Malanggad, Haji Malang, Kalyan, Maharashtra

Malanggad also known as Haji Malang is a 700+ meter tall mountain near Kalyan City of Maharashtra. Malanggad lies in Matheran mountain range and separated from the main range by a khind and is a type of isolated hill jointed to another much taller mountain Tavli through a khind. Malanggad is distinct by its three pinnacle structure and is visible from any where during clear weather. Malanggad is a type of basaltic hill with three levels. Malanggad trek is an easy trek till Sone Machi and a crowded one.

1) Pir machi (where the Haji Malang Dargah is located.) 500m asl.

2) Sone Machi (the second plateau after the steep steps climb) 600m asl.

3) Balekilla (Saat Bawdi - the top most part after the pipes) 700m asl.

To reach Haji Malang one has to climb many steps through many shops and houses from bus stop. The base is the bus stop of Malanggad bus no 45. 

Malanggad has a huge history as the Ketkars were the Killedars. The fort was built in 7th Century by King Nalanda. Brief battle was fought between Marathas and British on Malanggad. Malanggad is a type of fort in which there are no windows to fire or protective walls. It sole depends upon its sheer walls for protection from invaders. This made the Britishers hard to capture and led to siege of the fort. Firing proved no use for them from Pir Machi. Another route is from Vavanje village where in a brief battle was fought. The structure of Malanggad is very strong. The last pinnacle is known as Devni or Bara Ansaar pinnacle.

Pir Machi is laden with shops and is a very big plateau and the far end is Panch Pir where there are graves of Disciples of Baba Malang while second step is Sone Machi which is 250m long and narrow and has 3 bastion and a Chor darwaja with many water cisterns. Also Malanggad is infested with monkeys. 

On the east side of Malanggad is a temple of Datta Mandir and a deep well and further Ganesh mandir in deep woods. One can also trek to Tavli or Dadi Maa where the main Dargah is located which is opposite mountain. It takes around 4 to 5 hours to Dadi Maa through forests. Tavli is second highest mountain in Matheran range after Matheran.

To reach the top one has to cross 15 feet pipes which are placed where the steps have been blown off. A person used to set ropes and charged some fee to cross but as on date by locals on Oct 2017 the person has stopped the service due to order by police due to some accident on pipes. The pipes have gone loose and harness removed. On top there are seven water cisterns (saat bawdi) which feeds water to Haji Malang through pipes and a dilapidated structure used to store grains and ammunition.

Malanggad has many temples and mosques on the way to Haji Malang. A Funicular railway is also being built to avoid climbing many steps which will gain 340m height on rails.

During Urs festivals the palki of Baba is taken on round around whole mountain and celebrated with pomp. The mountain is lit with lights and a sight worth watching.

How to Reach:

Bus No 45 of Malanggad straight to base from Kalyan Railway Station - Rs 20 / person.

MALANGGAD VIDEO - PART 1 (PIR + SONE MACHI)

Malanggad Summary

Asherigad Trek, Khodkona, Palghar, Maharashtra

Asherigad is a easy trek near Palghar region in village of Khodkona or Khadkawane. It is a 510m tall mountain with a mountain pass in which ladders are placed. It is an 800 year old fort. The route is well marked and stone paved. Locals are helpful. Rice fields are plenty at the base. It is a 2 hour climb through dense forest cover throughout which provides shade. However the top plateau is exposed with only the cave as a shelter. Asheri Fort was built by Bhoj Raja and went to many hands of rulers.

Asherigad Fort Pass Ladder

Asherigad Cave is a small cave dug inside a rock which has pillars and idol of Hanuman etched on rock. This is a small cave and small group of people can shelter. A sadhu used to stay here but was driven out.

The view of Medhwan or Medhvan Khind which lies in between the Adsule Peaks and Asherigad through which NH48 (Former NH8) passes connecting Mumbai to North of India.

There are around 3 big lakes, 17 water cisterns, 1 lotus pond at top plateau of Asherigad.

NH48 (Former NH8) seen from Asherigad.

Another pass or col which is fortified by high walls to prevent enemies from invading.

Pinnacle of Asherigad 

HOW TO REACH:

It is just aside the NH48 (Former NH8) highway near a bustop with the blue board in above picture.

One has to alight at Palghar railway station and board tum tum or ST bus going to Surat direction. Palghar - Manor - Khodkona. Parking space available at base village.

