मोहिम मृगगड

२०१० ची पहिली मोहिम. फक्त ७ मोहिमा झाल्यामुळे ( हरिश्चंद्रगड, पुरंदर, वज्रगड, तिकोणा, चावंड, रायगड, प्रतापगड) २००९ तसे जरा थंड गेले, २०१० चा पहिला प्लान मृगगड चा ठरला.

मृगगड चे नाव मोहन ने सुचविले होते, ९-१० जानेवारीला सवाई गंधर्व असल्यामुळे १६ तारीख ठरली. नेहमीप्रमाणे mails झाल्या नंतर फ़क्त ५ जण तयार झाले ( अभिजीत, मोहन , अमर, विनोद आणि मी) आणि ५ जणांसाठी अभि च्या मरिना पेक्षा चागली गाडी कोणती असणार?

सकाळी ६:०० वाजता आम्ही निघालो , ६:१५ ला विनोदला आकुर्डीतुन उचलले आणि जुन्या हायवेने आम्ही खोपोली ला पोहोचलो, पुढे एका हॉटेल मध्ये नाष्टा केला, बिल देताना महागाई ची झळ बसली (एक प्लेट पोहे २० रुपये). तिथुन आम्ही जांभुळपाड्याची वाट धरली. या वेळेचे औचित्य साधुन तब्ब्ल दिड वर्षानी आमच्या सोबत ट्रेकला आल्या बद्दल टॉवेल , हार आणि श्रीफळ देउन विनोदचा सत्कार करण्यात आला.

वाटेत एका ठिकाणी रोडवर ऑइल सांडले होते आणि त्यावरुन एक दुचाकी घसरलेली दिसली. आम्ही तिथे थांबलो, मोहनने त्यांचा प्रथमोपचार केला आणि आम्ही रोडवर ऑइल सांडलेल्या जागी माती टाकली. जांभुळपाड्यासाठी मेन रोड सोडुन आम्ही डावी कडे वळलो. जांभुळपाड्या पासुन बेलिवचा रस्ता धरला. गाडी गावाबाहेर पार्क करुन किल्ल्याचा रास्ता पकडला. गावामागे ३ डोंगर आहेत, त्यातील मधला म्हण्जे मृगगड, याला बेलिव चा किल्ला असे सुध्दा म्हण्तात. दुसऱ्या आणि तिसऱ्या डोंगरामध्ये एक खिंड आहे.

खिंडीच्या अलीकडे उजव्या बाजुला एक चौकोण गुहा दिसते, अमर, अभि आणि विनोद आत शिरले पण आत मध्ये काळोख असल्या मुळे ते परत आले आणि पुढच्या मोहिमे पासुन टॉर्च घेउन यायचे असा प्रस्ताव मंजुर झाला.

खिंड चढुन वर गेल्यावर एक छोटे पठार आहे, तिथुन भोवतालीचा सुंदर परिसर दिसतो, सुसाट वाऱ्याचा अनुभव घेण्यासाठी हि जागा एक नंबर आहे.

अमरने पुढची वाट दाखवली आणि ती पाहुन माझी विकेट उडाली, किल्ल्यावर जाण्यासाठी २५-३० फुट उंच काताळात पायऱ्या कोरल्या होत्या. मोहन ला "तुला हाच एक गड मिळाला का?" असे म्हणुन बराच वेळ त्या वाटेकडे वाट लागलेल्या माणसाप्रमाणे शुन्यात विचार करुन मी इतरांना "खरच पुढे जायचय का ? " असा प्रश्न केला. 

सर्वानी चल रे काही नाही होत अस म्हणुन माझा हुरुप वाढविला. अमर पुढे, त्यामागे मला गाइड करायला विनोद पुढे सारावला, माझ्या मागे मोना आणि सर्वात शेवटी ड्युड. इतर सगळे सहजतेने चढ्त होते, मी मात्र काताळाला पकडत हळु हळु पुढे सरकत होतो, शेवटी कसातरी वर पोहचलो आणि आपण परत सुखरुप परत खाली जाणार का? असा भयानक प्रश्न मला पडला, पण पुढ्च पुढे बघु अस म्हणुन मी पुढे निघालो.

