Mohangad 2nd November 2014

Mohangad is a recently discovered fort situated in the Bhor region. It is located around 40 kms. from Bhor near the Varandha ghat. The fort has little to offer in terms of historical relics, with the exception of a few water cisterns and a temple. However, the climb is decently challenging and the view from the top is amazing! (Provided you visit in the right season!). The historical reference to Mohangad comes in a letter sent to Baji Prabhu Deshpande by Chattrapati Shivaji, in which Shivaji gives some instructions to Baji Prabhu regarding the fort's condition and tells his to change the fort's name from Jasloadgad to Mohangad. It can be inferred that this fort was used to station a few troops during the Afzalkhan episode to prevent additional Moghul troops to come up the Varandha ghat.

How to Get there?
While we had taken our bikes to reach Mohangad, it is also accessible by public transport. You can take a State Transport bus from Pune to Bhor and another bus which goes to Mahad from Bhor. You can ask the conductor to drop you off at Durgadi/Shindewadi Phata. From here, you have to walk about 2-3 kms until you come upto a temple on your left side. This temple is of the Goddess Janani. In front of the temple entrance, on the opposite side of the road, you can see a well used path which goes upto the fort.
The path is well marked with directional arrows so you have no worries of losing the way.
The path is split into gradual ascends and plain walks. Keeping to the path you should reach the ridge line in about 45 minutes. Keeping the fort in front of you, keep following the path until you reach to the base of the bastion. There is a small temple at this fork. The left path leads to 2 of the water cisterns while the path on the right goes up to the fort. The villagers we met on top told us that there is potable water in one of the cisterns on the left path. Taking the path on the right, the incline increases somewhat as you start the final leg of the climb. In 10 minutes or so, you will start to see some rough steps cut into rock. These lead up to the temple on the fort. Once you clear the steps, you can see a path going to the left, it leads to an half-buried water cistern. The other path leads straight to the temple. The complete climb should take around 1.5 to 2 hours.

After taking a short rest, you can enjoy the view offered by the majestic Varandha ghat on your left (with the temple at your back). If you're blessed with clear weather you may also be able to see Rajgad, and some other forts from this point. After taking in the view to your heart's content, start to descend by the same way you came and you should reach back to the temple in around and hour or so. If you have time to spare, a visit to the Varandha Ghat is recommended. You may also visit the Kavlya Fort which is quite easily accessed from the Ghat itself.

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If you want to read about our trek experience, CLICK HERE (coming soon)

References:  
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SOwe5Dmheo
http://atpatil11.blogspot.in/2013/10/mohangad-varadha-ghat-kavlya-gad-one.html