Fort : Ratangad

Distance	215 km	Height	4255 ft / 1297 m
Days	2 days	Difficulty	Simple
Base Village	Ratanwadi	District	Ahmednagar
Shelter	Caves at the top (1 small for 8-10 people and one big cave for 40-50 people)

Overview

Ratangad is a fort in Ratanwadi, Maharastra, India, overlooking the picturesque locale of Bhandardara, one of the oldest artificial catchment area. The fort is about 400 years old.
Ratangad has a natural rock peak with a cavity in it at the top which is called 'Nedhe' or 'Eye of the Needle'. Ratangad was captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosale and was on of his favourites. The base village Ratanwadi has a Amruteshwar temple which is famous for its carvings. The fort is origin for the river Pravara / Amrutvahini. The Bhandardara dam is built on this river . The main attraction at Ratanwadi is the Amruteshwar temple dating back to the Hemadpant era roughly from the 8th century. This fort lies in the Ajoba mountain range which is surrounded by mountains of Alang, Kalsubai, Kulang, Katarabai etc.
The journey through the fresh water lake with the great hills on the sides is actually a visual treat. It will take around 3 hours to reach the top from the base. The climb to the fort is not so steep, and merely before the last climb there are two steel ladders and some rock steps before reaching the door of the fort. There is a chance of losing the way at this point and better hire local guides to show the route.
From here route right leads to the fort where the route left leads to Rani Mahal. The rock steps are slippery and dangerous and should take care at this point. The oldest contrived catchment area with its beautiful locale of Bhandardara is really amazing. An ancient temple about 1000 years old is located at the base of this fort. This well-preserved temple of Lord Shiva at Amurteshwar is really an apotheosis of architectural skill of ancient civilisation.

Places of Interest

'Nedhe' or 'Eye of the Needle' : A natural orice (a rock peak with a cavity) in it at the top. It is also possible to go and sit in this nedhe.
'Amruteshwar Temple' : An ancient temple about 1000 years old located at the base village.
'Bhandardara Lake'

History

Ratangad Fort, also called Nhavi Killa or the Barber's Fort, [This fort is said to have got the name of Barber's Fort from Dhanaji, one of its commandants, who was of the barber caste. Government last of Civil Forts, 1862.] stands about six miles east of Mulher. About half way up the hill is the chief entrance and inside the fort are the ruins of what must once have been a stately court-house. On the hill sides are about eight rock-cut reservoirs and on the plateau a temple of Mahadev and a Musalman tomb. In 1862 the fort was reported in disrepair, though naturally strong from the height and steepness of the bill.

How to Reach

By Rail : Get to Igatpuri Station which is the nearest railway station. This is about 50 km from Ratangad. Get an early morning bus to Bhandardara (around 5.00 am). Boat ride to Ratanwadi.
Route : Pune – Nashik Phata-Chakan-Narayan Gaon-Sangamner-Akole-Rajur-Randha falls-Bhandardara-Ratanwadi-Ratangad.
By Road : Pune-Sangammner:~140kms; Sangammner-Bhandardara: ~60kms; Bhandardara-Ratanwadi: ~20kms.

Food Facility

You have to make your own arrangements.

Drinking Water Facility

Water cisterns are available at the top.