किल्ल्यावर पाहण्यासारखे काही विशेष आढळळत नाही, एकुण पसारा पाहता या किल्ल्याचा उपयोग टेहाळणी साठी करत असावेत. थोडावेळ वर आराम केला आणि परतीचा प्रवास सुरु केला. आता परत त्या जागी आल्यावर माझी त्रेधातिरपिट उडाली, सर्वानीं खाली पाहु नकोस , फ़क्त पायऱ्यांकडे ध्यान दे असे सांगितले, मनातल्या मनात मी परत या किल्ल्यावर येनार नाही आणि कोणाला याला भेट द्या असे सांगनार नाही असे ठरवुन मी उतरु लागलो. माझ मार्गदर्शन करण्यासाठी अमर माझ्या पुढे उतरला. इथे पाय ठेव, हात इथे ठेव अशा सुचना मला मिळत होत्या आणि मी जीव मुठीत धरुन त्यांचे पालन करीत खाली उतरलो. मगे मोहन धीर देत होता.

खाली उतरायला १०-१५ मिनिटे लागली. तासाभरात खाली आलो, वाटेत येताना परळी या गावाजवळ घोटवडे बंधारा आहे, तिथे जवळपास अर्धा तास गप्पा मारुन आम्ही पुण्याकडे निघालो.

मनात एकच विचार चालु होता….

मृगगड ला पुन्हा जायचे नाही आणि कोणाला जा असे सांगायचे नाही.

Details

Region: Raigad , Sudhagad taluka

Route: Pune – Khopoli – Jambhulpada – Beliv

Difficulty level: Medium +

~ Distance from Pune : 120 Km

Potable water/food/place to stay overnight: Not available on fort


Snaps : http://picasaweb.google.co.in/khenatram/Mruggad#

One more feather in My Cap

I got my post graduation certificate. I completed MS in Software Engineering from BITS Pilani. I always wanted to go for Post Graduation when I was doing my engineering. Due to some personal reasons I could not go for it after my gradation but thanks to my organization that affiliated with BITS Pilani and offered MS course to the employees. It started in 2007 and I am part of the first batch. The classes were on Saturdays from 09:00 am to 6:00 pm, after 5 days a week work attending classes on Saturdays required more dedication than hard work. But at last all my efforts paid off & I got good 8.17 CGPA.

माझा नवीन लेख

माझ्या तमाम मित्रांना एक विशेष बातमी.
कळविण्यास अत्यन्त आनंद आहे की मला अखिल भारतीय तरुण गॄह कर्ज विळखा संघटने चे पुढील १५ वर्षां साठी सदस्यत्व मिळाले आहे कारण मी निर्माण विवा या गॄह मध्ये एक सदनिका आरक्षित केली आहे. आता काही जण
अशी शंका काढ्तील कि हे सर्व मी मातृभाषे मध्ये का लिहितो आहे तर त्यांस कारण असे कि, माणुस कितीही
इंग्रजाळ्ला (जसे आपण माणसांच्या (सवयींच्या ?? ) आहारी गेलेल्या प्राण्याला माणसाळलेला म्हणतो, त्याच प्रमाणे
मी माझ्या शब्द्कोशात "इंग्रजाळ्ला" हा शब्द जोडला) पण ठेच लागली कि तो मातृभाषेतच विव्हळतो आणि मला
ही नविन सदस्यत्व मुळे अशीच ठेच लागणार आहे म्हणुन हा मातृभाषेतच लेख लिहिण्याचा अट्टहास. (खर सांगायच
झाल तर इंग्रजी भाषेत लेख लिहिण्या मागे माझ एकच ध्येय आहे , "गरिबी हटवा" . मला काय म्हणायचे आहे याचा माझ्या जवळच्या मित्राना अंदाज आला असेल)
आणि जर तुमच्या मनात राम शुदध मराठी का लिहित आहे असा प्रश्न पडला असेल तर त्याला उत्तर असे कि काही
दिवसां पासुन रोज संध्याकाळी काही मित्र मला चावतात ( "चावतात " या शब्दा चा अर्थ जर लागत नसेल तर …., मानसिक छळाला पुणेरी बोली भाषे मध्ये चावणे असे म्हणतात. या वाक्यात पुणेरी शब्द आल्या मुळे सर्व जण सहमत
होतीलच असे नाही. नाही झाले तरी चालेल, ही माझी पुणेरी बोली आहे.)
असो.. पुढील महिन्या पासुन सुलभ मासिक हप्ते सुरु होणार आणि माझ्या हातात फ़क्त अर्धा पगार पडणार
ताबा पुढील काही महिन्यात मिळेल.


बरच काहि लिहायचे होते मला, पण आत्ता सगळय आठवत नाहीये (उशिर झाला आहे ना… EOD कधिच
झालाय)
आपण आपला अभिप्राय नक्की कळवा, मला पुढिल लेख लिहिण्यासाठी प्रेरणा मिळेल.
चुक भुल द्यावी घ्यावी.

