असाच काहीतरी

काही दिवसांपूर्वी camping ला चाललो होतो. सोबत 2मित्र, नेहमीचा camping च उत्साह, नवे चेहरे, अस बरच काही डोळ्यात साठवून घरातून बाहेर पडलो, मनात एकच विचार,"किती दिवसांनी अशी सकाळ पाहतो आहोत".
सकाळी 9:15ची कसारा गाडी पकडायची होती. ठाण्यात पोहचेपर्यंत रिक्शा मध्येच online टिकट बुक केले.
मग घाई करत platform ला आलो, पहिल तर ट्रैन नेहमी सारखी 10 min उशिरा येणार होती.
मग काय बराच वेळ इकडे तिकडे भटकुन स्टेशन परिसर डोळ्यामध्ये साठवून घेतला. बरेच काही नवीन दिसत होत. नवे फुटओवर ब्रिज, लिफ्ट, ऐसपैस, प्रशस्त परिसर, सगळ कस सुटसूटित वाटत होत.
जेव्हा ट्रैन आली, वाटल खुप गर्दी असेल आणि मला आत शिरता ही येणार नाही. पण कसतरी आत शिरलो. जागा मिळाली. मित्रानां डोंबिवली वरुन गाड़ी पकडायची होती. त्यांना फ़ोन करून पुढचे (कसारा कडेचे)डब्बे पकडन्यास सांगितले. आणि निवांत होवून बसून राहिलो. ट्रैनचा प्रवास नेहमी मनात बसणारा असतो. नवीन चेहरे, त्यांचे हावभाव, न्याहाळत बसन्यात गर्क झालो. जूनी आवड़, आणि कमी बोलून जास्त काम करण्याची सवय, ... असो. लोकांचे चेहरे ओळखण्यात बराच आनंद मिळतो. ह्यामध्ये कधी कोणाची कुटुंबासाठी असलेली काळजी, एखादी आईची तिच्या मुलासाठी असलेली ममता, एखाद्या सेल्समैन च्या चेहऱ्यावरअसणारा कष्टाचा घाम, कधी स्वतःच्या पत्नीला फ़ोन करून "मी आता स्टेशन वर आहे. आता नाही बोलू शकत गाड़ी लगेच येईल"हे सांगणारे, तर कधी कोण्या मोठ्या ऑफिस मध्ये नोकरी करणाऱ्या, सूट बूट घालून, चेहऱ्यावर मोठी स्वप्ने घेवून उभ्या असलेल्या व्यक्ती दिसतात. प्रत्येकाची एक वेगळी ओळख, एक वेगळा प्रवास, एक वेगळा अंतिम स्टेशन, पण स्वप्न एकच.... इथे हार नाही मानायची,
हे सर्व अस छान सुरु असताना कल्याण स्टेशन आले.
बरीच गर्दी गाड़ी मध्ये शिरली. त्यात एक विवाहित स्त्री होती. गर्दीतच वाट काढत जागा पाहु लागली. पण जागा नाहीये हे पहिल्यावर तिथेच उभी राहिली. कदाचित तिच्या सोबत कोणीच नव्हतं. ती स्त्री कोणाशी काही बोलली ही नाही. आजच्या काळात प्रसिद्ध असणारा मेकअप तिला माहित नसावा. टिपिकल गुलाबी रंगची साड़ी, दोन्ही भुवयामध्ये स्पष्ट दिसणारी टिकली, डोळ्यांत दिसणारी चमक, चिंता, स्पष्ट जाणवत होती. फक्त एकच कमी होती, चेहऱ्यावर स्मितहस्य काही केल्या दिसत नव्हते. कदाचित घरच काही tensions असतील. असो...
है असे सुरु असताना तिने माझ्या समोर असलेल्या सीट वर जागा मिळवली. एव्हाना गाड़ी वाशिंद स्टेशन वरुन निघाली होती. इतक्यात माझी नजर समोर असलेल्या स्त्री च्या बाजूला बसलेल्या पुरुषाकडे गेली. कृष बांधा, नजर फक्त मोबाईल वर पार कल्याण ते आत्तापर्यंत काही हलली नव्हती. तो मात्र त्या विवाहित स्त्रीशी सलगी करण्याचा प्रयत्न करत होता. पण त्या स्त्री च्या चेहऱ्यावर काही स्पष्ट हावभाव दिसत नव्हते.
काही चने फूटाने विकणारे तिकडे गोंधळ घालत होते. विचार केला की, आता आपण खुप विचार केला आहे आणि पोटाची खलगी किंचित भरेल ह्या विचाराने मी काही फुटाने आणि काकड़ी घेतली. आपली खलगी भरत असताना, मी पहिले की त्या स्त्री ने ही चिक्की चे 2 पाकिट घेतले. 1 पाकिट स्वतःच्या पर्स मध्ये ठेवून 1 बाहेरच ठेवले. तिने चिक्कीचे पाकिट फोडले आणि त्यातला मोठा तुकडा बाजूला बसलेल्या गचाळ पुरुषाला दिले.
आणि क्षणात डोक्यात वीज चमकली. डोक्यात एकच विचार आला, "हे विधात्या तू इतका कठोर का झालस".
आणि स्वतः वरच हसू लागलो...

