5 Reasons Why You Should Go for Harishchandragad Trek

5 Reasons Why

You Should Go For

Harishchandragad

Trek

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5 Reasons Why You Should Go For Harishchandragad Trek

Harishchandragad is no stranger to the trek lovers of

Mumbai. In the last decade new routes have been

discovered. More and more people are visiting this once

isolated place.

Harishchandragad is one such trek where I may not be able

to share my full experience in one single article. So I thought

why not to give you 5 reasons for visiting.

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Simplicity Of The Place, People And Food

As soon as we reach the base village, I instantly see the

simplicity of the place and people. Not that I am not aware of

it, but it still amazed me. There is no toilet built up here. You

have to go into open ground for nature’s call, oops!

The people are very humble. The kids, women and old people

will stare you out of curiosity. And when you stare them back,

the million dollar smile comes up.



Oh, I wish I had my own camera. They only speak in Marathi

and broken Hindi, but that’s fine because you can still

connect with them.

The simple and delicious Maharashtrian thali is lip

smacking! Bhakri, pittale, and my favorite dal - rise. You

won’t realize that you have overeaten, and then you just

can’t stand up with that heavy undigested stomach. Burp!

There was a moment when I was just sitting somewhere in

Harishchandragad and staring at a hut without any thoughts

in mind.



Again, its basic landscape made me write these lines on the

spot -

Like just look at the simplicity of the sight I am watching on

the opposite side man! Vast open fields of dry grass, their

complete yellowness makes it a distinct look.

The 2 huts in front of me are made of complete bamboo.

Their abandoned loneliness and their tempting attraction of

providing shade from the soaring heat is a relief to the

exhausting mind.



Massive, Moderate Level And Rugged Terrain

Harishchandragad is massive. Like really very massive.

It comes under Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife

sanctuary.

This place itself is not easily accessible. We had to drive for

nearly 3-4 hours through mountains and rugged terrain

from its nearest station Kasara.



I have been to so many places, but this place is grand, maybe

due to its elevation. There are various routes to reach

Harishchandragad top, easiest being Pachnai.

Each route offers different level of difficulty. From first timers

to one who crave for adventure, each route has something for

everyone.

We obviously took the easy route as summer was anyways

going to make it difficult. After reaching the top, the place was

so huge that it took us a whole day to explore its every corner.



History, Caves And Temples

Harishchandragad is all about its cave, temple and history. The

minute carving on its temple walls fascinated me. The temple

looks very old, and off course it is! The caves are said to be

dated back to the stone age!

The famous kedareshwar cave has a very interesting story. Out

of 4 pillars surrounding the Shivling and supporting its ceiling,

only one is left intact.



It is said that the pillars were built to depict the four 'Yugas' of

Life. When a Yuga comes to the end of its time, one of the pillars

is said to break down.

The general belief is that the current phase is the 'Kali Yuga' and

the day the fourth pillar breaks down - it will be looked to as the

last day of the current era.

While these caves and temples did not interest me very much, I

am sure you might like it if you are interested to know its history.



Konkan Kada

The first time I saw this beauty (on my previous visit) slowly

unfolding in front of my eyes, I couldn't believe its existence!

I was awestruck for real! The fearless winds coming from the

deep valley with vast green fields were an amazing sight to

behold. 2 years later I come back in summer, I am not

disappointed with its views.



Konkankada is a semi circle overhanging cliff offering jaw

dropping views of vast fields and on a clear day even

mountains far away.

Sitting on the exact middle part of Konkan Kada, it felt like a

Kings throne with 2 mountains on both the side standing like

guardians.

I was acknowledging the Uhh! and Ahhs! of the first timers

with a smile. This deep valley holds the mystery untold.



I was just sitting near the cliff at a safe distance. Suddenly my

newly made local friend came and dragged me towards its

edge holding my hand.

I gasped for a second as my heart skipped a beat! In Hindi if I

want to describe then Fattke hath me aa gai! I was

wondering what if he would have jumped down the cliff

dragging me! The imagination was shit scary!



In the evening we went towards the eastern part of Konkan

kada for sunset. The vigorous winds made it difficult for us to

even stand. But we still stayed there struggling (or rather

enjoying) the wind just to experience the beautiful sunset.

The sky was set on fire with the riot of red, yellow and orange

color. The feeling was so strong that I had to resort to music to

keep myself under control. But then it only added up to my

excitement and I started dancing!



Taramati Sunrise Point

After enjoying some good views of Konkan kada and a night

filled with fun along with the participants, I was satisfied. But I

did not know that there was another surprise awaiting us!

Waking up early morning at 5am we marched towards the

highest point of Harishchandragad, Taramati. An hour long trek

provided the missing adventure of the trek as we crossed some

exposed part of the mountain through the very narrow trail.



At some spots there wasn’t even any place to keep our foot

on, scary? No, it was fun! :D

The real horror was when a broken rustic staircase had to be

climbed to get to the top. One mistake and you could go

tumbling down the deep valley!

I even scared everyone by saying Don’t worry, at the most

you will only lose your life *devils smile*We reached the top

just in time as the sun was just above to rise. Oh, it will be

difficult for me to describe the view in words!



As the sun was rising through the mountains, its first rays

created a horizon line on its both the sides. Gap between the

mountains were filled with a blanket of white mist.

Suddenly the massive Harishchandragad was looking very tiny

on the left side. Bhandardara dam, which takes hours to cross

on boat was just looking like a mini pond towards right.

The bare fields where naked like a desert dotted with

occasional greenery. The mountains were looking like conical

peaks.



I may not be able to name the mountains and ranges that I was

watching, but it did not matter at that very moment. Because all

I was watching was the beauty and happiness!

In childhood I use to draw 2 mountains and a sun rising through

it. Some houses below them, crows flying above and a river

flowing through it.

The moment exactly depicted my childhood imagination. Just

that there is the beautiful Bhandardara lake instead of the river.



As the sun rises, It’s blazing color fills the sky and my heart with fire.


Travel

5 Reasons Why You Should Go for Harishchandragad Trek