Mohim : Vajrgad – Purandar

After successful Chawand trek our next target was Vajragd, a fort about which very few people know, a fort is usually misinterpreted as part of its neighbor Purandar. Even on internet there are very few articles on Vajragad fort.

We were expecting ~ 7 people for this trek but due to various reasons only Mohan , Akshaye & Ajay able to manage. Lowest count since I started trekking and as I was been to Saswad same week I was well aware of the road condition between Hadpaser – Saswad , so we decided to opt for reliable ST bus rather than bikes.


We all (including Akshaye as he has learn his lesson from Chawand trip, where we fined him ;) for coming late) gathered ~ 700 at Swargate. We reached at the Kapurhol at 830 and had breakfast there. Our next target was Naryanpur from where we had to actually start out trek. Possibility of getting Bhor- Saswad ST (only regular ST bus using which you can reach from Kapurhol to Saswad) was very low so we opt for a jeep. The Jeep wala managed to fit 17 people in a 8 seat Jeep .

Within half an hour we reached @ Narayanpur. From Narayanpur we walked till Peth (Base village for Purandar & Vajragad) and after 90 minutes of walk we reached @ Bini Darwaja of Purandar. From there we directly headed towards Bhairav Khind (The last point of Purandar where Shivaji Maharaj's statue is placed). Vajragad is just behind that status and way to Vajragad is from the small hill behind Bhairav khind. We had actually took the left hand side road which is behind Rajke talav but we couldn't found a good way from their to reach Vajragad so we had to came back and choose the path that goes from the small hill.

Within 15 minutes we reached at Vajragad main door. It is still in pretty much good shape.

From Vajragad , we climbed down to Purandar and within 45 mins we reached at Dilli Darwaja, from there we went to Kedareshwar. Kedareshwar is situated at top most peak of Purandar. Entire surrounding area of Karha khore and Shirval region can be viewed from Kedareshwar, that' s why Purandar was so important.Overall the fort is in pretty good shape.
Snaps are uploaded at : http://picasaweb.google.co.in/khenatram/VajragadPurandar

Details

Region : Pune

Approximate Distance : 50 KM from Pune

Route to reach.

1. Pune – Saswad – Narayanpur
   
2. Pune – Kapurhol – Narayanpur
   

Difficulty Level : Easy

Mohim : Chavand Fort

After a huge gap we chose Chavand as our next trek target. The suggestion was from Abhi (Dude) and we decided to try this out on 15th November. 7 members were ready to roar, so this time we came up with new formula of 1 car and 1 bike compared to our regular approach of 4 bikes ( 3*2 + 1 backup) for 7. This is my 16th fort after following 15.

1. Sinhgad
2. Lohgad
3. Vajragad
4. Visapur
5. Torna
6. Rohida
7. Rajgad
8. Janjira
9. Rayreshwar
10. Purandar
11. Tikona
12. Ratangad
13. Sudhgad
14. Harishchandragad
15. Shivneri

We were suppose to start @ 5:30 am from Pune, but due to the malfunction in Akshaye Khanna’s (Siddhesh) mob (which is unusual) we had to start @ 6:30 am. After traveling 120 Km from Pune -> Narayangaon -> Junnar -> Chavand , we reach at the base village Chavand @ 10:30 am (including 30+ mins of snacks time @ Narayangaon).

The climb is not that difficult except one rock patch (Shidichi vaat) where iron stairs are placed for support to climbing up. After ~ 1hr of climbing we reached at top and the view was awesome. If you are familiar with the Junnar and malshej ghat region, you can easily figure out Hadsar, Jivdhan, Harishchandragad , Dhakoba forts , “Manik doh” dam from Chavand. The main door is in pretty good shape.

There must be very few visitors visiting this fort as there was no easy to read road on top. Entire area was covered with ~ 6ft grass so we had to find the path and direction based on the details mentioned in the material available on this fort. We able to found some monuments and “sapta matruka” water storage tanks. The fort is pretty big and its circumference is around 5 to 6 km but due to the grass and non existing roads we able to just cover only 10% of fort. Around 2 we decide to move back and came back to Chavand village.

Details

Region : Junnar Taluka

Approximate Distance : 120 KM from Pune

Difficulty Level : Medium

Snaps are here : http://picasaweb.google.co.in/lh/sredir?uname=khenatram&target=ALBUM&id=5406800248638007745&authkey=Gv1sRgCOmkmP6gz4O30gE&feat=email

Back to MIT...........

