During my last trek to Rajmachi with Youngsterz, I heard about the other members of gang. Each of them sounds unique in their own way. I thought to meet each of them and to learn more about trekking. Youngsterz was planning to go to Mahuli and leader was Nilesh Patil, he is the main coordinator of this group. Hoping to meet him and to explore new place I decided to join them.
Planning was to leave early in the morning by train and to reach Asangaon. I was thinking to sleep early but it kept getting late and I slept around at 1 am. I had to wake up at 4 am to reach Dadar by 5 am. My train was scheduled at 5:20 am from there. I was so tired that day after gym that I couldn’t even sense the alarm. It was nice of my roommate who woke me up at 4:30 am to ask whether I was going or not. I really wanted to go but to leave bed at that point of time was almost impossible. I was trying so hard to leave it but just like a magnet it was not allowing me to go :-). My situation was just like Uma Thurman of Kill Bill-I movie. In this movie, she tries to wake up her paralyzed leg by concentrating on it. After hours of concentration she succeeds, it didn’t took me hours though but it must have taken few minutes. I stood up and started getting ready for trek. I left at 5:30 am, which means I was 1 hour behind. After reaching Dadar I came to know that next fast local to asangaon is at 7:30 am, I was really disappointed. Suddenly I saw a slow local leaving from platform opposite to me. To catch it I had only one option, to cross the railway line. I checked both the side, and there was no sign of any train. It was safe but I don’t know why I didn’t jump instantly. Suddenly a guy from behind jumped on the track to catch the train, my leg followed him w/o any delay and I was inside the train. I confirmed with fellow travelers about the destination, luckily got a seat. It was 6:30 am when my journey started. I was behind the group but was determined to catch them.
I reached Asangaon at 8:20 am, had some breakfast and inquired about the route. (This was my fault; I should have enquired it earlier). The guy told me the rite route but that route was not for trekker. From Asangaon a shortcut goes to Mahuli village. Instead of that I took an auto and went to “Shahpur”. (Please don’t do that). If I would have walked, it would not have taken me more than 1 hour to reach the base village, but by Shahpur route it took me 1.5-2 hours. At last I reached base village at 10:15 am, now I was approximately 2 hours behind the group. While walking towards Mahuli Village I got lift too which saved my time, otherwise I would have been very late. After reaching there I realized that Mahuli is a popular destination and around 5-6 four wheelers were parked in the village. I joined 3 guys in the way to have proper company. But these guys were really slow (one was a fatty, who was trying to hide his low stemmna by clicking photos here and there :P). I was determined to catch the group so I left them and went ahead. I have to say I am really fast when I am alone :-)
(Let me summarize the route – Go to Asangaon East and ask for walking route to Mumbai-Nasik Highway. Also ask the shortest route for Manas temple. After 15 min of walking you will reach highway, the entrance has a big banner for Manas temple, you can wait for bus here or can keep walking. After few minutes you reach a diversion. From here manas temple is clearly visible, also on the adjacent side banner of Mahuli fort is also present. From here Mahuli village is 3-3.5 kms. Just reach the base village and start the climb. Arrows indicating the right direction is in abundance so following the right route will not be a problem.)
After completing the first inclined patch I reached a small plateau, with a clear view of the destination. A ridge needs to be crossed to reach the top. I could see that the destination was far away and I was already feeling as if I have walked too much. But I could also see series of people climbing above; this motivated me and filled me with more energy. I started targeting one series at a time. Each time I took over one group of people I targeted next. In the whole climb, there was only one patch in which I loosed my balance, I know it’s early to say this but I am getting better as a trekker. :D.
I reached on top, climbed the iron ladder and it seems as if I have reached my destination. Some families (having mix of all ages) was also sitting on top, waiting for water. I offered them my water and we had some light talks. They knew about youngsterz group and told me that they just went ahead. I thanked them and again started following the group. Beyond my expectation the group was really large and unfortunately I was not able to recognize anyone. They were sitting near a water cistern. As per net I had to take a left turn from this place. Leaving them behind I went ahead. The arrows were prompting that I was on rite track. Moving ahead that track I came in a difficult position, the arrows vanished. An arrow on a tree was pointing towards a path going downwards!! My mind was not accepting it and I decided for youngsterz group to come.
To my surprise, the arrow was showing a rite path!! After meeting the group I met some of my old trek mates. It was delighted to meet those guys….we went ahead and reached the ruins of the fort. On the way we had “jamuns” (blackberry) which refreshed us for remaining trek. Here I met Nilesh, he was looking completely different from his orkut profile. He was very nice to me and we had a good talk. He told that many groups return from this place thinking this as the end point, but he had something to show us which was better than this place. We came back and took a right turn for our next destination. I was behind Nilesh who was leading us and talking about his experience as a trekker. He told that we need to do some rock climbing to reach the final destination. All the first timers (including me, though I am not one of them :-)) were very excited. But to my disappointment it was just a small rock patch. With the help of experience guys all of us climbed it safely and reached the destination. The view from this place was awesome, it really felt heaven like. A soothing and chilling wind was blowing at a constant rate. I sat there for 20-25 minutes just doing nothing but throwing stones against the wind :-). After this we went to Kalyan Darwaja and form there we returned back. (I wonder how many Kalyan Darwaja”S” are there in Maharashtra :D)
After Kalyan Darwaja we started to come back, the same rock patch took most of our time. I was in the mood to remain with the group, but sometimes big group also sucks :P. As we climbed down the iron ladder, group’s co leader Ananda told some of us about 5:30 bus. It was 4:25 pm on clock, he said if someone can reach early, he can stop the bus for others. I and two more guys agreed for this and started our journey hurriedly. For some time we all were together, but after few difficult patches one guy slowed down. Me and the guy left remain together for some more time, but then he also slowed down. He was under the impression that he will reach down in 45 minutes and will catch the bus. I had some other idea in my mind, I wanted to stop by the stream at the base and to take a nice bath in it. I don’t know how many of you will believe it but I completed the descending in “HALF AN HOUR”. I reached the stream and without wasting anytime jumped in it. I remain inside for 10-15 minutes, I wanted more but that would have meant missing the bus. I left that place and was literally running for the bus. And this time too I got a lift till bus stop. I would not call it a coincidence but now I believe there is something with me who helps me through this treks. What can I say, I am not blessed in other things so may be this is the thing (travelling/trekking) which I am blessed with. :D
Anyhow I reached bus stop on time , ate some chana-falli to get some energy. I was sure the group will not reach here before 45-60 minutes. As many of them were first timers and yups they were enjoying in their own way(in others words delaying themselves :P). Bus arrived, I talked to conductor, he was in a hurry and told me that there will be next trip at 6:30 pm. I tried calling Nilesh to tell him the situation, but was not connecting. So I send him a SMS telling about the situation. I reached the station at 6 pm. The train was scheduled at 6:17 pm, I stole some time to buy some fruits and have some refreshments. In this a great day was about to end and I was really happy I did it. I was travelling alone most of the time but believe my friends it was worth doing it :-)
To summarize Mahuli was better than my expectation and weather added more excitement in the trip. This was my 3rd trek this season and I have to say it is getting better every time. Firstly it was Karnala in scorching heat. Then it was Rajmachi, though in heat as well, but with a good group and lots of fruits ;). Now Mahuli, a great weather, with a better health condition and yups chilled stream of water too :-). Though, I missed rains and waterfall this time. During next trek I will try for some trek with some waterfalls and I hope that time Indra Dev will not disappoint me further :-)
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