Harishchandragad
Fort: 22nd Dec 2018, MSIMQA
Trekker group had achieved a common dream to trek Harishchandragad fort and Taramati
point which is the second highest point in Maharashtra. It is dream for
most of us to do 2 days trekking; spend quality of time at fort & enjoy the
night out with team but to achieve that dream we have to struggle a lot. We
struggled a lot and finally nailed it; this achievement can be expressed in one
liner statement that - We added golden
feather in our cap.
Someone said
correctly: Where there's a will
there's a way
About Harishchandragad – It is a hill fort in the Ahmednagar district of
India. Its history is linked with that of Malshej Ghat, kothale village and it
has played a major role in guarding and controlling the surrounding region.
There are multiple idols and each one is telling the story of ancient time.
There are many ways to reach to Harishchandragad fort – Extreme [Trek via Kokankada
– Impossible for normal guys because it took 16 days and we have to hike the
rocks & stayed their using handing sleeping mattress and all]; Difficult [Trek via Khireshwar – Possible but full of
challenges because during the way we can find rock patches to hike and narrow
route so if you have Acrophobia then don’t look at valley side while following
the narrow routeJ]; Moderate/Simple
[Trek via Kalyan – Moderate Or Simple
and reach to fort in 1-2 hours]
Temple at Harishchandragad
fort is around 2000 years old; on right side of the temple there is a cave
where huge Shiva Lingam [around 9
feet] which is placed at center and surrounded by waters throughout the year.
One fact associated with that cave which local legends are telling – This cave
is supported by only one pillar and remaining three are broken. When the fourth pillar breaks, the world
will come to an end. On left side of the temple there are many caves which
are situated at foot of Taramati peak and now are the place for accommodation
for trekkersJ. A huge idol of Lord Ganesha [7-8 feet] can be seen easily there.
There are many natural’s
source of water and which are drinkable [e.g. near foot of Taramati Peak,
another inside the temple]. Few
important points – Taramati Point
for Sunrise which is around 45 min hiking from Harishchandragad Temple &
can be seen easily left side of the temple. Kokankada for Sunset which is around 20 min walk from west side of
Harishchandragad Temple. Both places are awesome and give a pleasant view – You
will see color or beauty of the nature.
Most of the people are doing night camping there.
Let me pen down our journey:
It was an unofficial and
unplanned event where enthusiastic person within the team gather in Whatsapp
and started showing their interest – Kuch
Bada Thrilling Karte Hain. Initial head count which everyone assumed was
max - 6 but it reached to 8. Two days prior people confirmed with their Go/No
Decision and just one day before; I would say post office work when only 8
hours were remaining to start the trekking journey we collected the rented
mattress and tents. Akash managed this space with assurance that things would
be available for all by time. Girish leaded the PALTAN as a captain because he
visited that place thrice earlier so familiar with all the challenges, routes
and timing. And rest people were carrying the basic required stuffs.
DAY 1:
We all started our journey from different locations but gathered at Shivaji
Nagar Bus Stand at around 6:20 am. Next challenging task was to find the
appropriate bus to go to Aryaphata because we didn’t do any reservation. We
were wandering here and there to find the correct one; fortunately Akash nailed
it again. We entered in local bus at around 7:00 AM which were going toward
Alephata and did ticket booking on spot. Thanks to god – all members got the
seats except one but we adjusted by using SAM rule - SWALPA ADJUST MADDI.
At sharp 9:30 am we reached
Aryaphata where did nature call’s and bought some fruits or eatable items.
There were two options to go to Khireshwar Village – Either by Bus from
Aryaphata to Otur then Otur to Khireshwar OR directly hires 6 seater Tempo. We opted
second option at 750 RS [We know it was costly but we didn’t want to waste our
energy on commute]. 6 seater-Tempo but fitted 8 people; recalling the school
and college days. Travelling in tempo
was giving a feeling of movie – Swadesh
because we were already overloaded but view on both side of road was Incredible
- Beautiful mountains, lakes, villages, agricultural field, blue sky, greenery,
huts, traditional people and true village essence.
From Aryaphata to
Khireshwar; distance was 40+ km and travelling time was 1+ hour but we didn’t
notice any pain even though we were overcrowded in tempo. That’s called as Magic of Mother Nature; if our mother
is around us then we never feel the pain similarly we didn’t notice such pain.
At 11:00 am, we reached Khireshwar
after crossing a beautiful lake via Kacha-Rashta. We halted @ Hotel Akshay –
Sudh Shakahari, Mansahari J and did breakfast – Maggie & Poha. Prior
to start the trekking we applied Sun-Screen because of past skin burn
experience. At 12:00 PM, Real trek
started from base with great zeal but energy was getting down because journey
was full of challenging – Up/Down routes, Rock Patches, Narrow & Dangerous
route and long journey including multiple hills. While trekking such difficult
trek – We need a great leader where Girish played a vital role; timely pushed
us when we lost our strength but he boosted us on every path.
