Bangalore 1 Nov
Harihareshwar 5 Nov - 8 Nov
Gawilgad Melghat Narnala Jungle 11 Nov - 15 Nov
Jamnagar Birding 25 nov - 1 Dec
Dandeli Birding 7 Dec - 12 Dec
Kutch Birding 16 Dec - 22 Dec
Moonlight Trek @ Torna
Torna Fort or Prachandagad is a large fort located in Pune district Velhe Taluka (at 1405 metres above sea-level, the tallest in the district) in the state of Maharashtra, India. Torna fort is very close to another grand fort Rajgad.
Torna is historically significant as one of the first forts to be captured by Shivaji in 1643, forming the nucleus of the Maratha empire. The name derives from Prachanda (Marathi for huge or massive) and gad (Marathi for fort).
This fort is believed to have been constructed by the Shaiva Panth, followers of the Hindu god Shiva, in the 13th century. A Menghai Devi temple, also referred to as the Tornaji temple, is situated near the entrance of the fort.
In 1643, Shivaji captured this fort at the age of sixteen, thus making it one of the first forts in what would become the Maratha empire. Shivaji renamed the fort Prachandagad, and constructed several monuments and towers within it.
In the 18th century, the Mughal empire gained control of this fort after assassination of Shivaji's son Sambhaji. Aurangzeb, then Mughal emperor, renamed this fort Futulgaib (Language unknown: Divine victory), in recognition of the difficult defense the Mughals had to overcome to capture this fort. It was restored to the Maratha confederacy by the Treaty of Purandar.
As 23rd Oct was Kojagiri Poornima(Full Moon), left with giridarshan team for base village Velhe by Maharashtra Transport(ST) bus around 5pm. After reaching velhe around 6.30pm, had Tea n snacks at Torna Hotel n left for hike around 7.15 pm. Since it was full moon night, walking through base hillocks n 6-7 feet taller wild grass n weeds was an wonderful experience. So after an 2 Hrs climb, reached rock patch which took good 20-30 minutes of tiring n challengeing rock climb before we reached entry gate called Binni Darwaja, after few steps we were at Forts main gate. As it was kojagiri poornima, Mengai Devi temple was already occupied by trekker groups who had reached before us.
Earlier Poornima moon
more................
.JPG)
Torna is historically significant as one of the first forts to be captured by Shivaji in 1643, forming the nucleus of the Maratha empire. The name derives from Prachanda (Marathi for huge or massive) and gad (Marathi for fort).
This fort is believed to have been constructed by the Shaiva Panth, followers of the Hindu god Shiva, in the 13th century. A Menghai Devi temple, also referred to as the Tornaji temple, is situated near the entrance of the fort.
In 1643, Shivaji captured this fort at the age of sixteen, thus making it one of the first forts in what would become the Maratha empire. Shivaji renamed the fort Prachandagad, and constructed several monuments and towers within it.
In the 18th century, the Mughal empire gained control of this fort after assassination of Shivaji's son Sambhaji. Aurangzeb, then Mughal emperor, renamed this fort Futulgaib (Language unknown: Divine victory), in recognition of the difficult defense the Mughals had to overcome to capture this fort. It was restored to the Maratha confederacy by the Treaty of Purandar.
As 23rd Oct was Kojagiri Poornima(Full Moon), left with giridarshan team for base village Velhe by Maharashtra Transport(ST) bus around 5pm. After reaching velhe around 6.30pm, had Tea n snacks at Torna Hotel n left for hike around 7.15 pm. Since it was full moon night, walking through base hillocks n 6-7 feet taller wild grass n weeds was an wonderful experience. So after an 2 Hrs climb, reached rock patch which took good 20-30 minutes of tiring n challengeing rock climb before we reached entry gate called Binni Darwaja, after few steps we were at Forts main gate. As it was kojagiri poornima, Mengai Devi temple was already occupied by trekker groups who had reached before us.
Earlier Poornima moon
more................
.JPG)
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