Everything You Need To Know About Tikona Fort Trek
A weekend was arrived, and now it was time to think which
would be the next trek from Sahyadri? Mind started beating fast and was
thinking the next adventurous trek. Tikona fort trek was the first thing that
came in mind. I have been to Pawna Lake, fort is visible from here. The route
goes exactly parallel to the lake. Tikona fort also known as Vitandgad fort. A
hill fort situated in Maval region in the western ghat of India. It is located in
Kamshet around 60 km from Pune. The nearest village to this fort is called
Tikona Peth. The height of this fort is 3500 feet and name itself describes that
Tikona means “triangular” (three corner). It has three corners at summit. From
top one can get the marvelous view of Pawna Dam with the reflection of Tung fort in it.
How to Reach
Air
The nearest International airport to reach here is Mumbai
International airport which is on the distance of 120 km and Pune airport on
the distance of 60 km. One can hire rented car or can also option to reach by
Bus.
Train
Nearest rail head to reach here is Lonavala railway station.
It is one of the major railway station where all express trains from different
state halts. There are so many express trains going out that passes through
Lonavala. From here catch a local train for Kamshet or take direct bus. Local
train runs between Pune to Lonavala that passes through Kamshet. There are
frequent buses available to the Kamshet from Lonavala bus stand.
By road
Drive to Lonavala is the dream of most of the bikers.
The road passing through Khandala ghat offers amazing view to the travelers.
There are regular buses available to reach Kamshet from Mumbai and Pune. This
is further connected to other cities and states. One can easily get cabs or bus
to reach Kamshet from Lonavala bus depot. If you are a group of people then take
rented car and drive to Tikona Peth
History
Complete history of Tikona fort is still not known. Nizam
Shahi dynasty conquered the fort in 1585. At this time other forts from this
region along with Konkan was in control of Nizam Shahi dynasty, in 1657 the
great Shivaji Maharaj brought the whole Konkan in his control. He had also
conquered Tikona along with the forts of Karnala,
Lohagad, Mahuli, Songad, Tala, and Visapur. Later, in 1660 the charge of the fort was taken by Dhamale
family from Maval region for security purpose. It was under the Dhamale family
for long time. The Maval region was attacked by Mughal in 1665 and fort was
surrendered to Mughal warrior Kabadkhan, who had attacked the region together
with Halal Khan and others. Again it was recaptured by Marathas. In 1682, King Sambhaji met Aurangzeb’s son
Akbar. After the meeting Akbar was offered to stay on the Tikona fort, however
he didn’t stay here as climate was not suited to him and he moved to Jaitapur.
A small battle was fought by Marathas and British in 1818, before it was captured
by later.
My Trekking Experience
Coming back to my corner of story, I have experienced the
treks with easy, moderate and difficult trekking grade from Sahyadri. Trekking
is my passion and this is the reason I never get board of trekking. Whenever I
get free time, I spend searching the forts and information associated with it.
Tikona was on my bucket since long time, being one of the important, but I
couldn’t make it due to some family reason. I had started collecting
information about this historical fort and was looking for an opportunity to
give this information a positive direction. This is true that all the forts has
similar kind of construction and structure but yes, the history and conquering
the fort is always a new things here. Being one of the most important fort in
Maval region, it was also considered as a center of Maval. This is one those
fort that offers the greenery, hide and seek clouds and dense fog in monsoon.
At one fine weekend finally, I decided to do a Tikona fort
trek. My life-partner was with me who also loves to trek. Trekking with someone
who loves you is the best feeling ever. As decided the journey started from
Mumbai on bike. We have been to Lonavala so many times on bike. The drive here
is superb and roads that offers the ample amount of beauty to the travelers.
Pawna Lake is on the right side while driving towards the fort. It took us
almost two and half hours to reach the base village called Tikona Peth. The road conditions are very good and routes are easy
to find. We parked our bike and started moving towards the target. Initial
routes are safe and wide. A simple road that takes you to the main entrance of
the fort. Monsoon here is always scenic and filled with lush greeneries. It was
October month when we had done this trek. In this month, Lonavala is always
remains cold. On the way there so many things to feel, smelling the wet mud,
finding variety of small flowers, different species of birds. These is why
trekking makes people more photogenic, and this is why Tikona fort trek is known
for.
