Ratangad,
"Jewel of the Sahyadris," is a historic hill fort near Bhandardara, Maharashtra, famous for its scenic beauty, challenging treks, and Maratha history, featuring unique sights like the "Eye of the Needle" rock hole and the ancient Amruteshwar Te
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Ratangad,
"Jewel of the Sahyadris," is a historic hill fort near Bhandardara, Maharashtra, famous for its scenic beauty, challenging treks, and Maratha history, featuring unique sights like the "Eye of the Needle" rock hole and the ancient Amruteshwar Temple at its base, with popular trekking routes from Ratanwadi It offers stunning views, especially during monsoon greenery or winter flowers, attracting trekkers for its mix of adventure (ladders, rock-cut steps).Location & History
Location: Ahmednagar district, near Bhandardara, on the border with Thane.
Height: Approx. 4,255 feet above sea level.
History: One of India's oldest forts, used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj due to its strategic importance as a watchtower.
Key Features & Attractions
Nedhe (Eye of the Needle): A natural, large hole in the mountain offering unique views.Gates: Four main gates: Ganesh, Hanuman, Konkan, and Trimbak.
Caves: Caves with two rooms, a large entrance, and the "Aandhar Khotdi" (dark jail).
Amruteshwar Temple: An ancient, intricately carved Shiva temple at the Ratanwadi base.
Water Sources: Wells and tanks, including "Taakk".
Trekking & Trails
Base Villages: Ratanwadi (easier/popular) and Samrad (more challenging).
Difficulty: Medium to difficult, with ladders, rock-cut steps, and ridge walking.
Duration: About 3-4 hours one way to reach the top.
Best Time: Monsoon (lush green), Winter (flowers like Karvi, Sonki), as per this website and this website.
Getting ThereNearest Station: Igatpuri (hire local jeep to Ratanwadi) or Kalyan.
From Bhandardara: About 18-23 km drive to the base villages.
Ratangad Treek, Ratangad Stay, Rooms,Food, Local Guide, Camping Ratanwadi, Ratangad Camping.
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Contact. 9421649089/9168722492 Call, Text, What's app.
