Participate in SAMPARC Heritage Walk 2017 to preserve the rich heritage of our country

Lonavala – India is a pictorial kaleidoscope of beautiful landscapes and rich cultural heritage spread throughout
its opulent historical and royal cities that has been contributed by different people and races over the
period of time. Culture and heritage plays an important role in building an economically sustainable and cohesive country and need a special focus for promotion and preservation. SPIC MACAY aims to preserve the rich heritage of our country, so that it can be passed on the generations to come by organising heritage walk module.

Heritage walks is an important strategy to achieve the following objectives:
 Create awareness among citizens about the key historic areas.
 Help citizens and tourists to relate to the historic parts of the location in a more personal and
intimate manner.
 Draw the citizens of urban area and tourists into areas of rich cultural and architectural Heritage,
which are not yet on the tourist itinerary.
 Heightening sensitivity of the local populace towards the historic value of settlements and
encouraging local communities to conserve and preserve their own heritage and inculcate a sense
of pride and appreciation among them.
 Initiate community based conservation efforts involving citizens, volunteers, and other
organisations.

Lonavla near Pune is a story–teller’s paradise. And each of these stories is best discovered on foot. SAMPARC a National Award winning child development organisation, conducted a Heritage Walk first of its kind on 27th Nov 2016, where about 3000 people of different age groups and different
social stature including a handful of corporate and also foreign participants, students participated to
feel the presence of 2000 years old Buddhist Caves and Forts and joined to the noble cause of supporting underprivileged children. To create the event more interesting 10 cultural events and 6 types of Maharashtrian traditional food were presented during the walk of total 7.2 km. Dignitaries from all walks of life joined and admired SAMPARC Heritage Walk 2016 as follows:

Dr. Manish Rai – Associate Archeologist, ASI, Mumbai Circle ∙ Mr. Parag Satpute – Managing Director of SANDVIK Asia Pvt. Ltd ∙ Buddhist Bhante Anirudh ∙ Mr. Sharad Dhamale, Ex-MLA ∙ Mr. Dyaneshwar Dalvi – Ex-Pradhan, Panchayat Samiti ∙ Smt. Sulochana Tai Dalve – Sarpanch, Bhaje ∙ Mr.Shekhar Rao –
Chief Manager, IDBI Bank ∙ Mr.Harish Patel, Actor etc to name a few. Officials of SANDVIK, Honeywell, Hyundai, Rotary Club Lonavala, Mahindra & Mahindra, SBI, Taco Hendrickson, Volkswagen, WNS, NSB, Kaivalyadham, Pioneer Hospital, SAHARA Medical Foundation, Pune, MIMER, participants from abroad namely Germany, Italy, Sweden, France etc graced the event joining SAMPARC Heritage Walk 2016.

This year it will be conducted on 10th Dec 2017 and expecting 10000 Heritage lovers to participate for
the walk and to witness folk dances and enjoy Maharashtrian delicacies.

SAMPARC NGO has chosen to build the awareness with the objective to organise SAMPARC Heritage Walk, (www.samparcheritagewalk.com):
 To create awareness and ensure better care and management of the Heritage Monuments namely Bhaje, Karla and Bedse Caves and also Lohgad and Visapur Fort, as well to persuade concerned authority from our Government and to other concerned authorities to process for enlistment of
the above Historical Heritage Property in UNESCO World Heritage List.
 To organise the walk for the cause of underprivileged children and community people.
 To improve Tourism and enhancing Income Opportunity for the local villagers.

It is needless to mention that the raised fund from the innovative event will be used for survival of
SAMPARC orphanages. The unique walking tour will present you a rare glance into the rich history and culture of
Maharashtra, an enthralling experience of the historical sites enveloped in nature will take you back in
time. From history to architecture, food to culture – the participant will know the story of western
Maharashtra come alive…. The walk will begin from the sprawling green foothills of Bhaje caves. Bhaje is a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to 2nd century BC located near Lonavla. Protected by the Archeological Survey of
India as a National Monument, it belongs to the Hinayana Buddhist Sect. At an altitude of 200 metres
one can witness a lush waterfall with water plunging into the foothills.

Then the walk will lead a climb to Lohgad Fort, which is 3800 feet above sea level. Lohgad was one of
the prominent Hill forts of the Maratha Empire. For a short period, it was taken over by the Mughals.
The hill extends to the northwest to a fortified spur, called Vinchukata (Scorpion's tail) because of its
shape, which resembles a Scorpion’s tail. The beauty of the fort comes alive during monsoon when it is covered with mist and clouds.
The walk will cover 3.6 km with Lohgad being the highest point of the heritage walk. With the Fort to your right, you can see the gushing waters of Pavana Dam on the left. The enthralling view of archeology tucked into natures abode will take you to another level of reality.

The participant will receive a warm welcome by the tribal women and children. The volunteers will serve snacks, soft drinks and water. Physiotherapists, yoga personnel and medical staff will help one to de-stress himself as well attend if any injuries are there. At every point of the walk the volunteers will be readily available to serve and help.
From Lohgad fort, the participant will take the same route downhill and the walk will conclude at the
same place it started.