Information
Type and Location
It is a hill fort with minimal or no fortification (Walls,Bastions etc.) which can only be reached by hiking or trekking.
This fort is located where borders of Thane,Pune and Ahmednagar districts meet near Malshej Ghat.
How to reach
There are three base villages from three districts to reach the fort.
Khireshwar -
The most popular route among hikers as it provides thrill and enjoyment.This village is located in Pune district.
You can reach here by your own vehicle
Mumbai (145 KM) (Kalyan-Murbad-Malshej Ghat- Khubi Phata-Khireshwar) route.
Pune (125 KM) (Narayangaon-Junnar-Khubi Phata-Khireshwar) route.
Or
You can reach here by public transport
Mumbai -
- Kalyan by Local train (Regular Trains)
- ST bus for Ahmednagar (Regular ST Buses)
- Get down at Khubi Phata (After Malshej Ghat)
- Walk around 4 KMs for Khireshwar
Pune -
- ST bus from Pune to Narayangaon on Pune Nashik Highway (Regular ST buses available from Pune to Nashik) Long Distance
- ST bus from Narayangaon to Junnar (small distance even local 6 seaters are available)
- ST bus from Junnar to Khubi Phata (Any ST bus towards Malshej Ghat) small distance
- Walk around 4 KMs for Khireshwar
The hike from Khireshwar is medium tough.
The complete hike can be divided into three parts -
- Gradual ascend on the narrow path from starting point to Tolar khind (a small V Shaped pass visible from starting point).
- Steep ascend on the narrow route in giant rocks
- Wide road of small ascend and descend.
First ascend is easy to hike and takes 1 to 1.5 hrs to reach Tolar Khind. Be careful on this route as there is high probability to get lost in the dense forest if you choose wrong route so take a guide from village if you are visiting first time [if you won't get guide then as a trial and error you have to check the way which is continuously ascending towards V shaped Tolar khind]. Once you reach at Tolar Khind then you will see two routes,one towards left ascending and other descending to the other side of the hill.Take the left ascending route where our
Second ascending part (Rock Patch) starts.Rock patch is the toughest part in the hike which takes 40-45 minutes.Be careful as rocks become slippery in rainy season.The rock patch test your hiking skills.Those who have problems of vertigo,need to move slowly and carefully at times taking momentary rests as there is deep valley on the other side.Once you complete the rock patch,you reach on the plains from where you can enjoy a delightful view of Pimpalgaon Joga Dam.
Third and Final part is the easiest part of trek which takes 2-2.5 hours.If you are visiting in summer, always remember to carry enough water from Khireshwar to keep yourself hydrated due to absence of drinkable water till we reach at temple.The path after plains pass through small ascends and descends which also has some forest cover.The rock carved Harishchandreshwar temple and its golden apex can be easily recognized from distance.
Paachnai -
This village is located in Ahmednagar district.
You can reach here by road with your own Vehicle -
Mumbai (225 KM) - (Kalyan-Murbad-Malshej Ghat- Khubi Phata Otur-Bramhanwada-Kotul-Kothale - Paachnai)
Or
Mumbai (210 KM) - (Thane-Shahapur-Igatpuri-Ghoti - Bhandardara - Rajur - Kothale - Paachnai) route.
Pune (160 KM) - (Narayangaon-Otur-Bramhanwada-Kotul-Kothale - Paachnai)
Paachnai is a secluded village but nearest to the fort.You may need to take the help of locals to reach the village as GPS may not work in remote areas.There is no direct bus service from major cities like Mumbai or Pune so if you are visiting in public transport then you will have to change 2-3 ST buses to reach Paachnai and hence most people prefer to come here in private vehicle from Mumbai or Pune.
Once you reach Paachnai village (very small village) a simple 1.5-2 hours trek takes you to the Harishchandreshwar Temple.The hike from Paachnai is simplest out of three routes.The initial one hour ascend from Paachnai is medium steep.A narrow road with valley at one end and mountain wall at other end takes you to the plains and then enters the dense forest.
At some part of hike road is carved through the mountain rocks creating tiny horizontal caves for rest especially in summer.In rains loads of water flow above those caves which create small waterfalls.Once you reach the plains a picturesque scenery of landscape, trapezoid shaped Kaladgad fort and stream of Mangalganga river in valley can be viewed.The route enters in dense forest and an easy ascend of almost 45 minutes to an hour takes you to the temple. You can also stay in Paachnai and visit fort Kaladgad and Harishchandragad in one trip.
Nalichi Vaat -
This way is from Walhivare village in Thane district.You can reach here from Mumbai (120 KM) by road on Kalyan-Murbad-Moroshi route.You can reach from Pune (160 KM) by road on Pune-Narayangaon-Otur (from Otur same as Mumbai route).
