Ulysses 360 Degrees

Type : Hill Fort
Grade :Medium
Height :apprx. 4255 ft.
Appx. time to reach the top : 3 hrs from the base village
Base Village: Ratanwadi


Ratan means Jewel in Hindi. This hill fort is indeed jewel in all the hill forts here in Sahyadri. It is located in the district of Ahmednagar and is located about 4255 feet above sea level. It lies in the Ajoba mountain range surrounded by great mountains of Kulang, Alang, Kalsubai, Katarabai, Ajoba and Ghanchakkar. Geographically Ratangad is at the banks of Bhandardara lake of Ahmednagar district. With views of lake and highest mountains in Sahyadris looks very much lost in time.

At the base of this fort is ancient Lord Shiva (Amurteshwar) temple. About 1000 years old temple of Lord Shiva, the Amruteshwar Temple at Ratanwadi, is an absolute paragon of high class architecture of our ancestors.

Ratangad has still the remains of fortress with bastions and stone walls. Cave on the top is cut from the rock face and can easily accomodate 25 people at a time. Water cisterns are usually filled with water throughout the year and trekkers use them as water source. Eastern side of the fort has some fortification left, one can see Rani mahal here. From the southern side on can see Katrabai and Ajoba fort very close. This side has also some fortification left, but most of it is damaged. Climbing up on the northern side, one can see natural orifice (hole in rock, locally called nedhe) in the rock face, mostly made by wind. This orifice is big enough to be seen from base of the fort and can accommodate about 6-7 people at a time. Strong winds can be experienced at this orifice. Climbing down the nedhe to the western end of the fort leads closest to the Khuta pinnacle via tryambak Darwaza.

itinerary:

6:30 am Meeting outside Dadar Station East near Hanuman Mandir

7:10 am Catch Kasara Train from Dadar.

10 am Reach Kasara Station

Take a jeep to Bhandardhara which is 1 hour away from Kasara Station

Boat from Bhandardhara to Ratanwadi.

Start trek up from Ratanwadi to Ratanghad. Reach around 4 pm 

Relax, tea and snacks which will be made by us. 

Dinner to be made by the team and mini camp fire. 

Day 2:

Early morning tea and breakfast (if possible made by villagers)

Explore the surroundings and start descending by 2 pm.

Lunch at Bhandardhara

Things To Be carried:
A bottle of water,
Candles and TORCH with extra batteries (compulsory).
Towel, a napkin, Extra Pair of clothes.
Windcheaters,
Camera (Optional)
Cap, etc.
Some ready to eat food. Plum cakes, Biscuits etc.
Medicine those if u require usually (Optional)
Good trekking shoes, extra pair of socks.
A haversack to put in all the things to be carried....so that one has ones hands free while trekking.(Please do not carry sling bags or Jholas.)

Cost: Rs. 1000 per person for 10 people (might vary depending on the group size)