful drive.


Pritskulkarni
Travelling is my passion and I live for it... Me, My wife Renuka and my 5 year travel partner - Uber cool machine i20

Take a left to Tung Base and straight road to Tungwadi (Peak of Tung on left top)

             There is a small temple of lord hanuman. Ample parking space is available close to temple. Group of 25 people from Pune were about to begin there trek so we spend around 30 min at base to avoid crowd during climb. After short break, our trek begins. Trek route begins with bit steep but steady height gain so we decided to take it a bit slowly. Narrow route on the edge of the mountain made our trek more interesting. Initially looking at route, fem member were scarred but soon they gain confidence. The wonderful scenery was adding towards us forgetting our tiredness and enjoying the beauty of nature. Weather was perfectly set for trekking conditions. Sun was busy in hide and seeks game with rainy clouds. Light rain shower make us feel fresh. The atmosphere changed its mood regularly, sometimes raining, sometimes wind playing with us and sometimes sudden focus from sun glowing up the wet vegetation.


Hanuman temple at tung fort
Lord Hanuman Temple at base

Narrow climb on Tung

Hanuman temple from Fort

             Within 30 min, we reached at main entrance of fort. From this point we saw some ruined part of fortification. After few min walk, we reached at Lord Ganesh Temple. You can see water trench / tank backside of Ganesh temple. It not a drinking water. There is ruined part of Sadar (meeting hall or administration room) just opposite to temple. You can also see Bastion fortification. Soon we reached at the base point of Bale Killa (Small fort constructed above fort). To climb Bale-Killa was really difficult job. Narrow rocky path and it is exposing to valley on one side. This place is too windy so it’s better to take proper care while climbing on top of fort. Generally Bale-Killa is built to protect your surrounding fort and constructed in such a way that it is difficult to climb and conquer in war.


Main Entrance of Tung Fort
Main Entrance of Tung Fort

View of Pawna Dam from main entrance
 
Tung Fort
Way to Bastion - Tung Fort

 
Second Entrance door for Tung



Sadar location (Meeting palace/Hall) on Tung Fort
Sadar location (Meeting palace/Hall) on Tung Fort


Ganesh Temple and water tank on Tung
Ganesh Temple and water tank on right (Tung peak at background is visible )


             We all climb on the peak successfully. To our surprise, all girls were leading entire trek without asking help from us. When we reach at the top of fort, we got to know why this fort is known as Kathin Gad (Kathin = difficult). Space on the top of fort is very small. There is small temple of Tungi Devi. The View from top is just breathtaking. From here, you get an excellent view of Tikona Fort with Pawna dam. One can also see Lohagad and Visapur forts from the top. Entire Pawna Mawal region can be seen from top.


Bale-Killa of Tung Fort
Bale-Killa of Tung Fort
 
Way to Bale-Killa
 
View from Tung fort
View from Tung fort



            Before I write further, I would like to share some history about Tung fort. Tung Fort was built before 1600 CE. It was built by the Adil Shahi dynasty but was captured by Shivaji Maharaj. Fort was used as Watchtower guarding trade route and nearby area. In 1660, Netaji Palkar (Commander-in-Chief of the Maratha Kingdom under Shivaji) was appointed to protect this region. In 1665, Dilerkhan and others destroyed the villages around Tung & Tikona, but were unable to conquer these forts. According to Treaty of Purandar (signed on 12th June 1665), Kubadkhan with Halalkhan took over fort. After 5 years fort was recaptured by Maratha kingdom.

Lohagad and Visapur Fort from Tung
Lohagad and Visapur Fort from Tung


Tikona Fort view
Tikona Fort view


View of Pawna from Tung
View of Pawna from Tung


Tungi Devi Temple
Tungi Devi Temple

               We took small break and had our packed food for breakfast. After resting for 30 min, we decided to descend. It was a fun to descend rocky patch. We spend more time in photography and reached at the base village within an hour. After we reached at our parked vehicle at base village, we left this historical place. Food is not available at base village. We drove till paud village and then had tasty lunch at Durva hotel. Other food options are at village Javan, near Tikona fort or resort located at Kolavan dam. We reached home by 4 PM safely ending pleasurable trek in monsoon.


