The NeverEnding Steps

OFFBE❤ T  JUNGLE  TREK _______🚶

   R A N G A N A   F O R T🚩

If you love trekking then you must visit the place. As a nature lover and adventure, I can recommend it's the best place.

This fort is the proof of the great vision of the great visionary Kings. It was one of the most exciting treks ever done by me. It’s one of the hill forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the Western Ghat range.

Climbing such kind of hill has always been a wonderful experience & It will always check your physical endurance. 

LOCATION :Rangana fort ,Maharashtra,India

HISTORY: Rangana fort is famous as "Prasidha Gad" in the Maratha history this fort is located amidst the Sahyadri Mountain-ranges between the borders of Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts. The sight of the fort is at the height of 2600 ft.from sea-level. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had captured it in 1659 AO. It is one of the 15 forts built by King Bhoja of the Shilahar dynasty in the 12th century. Fort not easily accessible, strong, and not easily defeat able even to enemies.

    This stronghold goes under an area called as "Maval Patta". The nature loaded with slopes & valleys encompassing Rangana is most extremely appealing.

      On this fort, Ranganai sanctuary is standing witness to old history. This Rangana area is 3 km long and spreads over a distance of about 1 km. There are many water tanks on this wide fort.This lake is of average size & it’s surprising to see the reservoir at such great height. It is said that Shivaji Maharaj used to stay at this fort on his way from Raigad to Konkan and Karnataka. The fort is still unknown to the general public as the construction of the site does not come under normal view. The history of Rangana is hidden by forests and hills and therefore does not attract the attention of many. But deleting Rangana will be an incomplete history of Maharashtra. It was considered an important place in the region from Goa to Panhala. The journey of color is also a test of human labor.

HOW TO REACH:  

From Kolhapur -Base village / District / Taluka -    Chikkewadi(Patgaon)/                Kolhapur/ Bhudargad / Maharashtra, India.

There is a good motorable road up to the base village Patgaon. It takes 1 hour to reach the Rangana fort from the base village Chikkewadi. 

   OR

Fom Sindhudurg -Basevillage/District/Taluka  -                                                             Narur/Sindhudurg/Kudal/Maharashtra,India.

 An  2 hour's journey from Narur Village Kudal to Rangana Fort for walking. Shivaji Maharaj used this way to go to the Rangana fort from Konkan. For trekking, persons can be used the walkway from Gothos, Nileli, Narur Villages.Base village Narur

 Once you start the trek it is always recommended to see for the precise route. You can take the guidance of villagers. If you take any wrong divergence then you might lose lots of time. The complete route is through a green jungle of mountains. This jungle consists of diversified wildlife, hence please be aware of all aspects while climbing. Don’t try to play with snakes if you find any. 

WHAT TO SEE : The Summit of nature's power and human achievement is Buland Baka Rangana Fort. It is one of the course forts compared to other forts. Its horrific structure stands intact for centuries together. The mind gets convinced almost the vision of the man who visualized its importance even before thinking who and when this place was selected for Rangana construction. It is a miraculous task of entering the Rangana by using even present-day facilities. Then if we turn to some centuries backward, it is rare that we do not feel surprised and dismay at such magical work done by people of that time.

                                                            Secret Route

 Large-sized stones and very delicate decorative carvings are seen everywhere. From the first gate, both sides have high stone walls. Now they are getting broken. While climbing up one faces the second large bastion and a big gate. After this gate on the right side of the plane area, a wall and doorframe are indicating an old small building (Wada), and in front, there is well supply water all year-round. Ahead of this place, there is a third gate with arches and red stone walls. There are sitting places in the arches. After crossing that gate we come on the large plane ground. On one side we see the Natures beauty of Konkan up to the sea, and on the other side, the area covered with valleys and hills of Kolhapur district watching this magnificent scenery moving ahead. We have to stop at a big lake. One side of this lake is a constructed wall. There is plenty of water storage and this remains permanently. So very near to the lake there is an old temple of Ranganai the store station of the goddess seems to be quite old days.

The top tin shade is recent. The carvings on the wooden portion construction are excellent. There is a high DeepMal of black stones.Goddess Rangnai Temple                                                                                                                                ShriGanesh Statue

                      DeepMal                                Hanumaan Statue

 By seeing the Hanuman statue there, one can guess that there might be Hanuman temple in old times. If we climb some steep rise through thick buses we go to the second peak. One can see Hanumanta Ghat, Sawantwadi to Vengurla region, and Manohar and Mansantosh Gad in front. There are three gates on this side but all in broken condition. In front, there are large deep fearful valleys.

STAY & FOOD: Water is essential when climbing. There is no water, food or any other facilities from the time you start the climb till you reach the end of the fort, so take the necessary things with you.You can make your meals at the fort. Trekkers stay in the spacious temple Goddess Ranganai.The pond on the fort has potable water.The time required to visit the fort is usually 3 to 4 hours.

VISIT SEASON:Any time you can visit the Rangana fort but best season is from Monsoon till winter end.(July - December)

    

The historical significance as well as the natural beauty of Rangana Fort is a thing of attraction for visitors.❤💚
It was an adventurous journey. You feel a bit of a struggle as you climb. But in the end it is said, "Great view comes after the hardest climb". Enjoy the great views of the fort.👀💕