Torana was on card for so many days but some or other reason we could not execute the plan. This time also it was very tough to execute it by managing office work and work at home. The plan was on Friday i.e. 30.04.2010 leave the office at 16:00, pickup Arya (my son) 
and reach Rajaram bridge at 17:00 where Aditya & Viju (Vijendra) would be joning us.But due to work load in office I could not leave at 16:00 and finally I leave the office at 17:30. On the road that day was huge traffic and we reach Rajaram bridge at 19:45 which was already very late. We reached Velhe which is the base village of Torana at 21:00 and started walking at 21:15.Initially it was very dark as the moon was not arrived. But since it was night, the climate was not 
hot. It was Arya's first night trek. For Minal (my wife) also it was the first night trek. Because of darkness we could see only the edge of the fortification from the base and because of that Minal was under impression that the fort is not very high and it will be easy. And I didn't want to give her the real idea about the fort height.Moon arrived at around 22:15 and we reduced the usage of torches. Walking in moon light on any hill is a unique experience. For Arya it was very interesting because as I mentioned he was doing this for first time in his life.
hot. It was Arya's first night trek. For Minal (my wife) also it was the first night trek. Because of darkness we could see only the edge of the fortification from the base and because of that Minal was under impression that the fort is not very high and it will be easy. And I didn't want to give her the real idea about the fort height.Moon arrived at around 22:15 and we reduced the usage of torches. Walking in moon light on any hill is a unique experience. For Arya it was very interesting because as I mentioned he was doing this for first time in his life. By now we climed the first hilly patch and we came on a platue where there
it was breezing very good. We took rest over there for 10-15 mins. and moved ahead. We all
enjoyed it very well. Actual test was on the last patch which is very steaf. It was very tough
it was breezing very good. We took rest over there for 10-15 mins. and moved ahead. We allenjoyed it very well. Actual test was on the last patch which is very steaf. It was very tough
for Minal but she managed it. We reached on the first door at 12:15 and we looked behind towards Sinhagad. It was unbelivable. Since it was 1st May i.e. Maharashtra din, there was lighting at Sinhagad. Thousands of crackers were firing on Sinhagad.
It was the best experience for me also. After watching the cracker show we reached at Mengai
mata mandir at around 00:45. That means we took 3 and half hrs to climb the complete fort.Few other groups already occupied the good places in the tample to sleep. We had dinner
first and then we went to sleep. Arya slepped literally in 2 mins. It was already 02:00 in
the watch.
mata mandir at around 00:45. That means we took 3 and half hrs to climb the complete fort.Few other groups already occupied the good places in the tample to sleep. We had dinner
first and then we went to sleep. Arya slepped literally in 2 mins. It was already 02:00 in
the watch.
On the next day we woke up at 06:00. In the morning time the climate was very plesant. Itwas very cold initially but as we started walking we didn'd realised it.
First we went to Budhala machi which took around 2 hrs. we clicked few snaps while going over there.
Then we went towards Zunjar machi which is exactly in opposite
direction to Budhala machi. View of Zunjar machi from the upper fortification is too good. It reminded me the day almost 17 yrs back I went down from the chor wat of Zunjar machi. It is very tough to go down from the
chor wat of Zunjar machi.
We started at 10:00 to go down and suddenly I saw a baby of snake. We could take snaps of it. Later we came to know that it was Ghonas which is a very dangerous snake.
chor wat of Zunjar machi.
We started at 10:00 to go down and suddenly I saw a baby of snake. We could take snaps of it. Later we came to know that it was Ghonas which is a very dangerous snake.
On the day time also it was not that much hot. On the way we tasted some Karwand which is also called as 'Dongarachi maina'.We came down to Velhe at 12:00 and to Pune at 13:15 through Pabe khind.How to go to: From Pune it is 65 km towards Nasarpur. To get to the Torna, one has to first reach the base village called Velhe. From Swargate bus station in Pune, take a state transport bus with route 'Swargate - Velhe - Ghisar'. This bus will drop you at Velhe in around 1hr 45mins. It will be good to start in early morning for the fort. 6.30am bus will be very good option to reach early to the fort.
Once you reach the Velhe, ask for Torna fort way. Once you start climbing the fort, you should reach the fort within 2hr 30mins with an easy pace.
What to see: On the fort you could see various places like, Zunjar Machi, Budhla Machi, Kokan darwaja, Kothi Darwaja, Bini Darwaja, Menghai Goddess temple, Toranjai Goddess temple,Sadar. Fort could be seen within 4 hrs.
For more pictures:
