Treks around Thane and Mumbai: Gorakhgad Trek, Dehri, Murbad, Maharashtra

Monday, April 23, 2018

Gorakhgad Trek, Dehri, Murbad, Maharashtra

Gorakhgad is a small mountain with high steep rocks with carved steps all the way till top. This is situated near Dehri village at Murbad, Maharashtra. Gorakhgad is actually a pinnacle with its counter pinnacle Macchindragad in front of it. A small temple is situated at top of Gorakhgad. Gorakhgad is an easy trek with routes well marked and starts from an Ashram at the base near Dehri village. This fort was mainly used by sadhus for meditation and the steps looks like it has been formed by the monks for laying route like the other stepped carved pinnacle.

After a certain climb from the Asharam one reaches a temple at the base of pinnacle after which the climb to the Gorakhgad caves start.

Initial climb after the jungle route leads to the first step of series on the pinnacles with the main gate painted in orange. The steps are steep but safe with holes.

After the steps climb comes the main gate which has internally carved steps to top just like Kothaligad Fort and Harihar Fort. This is a peculiar feature of most stepped carved pinnacles.

There are many water cisterns for water harvesting at those times ranging in small to big.

Macchindragad can be seen clearly through Gorakhgad, however the route to it is broken from Gorakhgad while one can still go through other routes but locals say no one should go as there is a belief that Macchindranath does not like any one being around and some mishap may occur. Gorakhshnath and Macchindranath are the disciple and master.

Gorakhgad is a beautiful place to spend some time with close to high Western Ghats as well as a short trek. There is a cave where one can even stay at night where most people do as the cave is quite big.

Gorakhshnath temple is situated at the top of pinnacle which starts from the other end of Gorakhgad where route goes beside the caves. The second series of steps are quite steep than the first two but holes for hand are given for gripping. Beautiful scenes can be seen from top of the temple.