Trip to Sinhagad

When we were checking out places to trek, everybody suggested not to do any adventure activity, as it was the month of October. The level of humidity is way too high..in this month, it is very hot too. So we decided to do a comfortable outing in a car till the base of any fort and just spend some quality time up there. So Sinhagad near Pune was the destination that we finalised. We started off from Mumbai at 7:30 am and reached Sinhagad base at around 1:30 reason being we had 2 halts, one at a food mall near Talegoan and other one at our favorite food joint in Kothrud, Pune..'Durga'. Hogging on cold coffees, bhurjee pav, misal pav we started for Sinhagad. At the fort it was a nice play of light and shadow. Must say, it is very well maintained fort, with railings, directions at many places. The food arrangements on the top are perfect. Auhentic Maharashtrian food - bhakri, pithla, kanda bhaji, curd, buttermilk were extremely delicious. In a set up of nice 6' tall shrubs, there are mats laid below them, creating a village sort of feel. It was best time spent here. There are many points on the fort, one can see beautiful Mutha river flowing around mountains and the vast sahyadri ranges. To our surprise we were soon surrounded by dark clouds as if they were marching towards us, and in few minutes it started raining. Rain water was freezing cold. Soon the whole atmosphere on the fort changed. We experienced lighting thundering and heavy showers and wind. The valley around was mystical. While one side it was cloudy, the other side had amazing golden rays shining though dark clouds. We were drenched in the unexpected showers. It was a perfect trip very close to nature. Nature surprises us always..it gives more than we ask for. these moments add zest to our lives.  Surrounded by dark clouds, lush green valley, mutha river graciously flowing though high ranges, endless light shades of mountains, tiny village set up in the valley, fresh flowers swaying with the wind, neatly paved floor, over enthusiastic and ever smiling village ladies on the fort, their perfect hospitality, play of light and shadow, birds attempting to fly in the crazy winds and the best feeling after experiencing all this. Love the life you live, live the life you love. Hoping for many such encounters to see, to live, to write, to photograph, Cheers!