District - Pune
Base village - Tikona Peth
Height of the Tikona fort - 3590 feet
Time - 1 hour
Trek grade - Easy
Endurance level - Medium
Nearest Railway Station - Lonavala/Kamshet
Mumbai to Tikona Peth - 120 km
Pune to Tikona Peth - 60 km
Dated - 21 August 2022
One of the twelve mavals, the Pawan Maval, and the vast reservoir of the Pavna Dam in this Maval, is surrounded by a quartet of hill forts. Lohgad fort, Visapur fort, Tung fort and Tikona fort. Out of these, we are going to visit the Tikona Fort. The triangular shape of the fort, huge rock-cut caves, ruins testifying to history, and a steep and narrow path leading to the fort's top. Such a fort is Tikona/Vitandgad. Due to its triangular shape, the fort is named Tikona Fort and is also known as Vitandgad Fort.
How to reach Tikona Peth village from Pune!
I was going to the fort by bike from Pune. By Old Mumbai Pune highway, we crossed Dehu road and reached near Somatane toll plaza. Took the blessings of the grand idol of Birla Ganpati temple from afar and started the further journey.
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Idol of Birla Ganpati
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After crossing the toll plaza, took the left turn and headed via Parandwadi road towards the fort. In this area, the number of nurseries is very high right next to the road. Crossing a few villages on the way, we came out directly from Brahmanoli village. A route from Lonavala or Kamshet comes here.
To reach Tikona Fort, the nearest railway stations are Lonavala and Kamshet. But the public transport facility from this station to Tikona Peth village is not very regular. So it is advised to book a vehicle from the station for the group if you have come in a group or come with your own vehicle. Tikona Peth village is 60 km from Pune and 120 km from Mumbai.
Tikona and Tung Fort surrounded by mist were now visible.
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| Tung Fort |
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| Tikona Fort |
Rested for a while near the reservoir of Pavana Dam. Tikona Peth village is just at the base of the fort. Parking and food facilities are also available here.
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| Tikona Peth |
Trek begins
Parked the bikes and started the trek. The trek route is completely recognizable. Apart from that, the fort can be seen in front. So there is no possibility of getting lost.
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Trek route
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Within fifteen minutes we reached the place called "Meth". A "Meth" is the first checkpoint before entering a fort or the first place to repel an attack on a fort.
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| Meth |
At some distance, there is an entrance in a path dug in the rock and inside there is also a small cave.
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| Entrance |
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| Small Cave |
Nearby is the ruined grand entrance of the fort.
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| Huge entrance of the fort |
Fort exploring
Idols of Maruti are often seen on the forts of Maharashtra. But the carved idol of Chapetdan Maruti here is very magnificent.
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| Chapetdan Maruti |
The remained ruins can also be seen on the fort.
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| Remains on the fort |
The ancient caves dug into the huge rock take us back a long time. There is also a water tank in front of the caves.
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| Ancient cave |
Caves are divided into some rooms and Taljai Mata temple is established in one of the room. A beautiful sculpture of flower is seen on the ceiling.
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| Taljai Mata temple |
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| Sculpture of flower |
Before going to the fort's top, a path to the right leads to the Mahadarwaja, which was the entrance to the fort in earlier times.
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Towards Mahadarwaja
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Although the route leading from the base to the Mahadarwaja is no longer in use, the Mahadarwaja and its fortifications are still in good condition.
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| Mahadarwaja and its fortification |
Near the Mahadarwaja, one can see water tanks carved into the rock. The path leading here is a bit difficult. So be careful.
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Towards the water tanks
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| Water tanks |
Now we proceeded to the fort's top. After coming a little further, another path was seen joining the route leading to the fort top. So we set out to see where this path leads. The path began to descend.
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| Water tank and caves |
From here the next steps are very steep. The second entrance gate of the fort is spacious and elaborate.
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The Shiva temple
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Water tanks
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| Small lake |
If the weather is clear, the vast reservoir of Pavana Dam, as well as the Tung fort, Lohgad Fort and Visapur Fort can be easily seen from the fort.
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Pavna Dam
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Although there is nothing to visit on the Balekilla apart from the temple of Shiva, water tanks, some ruins and it is also small in size. But for those, who love forts and seek history in stone, this fort is a paradise. Met with one such fort lover at Balekilla.
His words remain in my mind "When we go to the fort, we feel that every remains there is talking to us. When we put our hands in a groove, we feel that the fingers of my Maa Saheb Jijau have touched here, the fingers of my Shivaji Maharaj have touched here."
Spent some time relaxing near the saffron flag placed on a Bastion. Meanwhile, it started raining, so we began descending the fort.
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| Saffron flag placed on a Bastion |
Return journey
Within half an hour we reached Tikona Peth village again and started our way back after having breakfast. The fort was again lost in the fog.
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Tikona fort
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Tung fort was still half covered in fog. Stopped for some time looking at Tung Fort.
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| Tung fort |
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| Selfie with trekker friends |
Again the journey started towards Pune from the village Brahmanoli. The rain had stopped. The fog was gradually diminishing. So we looked back to see if Lohgad and Visapur forts were visible. Stopped near a village on the way. I finally saw Lohgad and Visapur forts. Feels like now my Pravas is completed.
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Lohgad and Visapur fort
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Came near Somatane toll plaza and from there traveling Dehu Road - Khadki - Yerawada came home at Kharadi.
Our Pravas ends here.
To watch a YouTube video of this Pravas, click here at Tikona Fort.
To read other blogs of the Pune district, click here at Pune.
Jai Shivray
#tikonafort #vitandgad #tikonapeth #maval #pune #PiousPravasi
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