Many people asked me the question, what is the reason you travel? why you started traveling? which was your first trek? can you share your best memories from your journey? etc.
So here's the story about my first trek.
It took me 20 years, to go on my first trek. I was in the second year of my engineering. To be an engineer was not a choice but
"sabne kaha tha scope hai,toh socha life mein abhi bhi hope hai"
And guess what, which field I choose, yeah the mechanical engineering.
So almost like 90% of mechanical students, suffer from a dangerous disease. Can you guess what it can be??
Yeah, heartbreak. Sounds funny right, yaar lekin
Aise Aise songs sunne laga tha mein. Thank god Arjit Bhai tab form mein nahi theyy warnaa........
So, In between this story, my savior Karan came up with a plan of trekking. As I was in the second year of my engineering, I came to know ki bhai Itna bhi scope nahi hai. As it was Friday, during the class we were just thinking about where we can plan the same and when to go??
We started our discussion and our research on that. We wanted a perfect place, which will not ruin our weekend and after 5-10 minutes of serious discussion and research
Exactly at 10:30 am we were at khubi phata and from khubi phata khireshwar is about 5km which is the base village for harishchandragad.
As I was noob back then, I had no experience in trekking and desperately wanted to make some changes in my life, so it took not more than a second to say yes to this plan. We were a total of 13 people who got ready within a minute and decided to leave the town on Saturday morning.
We boarded the local train from Akurdi railway station to Shivajinagar and from there we took the ST bus going towards aalephata, as we decided to go from the khireshwar route.
Before going through our journey let's know, various routes available to reach Harishchandragad.
Base Village: Pachnai Easiest Route Takes 1.5 - 2 Hours to reach the top. Base Village: Khireshwar Moderate Route Takes 3 -5 hours to reach the top. Base Village: Belpada Difficult Route Takes 3-6 hours to reach the top.
(In this blog I am giving detailed info about Khireshwar route and will give information about other two routes in a separate blog)
As I said we started our journey by ST bus from Shivajinagar towards Aalephata at 6 am early morning. I was so happy with myself as it was going to be my first trek into the sahyadri's.
We reached Aalephata at 9:00 am. we decided to have some snacks over there at the bus stand. After 15-20 min of quick breakfast, we started looking for the bus/private vehicles towards the khubi phata which is on the way between aale phata to Kalyan. Finally, we could find a bus to reach Kalyan and boarded the same. Now on this journey from aalephata to khubi phata you will start to see how beautiful Sahyadri is. From bus-only we started having some mesmerizing views that increased our excitement level further at the top.
Now, remember if any private vehicle/jeep asks you for the lift then go for it, they will hardly charge 10-15rs per person.
"Lekin hum to bade engineer with over-excitement we said no to him"
We decided to complete that path by walking.And when we finally reached Khireshwar after 1 hour of walking, everyone was so hungry as they started taking out their tiffin's which wewere suppose to have later for our lunch at the top.After lunch, we started our ascend from the khireshwar route.
As it was my first step in Sahyadri, on every step I started witnessing the beauty of Sahyadri. From this route, you will pass through some beautiful sceneries. After completely climbing the first hill you will be passing through the Railing part. Be careful while going through the railing part as it is a bit difficult for the beginners. Once you complete the railing part you will get to climb a rock patch which gives you some thrilling experience to be remembered. This is what I like the most about harishchandragad. It's like a complete package for you first the railings followed by the rock patch with scenic beauty on another side Aahhh...!!! what else you want from any place.
After getting at the top of the second hill you have two options:
1.you can take right to climb the 6-7 hills in your route or
2.turn left to avoid some of those hills and to reach early to the top.
But as I said we were noobs at that time got no information about the route, we took a right turn from there and had to pass through 6-7 hills on our way to the top. But let me tell you one thing, both the routes have their own uniqueness.
At exactly 4:30 pm we were there at the top. When we reached the top marvelous Kedareshwar temple welcomed us with its fine art of carving sculptures out of stones.
In the temple plenty of water for drinking is available. Nearby this temple there are few caves available. We kept our bags in one of those caves and freshened up very quickly as we were so excited to reach Konkan Kada. As per our expert researcher, there is no other sunset that is as beautiful as seen from the Konkan Kada.
To reach Konkan Kada from the temple takes about 30 minutes. We reached at the Konkan Kada at around 5:15 pm. I won't lie but as it was my first trek I got completely exhausted firstly because of the journey and secondly because of the very harsh sunny day.
The journey which I started early in the morning and the trail which I was following from last 4-5 hours to reach here, all felt very satisfying at the end. I forgot that I was walking for the last 6 hours after seeing that amazing Konkan Kada. Once you see Konkan Kada you will surely believe that nature is one of the finest architect. This cliff is so beautiful and gives you the once in a lifetime view and sunset at Konkan Kada is like the cherry on top of the cake.
While sitting on the edge, I was trying to think about my problems, but the beauty of nature was resisting it, I don't know what but something was there which was making me happy.
Maybe the following lines from one of my favorite song (Khwabon Ke Parinday) can describe my feelings better
After capturing a beautiful sunset and spellbinding views of Konkan Kada we got back to the cave where we left our bags.
Nearby the caves 6-7 hotels are available. As everyone was so hungry we had our dinner. Now, it was time for a campfire. During the campfire we had some fun discussion and then went to sleep, as we wanted to see Taramati Peak the next day early morning.
We all woke up at 5 AM early in the morning. It was so cold out there as it was the month of December. Without wasting much time, we started climbing further to reach Taramati Peak. Taramati is the highest point of Harishchandragad from where you can witness the best sunrise. We reached the top at exactly 5:40 AM. We waited for a while for sunrise and then we saw the magic enfold. I must say I have never witnessed a sunrise as beautiful as I have seen from Taramati peak. Like a small child, I was experiencing all this for the first time.
We were there till 8 AM as no one actually wanted to leave that place. But, we had to catch a bus from base village Khireshwar. So, we started descending Taramati peak and got back to the temple again. We had breakfast over there, obviously Maggie.
After breakfast, we decided to descend to the base village. So as per conversation with local people, they suggested us to reach Otur first and then catch a bus going towards Pune.
We started descending at 11 AM and again refreshing the beauty and the thrill which we experienced while climbing. We reached the base village at 2 PM. The bus from Khireshwar to Otur is at 3 PM so we had some rest over there. We got a bus at 3 PM and reached Otur at 4 PM and from there we got a direct bus going to the Shivajinagar.
So, what I learned from this Journey,
These vibes, these moments where I realized, it is just you which matters the most, the memories which I made, the moments which always makes me happy are the inspiration for me to travel. Till now I have completed Harishchandragad trek for almost 18 times. May be now you know the reason why. This place will always have special place in my heart.