Time Travellers…

Went time travelling with friends the Sunday before the last.
Actually, it all began as a simple trek. Lohgad Fort. It’s at a place called Malavali. The station after Lonavala.

Drove down in the middle of the night and parked ourselves on the bridge overlooking the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Clicked snaps with the headlights of oncoming cars providing the only lighting and generally just sat around on the road with not a care in this world.

Early morning the trek began. And not much of a trek it was. A couple of hours and we were at the Fort. But the Fort more than made up for the short trek. Absolutely magnificent it was. Unlike a couple of others I’ve seen before, Lohgad still stands proud in all its glory. The fortification has stood the test of time very well.

On entering we had to pass through a number of arched gateways, each called as ‘Dwaar’. Once inside, we realized to our absolute delight that there was none of the regular picnicky junta around. Part of it can be attributed to our first light start. The picnic people usually roll into town a bit after we are all done. So there, we had the entire Fort to ourselves. And the feeling it evoked was something that defies words. We could truly appreciate that we were standing on the same hallowed ground once tread upon by mighty warriors. It was like going back in time, for real.

After taking in the blissful silence we set about exploring the Fort. There’s a small lake here that, if you are to believe the legend, has been created by elephants that were made to stamp their feet on the ground. And even more startling is the fact that it is very close to being perfectly circular. There are a couple of shrines and a ‘kundh’ as well. But the best part is this offshoot of the ‘Tatabandi’ (fortification), which is slightly difficult to get to. You have to climb down a slightly dicey rock face to get there. And the experience that follows makes you feel like a King. (Apologies Lady readers, but I don’t think Queens did this back then). What I’m talking about is the walk along the fortification. You are right on the edge, but strangely, you feel perfectly safe. We went all the way to end and then sat on the edge, surveying the land below like the Kings of this world. Everything looks so magical and peaceful from up there. At a distance you can see the Expressway and the Konkan Rail. It was a moment so reminiscent of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’. Now that’s what I call a high!

I’d always found a visit to the mountains to be a very humbling experience. This one had another very special dimension as well!


PS: Driving back on the Expressway the Speedo saluted 150! Better still, the Rev needle was only kissing 4. So we had some way to go. But then, three worried looking faces made me ease off. We’ll keep the scares for later ;)