E'joying Rain at Fort Tikona ~ ~

I always found trekking in monsoon very exciting. Last year we frndz experienced a thrilling trek to Visapur. So this year my office group planned trek to Tikona.
An old deserted fort that not many trekkers too are aware of is Tikona, a little known peak pyramidal near Lonavala. The trek is in itself a very rewarding experience what with mist-drenched paths, the wet earth, and wild flowers dotting the countryside.
The fort gets its name from its pyramidal shape, which is instantly recognizable at the end of a gently arching mud trail. This mud trail like most others tends to get very slushy after a shower. In case the showers are heavy then one can always take shelter in the old temple at the base of the fort.
It is also called as 'Vitangagad'. Saturday early morning, we started by Lonavala Local. Reached there at around 9am. Enjoyed delicious breakfast with missal pav and then we started moving towards Tikona. From Kamshet we went to Kale colony and then we hired a jeep to reach base.village 'Tikona Peth'. The locals can be very helpful and their guidance should be solicited for the beginning of the trail leading to the peak. Once the climb begins then it is easy to follow the path. Weather was pleasant and it looked like we might get rain showers on our way to top. As usual we had few photo stops till it started drizzling. En route we came across a cave with rock-cut water tanks the origins of which can be traced to the reign of the Silahara Dynasty, not before the Satvahan period.
There are few monuments on the fort to see like the big doors, the temple of 'Trimbakeshwar Mahadev', a water tank and few caves of Satvahan era. The view of Pawna dam and other forts like Tung, Lohagad and Visapur is beautiful.
Once reaching on top one is either greeted with a spectacular view or is enveloped in mist.

After around 2 hours, we reached on top. It was an amazing view. One can see all near by forts like Tung, Lohgad, Visapur from there. It's always great fun trekking in rains. Wind and rain became more strong so we decided to start our descend. Tikona is located at a height of 3580 ft. above sea level once on top, one really feels like the king of the world.

How to Go : Get down at Kamshet Railway station on Pune-Mumbai train route. From there go to Kale Colony by S.T. Bus or Auto and from there we can hire jeep to reach Tikona base.

Best Period : Monsoon.

So frndz explore this wonderful trek to Tikona sure! If you need any more info, just buzz on 098223 54348 or drop a mail to writeabhijit@yahoo.com
Cheers!