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

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.



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.



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

View of Pawna Dam from main entrance
 

Way to Bastion - Tung Fort

 

Second Entrance door for Tung



Sadar location (Meeting palace/Hall) on Tung Fort



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
 

Way to Bale-Killa
 

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



Tikona Fort view



View of Pawna from Tung



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