Madangad Fort Maharashtra

Madangad Fort
Maharashtra

This fort of 4900 feet high is in Giridurg fort. This fort in Kalsubai hill district of Nashik district is considered very difficult in terms of trekkers.

One of the difficult fortresses in Sahyadri, one fort is Madangad. The fort is very ancient. And that too remote. If you want to travel around this area, then the best time is December and January.

GETTING THERE

Maharashtra ST (State Transport) buses and trains are available to Igatpuri/Kasara all over from Pune and Mumbai Mainly

Igatpuri/Kasara-Ghoti-Pimpalnermor-Ambevadi route, First reach Kasara station which is on Nashik-Kalyan route. Take a cab for Rs. 1200/- which will drop you at Ambewadi or Samrad. From Samrad hire a local guide for Rs.1500/ per 10 persons. The guide will manage 2 breakfast, 3 meals and all necessary equipment( ropes, carabiners, harness etc.) for ascending and descending.

Alang, Madan and Kulang are situated in same region and are beside each other in the same range of mountains. To reach Alang or Madan, go to Kasara or Igatpuri and then Ambevadi by the Igatpuri/Kasara-Ghoti-Pimpalnermor route. There is a bus service from Ghoti to Ambevadi. Ambevadi is 32 km away from Ghoti. A bus is available at 6 a.m. from Ghoti to Ambevadi. We can easily see Alang, Madan and Kulang from there. From Ambevadi, a way goes to the ridge between Alang and Madan, which may take up to 3 hours. From the ridge, the fort visible on the left is Alang, while the one on the right is Madan.It takes 2 to 3 hours to reach at the top of Madan from the col. There are three parts of climbing the Madan.

Walk from ridge to steep rock patch,This parts has valley exposed narrow patches of walk which makes the trek unique and adventurous. Steps are bit small and have exposed valley on one side at Madan. Walking on steps at Madan becomes challenging if you are carrying too much of volume i.e. big ruck and sleeping mat, as if sleeping mat collides with rock wall on one side of steps, because of pressure push you on the side of valley. You reach to next step, steep rock patch in around 30 to 45 minutes.

Rock patch of around 40 ft, You have to climb the rock path of around 40 ft with the help of ropes, harness, carabiners etc. It might take 30 minutes to 1 hour to set up the ropes and get whole group up. This is the thrilling part of the trek. Since Madan has only one route to climb and descend, same patch you will have to descend.

Steps to reach top after rock patch, After the rock patch is climbed the path takes a western detour through a very narrow ridge.These are the most dreaded and continuous small steps engraved into the forts top part. Top part of fort looks like like a single giant rock in the aerial view. These steps are not even and quite small which makes difficult to climb and very difficult to descend. This part takes around 30 to 45 minutes. Again it makes difficult to walk with lot of volume in this part of climb.

Ghatghar via Ghoti-Bhandardara, Another way towards fort is from Ghatghar. Go via Ghoti-Bhandardara. From there, in 2½ hours, one can come to the third cavern. Via Bhandardara from Udadvade. Another way towards the fort is via Bhandardara from Udadvade gaon. From here you reach till a plateau and then there are two routes to go to Madan. On first and mostly taken route, climb the Alang fort on the left and descend down via rappelling 80 ft rock patch on the other side of fort to reach common ridge point. Though this is difficult route, it is preferred to visit the Alang on day one, stay there at night and to do Madan trek on the second day by descending. Second route is reach directly to the common ridge point for Madan and Alang, keeping Alang fort wall on the left.

ENTRY FEES

There is no entry fee to visit the fort, only ID is needed.

Places to visit on the Madangad Fort

• ·       The fort is like a small one.

• ·       There are two water cisterns on the fort, However, it has water till February.

• ·       There is also a cave that can accommodate between 20 and 30 people on the fort.

• ·       The surroundings from the fort look very nice.

• ·       Forts like

o   Alang,

o   Kulang,

o   Chhota Kulang,

o   Ratangad,

o   Ajoba fort,

o   Katharabai,

o   Dangya cone,

o   Harihara

o   Trimbakgad are seen

• ·        It is full of half-rounds.

OPENING/ CLOSING TIMINGS AND DAYS

The fort is open 24 Hrs to general public for all days of the week. One has to show their ID to enter the fort and for foreign nationals, passport is mandatory. It comes under Maharashtra tourism and department also promotes the heritage site. This fort is a must visit place if you are going on a Maharashtra tour.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Any time you can visit Madangad Fort

As this trek is very difficult for trekkers necessary care should be taken before and while climbing the fort

Accomodation on Madangad Fort

There is a cave in the fort to accommodate about 30 people. We must arrange for our own convenience. It takes 7 to 8 hours to get to the fort from Ambevadi.

Food Facility on Madangad Fort

Food arrangements can be made from the locals.

Water Facility on Madangad Fort

      Water is available for drinking only till February. Other times you have to make arrangements for yourself.

Note:
The Images which have been used here are from travelling freaks who have been wandering out there in nature sharing their experiences about how to do If images which are here are by them only, If you have any problem or query please do mail me and also suggestions are welcomed