I confirmed to Bhau (Surendra Dugad) that I will join Sunday the Durgapathar trek, but still I was hesitant to go or not. Manish Mota suggested me to go as it is very good place for photography. So I decided that at-least for photography I will join the event. Later I found that it was really worth. I was all set and asked my father to drop me at Karve statue @ 5:00AM from where the trek starts. My plan was while returning I can easily get down at University, but later found that it would have been good if I had taken my own vehicle.
Durgapathar, we were to start from the Done village. En route near Dimbhe dam, we had Idli and hot tea. It was very much needed and was a beautiful spot for photography as well. Our road was crossing Malin (I know it does not have nice memories). From top we could see the portion of the land that created the Malin mishap.
We reached Done village and started the trek. After walking/climbing we reached near a valley (Kokan kada). The view was really awesome. The water fall which I am sure falling more than 2000 fts. We came to know that it was not raining around a week in that region, bus still waterfall was there. I cannot imagine how the scene would be in rainy season. We also had the nice view of Jivdhan fort, Nanya cha angtha (Nane ghat), Irnya, Durg, Dhakoba. Our path was nearing from Irnya and Durg forts.
Now we came to know that our entire walk/trek is near to this valley only. One place people literally laid on the ground to get the deep view of the valley. We came to know that one can climb up from the place called Ramnagar completely up to the top. I have already this in my wishlist of the treks. By now everyone was hungry and opened the lunch box. What a great feeling to have lunch watching fantastic valley. But soon it had to end and we started moving ahead.
It was suggested that we should visit the Durga devi temple which is at the base of the Durg fort. Near there is a lake and one has to cross the adjoining wall. It was really peaceful as only few of us were there. Here we met our trek mates who were returning from the Durg fort. This was not in plan but one need time and energy and they were ahead so good. After resting for some time, even I was eager to climb up and get the glimpse of the Durg fort. Next group was yet to join so I decided to try going up for 10/15 min. Immediately I started climbing up. It was really small climb and within few minutes I was at top. It would be difficult if raining. I could take only few photos and heard the whistle.
So decided to climb down. It was good as group had missed the path and decided to skip the temple. Now we were supposed to go towards the Bivade village where the trek ends. When we started climbing down we had magnificent top view of the Ramjewadi Pazar Talav. Just before the village there was a water fall where most of in the group taken the bath. The water was ice cold and was completely refreshing that we got our energy back.
Now we boarded the bus for the return journey.