This is the toughest out of three routes and can only be attempted by mountaineers who carry equipment like ropes,harness for their treks or are capable enough to climb steep rocks with deep valley at one side with equipment. The entire route encounters climbing tall rocks with rope and on the edge of the hill.This route takes you to the Konkan Kada. It takes 8-10 hours to reach at Konkan Kada.
Total Ascend/Descend Time -
Khireshwar route -
4 hours 30 minutes (Ascending)/ 3 hours 50 minutes (Descending) (From Khireshwar village where you can reach and park your private vehicle)
5 hours 30 minutes (Ascending)/ 4 hours 50 minutes (Descending) (From Khubi Phata bus stop where you can reach by bus)
60 minutes - Walk from Khubi Phata bus stop to Khireshwar Village
90 minutes (Ascending)/ 75 minutes (Descending)- Khireshwar to Tolar khind and vice-versa
45 minutes (Ascending)/ 35 minutes (Descending) Tolar khind to Plain above rock patch and vice versa
135 minutes (Ascending)/ 120 minutes (Descending) - Plain above rock patch to Harishchandreshwar Temple
Paachnai route -
2 hours (Ascending)/ 1 hour 35 minutes (Descending)
60 minutes (Ascending)/ 45 minutes (Descending)- Paachnai to End of Ascend in gorge view and vice-versa
60 minutes (Ascending)/ 50 minutes (Descending) End of ascend in the gorge view to Harishchandreshwar Temple vice versa
Note - This is an estimated time.Actual time can very with crowd and atmosphere at that point.
Places of Interest -
Harishchandreshwar Temple -
This Hemadpanti style lord Shiva temple carved in a single giant rock [main temple in single rock] is the main attraction on the fort.The main temple is protected with the stone wall.There are beautiful red lead based lord Ganesha idols on sides of main temple (Architects of ancient times used red lead for idols as it does not dissolve in water and hence even the heaviest rain cannot affect the idol).The apex of Temple is Golden and clearly visible from distance.A small entrance with temple bells on entrance and Trishul welcomes you.There is a Shivalinga in the main temple with a large cave behind the main temple.There are some ruin structures in the vicinity of the temple.There is a pond with drinkable water beneath the temple.
Saptatirth and Pushkarni -
There are seven fourteen temples of lord Vishnu at the east side of the temple with a small lake (Pushkarni) in front of those fourteen temple.
Konkankada -
As the name suggests Konkan Kada is cliff falling in Konkan.This is a concave shaped cliff with higher height of both ends of the concave (like a concave broken saucer from centre)towards west side of the fort.Due to the sheer steep altitude drop of 1000 meters the landscape is not easily visible.Due to its altitude drop and concave nature Konkan Kada is a must visit place on Harishchandragad. The absence of any nearby hill of same or higher height results in blowing of high speed winds which give delightful feeling and unique experience even in summer. This place can also be termed as 'Sunset Point' of Harishchandragad as it offers excellent sunset view. In Rains,this place is covered with thick fog and one must take care as there is no railing at the end of 1000 meter drop.You will have feeling of standing above clouds in rains.
Kedareshwar Cave -
This Cave is located near temple.This Cave has large shivlinga surrounded by four pillars (three are in broken stage) placed in freezing water.It is said to be the origin of Mangalganga river.
Accommodation
There is a large cave behind the temple where 10 people can stay.There are caves called Ganesh Caves above Saptatirth where 10-15 people can stay.Hikers can also set tents in near temple or at Konkankada.The accommodation in caves is free.Food arrangements need to be done by hikers themselves.Locals sometimes set up their stalls near temple from where food arrangements can be done.Drinking water is available near the pond of the temple.
When to visit -
You can visit Harishchandragad throughout the year.
Winter -
Hikers prefer to visit the fort in winters due to less risky hike and experience scenic views from Konkankada & misty mornings.Locals prefer to set up their stalls in Winters.
Summer -
Hikers least prefer to visit the fort (In April and May months) in summer due to high fatigue while hiking and hot weather.One specific reason to visit in summer is the Stargazing.Absence of mist and smog free weather on the fort makes it a place for Stargazing.
Rainy Season-
Due to heavy rains and foggy weather rainy season give completely different experience to hikers.If you are lucky you can see broken spectre in morning at Konkankada.
Experience and Photos
My Experience
I visited Harishchandragad with my 10 friends on 28 February and 1 March 2009 in a private vehicle.We started from Mumbai on 27 February late night and reached Khireshwar village in the morning 6 a.m.We initially took a wrong path (took wider path and after some hike came to know that that was the route of Waterfall.We could see the path from lower level but not finding the way to reach there) and wasted half an hour.
