Harishchandragad

Trek and Camping at Harishchandragad

Experiences:

Trekking, Climbing, Traversing, Exploring Ancient Caves, Temples,  Un-Believable Landscapes (Konkan Kada), Camping in Wilderness, Cooking in Wild, Beautiful Place for Star Gazing.. and lots more..

More info on Harishchandragad and Konkan kada:

Harishchandragad is a hill fort in the Ahmednagar region of India. Its history is linked with that of Malshej Ghat, and it has played a major role in guarding the surrounding region. The height of the fort is 4671 ft MSL.

The most interesting point on this fort is this cliff famously know as Konkan Kada, which has always fascinated many people from many years. The cliff faces west and looks down upon the Konkan. From here, one can have a breath taking view of the surrounding region and the setting sun. This cliff is not just vertical, but it is an overhang, almost like a cobra's hood.

The Konkankada, a unique formation in the Sahyadris, is really tough and a challenge for the trekkers. This is a semi-circular cliff of about 2,000 ft straight drop + 1000 ft slant fall in the Konkan plains. The surrounding grandeur and beauty of the plains and the mountains leaves us totally spellbound. It is one of the highest direct fall cliffs to be found in Maharashtra and Western Ghats.

This is a combination of thrill and bliss that every true adventurer would say ‘YES!!!’ to… Rappelling, also known as abseiling is an act of descending a mountain face by sliding down a rope, which is attached to a body harness and fastened to an overhead projection, with sufficient friction provided as to make the speed of the descend controllable.

Location: Ahmednagar  District (Near Malshej Ghat)

Grade : Medium

Program Plan: (Option 1)

7:00 am Start from Andheri with pickup points along the way (Private vehicle)

Option 2: Board train to Kasara from CST (if travelling by public transport not recommended).

Arrive at Kasara (3 hours drive); transfer to Base village Paachnai (another 2 hours).

Early evening trek to harishchandra gad, camping in tents a top

Rest and Explore the Konkan Kada / Harishchandragad

Dinner

Camping overnight

Day 2

Breakfast

Explore Harichandragad Temple comple

Lunch

Return trek

Evening Tea/Snack

Return Journey to Mumbai.

Back in Mumbai by 8pm or 9pm.

Things to carry: Mandatory
Proper and comfortable rucksack,
3 liters of water, comfortable trekking or touch canvas shoes, torch with extra pair of cells, light bedding, extra clothing, Hat or Cap, Sun Glasses

Bed Sheet or Sleeping bag

Sun Screen and Mosquito Repellent
Glucon 'C' or 'D', 'Enerzal' powder, personal medical kit, extra Optional - Cap, goggle, spoon, slippers, knife, snacks, fruits, Soap, towel etc. 

Safety remains our first priority as always*

 Terms And Conditions

·                     It is up to the individual to arrange their own holiday / accident insurance and; each adult would be asked to sign a liability waiver.

·                     Event may be cancelled or postponed due to natural calamity, any system error,

·                     In case of cancellation of event from our side, money will be returned to those who have enrolled, without any cancellation charges. 

·                     All our treks are Eco-friendly treks; kindly take care of nature around us. 

·                     Smoking and Drinking alcohol during trek is strictly prohibited if anyone found doing that will be expelled from trek without refund.

Note: Non veg food can be organized on advance notice. 

We can also facilitate team building program for corporate at Harischandragad.  

Note: Non veg food can be organized on advance notice. 

We can also facilitate team building program for corporate at Harischandragad.  

Extra porter if requested by customer will be Rs.1000/- per porter per day.

Schedule (Option 2)

Day 1

06:00 am Pickup at Andheri West, S.V. Road, Near Merwans Bakery

06:20 am Pickup at Bandra-Kalanagar Junction Bus Stop,

                  Near Entrance of Sky Walk, Western ExpressHighway

06:25 am Sion Station (Near Entrance)

06:35 am Ghatkopar on Eastern Express Highway

06:45 am Vikroli / Gandhi Nagar Junction on Extern Express Highway

07:00 am Mulund-Thane Toll Naka (Eastern Express Highway)

08:00 am Kalyan

Breakfast and Introduction / Induction on the way

10:30 am Start of the Trek

Lunch on the Way

04:00 pm Reach Harichandragad (Pitch Tent), Explore,  Sun Set from Konkan Kada

Wild Chefs (Cooking in the wild) and Camp Fire

Chill Out Under the Stars before call it a day..

Day 2

Pre-Breakfast Explore Harishchandrad

Breakfast

Start back our trek back for Base Village

Lunch on the way back

Aroung 4 pm start back for Mumbai

9:00 pm Arrival Back in Mumbai

More about the Place

Harishchandragad is one of the most interesting  and popular treks in Maharastra and has several approaches to reach the summit right from Medium Grade to Really Very Tough Approaches. The Largest Kada in Maharashtra is located here having one of the most magnificent and unbelievable views of Konkan. It is said on a windy day if you throw an object into the Kada it would fly right back at you. 

