After exploring sajjangad, i came back to Satara city where in the Ajinkyatara fort is located.
Ajinkyatara
Ajinkya-tara literally means "The Impregnable Star" and is one of the seven mountains surrounding the city of Satara. (Saat-tara)
This fort served as a watch tower for monitoring activities in south maharashtra.
Located in the heart of the city, it's a good respite from chaotic and idiotic two wheelers of the city.
Its 5 kms ride from city square.
We continue straight from Chaar bhinti's which leads to the base of Ajinkyatara fort. Vehicles reach at the base of this fort. The entrance is not as impressive as Sajjangad. The landmark of this fort is the big TV tower located bang on the fort.
There are some paintings and stone sculptures depecting gods and scenes from hindu epics.
Pics;
There is a big TV Tower, right in the middle of the fort. I feel it as RIDICULOUS.
Behind that TV tower, to the right is one small temple dedicated to Lord shiva.
As you walk in, a TV tower is always in the sight. This TV tower is located bang on the middle of fort. I felt it was ridiculous. Behind this tower, is a small shiva temple. The temple looks ancient. This temple was surrounded by marshy land so no pics from outside. But there's a lingam inside. The temple is overlooked by a bull which confronts you while entering the temple.
After brief prayer sessions, its time to return to the TV tower. To the left hand side, there is a Mangla devi temple.
On the way, you come across a deserted structure and another medieval temple which has fallen in ruins. It is still a active place of worship. And mind you, it has a Ladakhi flavour to it!!!
Follow the foot trail, you cross a thick jungle. Somewhere there i saw this hidden medieval jewel! From this foot trail, only its top was visible. I was just curious to know what it is and discovered that it is a temple!
Have a look at its walls! Its crumbling walls look lovely, isn't it!
As i said earlier, this temple is an active place of worship. And the proof it isthe lighten incense sticks.
This is the Ladakhi surprise i was talking about!
Inside the forest are some mammoth banyan trees!
The jungle gives way to clear land. You can find this commanding view of South Maharashtra!
The vigil men would overlook for intrusion from here!
No wonder, they would also praise mother nature along with their job!
10 mins walk and you reach mangala devi temple.
There is a board which says "Ajinkyatara" in marathi, which is written in devnagri font. (Zoom in the first pic of Ajinkyatara) But it is inverted! So i inverted it in a picture manager!
This is the end of the fort. You have to return back to the parking lot. Self start the bike and bid adeau this fort. The next obvious stop was the "Char bhinti" or the wall of policy.
Finally! That FLAG FLIES HIGH, MAKES ME FEEL PROUD! :)
Thats all on this trip. As usual, i would like to give you few tips. It would help you plan accordingly.
Important tips;
1) Fort type: Hill fort
2) Trek rating: Very easy
3) Location: Vehicle can reach upto the base.
4) Best time: Any time of the year. Monsoon and winter most preferred
5) Distance: Sajjangad 12kms from Satara, Ajinkyatara located in city itself
6) Nearby excursions: Kaas plateau (Valley of flowers of Maharashtra), Thoseghar waterfall, Tapola, Wind mills, Kaas lake.
7) Time: 2hrs each fort
8) Local transport: Available are State buses and shared mahindra jeeps from satara bus depot.
Other tips;
1) Do not litter, keep satara clean
2) Do not drink and drive.
3) In rains, fort floor can get slippery. All the flooring is made out of chiseled stones. Sole with strong grips are advised.
4) Take back some authentic "Satari Kandi pedhe" a sweet item for which satara is famous for.
5) Take back the values of Ramdas swami, we'll need them in this superficially civilized world which is suffering every minute due to lack of spirituality.
6) Take back some wonderful photos! Leave only your foot prints behind and not plastics.
You live only once, so go out there and explore :)
Ajinkyatara
Ajinkya-tara literally means "The Impregnable Star" and is one of the seven mountains surrounding the city of Satara. (Saat-tara)
This fort served as a watch tower for monitoring activities in south maharashtra.
Located in the heart of the city, it's a good respite from chaotic and idiotic two wheelers of the city.
Its 5 kms ride from city square.
We continue straight from Chaar bhinti's which leads to the base of Ajinkyatara fort. Vehicles reach at the base of this fort. The entrance is not as impressive as Sajjangad. The landmark of this fort is the big TV tower located bang on the fort.
There are some paintings and stone sculptures depecting gods and scenes from hindu epics.
Pics;
 |
| First view of Ajinkyatara fort. |
 |
| The Maruti carved out on the wall. |
 |
| Krishna and Radha. |
 |
| Mammoth Darwaja of the fort. |
 |
| Small temple at the beginning of the fort. |
Behind that TV tower, to the right is one small temple dedicated to Lord shiva.
As you walk in, a TV tower is always in the sight. This TV tower is located bang on the middle of fort. I felt it was ridiculous. Behind this tower, is a small shiva temple. The temple looks ancient. This temple was surrounded by marshy land so no pics from outside. But there's a lingam inside. The temple is overlooked by a bull which confronts you while entering the temple.
 |
| The Nandi aka Bull. |
 |
| The Lingam inside |
On the way, you come across a deserted structure and another medieval temple which has fallen in ruins. It is still a active place of worship. And mind you, it has a Ladakhi flavour to it!!!
 |
| The deserted administrative office! |
 |
| The old temple in ruin. |
 |
| Ruined walls. |
 |
| The temple from inside |
 |
| Prayer flags Ladakhi style! |
 |
| Some more flags! |
 |
| Mammoth banyan trees! |
The jungle gives way to clear land. You can find this commanding view of South Maharashtra!
The vigil men would overlook for intrusion from here!
No wonder, they would also praise mother nature along with their job!
 |
| View from fort! |
 |
| Mangla devi temple |
There is a board which says "Ajinkyatara" in marathi, which is written in devnagri font. (Zoom in the first pic of Ajinkyatara) But it is inverted! So i inverted it in a picture manager!
 |
| Board inverted |
This is the end of the fort. You have to return back to the parking lot. Self start the bike and bid adeau this fort. The next obvious stop was the "Char bhinti" or the wall of policy.
 |
| The policy! |
 |
| My love! |
Important tips;
1) Fort type: Hill fort
2) Trek rating: Very easy
3) Location: Vehicle can reach upto the base.
4) Best time: Any time of the year. Monsoon and winter most preferred
5) Distance: Sajjangad 12kms from Satara, Ajinkyatara located in city itself
6) Nearby excursions: Kaas plateau (Valley of flowers of Maharashtra), Thoseghar waterfall, Tapola, Wind mills, Kaas lake.
7) Time: 2hrs each fort
8) Local transport: Available are State buses and shared mahindra jeeps from satara bus depot.
Other tips;
1) Do not litter, keep satara clean
2) Do not drink and drive.
3) In rains, fort floor can get slippery. All the flooring is made out of chiseled stones. Sole with strong grips are advised.
4) Take back some authentic "Satari Kandi pedhe" a sweet item for which satara is famous for.
5) Take back the values of Ramdas swami, we'll need them in this superficially civilized world which is suffering every minute due to lack of spirituality.
6) Take back some wonderful photos! Leave only your foot prints behind and not plastics.
You live only once, so go out there and explore :)
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