It was the cold night of December 12th and around 11pm at a local coffee shop (CCD). Sankool and me were sipping coffee and discussing how things were working with us in the vacation. We did not have great stories to tell but we were somehow wasting our vacation. I expressed my wish of doing something adventurous as I had done last vacation. Sankool seconded my view and was interested right from first minute in the talk. Then for around an hour or so, we discussed about the possible alternatives that we had on our hand. We did not have any experience of trekking but we surely wanted to trek this time. We decided on Matheran and also planned that when we get home we will check online how we can enjoy our trek. Sankool already knew the route we had to take for Matheran.

When we got back home we started browsing online about Matheran and possible alternatives. It didn’t take us time to realize that Konkan Kada would have been a better option and more adventurous. Then we started planning our schedule. There were loads of websites that provided in-depth information about Sahayadris. (You can check them in the Net Links section) We just had one day to plan everything and it was already 4am. We decided to sleep now and then finalize things later in the evening.

I got up at around 10:30am and again got online after getting fresh. To my luck, I found Amit who had been to Harishchandragad some months back and had read about Harishchandragad on his homepage. I asked him many foolish questions but he answered all of them calmly and gave me the green signal and all the wishes for success.

Highlights of the Trek:

Our bags: 2.5 liters. Water, Towel, 2 Bed sheets, 1/2 liters. Milk, Extra t-shirt, First-Aid kit, Waist pouches for camera and money, a map and some travelogues of people who had been here, etc.

Our journey:

ST Stand:

We started our journey on 13th night at 10 pm reached Kalyan. Were surprised to find so many people traveling in the local trains at this time in the night. Spent the night on Kalyan ST Stand. We could just sleep for 2-3 hours at night on the ST stand. Had a cutting of tea and then caught the first ST to Ahmednagar at 5am. It was still dark. We knew it would take us around 2 hours to get to Kubhi Phata our next destination.

Kubhi Phata:

The ST conductor didn’t know about Kubhi Phata but when we told him that we wanted to climb Harishchandra Gad then he said ” Oh, gadawar zaiyche ahe ka > ? ” and then stopped the ST at the right location. Even we sure of it because we could see the river and the dam on which we had to walk. We started our journey by first peeing… (lol) and then on Sankool’s suggestion we read the Hanuman Chalisa and prayed (no offence intended).

The Dam:

The walk from Kubhi Phata to Khireshwar village (base village) was long. It took us an hour but it was nice and refreshing with the cold water and ducks on the right and the fields on the left.

Khireshwar Village:

We stopped at a stall there and had tea. We also inquired about the trek. All were maharashtrains and so I had to do most of the talking. We kept on looking at the map while sipping tea. We had realized that the 600ft. from base of Tolar Khind to the top would be the most challenging part if not tiring.

The trek through the forest:

Khireshwar Village Temple

Soon, we had started our trek through the forest and we already had our first sign, a red arrow, which was assuring. The forest was dense and so it kept us away from the suns heat, which was getting hotter as time passed.

Dense forest

Tolar Khind:

We reached the base of Tolar Khind, which was marked by a board and God’s idol by 10:30. We took rest and again filled our mouths with Glucose. We still couldn’t see the rocks.

Base of Tolar Khind

We started with enthusiasm and soon stumbled upon the sheer rocks within no time off the base. I was leading at this time. (We continuously exchanged roles). I started with confidence. At the start of the climb, there were some rods with poles attached to them, which made the climb easy as some of the people who had been here had told us. However, it was true with the first two levels only and after that we could just see the poles with no rods attached to them (we later found out that the people would sell the steel rods attached to them).

Gauging the height

The climb was moderately difficult at the start and the weight we were carrying made it more difficult. However, I was not finding it difficult but I did realize the dangers because there was this valley on one side and the rocks on another. There were patches, which were dangerous and very narrow where we could just get a foothold and somewhere we could easily sit and just let the sheer feeling of height seep in.

Left my library card right there!

