Legend of the Fangs of the Scorpion and the Friendly Dog

As the train chugged away towards Lonavala, the legend of the friendly dog silently resonated through the coach number SC7. No one in his or her senses would ever believe the anecdote of the friendly dog narrated by one of the roadies on a previous occasion. However, the roadies soon laughed away the dog story as a joke. As the train gathered momentum, the hearts began to beat in rhythm to the joyous rattle and buzz of the train speeding towards its destination. Only a few roadies had been to Lohagad Fort. In fact, hardly anyone knew the exact route beyond Lonavala Railway Station. What a good omen to begin an adventure trip! After getting down at Lonavala Station, the 14 Roadies packed two six seaters to Karla. Barring a few misadventures, all reached Malvali village by 9.00 a.m. At the village, there was no sign of the famous dog. As the legend goes, generations of Malavli dogs have ferried trekkers to and from the mountain in exchange for loving pats and occasional cuddle. What one could see was the famous tail of the scorpion from the village. For the uninitiated, the fort was designed to make the fort look like a scorpion. The fort straddles the top of a mountain and a long ramp like tail juts out of the southern periphery of the fort. Lohagad is one of the very few forts under Shivaji Maharaj, which was never conquered by the enemy. The village rang with the unbridled laughter of the roadies, as they moved along the unpaved winding alleys of this small village. Long stretched of ploughed field welcomed the roadies as the Sun blazed the morning sky in full glory. The sight of the welcoming arms of the mountain on both sides increased the excitement. Roadies then began their long climb towards Lohagad, as it beckoned the world with arrogance and nonchalance. They laughed, they sang and they sweat under the burning sun. Every now and the clouds would come riding the merry breeze and provide the much-needed respite. After two hours of climb on a rocky terrain, drained and exhausted, the group reached a patch of grass, formed by a natural breach into the mountain. It acted as a bridge between two great forts. If you stood on it, you would see vast expanses of the valley on both sides of the mountain. It is an amazing experience. The wind is firm but beautiful, a nice spot to catch some breath and sip on delectable lemonade served by an elderly aunt, who was delighted to serve a thirsty lot of chirpy and jovial youngsters. There it stood, the magnificent Lohagad (Impregnable) Fort. The peculiar design on the walls of the fort is known as Vindhukata (fangs of a scorpion). It is said that Shivaji Maharaj had kept the treasures he looted from Surat in this fort for some period. On the right, there was crevice in the mountain, sculpted by merciless winds in the shape of an elephant’s eye. Six centuries ago, great Maratha warriors and workers from the surrounding villages chose this high plateau as the site for constructing a fort, which could withstand the onslaught of marauding armies consisting of thousands of hostile soldiers. Roadies looked at the fort in awe and moved on, carrying on a march towards the mighty steps that lead to the entrance towards the fort. These huge steps deceive to flatter. They are tougher to climb then the whole trek beginning at the village. However, the sights are amazing. The first glimpse of the neighboring reservoir and the huge circle of small and big mountains is breath taking. Egged on by the winds the roadies continued the climb and entered the fort. There are three gates one after the other. The third gate especially is very exquisite. This gate was constructed in such a way that the gunfire from gates above would reach the enemy at the first gate. The first steps into the main fort area bring in a surge of such excitement that one feels like a mighty conqueror. There were claps of joy as the uphill trek ended in time for lunch. You have to be there to believe it! The view from the top is nothing like you would expect to see in the daily routine of life in Mumbai. It is as if one is swimming in the froth of a humongous coffee mug. Walk on the edge of the fort and there is a straight fall all around. The walls of the fort have been withered down. On all sides, the world exists as insignificant detail. What matters is the surge of the wind and the distant mountains and the huge reservoir, clouds reflected on its surface like the silky strands of hair on an old woman’s face. After finishing lunch, there was a debate over whether the roadies should move on or spend some more time exploring the fort, especially the tail of the fort. Someone at the village had predicted that it would rain at 3.00 p.m. and the dark shadows of bulky clouds over the distant mountains seemed to confirm the prophecy. Arguments and counter-arguments floated across at a rapid pace. Manoj was quite sure, that the return journey would be difficult with rain lashing on all sides. But, fellow roadies seemed to be drunk on a wine from another planet and begged till the president relented and allowed an hour and not more to be spent before we left. The announcement was lapped up with an uproar and thunder of the clouds nearing inch by inch. The wind gathered speed, so did the enthusiasm at the sight of the long tail of the scorpion. Dog was still nowhere in sight. The biggest adventure of the trip waited. One has to climb down 20 feet on the edge of the mountain and there is no room on either side. It is a thin strip of rock that leads towards the tail. As one roadie climbed down, the rest watched with concern and anticipation. It was not easy and, then and there, it was decided that whoever did the climb down would do it at hi or her own risk. Thankfully, sense prevailed and only five roadies managed to climb down, as the clouds were inching closer and closer. Five roadies ran down the ramp, jubilant and eager. Scorpion’s tail was conquered and there was no better adventure to come. That very moment, there was another storm catching up at the climb-down. A group of brazen monkeys joined in the part and latched on to an unattended bag. They tore it apart and made away with the contents. At the other end, at the tip of the scorpion’s tails, when no one expected it, the legendary dog turned up, much to the echoes of surprise and disbelief. Apparently, the dog was busy helping another group of trekkers who had come to get a fill of their share of sights. There is no other experience better than being at the very edge of this end of the fort. It is scary and beautiful! Charming splendor of the scenery around makes you go speechless. Alas, it was time to head back. One wished to spend more time and let the beauty sink in, but the clouds were dangerously close and winds were merciless. So, the roadies ran and ran. The climb back to the fort was tough as the winds began to turn into a storm. There was hardly any time to catch a breath. Wind literally wept everyone off their feet, but roadies held on, huddled together they began a slow trek back. Then, the first shower of the rain lashed hard, like a mother slapping a mischievous kid. Roadies bid adieu to the wonderful fort, tired but reinvigorated with fond memories, enough to last a long time.