Destination Vijaydurg!!

And I am back...

With a few unfinished posts from the past (i am trying to remember and write now..will take some time)..its been a long time since I have updated all of you about our next adventure..

This time we ride to Vijay Durga, a small but historically important village nestled on the Arabian sea coast.
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Some information about Vijay Durga:
(Courtesy: Wikipedia, Photo's by Wanderer)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vijaydurg_Fort

Vijaydurg (sometimes written as Viziadrug), the oldest fort on the Sindhudurg coast, was constructed during the regime of Raja Bhoja II of the Shilahar dynasty (construction period 1193-1205). The fort was earlier known as "Gheria", as it is situated close to the village of "Girye". Shivaji captured this fort from Adil Shah of Bijapur in 1653 and renamed it as "Vijay Durg" as the then Hindu solar year's name was "Vijay" (Victory).

Earlier, the fort encompassed an area of 5 acres (1 acre = 4840 square yards or 4047 square metres) and was surrounded by sea on all four sides. Over the years the eastern trench was reclaimed and a road constructed thereon. Presently the area of fort is about 17 acres and is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides. Shivaji extended the area of the fort by constructing three walls on the eastern side, each 36 metres high. He also constructed 20 bastions.

According to legend, this is one of only two Maratha forts where Shivaji personally hoisted the saffron flag. The other fort is "Torana".

Vijaydurg Fort was called the "Eastern Gibraltar", as it was virtually impregnable. Its locational advantages include the 40 km long Waghotan/Kharepatan creek. Large vessels cannot enter the shallow water of this creek. Also, Maratha warships could be anchored in this creek and yet remain invisible from the sea. It is a protected monument.

Vijay Durga Fort from Vijaydurga Port (Photo By Wanderer)

Mighty Bastions of the Fort (Photo By Wanderer)

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The route is a long one...as always we will NOT be heading straight to the destination but will take a nice longer and much scenic route.

Monsoon Calling: Ride to Malshej: Part 2

Just a day between us and the road now... On Saturday we will be riding on unknown paths, unknown terrains, whats kept in the store for us, we don't know...tar, gravel, mud, water. forests, open expanses of land, rain..come what may...we will ride...

I remember a few lines of a song from the movie Lakshya...

बरसे चाहे अम्बर आग, लिपटे चाहे पैरों से नाग , पाएगा जो लक्ष्य है तेरा।

लक्ष्य को , हर हाल में पाना है। 

That's it , that's the goal. The ride teaches what is needed, you don't need to fear, you don't need to worry. You just need to believe and get out of your comfort zone, face the challenge..

We start on Saturday, 26th July 6:30 AM..Waiting to hear the thump...

Monsoon Calling..The Ride to Malshej: Part 1

2014..an year of changes..political changes..social changes..personal changes..change in views..change in situations..The spirit to change is everywhere..and I guess the Monsoon also thought so.."let's skip the schedule by one month!!!" well...easy ain't it!!! Yeah for him!!! But for us its been a terror!! Dried rivers..dams...water shortage, electricity cuts...yeah everything..moreover...NO OUTINGS..NO RIDES!!! Somethings are the most fun in Monsoon...out of which bike rides is one!!! I guess all will agree here..

Its July now, and finally Monsoon is here to stay..

The buzz was around since June...when is the ride...whats the route..dates..what? where? when??

With one more new Bullet in the group..everyone was super-excited...The ride has to happen!!!

So finally...as the rains silently made their way in the surroundings..we were busy jotting out trails on G-Maps...So many constraints...2 day ride only...not more than 250 kms/day...some new area...OMG..

So a choice of destinations was found out...Amba Ghaat in Kolhapur, Devgad in Ratnagiri, Guhaghar, Panhala...None was clicking...these roads were now all rode upon and most of the unseen places were much more than the expected distance. All plans were discarded. We were in search of some new exciting destination.

And there it occurred...in one of the old mails, we got a route charted out for Malshej, one of the favourite Monsoon destinations for tourists..but the distance was just 120 kms and a complete highway..No problems...lets take a detour..and we had a nice route winding through the sahyadri's..making its way to Malshej via the famous Naaneghat..240 Kms of rough roads!!! Fabulous!!! And on the way back a similar terrain via Khopoli. (You folks can try guessing the route..)

Malshej Ghat

Sahyadri ranges

So the route is finalised...what next...A place to stay?? YES. The most important thing as putting up tents in monsoon is next to impossible in this areas!!! MTDC?? Full. Other small resorts around? Full..any other resort?? 2-3 days passed by...and by the third day, losing all hopes..we were about to change the route, when suddenly one of the resorts called back and offered us space!!! Aah!! Perfect...

So, the destination is now set..things are rollling..all the gears ready..the bullets are roaring...Malshej.We are coming...

All set!!

The mean machines

Lets Ride!!!

Green wishes!!

At the far distance..
I see the greens..Peaceful sunrays..
Glistening beads of the rain,
The distant sound of the winds murmur,
A lone mountain still guarding the wild..
I want to be there.
I want to run in the open pastures,
Smell the wild flowers, bees humming, hovering above them.
Feel the damp earth...the gushes of the misty air,
Touch the raindrops…drink from the cool brooks,
Feel life….
But here I am..at the far end…
Cement jungles, and smoking cars..
Choked roads, and filthy gutters..
Alive yet dead inside…
Running to go ahead…but heading to the end..
Will it change someday…
Will I get to be there, at the distance??
Someday I will…

Lavasa-Bedase Caves_Mar-10

Auroville-Tirupati-Chennai-APR-MAY 2010

Sinhagad Left Valley Outing, 6 June 2010