We came back at the starting point and had our breakfast Fortunately,one local was ready and we finally started our trek on 7 a.m.First one hour hike being gradual ascend in dense forest,was less tiresome.We reached at Tolar Khind on 8.15 a.m. approx. and took a small break before rock patch.
We started the tough ascend of rock patch on 8.30 a.m. but due to the shinning sun required 45 minutes to trek the rock patch (Had we took the right path initially and not wasted the first hour,we could have started ascending this tough patch on 7.30 a.m).We reached above rock patch on 9.15 a.m and took a small break.This point gives scenic, paneromic view of Pimpalgaon Joga Dam,Malshej Road and surroundings.
The tough ascend is over and then after crossing number of hillocks (which includes small ascend and descend just to cross the hill),we reached at Temple on 11.45 a.m.We were lucky enough to get accommodation in the cave behind the main temple.We had our lunch.After the tiresome journey we had a good sleep of 3 hours.
We got up on 4.30 p.m,had our tea and were ready to visit at Konkankada.The route for Konkankada starts with small ascend right behind the temple.After ascend the route passes through a dense forest which opens at an open ground which is the centre of the concave structure of Konkankada.
We reached at Konkankada on 5 p.m.We then walked some distance to the left (one side of concave towards Rohidas peak) and then to the right (Nalichi Vaat ends here).We watched sunset.The winds are so heavy that if you attempt to throw an empty plastic bottle towards valley then wind pulls it back to Konkankada.
After Sunset we returned to temple on 7.30 p.m,had our dinner and came outside the temple for Stargazing.As city kids we all had a satisfying experience of watching full lit sky by stars.Astronomy lovers can carry binoculars and other small portable equipments for Stargazing.After fully enjoying the experience of Stargazing for half an hour we returned to temple and started playing card games in the cave.After playing card games for almost an hour we went to sleep on 9.30-10 p.m.
After having a good 8-8.5 hours sleep,we got up on 5.30 a.m. had morning activities, had breakfast and got ready on 8 a.m for next sight-seeing. We visited the Saptatirth, Pushkarni and Kedareshwar Cave which are near the temple.Due to the irresponsible behavior of some trekkers Saptatirth and Pushkarni lost its charm.The water in Pushkarni was dirty.
We started our return journey on 10 a.m. We decided to get down from Paachnai route and communicated same to our driver.After a 15-20 minute walk a dense forest started along with gradual descend and thanks to the dense forest we never felt tired for next one hour descend.After one hour descend the way passes through valley at one end and mountain of Harishchandragad on other end.The path becomes narrow and descend becomes steeper (but not as steep as rock patch which we experienced while ascending).
We had to take few breaks as we started feeling tired with increasing heat in the air and shining sun.We finally reached at Paachnai on 11.45 a.m and waited for the vehicle to come.We tried to call the driver but none of us had the network.Paachnai was a very small and secluded village then with very basic facilities.The vehicle didn't arrive even after an hour and we decided to walk on road towards the vehicle.
After almost half an hour walk on road finally we could see vehicle arrived.We then had late lunch at Otur on 4 p.m. as there were no good hotels on the road and Otur is comparitively bigger town.We returned at Mumbai with sweet and sour memories of Harishchandragad on 9.30 p.m.
Things to Carry
One Day Hikes -
A pair of trekking shoes,Haversack,,A pair of changing clothes,Water (at least 2 litres),Torch with pair of batteries,Small scissor or knife,Easy snacks,Medical Kit (Electrol Powder + Tablets on Vomiting, dizziness fever,body pain etc +Bandage and instant relief spray or medicine on bruise + cotton piece),Other regular medicines (optional),Napkin,Towel,Handkerchief ,other things which you find necessary.
Multiple Day Hikes -
Things mentioned in One Day Hikes +Sleeping Mat or Sleeping Bag,Toothpaste and brush,Ready to cook food packets and tea bags,other things which you find necessary.
Photos -
Most of the photos are clicked by my friends.
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| Map of Harishchandragad |
Note -
1)You are requested not to litter on or near the fort,temples,sculptures,caves and historical monuments.Please keep the sanctity of our historical heritage.
2) You are requested to avoid listening high pitched volume audios while passing through the forest instead listen the chirping of different birds.
3) Please carry a garbage bag/s with you depending upon the size of group.Carry the garbage with you while descending and throw garbage in dustbins placed in base villages.
4) Walls of caves,temples and other monuments are not right surfaces to showcase your artwork.