Wherever we found the rocks
– We (lazy guys) took a minor nap on it to regain the energy. We lost our one
mattress while crossing one of narrow & dangerous route. Later it was found
by another group but they didn’t return it because they were poor & narrow
minded guys even though we tried to do the settlement. At top we had two
options – Either cross 7 hills or go via 1 hill but the difference between both
was just 10 min. We opted 1 hill way and moved ahead with minor halts at three
places – 1). Open field at top, 2). While descending the hill [in between we
had bananas/snacks etc.] 3). At rock patch prior to base camp.
At 4:50 PM, we reached Harishchandragad
fort with super excitement because what we left behind that cannot be expressed.
I started capturing the view through my digital eyes and rest team members went
to cave for Shiva Lingam Dharshan. We did lot of photo-shoot there and
witnessed the beauty of ancient time. Girish and Abhishek took a dip in the
water and enjoyed a lot.
At 5:30 PM, we started
moving toward Kokankada for sunset view. The scene was stunning – Orange Sky and sun
was taking a dip in the cloud. We were so relaxed and feeling that we are in
different planet e.g. MARS. There were around 150+ people to see that beauty. Kokankada
– It was telling a separate story; that was also a way to reach to
Harishchandragad fort but it took 16 days. 25 years ago one team opted to come
via Kokankada and recently another team from Pune attempted & passed.
At 7:00 PM, Abhishek and I
decided to go to dense forest area to collect the woods/sticks for Bonfire. Meanwhile remaining where
taking the photo-shoot. We missed it L
but while returning we got a chance to be a part of group photo. It was Full Moon day; dense forest and we were
moving toward the Harishchandragad fort with holding torch & adding wolf
sound effects – HOWL / Old Bollywood Song – Gum Naam Hain Koi, Badnam Hain Koi. At 7:30 PM, we reached at our
base where we decided to halt for that day. It was just couple of distance away
from Temple entrance gate.
We all joint together
started installing Tents; all were inexperienced person so coming with their
logic but later we made one perfect and by using same method implemented for
others. While we were installing; one of the member went to hut in order to
give the order for dinner. At the top there were local villages created their
huts and they provide foods, water, trekking stuffs. At 8:30 PM, we had our
awesome dinner which we would never forget.
Post dinner our bonfire
moment started but we roasted – BhuttaJ.
We had shared best moments – Old stories, Antakshari and few secretsJ. At 11:00 PM, we went to our tent for sleeping because next day items
are already aligned and challenging.
DAY 2:
At 5:00 AM, we woke up and did our daily chores. Whereas few people didn’t sleep
last nightJ. At 5:30 AM, we started our journey toward
Taramati Point to witness the sunrise. We were crossing the dense forest and
hiking the mountain by playing power song – Hanuman Chalisha and Haan
Yahi Rashta Hain Tera. At 6:30 AM, we reached at Taramati Point and were
waiting for Sun to rise. It was very
exciting moment for all of us because it was our first experience to see the
SUNRISE at that peak. Taramati point is
the second highest point in Maharashtra. Pleasant wind was blowing; Birds were
chirping and heard monkey’s sound. Few
minutes later we witnessed the sunrise from that peak and moments were amazing.
Post sunrise – We did lot of masti, gossiping and photo-shoot. At 8:00 AM, we
started descending from Taramati point. While returning we noticed that one
tent was missing. Everybody was shocked
but when we reached at base then got to know that local people had kept in
their hut safely. We thanked to god else
we had to pay huge amount because all items were rented one.
At 9:00 AM, we had our
breakfast – Poha, Chhane, Veg Sandwich, Tea and Guava. We got 30 min to do photo-shoot of temple so Neha,
Abhishek, Akshay and I went to temple or around for photo-shoot and Lord Dharshan.
At 10:30 AM we assembled and then decided to descend from fort to Khireshwar. Sometime ascending the hill looks easy as
compared to descending. We experienced it because our legs were complaining the
pain and few people had acrophobia. But together by helping hand – we reached to
our origin point safely at 2:45 PM. With minimal halt – We directly reached to
village where local bus supposed to come.
Bus got delayed so we
settled ourselves at road side and enjoying the shadow of trees. Bus came at 3:20 PM and left us at Otur from
there we took bus to Aryaphata. Next challenging item was how to reach to Pune
because all buses were coming from Nasik and it was fully packed; also there
were long queue in bus stand for Pune. Fortunately we got one person who
arranged 8 tickets for us and we got comfortable seat. We reached Pune at 8:30
PM with great learning experience.
It was a nice trek with
great people; all the MASTI which we did together would be remarkable forever.
This trek has created a great bonding; trust and stronger our relationship.
Here are the glimpse of our trek:
Title: Harishchandragad Fort Trekking Memories
Year: 2018
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqJykj9UlpU
Suggestion:
-
If you are
planning for Harishchandragad Fort trekking then keep few items – Torch, First
Aid, Sleeping Mattress, Water Bottle at least 2-3 litres, Glucose, Snacks,
Biscuits, additional clothes, power bank and cash.
-
Don’t carry
tents – You will get it easy at the top where they charge 500 RS for 4 people.
Even though you don’t get at top then you can sleep in cave also.
-
They also
provide sleeping mattress but I would say sleeping mattress we should carry for
worst case.
