Raigad Darshan in Diwali Vacation

RAIGAD DARSHAN with KONKAN RATNA Shri. Suresh Wadkar

Meru is again ready with one another event of Raigad Darshan on 23rd, 24th & 25th October 2009.

As per request of our many past participants we are launching our new exciting event of Raigad Darshan with Hon. Shri. Suresh Wadkar from Mumbai to Mumbai.

RAIGAD is the 2nd Capital of SWARAJYA & most important & strong fort in Swarajya. Various most important incidents in the history had happened on this fort…So to know more about it & our Bright History…..from a Raigad Lover… Meru Treks & Tours arranged this Tour for all.

*About Shri. Suresh Wadkar:-*
Archaeologist Mr. Suresh Wadkar, whose resolution, is to climb RAIGAD for 1008 times. He is not just an archaeologist but a very good friend of birds, Raigad lover & recently awarded by our former chief minister as a “Konkan Ratna”; is going to give us lecture & information about Raigad. He is an excellent calligraphist and a poet.

On January 19, 1990, Dombivli-based Suresh Wadkar, a great admirer of the Raigad Fort in Mahad district, was climbing up the steps. Out of breath, he sat down to rest. A family was already relaxing there. The woman said disrespectfully ”We came with high hopes from Yavatmal to see the famous fort of Shivaji Maharaj, but found only stones.” The remark stabbed him in the heart. He felt his favorite object was being ridiculed in such a callous way. He decided to give the lady an on-the-spot lesson in Indian mediaeval history and the relevance of Raja Shivaji in today’s world of politics, religion and military planning. Once enlightened on the contribution of the legendary warrior-king to the feudal India and his legacy of guerrilla warfare, the woman cried. “This incident changed my life,” says the bearded short Wadkar,”I could educate that woman about our history, but I thought I had to reach out folks like her lacking in historical sense.” Wadkar adds, “History breathing there-for those who have a worshipful attitude.”

Already the man, fascinated by the fort since childhood, had completed 152 visits, starting from 1967 to 1990.From Tak Mak point; he has rappelled down 1,000 feet on many occasions. He has climbed the fort from every available accessible point so far. Last seventeen years, this diminutive fan has studied local flora and fauna.

So friends we are just one medium to help him to complete his resolution. And we are very pleased to hear from our Meru’s past members that they really want to know more about the Great Raja Shivaji & his Raigad in depth. Mr. Wadkar said that, “To see whole Raigad with me; one has to give Seven Days…”from these words you can imagine how this Great Fort is Vast. But still we are going to cover as much as Raigad we can show to all.

Iternery:-
Day 1) On Friday 23rd Oct.2009:-
*Meeting point at Dadar-East, “Swami Narayan Mandir” on 10:30pm.

Day 2) On Saturday 24th Oct.2009:-
*-Around 6:00 am at Pachad –Refreshment time, Tea & breakfast.
*-Around 7:00-7:30am –Reach at bottom of the Raigad near “Chit-Darvaja”.
*-Half hour introduction to Raigad.
*-Participants who want to go by ropeway will leave Group here & will meet rest of Group on Raigad.
*-Who wants to climb Raigad by steps will come with Shri. Suresh Wadkar.
*-Around 10:00am get together on Fort & Rest for One hour.
*Gad-Darshan Starts:-
*Gangasagar Talav, Hirkani Buruj.
Lunch and Rest upto 3:30pm.
Around 4:00-4:15 pm ready for Gad-Darshan.

*Mena Darvaja, Ranivasa, Ashtapradhan Vade, Prisons, Foodgrain godowns.
Balekilla:-1. Shivaji Raja’s Rajvada
2. Dafftarkhana
3. Pillars & Fountains’ arrangement.
Rajsabha:-1. Sinvhasan/Meghdambari
2. Nagarkhana
3. Silent voices’ practical.
4. Shiv-Rajyabhishekh an occasion.
Holicha Mala:-1. Shivaji Maharaj’s statue
2. Shirkai Temple
3. Sunset
*-One hour Rest at cottage (7:00-8:00pm)
*-Around 8:00-9:00pm. To understand Raigad & way to see our life by way of fascinating Photographs.
*-Dinner.
*-Camp fire till 11:00-11:30pm.

Day 3) On Sunday 25th Oct.2009.
*Sunrise
*pack up, Tea & Breakfast.
*Baazarpeth, Brahmhanvade, Jagdishwar Temple, Shivrai-Tomb, Vaghya Dog’s tomb, Tak-Mak point.
*End of the Raigad-Darshan.
*By ropeway/by staircase down.
*At Pachad-Maa Saheb’s Tomb.
*Lunch & way to Shivthar Ghal.
*Darshan & information with Tea.
*Return journey- arrival at 9:30 to 10:30pm at Mumbai.

**Total Cost Rs.1450/-pp.**
*Advance payment Rs.700/-pp Non refundable.
*Ropeway to and fro cost is not included in our cost. Participant has to pay ropeway cost separately directly to Raigad Ropeway office on the spot.

*Full charges have to pay for child of age 10 & 10+.
*Child below 10 yrs will be charge Rs.1250/-pp
* Program subject to change.
*Kindly do not ask for discount.


For More Details Contact: -
Meru Treks & Tours
Mr.Devendra Gandre.-Director
Mob.9220874847, 9869112827
[email protected]
Website: - www.meru-treks.page.tl