Weekend Travels: 2012

Malhargad is just 30kms from Pune (Katraj). It is also called as Sonori Fort due to the village Sonori situated at its base. The fort has been named after the god Malhari and is the last fort built by the Marathas, 1775. It is also known as "Tarun Killa" (young fort) because it is the latest fort built in Maharashtra.

The fort is believed to be built to keep watch on Dive ghat along the Pune-Saswad route. The fort was built during the period of 1757 to 1760. The fort was built by Bhivrao Yashvant and Krishnaji Madhavrao Panse, a Peshwa Sardar, who was the chief in charge of “Tofkhana” of the Peshwas. Citations of a visit of Elder Madhavrao Peshwe to the fort are available in historic documents. A palace, belonging to Panse, can be seen in the Sonori village though; much of it is in ruins.

The fort is in good condition. There are two temples constructed side-by-side: the smaller is of Lord Khandoba, and the bigger one is of Lord Mahadeva.

I have been to Malhargad many times. It is very beautiful and small fort. It takes one and half hours to reach Malhargad from Pune and less than one hour to see the entire fort.

For more photos see link below

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Malhargad Fort

View of Malhargad. Two wheeler can be taken upto this .

View of Malhargad.

Main entrance of Malhargad - Ganesh Darwaja

Main entrance of Malhargad

View of Malhargad.

View of Malhargad from Main Entrance

Lord Mahadeva Temple

Lord Khandoba Temple

View of Malhargad

Time to Visit:

You can visit Malhargad in any season. There no heavy rains in this area.

There is no water available on the fort so advice is to carry sufficient water.

Also no food is available on the fort.

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Dudhsagar Waterfall Goa

Dudhsagar Fall, India's 5th tallest waterfall and 227th in the world, is located at a height of 310 mts. on the Mandovi River in the state of Goa, India. Well, on Goa-Karnataka border to be precise.

Getting detailed information on the internet about Dudhsagar Falls was frustrating as I just could not get accurate and useful information. That could be one of the many reasons which made me more eager to visit Dudhsagar. This marked the beginning of a beautiful journey which I can say for sure would be one of my best and one which I will remember for my entire life.

Preparation and Planning

Train booking was done for Nizamuddin - Vasco-da-Gama (Goa Express) from Pune to Kulem. 2ndSept 2012 (Saturday) was 'The Day' of the journey which I had planned to experience alone.

The much awaited 2nd September was here. What a slow countdown it was for this day! As planned I was at Pune station and thankfully the train was on time. Grabbing a nice window seat of the train with excited and unknown fellow trekkers, we departed Pune station by 17:00.

I don't know if it was my excitement, the weather, the thrill or just the heavenly beauty outside the train, I decided to get down at Castlerock instead of Kulem. Dudhsagar is between Castlerock & Kulem. It was 3:00am, of a beautiful Sunday morning when the train reached Castlerock Station. It was raining cats and dogs. Well, Elephants and Rhinos if I may say. At the station, there was a small dingy restroom and it goes without saying that it was full of water. The utter desolation of the station was broken by only one stall. Wow... I will definitely recommend the tea & Veg-Pulav I had there (you may have to order in bulk or wait for other fellow trekkers to order the same).

As I had came alone for trip, I was searching for a partner. Luckily I found a guy who also had came alone but did not had brought raincoat or umbrella. I offered him my umbrella as I had raincoat also with me.

It was 6:40am when we decided to walk toward Dudhsagar Fall

Dudhsagar Waterfall

Below are photos of Castlerock Station @ 3:00am

Trekkers resting at Castlerock Station and waiting for morning

Braganza Ghat

You can see 24/500 Mark in photo. Dudhsgar is exactly 15kms from Castlterock station.

There 16 tunnels till Kulem Station & till Dudhsagar 13 tunnel. I covered all 13 tunnels as went walking from Castlerock to Dudhsagar. There is lot to see by walking through railway line track.

Here are some photos:-

This very nice tunnel. Old tunnel from British rule

There are many small & big water falls on the way

This is where Goa border starts and Karnatak border Ends

and it’s me pointing at board.

" Caranzol " station after Castlerock, but train don't halt here.

