Would be of interst of some people around

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Mukund Gondhalekar < This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it >

Hi Folks,

I am writing this mail on behalf of Rajmachi Rural Aid and Development Programme (RRADP). This is a Non Government Organization (NGO) engaged in voluntary development activities at Rajmachi.

Rajmachi is a unique historical fort situated on the top of the Western Ghats (the Sahyadri mountain), about 15 km. away from Lonavla, in Pune District of Maharashtra. For reaching Fort Rajmachi, one has to trek on foot the 15 km track from Lonavla. It takes 3 to 4 hours to cover the distance. The trek is not hard, but quite enjoyable.

There are two Fortresses on Rajmachi –the taller one in the east is Shrivardhan and the other in the west is Manoranjan. Rajmachi is a unique fort having wide plateau on all sides of the twin fortresses. There is a rich treasure of historical ruins on Rajmachi, viz. mighty ramparts and walls, gateways, secret exit gates, administrative offices, water storage tanks and reservoirs, residential quarters, temples and idols of deities. Rajmachi affords a magnificent view of sprawling ranges of the Sahyadri mountain and one can see from here a number of historical forts in the Sahyadri.

RRADP has a camping site at Fort Rajmachi with 2 dormitories, which provide accommodation for about 50 trekkers. We serve simple but tasty vegetarian food (morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner) at moderate price.

We announce a trek to Rajmachi on Saturday 4 November 2006. Saturday (4 November) night is full moon night. The programme is as under :

Saturday, 4 November 2006
Assemble at Lonavla Railway Station at 9.00 am.
Reach Fort Rajmachi by 1.00 pm
Lunch and rest
Visit to Shrivardhan from 3.00 to 6.00 pm
Evening tea with snacks
Discussions about the historical Forts, the voluntary development project of RRADP, etc.
Dinner at about 8.30
Entertainment, songs, etc. upto 10.30 pm., and hot drink

Sunday, 5 November 2006
Morning tea and visit to Manoranjan
Breakfast at 9.30 am
Visit to the lake and ancient Shiva temple.
Lunch

Return trek starts at 2.00 pm. This is about 3 hours trek (climb down) to village Kondivde. Board auto rickshaw at Kondivde and reach Karjat Railway station.

Price Rs. 250/- per person. This includes guide from Lonavla to Rajmachi and from Rajmachi to Kondivde, guide for the local site seeing, catering and accommodation at Rajmachi. This does not include transport to Lonavla and from Karjat back home.

Please register your entry immediately.

For registration and further details please send mail or contact

Mukund on tel. No. (22) 2746 9351.

- Mukund Gondhalekar

2A / 301, Kailash Park
Plot No.80, Nityanand Marg,
Panvel 410206
India
Tel. No. (22) 27469351
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