ASHERIGAD TREK VIDEO

ASHERIGAD FORT SUMMARY

Harihar Fort Trek, Trimbak, Maharashtra

Harihar Fort is situated in Trimbak range in Nasik, Maharashtra. Harihar Fort is famous for its rock cut steep steps which is the only way to enter the fort. The beautiful piece of engineered architecture attracts people from all places towards the fort. Harihar Fort was built during Yadava period. Its total height is around 1000m where as climbing height is around 380m. It is a short trek and can be completed under 3 hrs. Capt Briggs captured the fort in 1818. The fort is in ruins now. Harihar Fort is accessible from two villages Nirgudpada or Harshewadi.

Harshewadi climb is easy as it is situated at a high altitude than Nirgudpada. However climb from Nirgudpada is also easy and gradual. No steep climbs except at the steps part. Overall climb to Harihar fort is medium. The steps are steep but easy to climb as slots on the steps are provided. One can even do this trek in monsoon but with a slow pace.

The access to Harihar fort is through a khind and not direct. Reaching the khind opens up into a wide plateau and wide ridge takes you to the base of forts where steps start. The route is wide and well laid so no chance of going in circles. However one can even hire guide from local village.

The rock face on the steps side are steep at about 60 to 70 degrees. This is a thriller as it gives an adventure while climbing and descending. 

The rock steps are in two half where the first half will take you to the main gate painted in orange towards the fort which then passes through the internally cut pass which then takes to second half of the steps which are more steep around 70 to 80 degrees which will take you to the second main gate towards the fort plateau at top.

The second half of the steps passes through internally cut steps like the ones in Kothaligad / Peth. The passage after the first steps also has a nedhe or a hole in rock. This part is very beautiful.

Harihar Fort at top part is in triangular shape having an area of appx 20 acres. There are many water cisterns as well as two big lakes. The biggest lake is around 30m in length and has a Hanuman temple and Shivlings. Also there is one intact structure or Kothi for ammunition storage. The top most point of fort is a rock strucuture or Ballekilla where saffron flag is hoisted. Lots of monkeys at the fort. Also there is a small open room with a window facing the valley just after the second main gate.

Harihar Fort is indeed a must visit fort for its beauty and rock cut steps. One can view all the surrounding mountains like Brahma parvat, Brahmagiri, Fani, Mt Utwad, Bhaskargad, Bhandardurg, Anjaneri.

How to Reach:
1) Kasara - Khodala - Nirgud Pada (Local transport jeeps)
2) Igatpuri - Nirgudpada (Local transport jeeps or ST bus)
3) Igatpuri - Trimbak - Harshewadi

HARIHAR FORT VIDEO

Harihar Fort Summary

Ajoba Trek, Sitamai Palna, Dehene, Maharashtra

Ajoba or Ajaparvat is a 1100m high mountain located in Sahayadris in Western Ghats near Dehene village. Ajoba means grandfather in marathi. It is beleived that Luv Kush were born here and Valmiki the grandfather trained them. Sita resided here. There is Valmiki Ashram where samadhi of Valmiki is kept. Also up high in hills are caves of Luv Kush with their cradel also known as Sita Cha Palna.

It is also called Ajobagad but there is no gad or fort. It is just a cave. The real Ajoba top also has no forts. It is just a peak and plateau.

However this is Ajoba - Luv Kush Cave trek where as not the real Ajoba top trek. This cave is last point of trek and is at appx height of 700m asl where as the real Ajoba height is around 1100m asl. 

For going to real Ajoba there are two ways:

1) Daraghat - A khind between Ajoba and Karonda mountain. This route is long, treacherous and confusing. This route is via nalichi wat and not in use much. Most people trek to Sitamai Palna as Ajoba Trek.

2) Kumshet - Easy way to top is from Kumshet village where one can drive to Kumshet in deccan behind Ajoba and then can walk up the Ajoba top.

Sitamai Palna is located between the two rock face and provides a splendid view of the valley especially during monsoon. Ajoba should be trekked in monsoon as it will be lush green and full of waterfalls.

Ajoba trek is in two halves where first half is till Valmiki Ashram which is a leisure walk and the road is quite wide for 4X4 and offroad bikes. The forest are sacred with rich flora and fauna. Being under Kalsubai Harishcandragad Wildlife Sanctuary. One can stay n Ashram. 

Second Half of the trek is to Luv Kush Cave from nalichi wat just aside ashram crossing a river. This half is also easy but steep and very tiring as only through this you gain height very quickly to top. First half is just a gradual walk through forest.

Be careful of scorpians, snakes and lizards. They are abundant.

 There is a big plateau at the base of Ajoba which provides splendid view of the surrounding hills.

The structure of the Ajoba mountain is very beautiful.

