Vasota Jungle Trek 2011
After a long time a wish came true on last weekend.
The Wish was to trek at Vasota Jungle trek. I use to hear
lot about fort but due to some or other reason I was not able attend this trek.But with help of Yuvashkati’s Trekking group the dream came true.
Even this time too I have taken risk to go to trek. In the
previous week I was suffering from heavy flue, body ache, even then I made up
my mind and with full of enthusiasm I went on Thursday and enrolled my self
with Yuvashkati’s for Vasota Trek.
Due to weakness there was lot of fear in mind that whether my body will support me in this situation or not. I will be able to walk of so long or not and was disturbed for whole day Wednesday. On Friday Afternoon again I started having pain in my legs but it was bearable, at last in night before leaving I took one tablet and walked out of house. But after some time the legs was stopped paining.
After a long waiting of one hr at last the Yuvashkati bus came to pick me at Vadgaon Bridge. After entering in the bus I was shock, while registering I was on 11 roll no and while entering in the bus I was last at seat no 35. Looking at the crowd I was so happy as all of my friends had moved there back towards me for this trek.
We started on Friday Night at 12.00am from Pune by private bus. The route was like Pune to Satara to Bamnoli. We reached Bamnoli at 4.30 am. In the small village we went at godown type build up area which was not so clean and kept our bags over there, Team leaders from yuvashkati requested us to sleep till 6.30 am.
But I choose to shoot some night photos at back water the night was just after Full moon shining and the beautiful reflection of moon light on Water was as if stars from heaven has came down. After wakeup call we had tea and breakfast of kanda poha in hotel.
The boring part was seeking the permission from Forest officer. To grant the permission the officer took
almost 30 mins and we where just sitting ideal on the banks of koyana river. At
last three lounges where reserved for us and the most adventurous path started.
The lounge with old engines of 1857 took almost 1.30 min to
reach at Vasota base. But these 90mins was the starting of thrilling trek
ahead. After reaching we got some important instructions regarding the jungle
from yuvashkati leaders. And finally we proceed in the thick dense jungles of
Koyana…..now also known as Tiger Reservoir.
The forest was so dense that all over the trek route was
from shadow no direct sunlight was penetrating. Various types of voices of
Birds, insects as if they are welcoming us in their pride lands. I too was
enjoying the voice of woodpecker and other different birds.
The path was so scaring as lots of tree was fallen on the path way, thick spider’s web, bees , dried leaves, different long trees and steep walking, I was completely exhausted and still the final steep patch was remaining. Somehow I managed and took the breath and started to the last steep arch of Vasota at last we reached on the top.
The scenery from the top was so beautiful and unbelievable
that we could see the starting point, dense forest and the top where we where
standing. Finally after some snaps we started with Lunch at almost 2.30 pm.
After the lunch immediately we started exploring the fort on
the right side we can see Old Vasota. The old fort ( Old Vasota ) is clearly
visible from the new fort and presents a imposing near invincible spectacle.
The jungle surrounding the old fort is so thick that even today no one attempts
to scale the fort. The wild jungle and lack of water sources on top of the old
fort is a major problem for trekkers.
The view from Babu-Kada is one of the best views on
the fort. The straight vertical drop and the vast beautiful mountain ranges
present a view that send shivers ones spine as well as takes the viewer into
another world of the yester years, when kings ruled this wonderful land. Another
high point of Babu-Kada is the echo. The great warrior’s calls of “Har Har
Mahadev” from this place reverberate again and again in the sorrounding
landscape and fill one with pride. The power of the call that inspired the
Marathas to their freedom and dominance is felt in the echoes at this point.
From here we moved to left side of fort called “Buruj” from
where we can see the Kokan and On the way to Nageshgwar one can find some of
the thrilling sites of the ridge connecting to Nageshwar around 1000 ft fall, from
nageshwar Caves one route goes down to the Konkan towards Chorvane village. In
the cave one can find the Nature's creativity, a Shivling with water dropping
from the top during whole year.
Now the clock shouted it was 3.20Pm and we started our
return Journey with the steep falls. Along with me many of our team members
slipped while returning but with no major injuries finally by 4.45 pm we reach
at basement and finally all of started at lounge at 5.00 pm along with the
return journey we experienced the beauty of sunset behind the Vasota fort. This
was my first time to watch sunset while travelling in river bed where water
also wear the cloths of sunset color, by the time we reached at Bamnoli village
it was almost a dark.
In the night we have very good and hot Dinner at the village
and after dinner we had introduction round and atlast by 11.00pm every one went
to bed. Next day morning we started by 9.00 am from Bamnoli had a snacks at
Satara and reached Pune at schedule time (1.30 pm).
The Return Journey
Dense Forest Path
Top view from Vasota Fort.
Full Moon with reflection of light on the river bed of Koyana.
Trek was from Jungle but could not Witness of any hunting but a small dog showed us Mouse Hunt...!
Scene opposite babu-kada.....
Once again very big thank to Yuvashkati for arranging such a
beautiful trek with lots of memories to be reveled in the old days sitting in
the swing with the closed eyes………!
To view some more snaps for the Day you can click on below Url
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Thanks and Regards,
Yogesh Shinde.
Reach me @ a2yshindephotography@gmail.com
Ctc: 9822008403.