After a long time I got an opportunity to visit my college. The reason was college friends get together so which place would be better than our MIT college.
I observed that the look and feel of our college was not the same. Lot of new buildings has been constructed in the college as well as around the whole campus. Our College now provides admissions for all courses right from commerce, arts & science new age retail management courses.
Our very own college lawn is the same as before and let me tell you that I recollected all the time spent there. I have lot of memories some sweet some bitter ones with the lawn.
One new and amazing thing I saw is the rotating Globe at the entrance. It looked beautiful but unfortunately I couldn't see it rotating. On our way back home we visited our favorite Hotel Namrata. One good thing to mention is that the owner still remembers us. The hotel the same as before but the satisfaction of sharing one tea between two (called as 'cutting' tea in Indian terms) cannot be compared with anything else. This time for a change we preferred to have cold drink. At the end I felt very emotional as if something was missing in life. In fact I would say that we too have changed with time as my college.

Movie Review: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Latest movie from Walt Disney’s stable. I was waiting for this one from last version of Pirates, i.e. Pirates of Caribbean: Dead Man’s chest and it was worth of my wait. Movie starts in Singapore where captain Barbossa and Elizabeth (Keira) seeking help from Singaporean pirate lord captain Sao Feng to bring back Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) from the prison of Davy Jones. This duo with help of Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) acquires a precious map a Ship and few peoples from Sao to rescue Jack so that he can attain the gathering of all nine lords of pirates to decide upon the future of pirates as East India Company doing their best to curb the pirates. After a fabulous and risky Journey they reaches to an Iceland where they meet with Jack, who initially doesn’t believe that someone has came to rescue him. Before this you will see the most brilliant scene of the movie where thousands of crabs carrying Black Pearl on their back to the sea. Real thrill begins when these peoples restart their journey; the scene of turning the black pearl upside down was wonderful.The story moves on where jacks come to know that one who stub the knife in Davy Jones heart will become captain of Flying Dutchman ship and Jack wishes for the same, but at the end what happens is worth watching on big screen. Won’t disclose more, but I think in spite a little bit slow at start movie takes speed once Jack came’s in picture and will hold your nerve.

Three Old beauties on JM Road (Pune)

Place: JM Road, Pune
Time: 12:00 PM
I was passing by JM Road and saw 3 scooters parked besides each other, you may ask then what???
Well all were old Vespa models. Today where Scooters have became endangered vehicle in Pune, opportunity to get glimpse of old scooter is rare , that’s why this post is here, all 3 where well in shape, well maintained, clean as much as they can. Here are the snaps…

Movie review: Shootout at Lokhandwala

I saw this movie on Saturday, Movie based on a true story (rumors) about an encounter of a 6 gangsters by terrorist Squad (ATS) of Mumbai police. This movie is filled with violence shows how and in what circumstances the gangsters were killed and the attempt by ATS to justify their decision. Having a big squad of Bollywood stars; the movie rotates around Sanjay Dutt (Cop) and Vivek Oberoi (Gangster). Amitabh Bacchan is playing a role of lawyer in this film; I came to know this only after 2 hours of movie was finished or just 15 minutes before “THE END”. Probably this is first kind of movie that justifies the need of “encounters” and support police department for that. I would say it is a good directed serious type movie; not a must watch type unless you are a great fan of Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Vivek Oberoi and Tusshar Kapoor (Well is there any fan of last duo??) or you are fascinated about the Mumbai Underworld, encounters or the movie promos. Well I saw a lot of clapping for Sanjay Dutt & his dialog delivery.

It was nice to see Amruta Singh back on screen; although her entry scene was too much bold & aggressive, she done her part well, I am not a great fan of her, but it is always nice to see veteran’s comeback.

Songs are Ok-Ok, one thing I must say that that while entering in theaters I was humming the Song “E Ganpat” but the effective direction force me to leave the theater speechless thinking about the movie and everything other than the songs.

Dialog of the movie” Accha laga apun ko aap se milake; kam se kam ek to police wala aisa hai jisaki vardi me ab tak MERA BHARAT MAHAN hai”.

Is this the end of Mourinho era at Stamford Bridge?

After a humiliating defeat in penalty shootout from Liverpool, Chelsea is out of Champions League finals this year and future of Jose Mourinho is in real trouble now. The dream of Chelsea owner Roman of bringing Champions League to Stamford Bridge is shattered consecutively third times in a row under Jose Mourinho. This year’s draw was a easiest than last two attempts, as in 2005 against Liverpool; Chelsea wasn't that much strong as Chelsea is today and in 2006 they had to fought against Catalan giants Barca, with Ronaldinho, Etto, Puyol, Deco Barca has real advantage over Chelsea's Drogba, Lampard, Terry and Cole. In premiership also it is now almost impossible for Chelsea to snatch first place from Man U as they are having 5 point lead with better goal difference with only 3 games to go.