Since I was leading, I was ahead and at one instant, I realized that Sankool wasn’t following me. He had stopped and was in real bad shape. It was then that I learnt that he was afraid of height and he was getting dizzy. Even I stopped and then we had many dramatic twists and turns, few encouraging speeches by me, some words from two villagers who were heading to the top. The first thing on our mind throughout the journey was safety. Also, I kept of repeating that we have already done it because did we even think 2 days back that we would be at 3381 feet ( above mean sea level ). After a lot of drama, we finally began and reached the top.

For the record - he is not posing, this is true!

At the top:

It was like a dream come true and more so for Sankool who had conquered his fears somewhat if not completely. Now we had a simple but tiring journey ahead. We had to cross 6-7 small mountains to get to the Harishchandra gad temple.

How far?

Yashraj point :)

Together - Yes it was two of us!

This was the family, which we had met on the way, and they had few encouraging words with us.

Local villagers

At the Harishchandragad temple:

Finally, after a long walk through easy climbs we reached our destination the temple. It was a huge plateau with the temple on one side and caves on another. Everyone generally prefers the caves but I was sure that I am not comfortable sleeping in one. There was this one house on the top and a very nice villager Meerabai who in a way welcomed us and spoke with us and if any arrangement she could make for us. We thanked her and then visited the temple. The temple was nice and quiet made of stone. It had caves with springs inside. We took rest outside the temple in shade. We had to check the sunset at Konkan Kada.

Konkan Kada:

Konakan Kada

The Kada is standing tall natural wall with a fall of 1700 ft. on one side and about 4005 ft. above mean sea level. We had come here to see the sunset at Konkan Kada. In addition, I wanted to peek down from there in the famous position, which I did. We could see hundreds of birds flying back to their nests at sunset. Also, we could see Ajoba peak which looked like the face of an Old Man.

Konakan Kada Pose

At Night:

We had our dinner at Meerabai’s house. It was nice and cool because it was layered with cow dung. She forced us to have some chapattis but we had to finish the food we were carrying and also the milk, which added weight to our bags. By night even Munge Kaka (uncle) had come who is from Mumbai but was staying there from a few months. He had so many stories to tell us that we enjoyed. Sankool understands Marathi pretty well and speak some. He told us that we could sleep in the temple as the Pujari and his helper sleep there at night and they wouldn’t mind. The pujari was surprisingly cool and he even knew some English aswell.

Harishchandragad

Stars:

Ya, stars… stars and and stars everywhere in the sky. Had never seen such a site ever before. Millions of stars to say the least. I spotted stars falling continuously on one side. Sankool who was inside until then and came outside after hearing me was calling for him. Even he was astounded to see it.

Panoramic view from the top of Taramati:

View from Taramati - Sorry, but the pic doesn't do justice at all!

Kedar Ling:

A cave some distance from the temple had a shiv-ling and named Kedar Ling. The water there was chilling cold. Taking a bath there felt holy.

Kedar ling - Holy dip in ice cold water

The return:

After having nice garam Kanda Poha made by Meerabai, we decided to start our return journey. She also served us freshly prepared buttermilk, which was refreshing. Sankool had two glasses of the same. We thanked them for all they had done and promised to meet again.

Saying goodbye

Journey back in short:

We didn’t take a break until we reached Tolar Khind top. I was leading again at this time. We decided the rules of descent. The good thing was this time Sankool had the courage to look straight down in the valley which was pleasing. Nothing is braver than conquering our own fears. Our 600ft descent just took 38 minutes this time. Reached Khireshwar. Good that we had a jeep from the village, which was going to Kubhi Phata, the driver, gave us a lift. We reached home by evening.

Adieu

What will remain with me for my life?

People: The people we met there were really selfless. I could feel that. It made me feel very small in front of them. Their warmth will always remain with me. It’s true that India lives in villages and I hope it remains so!

Beauty: There is so much right here in Maharashtra in the Sahayadris, which we should try and visit. Thinking of the next place to visit now!

Fear: There were many times when I was afraid. So many thoughts, which would instill fear in me. I remember someone in the movies say this,

Courage is not the absence of fear,
But the presence of it with the will to go on.

Adventure: Try it! You will love it.

Lakshay - It took him 20 years and 4695ft to find himself!

If you want to see Harishchandragad pictures then I would recommend visiting Ami’s homepage.