The fort is quite ancient. Remnants of Microlithic man have been discovered here. The various Puranas (ancient scriptures) like Matsyapurana, Agnipurana and Skandapurana include many references about Harishchandragad. Its origin is said to have been in 6th century, during the rule of Kalchuri dynasty. The citadel was built during this era. The various caves probably have been carved out in the 11th century. In these caves are idols of Lord Vishnu. Though the cliffs are named Taramati and Rohidas, they are not related to Ayodhya. Great sage Changdev (one who created the epic “Tatvasaar”), used to meditate here in 14th century. The caves are from the same period. The various constructions on the fort and those existing the surrounding region point to the existence of diverse cultures here. The carvings on the temples of Nageshwar (in Khireshwar village), in the Harishchandreshwar temple and in the cave of Kedareshwar indicate that the fort belongs to the medieval period, since it is related to Shaiva, Shakta or Naath. Later the fort was under the control of Moguls. The Marathas captured it in 1747.

Stage of moon on December 27, 2012

Places of Interest

Konkan Kada

      The most interesting point on this fort is this cliff, which has always fascinated many people from many years. From here, one can have a breathtaking view of the surrounding region and; the setting sun. This cliff is not straight, but concave in its topmost approach. This feature renders it distinct. It has been accessed by rock-climbers only twice till now.

Kedareshwar

Going rightwards of Harishchandreshwar temple, we come across a huge cave. This is the cave of Kedareshwar, in which there is a big Shivlinga, which is totally surrounded by water. The total height from its base is five feet, and the water is waist-deep. It is quite difficult to reach the Shivlinga, as the water is ice-cold. There are sculptures carved out here. In monsoon it is not possible to reach this cave, as a huge stream flows across the way.

Saptatirtha

To the east of the temple is a well-built lake called “Saptatirtha”. On its bank are temple-like constructions in which there are idols of Lord Vishnu. Recently these idols have been shifted in the caves near the temple of Harishchandreshwar. These days many trekkers have been responsible for the sad plight of this beautiful place, as they throw plastic wastes and other things in the pond. 7 years back the water was potable, and now it isn’t suitable even to swim.

Taramati peak

This is the topmost point on the fort. Leopards are seen in the forests beyond this peak. From here we can have a glimpse of the whole range of Naneghat and the forts near Murbad

Caves on Harishchandragad

Caves are situated all over the fort and most them concentrated near foot of Taramati peak. The caves near foot of Taramati are used as accommodation by most trekkers. A few are near the temple, whereas some are near the citadel and some far away in the forests. A natural cave is on the northwestern side of the fort, to the right of Kokan Kada. It is about 30 feet deep. The folks must know many such caves. Many of these may be remaining undiscovered.

Nageshwar temple near Khireshwar

This is a great antique construction, and diverse artistic works are seen on this. On the ceiling of the temple are beautiful carvings. There are caves near the temple.

Temple of Harishchandreshwar

This temple is marvelous example of the fine art of carving sculptures out of stones that prevailed in ancient India. It is about 16m high from its base. Around this temple there a few caves & ancient water tanks. Near the temple, the river Mangal Ganga originates. The top of the temple resembles construction with the north-Indian temples. A similar temple is situated in Buddha-Gaya. Here we can see many tombs, in which a typical construction is seen. These are built by arranging stones one over the other. The stones are well finished. There are three caves near the temple. The cisterns near the temple provide drinking water. Here another temple called Kashitirtha is located.

The fascinating thing about this temple is that it has been carved out from a single huge rock. There are entrances from all four sides. On the main entrance there are sculptures of faces. These are faces of guards of the temple. On the left side of the entrance is a Devnagri inscription, which is about saint Changdev.

How to Reach there?

 Harishchandragad lies where the boundaries of Thane,  Pune & Ahmednagar districts converge. There are 4 - 5 known ways to this fort, the most usual being the following ones:

From Thane District

One has to board the bus for Nagar from Kalyan & alight at ‘Khubi Phata’. From there we reach the village of Khireshwar by bus or private vehicle. This village is at 4km from the foothills of the fort.

Way from Khireshwar

The way beside the caves, where water tanks are seen, proceeds further to Junnar Darwaaja (Entrance From Junnar). From here, the route goes straight to Tolar Khind. Walking a few minutes from Tolar Khind, we come across a rock-patch on which railings are fixed. After ascending the railings, we come to the plateau region on which less dense forests are seen. From here, we have to cross 7 hills & after a walk of 2-3 hours, we reach the temple of Harishchandreshwar, the temple of Lord Shiva.

Note: On this way, many arrows help in indicating the way.

Way from Belpada

The third way is specially meant for hikers, which is via Sadhleghat. One should board the bus for Malshej Ghat and go to the village of Belpada. From here, the route goes through Sadhleghat. Here one has to climb a straight rock patch on which grips are provided. The temple is situated at a height of about 1km from Belpada. The total distance is about 19km.

From Ahmednagar District

 One has to board the bus for Nasik or Mumbai & alight at Ghoti village. From Ghoti, we have to board another bus to Sangamner via Malegaon & alight at Rajur village. From here, 2 ways diverge to the fort.

1) From Rajur, one has to board the bus or a private vehicle to the village of Pachanai. From here, the way is straight to the topmost point.

2) Recently, the way from Rajur to Tolar Khind has been made available. From Tolar Khind (Tolar valley), the temple is about 2-3 hours by walking.

Accommodation Facility

Ganesh caves & caves near the temple of Harishchandreshwar or Carry your own tents.

Accommodation in Khireshwar

In Khireshwar, local school is the best for a night’s stay. In this village, we can see the beautiful temple of Nageshwar as well as ancient caves of the Yadav era.