Tung Trekking group

Things to carry for Tikona trek:
  • A water bottle to carry at least 2 liters of water
  • Some dry food, in case you didn’t find any suitable food stall
  • Windcheater / jacket / Barsati during monsoon trek.
  • Do carry instant energizers like Glucon-D or Tang.
  • A towel or napkin and 2-3 old newspapers
  • Camera to capture the best nature movement
  • Better avoid wearing Gold and other ornaments. No need to carry heavy cash. 
 Our Expenses:
  • Car petrol: INR 800/- (approx. 9.6 lit at INR 82/lit)
  • Vada-Pav: INR 10/- per Pic at Managal-Murti Vada pav centre
  • Tea: INR 10/-
  • No Expenses on snacks as we were carring food from home.
  • Lunch at Durva Hotel (Between Paud and Pirangut village): INR 120/- per person for only Panjabi dish and Roti-rice
 Click here to read Travel Blog On Tikona Fort.

Thanks for reading this Travel Blog. Happy travelling.

Pritesh Kulkarni
Pune

28 comments:

  1. It was a surprise trek for me. While going through your Visapur trek blog, I recalled our Tikona trek and felt like visiting Tung. Immediately I got response from both of you. Weather wise it was a perfect day and all participants were really trek lovers, so enjoyed thoroughly. As always your blog is informative and encouraging for future visitors.

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    1. Thank you very much for your comments...

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  2. Mr.Pritesh, First i need to thank you for giving a chance to see such a wonder full images. Now i need to Congrats you a lot. Your interest and hard work reflects in you photos. Good. Keep it up Sir.

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    1. Thank you very much for your comment... Happy traveling.

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  3. As usual ...amazing . Covered everything imp . :-)

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    1. Thank you very much for your comment... Happy traveling.

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  4. Great Captured! Pune is well known for its forts, zoological park and its hilly areas, which attract trek lovers in huge numbers. It has also been one of the eminent tourist spots in the state of Maharashtra. Tourist across the seas comes here to visit the amazing location and prefer to stay at best hotels in Pune.

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    1. Thank you very much for your comment... Happy traveling.

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  5. Hi. I have a querry. Is it possible to camp for a night on the fort or near it?

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  6. Hi I have a query. Is it possible to camp on the fort or near it for a night?

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    1. Hi Aseem, there is no such place on tung fort for night stay. you can choose home stay at the base village of Tung fort or camping at Tikona picnic resort. From Tikona picnic resort you can able to cover both forts. search on Google for more info about tikona picnic resort

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    2. Hey, but me and some of my friends want to camp at the top of Tung fort for the night, will it be a problem. We can manage to camp up there.

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    3. yes, u can set up tent on top. There is no fortification available as Shelter...

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  7. Thanks you Prits as your blog help me a lot to plan my trip to tung fort.

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  8. is parking is available there before trek ??

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  9. is parking is available there before trek ?

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    1. Yes, Parking space is available at Fort's base.

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    2. is any trekker needed to guide us ?? or any trekker is available to guide us ??

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  10. is there any trainer needed for trek or any trekker is available at base to guide us ??

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    1. yes, u can hire villager from Base village as guide...

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  11. when is the good time to trek on Tung

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    1. Thanks for your comment...Monsoon and winter is the best time to visit Tung fort

      Pritesh Kulkarni

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  12. Hi Pritesh, can you please contact me, (Rakesh Zaveri) on 9324401762? I need to have some info on this trek. Thanks.

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  13. Your blog was really helpful. I was having a few doubts but ur detailed description cleared it all. Thank you.

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  14. After doing tikona planning for tung with only 1 friend. Pl advice if this fort is risky and if we 2 can go during rainy season

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