Friday 19 February 2016

Ratangad Trek

Ratangad (Marathiरतनगड) is a fort in Ratan WadiMaharashtraIndia, overlooking the locale of Bhandardara, one of the oldest artificial catchment area. The fort is about 2000 years old


Ratangad has a natural rock peak with a cavity in it at the top which is called 'Nedhe' or 'Eye of the Needle'. The fort has four gates Ganesh, Hanuman, Konkan and Trimbak. It also has many wells on the top


Amruteshwar temple built in Ratangad 
This building style was formed during the 13th Century in Maharashtra, and incorporated black stone and lime, which were readily available.


Fresh water tank near Amruteshwar temple, Ratangad



The two ladders that have to crossed to reach the main fort area


Tryambak Darwaza - The main entrance to Ratangad fort


The way down from the Tryambak Darwaza


The remains of a smaller entrance to the fort - the Thieves entrance or Chor Darwaza


An old structure at the for


Ratangad as seen from the end of the trek. The nedhe is just about visible.



Ratangad was captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle. The base village Ratanwadi has an Amruteshwar temple which is famous for its carvings. The fort is origin for the river Pravara/Amrutvahini. The Bhandardara dam(arthar dam) is built on this river.
The main attraction at Ratanwadi is the Amruteshwar temple dating back to the Hemadpant Era - roughly from the eighth century.
The base village Ratanwadi is approached by boat from Bhandardara. By boat, it is a 6 km journey and further it is a 4 km walk till Ratanwadi.

some more pic's of ratangad


 ladders that have to crossed to reach the main fort area


camp fire


Moon become electric bulb at night





awesome light of morning





bhandardara dam



awesome place must visit Ratangad MaharashtraIndia