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| Tikona fort route with valley on both the side |
Trek continues with small ascend, and another 15 to 20
minutes trek, you reach to the small plateau. Though it is small, it offers
magnificent view of valleys. It takes about an hour to reach the entrance gate.
This gate also passes through the stone where beautiful statue of Lord Hanuman is carved in the stone. It
flashes everyone’s eye and attract the trekkers. You will not pass without
clicking the statue picture.
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| Lord Hanuman carved in the stone |
After crossing the Lord Hanuman you come across
the caves. This caves belongs to the ancient Satavahanas (ref) period. There is small temple and statue of
Lord inside the caves. The caves here can accommodate at least 15-20 people.
There is small water body next to the caves. We had a long break here and later
continues with the trek. Moving further you come across the grinding wheel
which is also known as Limestone crusher. As I said, in every trek there is
always something new to learn. Looking towards this Limestone Crusher, it took
me back in the old century and was thinking how it was been used in that time;
Now, the technology has developed much more and machines are invaded for all
the small works.
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| Caves at Tikona fort |
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| Limestone crusher at Tikona fort |
There are two gates to reach the fort. First gate
where steep rock cut climbing is involved. In monsoon, this steps becomes
slippery and risky to climb. One has to be very careful while climbing the
steps. Same kind of stairs with narrow trail continues for second gate also. Once you cross both
the gate another plateau opens up with small temple of Trimbakeshwar. When you
look down from here, you get the best view of fortification of the fort. One
can also get engaged in spectacular view of Pawna Dam from here. Watching the
Pawna Lake and reflection of Tung fort in lake is breathe taking. You are now
close to the destination.
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| First entrance of Tikona fort with steps leading towards top |
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| Second entrance gate towards fort summit |
Going ahead there is large water cistern and this is
the final summit point where flag is hosted with the image of Shivaji Maharaj on flag. I have been to
so many forts before, but this is the only where Image of Shivaji Maharaj on
flag is reflected. At summit, all three corners of the forts can be easily
seen, this is why it is called Tikona fort. This fort was also used to keep
watch on surrounding forts. From summit one can have the astonishing view of
surrounding fort like Tung, Lohagad, Visapur, Rajgad, Sinhgad, and Torna fort. Tikona
fort trek is easy for beginners, and extra precaution needs to be taken in
monsoon. It takes around 2 hours to reach the summit from the base with normal
speed.
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| Tikona fort summit looks exactly like three corner |
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| Reflection of Shivaji Maharaj image on flag |
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| Summit view of Tikona fort |
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| Tung fort with reflection in Pawna Lake |
Ideal Time to Do Tikona Fort Trek
Tikona fort trek can be done throughout the year, but the
ideal season to do trek is from June to February when climate become breathe
taking. Monsoon here is stunning with full of fog and greenery all around.
Winter is ideal for camping lover and climate is also pleasant in this time.
Try to avoid trekking here in summer as sun heat ups the rock. One can trek
here in night as night trek is safe and routes are also easy.
Where to Stay?
Being local village there are no hotels and resorts around,
but you can travel for around 10 km for stay. There are so many hotels and
resorts available that costs as per economic to deluxe room. Pawna lake camping
is also one of the famous activity around. One who wants to get engaged with
nature looking at water, it is perfect destination. Camp stay at pawna lake is
thrilling experience to feel.
Places to Visit Around
- Water cistern at summit of the fort
- Pawna dam reservoir on the way to Tikona fort
- Pawna Lake which is known for boating and camping
- Tung fort
Things to Know Before You Visit Tikona Fort
- Start your trek as early as possible.
- Enough parking space is available at base point.
- Carry your own snacks and water, there are less no of shacks on route.
- Be careful while trekking in monsoon.
- Do not litter the area and not to drink on the fort.
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