Lot of Monkeys Caranzol Station

People taking lift from WDG-4 Engine going towards Kulem

Train coming from Kulem side; avoid passing tunnel when train is coming as lot of smoke come out.

To see water fall one has to cross one more tunnel just ahead of Dudhsagar station (tunnel No. 11) and when cross you get first look of fall. I was very existed to see.. :-)

Here are some photos:-

Church near Dudhsagar Station. (Temple Style)

Tunnel No.11 & 38/500 Mark

First View of Dudhsagar Fall, just crossing Tunnel No. 11

Full View of Dudhsagar Fall

It was almost 11:00am when I reach Dudhsagar fall. I started running fast as I wanted to click the photo of Train passing by Dudhsagar fall. Pune - Ernakulam - Goa ( Poorna Express ) passes Dudhsagar by 11:00 am as it was expected to come on time. I was 1.5kms away from the spot where you can click the photo of train passing from Dudhsagar Fall.

Below is the spot from which I click photos of Train passing, but the best spot is some meters ahead. This spot is around 1.5kms from Dudhsagar fall. There is 40/000 Mark.

40/000 Mark

Pune - Ernakulam - Goa ( Poorna Express ) Passing through Dudhsagar Fall @11.10 am


Pune - Ernakulam - Goa ( Poorna Express ) Passing through Dudhsagar Fall @11.10 am

Pune - Ernakulam - Goa ( Poorna Express ) Passing through Dudhsagar Fall @11.10 am

Pune - Ernakulam - Goa ( Poorna Express ) Passing through Dudhsagar Fall @11.10 am

After clicking photos from this spot, I decided to go back to Dudhsagar Fall so that I can click some more photos.

Here are some photos :-

After clicking all photos I decided to walk towards Dudhsagar Station and wait for train. Luckily a goods carrying wagon train stop just near Dudhsagar station. I climb up the WDG-4 Engine and the motor man told me to come inside the cabin. I was so happy & it was dream com true to sit inside Indian Railway Engine.

That day I got lot of info on WDG-4 Engines. I reach Castlerock with 1/2 hrs.

Here are some Photos:-

Reaching near Castlerock Station

I came from this WDG-4 Engine sitting in Cabin. Had Great Experience :-)

Dry Sand Room@ Castlerock

Railway workers filling dry sand in "Dry Sand Tank" which helps to apply brakes. On Castlerock station.

Some important info:-

Carry enough food and water. (Snacks are available near Dudhsagar Waterfall, but advice is to carry enough snacks & water)
Carry torch. Very helpful while crossing tunnel.
Carry spare cloths, Raincoat or Umbrella.
Wear Shoes.
Try to purchase return tickets.

Train Info:-

Best time to visit: The good time to visit this magnificent falls and soak in its beauty is the Monsoon when the falls become active. It might get risky traveling to the waterfall during monsoon as the roads get slippery. However, visiting the Dudhsagar after the Monsoons form October to Mid December is a great idea as the roads are dry and safe and the fall still full of water.

Route 1 (Dudhsagar Station - 0.5 Kms)

Get down at Dudhsagar railway station. Pass tunnel no.11 and you will reach Dudhsagar Waterfall.

Route 2 (Castle Rock Route to Dudhsagar - 15Kms)

This is the most famous route during the monsoon, Reach Castle Rock station and start a Scenic 15 km hike to Dudhsagar Waterfall along the railway track, it normally takes 5–6 hours for a normal person to reach. In this route we will be passing through 11 tunnels, a board reading "Welcome to Goa"( before tunnel no.4 ) and also great views of the Valley and small waterfalls. Also we pass through small railway station named " Caranzol "

Route 3 (Kulem Route to Dudhsagar - 12Kms)

This is equally scenic but less popular as compared to Route 2, One has to get down at Kulem/Collem Railway station and walk towards the falls which is about 12 km away. It normally takes 4–5 hours for a normal person to reach. The famous photograph of Trains passing through before the waterfalls can be seen in this route, and also the complete stretch of the falls will be visible while you hike towards the waterfalls. Also we pass through small railway station named " Sonalium "

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Weekend Travels

Weekend Travels

Malhargad { Also Known as Sonori Fort }

Green Shades of Nature! - Awesome Sunday Ride

Dudhsagar Waterfall