Harishachandra gad fort

Bike riding to Harishchandragad 

Stunning morning view from Kokankada, Harishchandragad fort

Harishchandra Gad

A nice place for any family, trekkers, hikers, & you tubers. This fort has its unique history. This fort has many places to visit & we can not complete the fort within a single day. Any trekkers or beginner, children, or a person from any age group can hike the fort. Way to top is easy from Pachnai. I would suggest hiking from Pachnai, as a village is sufficient to provide all facilities like food, guide facility, accommodation.  

We decided the bike riding to fort & choose the route Ghoti toll-(Via Nashik highway)-Rajur-Pachanai. It took much time for us as we did so much photoshoot at various spots after Ghoti on Bhandardara route. 

Somewhere on Bhandardara way

It is a really adventurous journey to reach a base village. Roads are good till few kilometers away from a base village. There is check post of forest department for routine checks of vehicles & For tourist charges. 

Once you are in a village take rest for next hike. There is many guides & villagers to provide food, accommodation service to tourists. It takes not more than 3 hrs to reach the top to any person.

These are the pictures of some interesting spots.

  

As I,  earlier mentioned, there is a lot to see on the top : 

1) Saptatirtha Pushkarni

On its bank are temple-like constructions in which there are idols of Lord Vishnu

2) Kedareshwar Cave

Quite difficult to reach this shivling, because of chilled water made everyone to feel as refrigerated. Water is waist deep & non-accesssible in monsoon season as there is small waterfall before to this temple. 

3) Kokan Kada (कोकण कडा)

It provides views of the surrounding region. The cliff has an overhang but has been climbed many times.

At specific time & specific foggy weather, you can see a circular rainbow called Indravajra.

  

4)Taramati peak

It is the highest peak of fort 1429 meters & gives full 360' view of the surrounding. 

5) Caves on Harishchandragad

So many caves are there on the fort. Be careful as there are many types of snakes on the fort. 

6) Temple of Harishchandreshwar

This temple is a marvelous example of the fine art of carving sculptures. 

Around this temple there a few caves & ancient water tanks.

The water tanks near the caves provide water all around the year for basic needs. Basic meals are available at 3–4 temporary shacks over the weekend. In monsoon, proper care should be taken while trekking in the rock face.

Be careful while driving, as there are so many sweep turns. In winter season take enough clothes as your need. 

You can check our youtube link for other details : 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcqjIE1mL5k&list=LLXeWNluoOanETJ8jaMsaqoA&index=11

For any suggestion or help please comment below.

Stay healthy & travel more.....😊😊😊

GIRNAR...... an adventurous route to eternal peace

A night view of Girnar mountain 

                        Girnar, only religious place in Gujrat situated on top of a hilly area of Junagadh. A whole mountain is covered with many popular Hindu, Muslim, & Jain temples. The main specialty of this place is all temples are accessible with stoned stairs, counts to 10000 stairs one way.
                        Junagadh can be easily accessible via train Saurashtra Mail, Veraval Express, Pune Veraval Express. with moderate fares for sleeper class. Once you reach the Junagadh, you can reach the Girnar temple by local Auto Rikshaw (Don't worry about fares, they won't charge you more than 20rs per head for any place, provided rates would be same as of now).
                        Book your accommodation, take a rest for a journey. The best time to climb the mountain is night since there are 10000 steps which can give best heat stroke at noon time. In a noon time, it will be difficult to complete these steps. Take a small sack full of water bottles & some dried food. There are various small shops on the route opens 24/7 hrs on a full moon day in your service with lemon juice, water bottles, & other energy drinks.
                       It takes around 4 to 5hrs to reach the top & depends on your physical strength. At highest peak, there is Swami Datta Maharaj temple. In this temple, you can see a Paduka(sandals) of Swami Datta Maharaj. No photography is allowed at this place.

Highest Peak & Last temple

Swami Datta Maharaj Temple

If you are planning to go to Girnar to get blessings, see my next blog for awesome places nearby to Girnar. 

For any suggestion or help comment below.....
Best of luck...😊😊

Salher fort ... 2nd Highest peak of Maharashtra

View from Salherwadi Base village

Salher fort, located in Baglan region, Nashik & in fame for its war between Mughal & Maratha. One can go there by State transport from Nashik to Taharabad via Satana bus(But i suggest to reconfirm the bus with timings), which will drop to salherwadi, base village of Salher fort. I will prefer to go by private jeeps with a group of 6 to 8 people as a frequency of the bus is not much.
In the year 2017, I again visited the fort, & have seen a little facility there. A guide is available with a small hotel at a base.

Take any small route & go upward (to right direction of photo)

Trek route start in the South-East direction upward. Many curb routes are meeting at one point, where a small patch of stairs starts. Take this stair route as your clue & go with it. you will see 1 or 2 gates in this route, with a small plateau-like surface with dense trees.

This gate has a small cave beside to it. 