Sitamai Cha Palna in between two rock face with valley in between. The area between the two hills is very less for large groups. One has to climb a 15 feet rock patch to reach the cave. There are two water cisterns however are polluted. An iron ladder is kept to aid climbing but not bolted. This cave is under a pinnacle which is separated from main Ajoba mountain. The valley is very steep and one has to be careful during monsoon. One can travel around the pinnacle. Climbing to top is not recommended as the rock patch of pinnacle is loose and shaky with just slight touch. The whole patch may fall any time. Also a college girl had a casualty as she slipped and fell in valley years back. This is best visited during monsoon as the winds are strong with clouds floating. 

Please do not throw bottles or leave any thrash behind. It spoils the beauty and environment.

 Many peaks like, AMK, Shipnur, Ratangad, Jivdan, Naneghat can be seen from here.

  KONKAN SIDE VIEW

A leopard named Ajoba was left in this region with tracking collar. He trekked all the way from here to Borivali National Park crossing numerous peaks.

VALMIKI ASHRAM

AJOBA TREK VIDEO

Padargad Trek, Khandas, Karjat, Maharashtra

Padargad lies in Bhimashankar Range in Khandas village in Karjat. It is a unique fort with two dike like structure clearly visible and separated from main range by a khind. Padargad or Padhargad was used as a vantage point to keep an eye on Peth/Kothaligad fort. Padargad is on the way to Bhimashankar. One cannot do Bhimashankar and Padargad on same day. Padargad takes around 3 hours to climb. Its uniqueness comes at a point where the climb is between two hills a feet wide where one has to do a chimney climb. There are broken steps, water cistern and caves on top of Padargad.

Padargad can be reaches via two route from Khandas village. One is Ganesh Ghat which is a gradual climb till Padarmachi or base. Other is Shidi Ghat which is direct steep climb against the sheer wall and then a long walk through dense forest till Padar base. Use Ganesh Ghat for Padargad while Shidi Ghat for Bhimashankar. Since this is Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary there is plenty of Flora, Fauna and wild animals. One can reach a temple on the way from Ganesh Ghat. 

There is a small well from which the route cuts into the forest of Padargad. After which a short trek through dense forest will open upto the scree and lose rock the way to khind. There are three caves and water cistern on top.

 PADARGAD, BHIMASHANKAR TOP VIEW

Padargad Trek Route Map

PADARGAD TREK VIDEO

Summary

Bhairavgad, Moroshi, Malshej, Maharashtra

Bhairavgad lies in Thane region of Maharashtra and is actually not a fort but a rock dike structure which is very rare in Sahyadris, other being Tailbaila. Other Bhairavgad is at Chiplun, Bhandardara. And this one is at Moroshi or Moroshi che Bhairavgad. This is a distinct rockface which is easily visible from state highway towards Malshej. Bhairavgad seems impossible to climb due to its steep rock rectangular face. But there are rock cut steps till top which are blown away by Britishers making it difficult to ascend. Bhairavgad appx height is around 700m above sea level. Bhairavmachi is appx 580m. There is a kaman which is rusted through which one can reach Bhairavmachi. It stands separated from the main ghats. Bhairavgad offers great view of all the surrounding ghats.

There are several criss cross routes to Bhairavmachi which is confusing but just keep following the broadest one and you will reach Bhairavmachi. From Bhairavmachi one has to go inside the forest to reach the Bhairavgad. From main kaman to Machi it takes up to 1.5 to 2 hours. Ascend is gradual but tiring. En route you will find a river which one has to cross. Lots of langurs on the way.

There are two routes towards Bhairavgad top. One is from the east end and other from the west end. The west end is sheer cliff wall and cannot be ascended without ropes and a professional team. This end was bolted by SCI Safe Climb Initiative and Durg Premi Team. 

The other way is from east end which has rock cut steps all the way till top blown away in between. One does not require any ropes to climb from east end. But for casual trekkers or new trekkers ropes are necessary.

The plateau of Bhairavgad is quite wide and small. One can explore. One can even camp on Machi. 

No ropes required. Some might need it on the Overhang part but is manageable. From west end ropes are necessary as it is sheer 90 degrees.

Teli Peaks are seen on above photo.

Naneghat Plateau can be seen in above photo. Also Nana Cha Angtha is seen.

Daudanya and Bhojgiri peaks on above photo.

There are many water cisterns and small caves at base of Bhairavgad.

Above photo is of west end which is sheer and ropes are necessary.

BHAIRAVGAD VIDEO

Bhairavgad Trek Route Map

Short Summary of Trek: