Bhatkanti Trek to Ratangad Fort

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Dear Trekkers,

*BHATKANTI Trekkers* invite you all for *”Ratangad Fort”* Trek Via Samradh
on 13 October, 2024
(Leaving on 12th October 2024)

*Place:
Ratan Wadi, Bhandardara ,Igatpuri, District: Nashik, Maharashtra.*
Difficulty Level: Medium
Height: – 1297 m 4255 ft
*_Event Fee: Rs. 1200 /_*

(*Fee includes* – 2 Teas & 1 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch , Private Vehicle Transportation from Kasara
to Samradh (Base Village) & ‘BHATKANTI’ Expertise *)

*Cost exclude* – all food & beverages costs apart from the ones mentioned above. Any personal expenditure, (Toiletries, medicines, etc.)

Attractions of the Trek: –
“Ratan” means Jewel in Hindi. This hill fort is indeed jewel in all the hill forts here in Sahyadri. Geographically Ratangad is on the banks of Bhandardara lake in Ahmednagar district at a height of 4255 feet above sea level. With views of lake and highest mountains in Sahyadri looks very much lost in time.
A 1000 years old temple of Lord Shiva, the Amruteshwar Temple at Ratanwadi, is an absolute paragon of high class architecture of our ancestors, is at the base of this fort. Ratangad has still the remains of fortress with bastions and stone walls. Caves on the top is cut from the rock face and can easily accommodate 25 people at a time. Water systems are usually filled with water throughout the year and trekkers use them as water source. Eastern side of the fort has some fortification left; one can see Rani Mahal here. From the southern side on can see Katrabai and Ajoba fort very close. This side has also some fortification left, but most of it is damaged. Climbing up on the northern side, one can see natural orifice (hole in rock, locally called nedhe) in the rock face, mostly made by wind. Strong winds can be experienced at this orifice. Decend to the western end of the fort leads closest to the Khutta Pinnacle via Trimbak Darwaja.

What to see:
1) Nedhe’ or ‘Eye of the Needle
2) Amruteshwar Temple
3) Ratnadevi Temple
4) Old Water Tank
5) Ganesh Darwaza
6) Tryambak Darwaza
7) Katarbai, Ajoba, kalsubai Peak View

For Registration Link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc89J7gBno199IqSo64YTR73Zs03yZpXX5KKI2q6Sic7EH-rw/viewform

Trek Leaders:
*Mumbai*
Sachin : 8655360160
Shubham : 9403179048

*Pune*
Shashank : 9820161989
Poonam : 9766638241

Itinerary:
Saturday, 12th Oct, 2024
10:50 p.m. – Journey begins by local train to Kasara Station. We’ll be in 2nd coach from beginning (CSMT Side 2nd Coach)
(*Please check the train schedule mentioned below, Train will halt on all stations after Mulund.
Participants can catch same train from their respective stations, please inform same to Trek Leaders or Event Coordinators.
*Participants need to buy railway ticket of their own to/from their respective station.*

Sunday, 13th Oct, 2024
01:30 a.m.
Start Road journey by local Jeep to Samrad Village
04:00 a.m
Reach Samradh Base Village
05:30 a.m. Freshen up, Tea & Breakfast, Introduction Round.
06:30 a.m. Starts Trek Towards Ratangad fort
08:00 a.m. Reach to top of fort, Explore the Fort
01:00 p.m
Lunch break top on Fort
02:30 p.m. Start descending fort
03:30 p.m
Start journey to home with trek memories by Private Vehicle.
05:30 p.m.
Reach Station, Return journey to Mumbai by local train
06:07 p.m.
Reach Dadar Station, Good Byes with Trek Memories to cherish…

Good Byes with Trek Memories to cherish…

*Things to carry: Compulsory*
1. Recommended to wear Full body covering clothes during Trek – 2 sets (wearing Jeans is not recommended),
2. Swimwear (quick dry) according to your preference,
3. Cap, Sunglasses, Scarves, Sunscreen Lotion Etc
4. 2 liters of drinking water in household Water Bottles.
5. Head or Handheld Torch with extra batteries.
6. Eatables like Fruits, Plum Cakes, Biscuits etc. for hunger pangs.
7. Please Carry Glucon-D, Electrol, Enerzyl or Vital-Z for energy boost & to avoid Dehydration
8. Personal Medicines, if you are on any kindly inform Trek Leaders about the same.
9. A good Haversack, to keep all of the above things in it. Proper coverings for your gadgets like Mobiles & Cameras.
10. Photo ID card Compulsory.

*Rules & Regulations:*
1. Consumption of Alcohol is strictly forbidden during event.
2. Trek Leader’s decision will be final & abiding to all participants.
3. *‘BHATKANTI Trekkers’ reserves their right to change/cancel/deviate the event according to the need of time during event.*
4. Please avoid wearing precious ornaments. (Its sole responsibility lies with participants.)
5. *Strictly no garbage* *Do not throw any garbage anywhere during the trek*
*Our Policy:* – Don’t leave anything behind except your footprints and Don’t take away anything except happy memories.

Train Schedule
Kasara Local
10:50 – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
10:57 – Byculla
11:05 – Dadar
11:13 – Kurla
11:18 – Ghatkopar
11:30 – Mulund
11:34 – Thane
11:50 – Dombivali
12:01 – Kalyan
12:06 – Shahad
12:09 – Ambivali
12:15 – Titwala
12:35 – Asangaon
01:12 – Kasara
U miss train, U miss trek.