The 2nd gate, after which a small water pond called 'SURYAJI TAKE' 

Another long open area after stairs, leading to other spots

   There is a cave, which can shelter up to 25 people. There are many things on this fort like Suryaji Take, Ganesh Take(it is there on fort, however, i haven't seen it), Havan Kund, Renukadevi Temple, GangaSangar Lake. 

Ganagasagar Lake with Renukadevi Temple beside to it

A Cave, from which has a route to go to Parshuram Temple. 

Renukadevi Temple

Take a route from an upper side of the cave to Parshuram Temple, & enjoy the scenic view of MAHARASHTRA & GUJRAT STATE both. 

View of Maharashtra

 I will especially suggest to go from Salher wadi to enjoy single rock curve view like Kokankada & Plan for either sunrise or sunset.
A small advice to an enthusiast, remember the creature of these forts & their sacrifice.
For any suggestion or help comment below.....
Best of luck...😊😊

  

Harihar Gad or Harsh Gad

Harihar Gad, 

Harihar gad or Harsh gad, Nashik

I would like to say about it as simply awesome trek, for beginners, situating at around 150km approximately, from Mumbai Nirgudpada, Nashik. 

The best season to go for trek to Harihar is Oct to March & also in the month of June only if there is no heavy rainfall, which can lead to slippery rock steps.

You can go from Kasara-Khodala-Nirgudpada, as simple & long route, leading to approx 3.5 to 4hrs of a journey. I'd like to advise that if you are planning to go with this route be assure to get Return transport from local Jeep, deal with him for your return journey or else you might get stuck in Nirgudpada itself. There are no local connective sources other than a jeep or private vehicles. Though state transport buses are available but are not on time.

On the way to fort

Once you reach the Nirgudpada, you can ask anyone for a route to the fort. The villagers are cooperative. You must carry sufficient water & ready food items to eat between journey. There are no shops available nearby to this location. 

After around 2 hrs, you will reach to small uphill before to actual stairs. All the pathway are in good condition.

While ascending be cautious, as one small mistake can cost a lot... 

At these small uphill, you can click a picture. It's simply a photo spot.

you can see the small uphill in this photo

All the stairs are carved in stone, with small hole in it at both ends to get a proper grip. 

you can see the small holes on stairs to get a support while climbing

After completing stairs you can see beautiful scenes in front of you.

You will be on the plateau after completing this small sized open road.  

Small temple

Also, there is a small lakes size water pond

You can ascend to the final top just beside to above spots, & enjoy 360' view around you. 

A small advice to an enthusiast, remember the creature of these forts & their sacrifice. 

Best of luck .......... 

Kalavantin Durg ... A thrilling experience

                                  Kalavantin Durg, Panvel

It is said that its always adventures tough to do adventures things in out life. Around 3 year's ago,

while surfing trek points on web, i found the name Kalavantin durg from.

I was unsuccessful in my first attempt to this so called most tough & riskier fort of India. It's actually our fault that we decide to take a tough route to durg without any guide & our over smartness leads to

full day finding way for durg in the jungle of Prabalgad.

But the story completed after around the 2 year's later to 1'st unsuccessful attempt. Me, Chetan( my brother, friend), Divesh, & Madhukar (friend) were decided to go for kalavantin again to complete the trek. fortunately this time our trek leader was Madhukar.

We decided to go on Saturday, as we can rest in next day.

We decided to reach Panvel railway station, in the morning till 7:30 to catch the S.T. bus

for Thakurwadi, base village of kalavantin & Prablagad both. Divesh was coming from Ambernath 

& Madhukar from Ghatkopar. After around 30 to 40 min's of  S.T. bus travelling we reached to Base village.

After general discussion, we start the way to go upwards.

The way is quite rough to walk. Also take care of any living creature likes snakes, as they often seen here in dense forest. You can see their presence through big size holes at just road side. But most of them are non venomous. 

Enjoy the scenic views....!!!!!

a way is going through the local tribal people

Z. P. Primary school, can rest here for some time ......... 

After these mixed walk, you will be at Prabal Machi. There is only one hotel on Prabalmachi, where you can eat veg as well as non veg & also stay for over night stay. ( I would recommend to stay over night on your own risk).

Walk towards the dense forest through only way below to your feet, just behind to Hotel Prabal Machi.

Small lemonade shop

small shop between Prabal Gad & Kalvantin Durg. One can go to Prabal gad through narrow way just before to these shop. & you can see the only way for Kalavantin durg in these image.

Monsoon Beauty...

Due to foogy rainfall, i was unable to click photos in my mobile. But after these shop the only way is to go using rocky steps, which everyone generally see in kalvantin photos.

Utilize all the support of rock steps in rainy season 

Be cautious in rainy season.......

                       After these you will at last place of the Durg, can see below..,

Don't be Panic here

Enjoy the views 

These last rock patch is quite tough, use your all resources & don't be so fast specially at these place. It might take you in danger in case of hurriedness.

Once you climb these patch you will be last point of durg, where i was unable to click photos because of foggy weather & little rainfall. 

Celebrate your winning moment within a small place cautiously.....

Any suggestions will be on high priority, can leave in comment box.

जय भवानी, जय शिवाजी