Peb Fort ( AKA Vikatgad ) Memories.

 Peb fort is my second home. Whenever i feel stressed or bored i pack my backpack and just get lost in the matheran region where the fort is located. I have been there for 7 times till now and have witnessed every season from there.

Basic Information About Fort:
Height - 2100 ft.
District - Raigad.
Range - Matheran Range.
Level/Grade - Medium.
Ways To Reach - 1) From Neral 2) From Panvel Side 3) From Matheran.

It was 31st December of 2013. Me and my friends wanted to end an old year and welcome the new year in a different way. So we decided to visit Peb Fort and stay there to witness both previous year's last Sunset and 2014's first Sunrise.

31st December 2013

The day started with the alarm of the 4.30 am. I was so excited as it was my maiden trek with newly bought Trekking Bag + Woodland Trekking Shoes + 60D cam's introduction to the mighty Sahyadris.

I packed Potato Parathas + sauce along with my bag and left the home @ 5.45 am.

              I boarded the 6.09 Karjat train from Kalyan and met my buddies in the train. We reached Neral Junction around 6.45 am. After having breakfast in nearby hotel, we moved on. We borrowed some cutting tools from the villagers in order to cut unwanted raised grass on the top of the fort.

Me With My Trekking Buddies.

Panoramic View Of Peb Fort.

We started ascending by pulling legs of each other and creating some pranks. It was so hot in there but we had plenty of water, so there was no risk of dehydration. While going through the route, we were listening to ShivKalyan Raja Songs.

Credits;- Tushar Chitte.

* Myself * Credits:- Tushar Chitte.

 

~ My Gang ~

We reached to the caves after 2 hrs. of hike and cleaned-up surrounding area. We had a lunch and rested there for half an hour. Those caves were used in Shivaji Maharaj's time to store the food.

Main Cave.

Kavya & Aniket packing-up collected garbage from cave area.

* Rectangular shaped cave *  Pic taken from inside.

Then, we continued our journey and reached the Ashram within next 20 minutes. After getting refreshed, we started cutting the grass for more than hour. We cut about 25 Kg of grass with our friend Subodh who lives and takes care of Ashram. As soon as we finished grass-cutting, we moved towards water cisterns to store some amount of water for the Ashram's daily activities.

               At 5.30 pm we visited Buruj (watch-tower) part of the fort and witnessed the last sunset of year 2013.

Last Sunset Of the year 2013. Credits:- Akshay Dere.

 Then we returned to Ashram and started discussion on Random Topics. Kavya cooked food for us and after having dinner, we made a campfire. It was so chilly and windy night.

Enjoying Campfire with Mates.

As clock showed 0.00 hrs, everyone greeted each other a happy new year and for next 10 minutes, we were busy to answer our ringing cellphones. After that we took round on the fort with the help of torch light and i got some macro shots.

© Atharva Dixit 2014.

© Atharva Dixit 2014.

We got back to Ashram to sleep and everyone set the alarm to wake-up early as we wanted to shoot First Rays of 2014. As it was the winter, sunrise timing was around 7 am. We woke-up at 6.30 am and started to find some good place facing towards the East on the fort.

First Rays Of 2014. © Atharva Dixit.

~ Rise Above All ~

~ My Way Of Taking Selfie ~    Cam On Tripod.

Cloud Pattern Made This Shot Unique.

~ Me & Valley ~   Credits:- Ameya Murudkar.

 

 

Temple At The Top Of The Fort.

 

We started descending at 11.30 am through Matheran route. It was the wonderful trek. I got some new friends in this trek. Time spent along with them on such serene and beautiful Fort is unforgettable. We witnessed end of an old year and beginning of new year from the same place.

                   As I said earlier, I have been here in every season, I am sharing some pics taken on various iterations.

Taken on 28th Of June 2014.

~ V-shape ~   28-06-14.

Taken On 17-08-14.

Taken On 17-08-14.

~ Tri-color ~   Taken On 17-08-14.

~ Just After The Sunrise ~   18-08-14.

~ Heavenly Sahyadri ~   18-08-14.

~ Panorama ~   Just after the rain.   18-08-14.

~ Golden Hour ~   18-08-14.

 This is all about the Peb Fort. I am attatched with this beautiful place emotionally. Every time, when I start descending, I make a promise with myself that next time I am going to spend more and more time with this fascinating place. It's a One Day Trek but if you want to enjoy it thoroughly, plan it as a Stay Trek.

Thank you.