Tikona

Tikona is a small outpost fort located in the Maval region of the Pune district in Maharashtra, India. This fort is famous with first timers in trekking as it has a simple climb and is quite close to Pune city. This fort is usually scaled with Tung another outpost for located nearby. In fact, Tung and Tikona are separated just by the backwaters of the Pavana dam.

To get to Tikona, the best route from Pune is via Paud. From Paud you have to take the road which goes down to Kolvan, on the way you’ll come across an offshoot on the road which goes to Hadashi, ignore it and continue along the main road. Keep on this road until you cross a village called Javan. From here, continue on the same road till you see a small archway on the right. By this time you should have passed a ST bus stop called Tikona Peth. Cross the archway and follow the road till you get to the base of the fort.

Similar to Tung, Tikona is also divided into three sections. The first section goes until the first flight of stairs and the first 2 door ways. The second section is the part after the second doorway, where a cave and a source of potable water is located. The third section is the main part of the fort.

You can park your vehicle in the limited space available at the base. The path leading up to the fort is well trodden and easily identifiable. The path has a gradual incline and is easy to climb. After a point there is little tree cover so it would be advisable to carry plenty of water and sun caps if you're visiting in winter or summer. Keep following the path until you get to a small plateau. You can get a good view of the balekilla of the fort.

Start walking towards the balekilla and the path will start a gradual climb along the right side of the balekilla. Enroute you'll see a large statue of the Monkey God Hanuman. Keep following the path until you see a small water tank across which is a small cave temple dedicated to Taljai Devi.

Just beyond the temple you'll see a fork in the path, take the path going upwards. Continue climbing till you see a large stone wheel in circular groove in the ground. This is an ancient mortar crushing device, in the local tongue it's call 'Chunyacha Ghana'. This was used to grind up the limestone mix used in the construction of the fortifications of the fort. There is usually a villager who offers some refreshments for a price here.

Continuing on, you’ll see the steps which are going up to the first doorway of the fort. Start climbing till you cross the first door. Someone has installed a thick cable here to help people climb and descend the stairs. After you cross the first door you’ll notice two things; one, the next flight of stairs is much steeper and narrower than the one you just climbed; and two, there’s a small water tank on your right. You’ll also notice two towers flanking the stairway and a small flat area to your left. You can take a rest here if you’re tired from climbing the stairs or if there are people descending.

Climb the remaining stairs and cross the second doorway, and you’ll come out to a large flat area which is open. If you turn right, immediately after crossing the doorway, you’ll notice a small path which goes right next to the tower (it’s a U-turn). This path leads to a small cave which is the only place you can stay

on the fort. Right next to the cave is a small tank which is filled with potable water. It is safer to carry water with you during monsoon and summer since the water may not be pure in the former and there may not be any water left in the latter.

Returning to the doorway, proceed straight and you’ll see a flight of newly constructed stairs which go up to the third and main part of the fort. This is where the Trimbakeshwar temple is located and a few small water tanks near the temple itself.

Here you have a choice of taking the path going left or the one going right. Both paths can be used to complete a round of the fort. If you take the left one, you come across the lake first. Just before the lake is a small path which goes up to the topmost point of the fort which has the flag post. If you're lucky enough to get clear weather here you'll be able to get an amazing view of the Tung fort across the Pavana backwaters. You'll also be able to Lohgad and Visapur forts.

It should not take you more than 15 minutes to half an hour to take a complete round of the top.

References:

https://www.punetrekkers.com/tikona-fort

Road Map (Pune - Tikona) : https://goo.gl/2xi0el