Ratangad Trek

Type : Hill Fort Ratangad
Grade : Medium
Height : 4255 ft (Approx)
Region: Igatpuri

History:

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.

Trek to fort takes around three to four hours. Two caves present at the top. Small cave doesn't have any grill to close the opening of cave and it can accommodate around 5 people. Big cave have grill to close the cave in nights and it can accommodate 25 people. Night stay can be done.