The only thing Jose has now is FA Cup, where they have to face rejuvenated & young Red Devils. In spite being a Chelsea and Liverpool fan I can find out a great difference between Chelsea and Man U. first of all the most important thing is missing in this year’s Chelsea compared to last year is passion for win. They seems playing just for making appearance, the fun & entertainment for fans is lost from Chelsea's game.

Jose is a great manager and he won't required any more proof for this but now his future is in real trouble with Chelsea and it seems that Roman won't give any more chances to Jose.

Juventus is ready to Rock Serie A

After the penalty of 9 points , demotion to Serie B and loss of best players like Viera, Thuram, Zambrotta, Emerson, Juventus shown there character under there Charismatic captain Alessandro Del Piero.The Old Lady is leading the Serie B & ready to join the elites in Serie A.The restructuring has began a long back, For back line they grabbed free transfers of Cynara from Ajax and Hasan Salihamidžić from Bayern.For midfield positions they are aiming at Torsten Frings from Wender Bremen & striker Miroslav Klose has already catched the attention of Juve management.
So we can hope a more strong Juve in Serie A next year.

Riding @ 100 KMPH

2 weeks ago I had a visit to Baneshwar & Balaji Temple, around 40Km from Pune, on Pune - Satara National Highway 4 . We opt for new highway compared to old Katraj Ghat (Obviously due to the road conditions in Pune). The new NH 4 is excellent 4 lane track. No steep turns , only a strainght road & low volume of traffic. I thought I won't get any better chance to test my bike's at top speed, so I put it on the fire & catch the 100 KMPH, really an awesome experience, things were passing back too quickly. Very less chance for any error, otherwise It would have cost a lot for me. Unfortunately due to increasing traffic I couldn't able to move the speedometer above 100 KMPH, but I was happy with that.
Eventually after sometime I realised that after giving so much fun my bike has gulped a much more fuel than It should, but I was happy, I would like to cross some more milestones of my bike's speedometer in near future.

Hu Haa India ....

At last the pathetic performance of India Cricket Stars (?) ends with India’s exit from World Cup. They were defeated by Bangladesh & SriLanka. It was quite expected as the players were too busy with ads than practice before leaving for West Indies. All batsman of world’s strongest batting lineup failed against SriLanka.


Its high time now to restructure Indian cricket team.

Movie review : 300

After a long time I saw an historical block buster & fortunately it didn’t upset me. A good movie in all respect direction, acting, camera ,animation and obviously a good and real script. Depicted war of democratic kingdom (Sparta) v/s great barbarians(Iranian) . I think this movie has set a new height of violence , blood & cruelty but nowhere it looks dirty or odd. The courage, unity, great decision making ability & confidence on subordinates of Sparta king teaches a lot to us. It addresses some basic rules of a successful person such as always listen to your inner voice, always have a strong team with you .

At the end only one thing that disturbed me is the shadow of negativity . It depicted the Iranian king as cruel barbarian, if it’s true then where does the Alexander and East India company stands? Didn’t they did the same task to eastern world? They ruled and ruined east countries still they were respected as great but if someone from east side of world tries to do same he becomes a villain. Don’t you think there is need to change mentality of some people?

Well, I would suggest that definitely this movie deserves a second look.

Its me in Persistent

I thought I should put my snap in Persistent as it is for TrueAdvantage, so I presenting Me with my PC & Pocket PC.

My Quote

Thinking about putting some quote for myself [;)]

• Bank statement & Code from source safe should always be updated!
  

Virtual Earth and Me

From last few weeks I am working on Virtual Earth SDK; something different than .NETCF on which I am working on from last 6 months.

Microsoft research has provided a very useful tool "MapCruncher". We used this tool to overlay a map on actual virtual earth map , a very good experience.

It is still in the research mode so I expecting a lot of improvement and API support from MapCruncher, currently it requires quite tedious tasks to cruch a map. Waiting for the next release of map cruncher. Apart from this project I am also working on a project that involves WPF & Virtual earth.

We were facing a lot of issues regarding deployement of ".xbap" on web; finally unexpectedly it work just by copying the published folder in intepub folder, didn't even required to host it.

New Job

From 1st Aug I joined Persistent Systems as Member of Technical Staff. Hopes that I will learn a lot of good things here.

PET Team

Its PET Team in TrueAdvantage(TA).
Snap taken after release of TA4.0
(form L to R )Me, Vinod,Vidyadhar(Team Lead), Shashikat,Prashant.

Its Me In TrueAdvantage