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 ..........