Tung Fort (Kathingad)

Participants:
Pranav Joshi, Anand Sohani, Sushant Kelkar, Amit Ramani
Date: 16th April 2009

About:
This fort was not as significant as others in the history. In 1657, it became a part of Maratha Empire with all other forts situated in Maval region. In 1660, Netaji Palkar was appointed to protect this region. In 1665, Jaysingh invaded this region. Dilerkhan and others destroyed the villages around Tung & Tikona, but were unable to conquer these forts. Then, according to Treaty of Purandar (signed on 12th June 1665), Kubadkhan with Halalkhan and others took over fort on 18th June.

How to reach:
We all came from Mumbai, except Kelkar who came from Pune. So I will elaborate on our route from Mumbai. We took Indrayani Express from Mumbai and reached Lonavala. At Lonavala please take some light breakfast and also take something for eating enroute. Once you leave Lonavala there is very less possibility that you will ever get anything to eat. From Lonavala bus stand, take a bus going to Ambavane or Sahara city or Bhamburde and get down at Ghusalkhamb. There is also a direct bus to Tungi – the base village. But I am not sure of its timing. Once you get down at Ghusalkhamb there are two routes and in between there is a small shop. Take left route. Then after some 20 meters there is another diversion. Here also take left route. From here, the base village Tungi (Tungiwadi) is around 8 kms. Start walking and follow the road as it goes. If you are fortunate enough then you may find some truck or jeep going to the village. It takes around 1 hr to reach Tungi village by foot. Once you reach Tungi village, there is small Maruti temple at the base. From here proceed towards right. At some distance ahead you will find some concrete steps. There are only 5 to 6 concrete steps there. Take this route and follow as it goes. It is fairly easy but it can be quite tiring since the gradient is very steep. It takes around 45 mins to reach the main entrance of the fort.

There is not much left to see on this fort now. There is one Ganesh temple here. Behind temple there is a small water tank. Water in it is not potable. Behind this temple, there are two separate routes. When you face the temple, the left route takes you to top of the fort while the right route will take you to a small water cistern. The water was potable when we had gone there even in summer. I advice that you should NEVER drink water from unknown sources unless necessary otherwise, even the water LOOKS clean. On top of the fort you will find a temple of Tungaidevi. The temple itself is in ruins now. The top of the fort is very small. There is a small cave there. It takes around 10 minutes form Ganesh temple to reach the top. From top you can easily spot Tikona fort, Pawana dam etc.

Start decending. When you reach the main entrance, there is a way on right from where one can reach the ruins of a buruj. I advice not to go there. Because the way to reach there is not is good condition. We did go there, but faced a lot of problems while coming back since there is no scope for mistake.

Misc:
This is quite simple and enjoyable trek even for first timers. Do carry lot of water with you and something to eat. Do not litter the place. Carry all the waste which is created by you with you back to your homes and dispose it off in dustbins.