Dear Friends.
"Swachhand” have organised Most Awaited Trek to "Harishchandragad"  Dt. 22^nd Dec & 23^rd Dec,2012

Duration:        Dt.22^nd Dec,2012 to 23^rd Dec,2012 (Trek Starts on 22/12/2012 at 06.00 am )

Meeting point:         Opp. Dreams mall near Bhandup (w) Railway Station at 06.00am

Mode of Transport:            Private Transport 

About the Fort:

Type: Hill Fort 

Height: 4500 Feet above MSL (Approx)

Grade: Medium (4-5 hrs trek) 

Region: Malshej 

Base Village: Khireshwar

Harishchandragad Fort is famous for its height, its toughness and the famous 'Konkan Kada'. Harishchandra Temple is known to be the pride of the fort. Sant Changdev stayed here for some time and completed his manuscript - 'Tatwasaar'. The Nandi and Shivling in the temple are breathtaking. A cave nearby is always full of very cold water. Harishchandragad Fort is situated in Junnar region near Malshej Ghat. The fort is very popular to trekkers and nature lovers as it is one of the best forts to trek. Konkan Kada is a challenge for trekkers as it is at a height of 3,500 feet. Rohidas, Taramati and Harishchandra are the three peaks in Harishchandragad.

Places to See on Fort:

Saptatirtha Pushkarni  To the east of the temple is a well-built lake called “Saptatirtha”. On its bank are temple-like constructions in which there are idols of Lord Vishnu. Kedareshwar Cave. Kedareshwar Cave going rightwards of Harishchandreshwar temple, in which there is a five feet big Shivlinga, which is totally surrounded by ice cold,& waist deep water. Konkan Kada (Konkan cliff) The most interesting point on this fort is this cliff, which has always fascinated many people from many years. The cliff faces west and from here, one can have a breathtaking view of the surrounding region and the setting sun. This cliff is not just vertical, it is an overhang, Sometimes a circular rainbow (the Brocken spectre phenomenon) can be seen from this point.

Taramati peak Also known as Taramanchi. This is the topmost point on the fort (1429 meters). From here we can have a glimpse of the whole range of Naneghat and the forts near Murbad. From this we can have a glimpse of forts till Siddhagad near Bhimashankar in the south and Napta twin peaks,Ghodishep (865 meters),Ajoba (1375 meters),Kulang fort (1471 meters)in the north near the Kasara region.Caves on Harishchandragad These caves are situated all over the fort. Many of these are situated at the foot of Taramati peak & are the place of accommodation. A few are near the temple, whereas some are near the citadel and some far away in the forests. A 30 feet (9.1 m) deep natural cave is on the northwestern side of the fort, to the right of Kokan Kada. Many other caves are still said to remain undiscovered. Nageshwar temple near Khireshwar This is a great antique construction, and diverse artistic works are seen on this. On the ceiling of the temple are beautiful carvings. The main attraction of the carvings here is the 1.5 m long sculpture of "sheshshayi Vishnu" in Marathi in the sleeping posture, Temple of Harishchandreshwar This temple is marvelous example of the fine art of carving sculptures out of stones that prevailed in ancient India. It is about 16 m high from its base. Around this temple there a few caves & ancient water tanks. The river Mangal Ganga is said to originate from one of the tanks located close to the temple. The fascinating thing about this temple is that it has been carved out from a single huge rock. There are entrances from all four sides. On the main entrance there are sculptures of faces. These are faces of guards of the temple. On the left side of the entrance is a Devnagri inscription, which is about saint Changdev..

 

The tentative itinerary for the Trek is as given below:

Day 1      Dt.22^nd  Dec,2012

Meeting Point:  Opp. Dreams mall near Bhandup (w) Railway Station at 06.00am Sharp,

Start Journey through Pvt. Vehicle and will reach Khubi Phata by 09.30 am to 10.00

(Pune ppl can join us directly at Khubi Phata)

have breakfast, & start our trek by 10.00 am …. Lunch in between (Carried by yourself)
It takes around 4-5 hrs to reach the top. We will reach the top by 3.00pm

Visit Konkan Kada, and the surroundings in the evening. Have dinner & go to sleep in the caves.

Day 2      Dt.23^rd Dec,2012

Sunday early morning have breakfast. Tea

Visit Taramati peak , Explore the fort surroundings

back to the Cave, Have some snacks and 

Leave for Khireshwar by 11 am. Reach Khireshwar by 3.00 pm, have lunch.

Start back to Mumbai/Pune. Start return journey and reach Mumbai by 09.00 pm tentatively.

Things To be Carried Along with

● Identity Card,  ● A haversack to put in all the things to be carried so that one has one hands free while walking  ● Comfortable shoes, sandals ● Extra Pair of Clothes,Towel/Napkins, Caps etc. ● Sleeping mat (Compulsory) ● Torch with Extra cells (compulsory )● Some ready to eat food ● Water bottle 02 Liters (compulsory ) ● Lunch for Saturday i.e.22nd  Dec,12 (compulsory )   ● A plate, mug, and spoon (compulsory), ● Medicine those if u require usually Polythene bag for your garbage ● 2-3 bunch of News-papers ● Camera – Optional

*** Cost for Trek:  Rs. 950/- Per person

 Cost Inclusions:      * Mumbai to Mumbai Transportation via Private Transport,

                                    * Tea, Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Dinner during the Trek

* Swachhand Expertise charges

 Cost Exclusions:      * Lunch for Sunday i.e.22.12.2012 &

* Personal orders of food & cold drinks

For More Details & Registration Contact our members at:

Pravin Ghude             9920404522,             Rushikesh Sakhare 9967686828,  

Ganesh Bhopalgade  9619669104,             Sachin Shirawale    9321507040

Email: - swachandbhatkanti@gmail.com, pravinmpg@gmail.com

General Rules / Instructions for the participants and members:

v  Kindly carry Identity proof for the trek.

v  Anyone above 12 years can Join the Trek

v  Please book your seat (name) well in advance and reconfirm the time and date on the day of departure on phone because program may change due to unavoidable circumstances.

v  Bookings for all treks shall close two (2) days before the event date. For treks, where a private vehicle is booked bookings shall close four (4) days in advance. Bookings shall strictly be on first come first serve basis.

v  Each participant shall carry things as above (Please read Things to Carry) for every trek.

v  The leader’s decision will be final and all the members should abide by it. Trek leaders have the authority to alter/modify the program/route without intimation.

v  The participants are advised not to wander off from the trail. Always listen to leaders for instructions and stay with the entire group throughout.

v  We all are committed to keep the trail clean and urges all participants to help the cause by not littering during the trek. Keep all the waste with you and even if you find some waste, collect it and deposit at the base village at the end of the trek.

v  Do not destroy or dirty the archeological, historical monuments.

v  We should strictly follow the code of conduct, to avoid troubling our fellow trekkers or other people from our group or outside. Any kind of addiction is strictly prohibited, ex. drinking etc.

v  Please do not carry or wear any valuables, ornaments, jewellery etc. If carried, then we Do Not take any liability for the same.

v  Participants should inform the leaders if they suffer from any heart ailments, blood pressure, asthma etc. If the leaders are not informed and any untoward incident takes place, neither the leaders not Swachhand Team will be held responsible.

v  Rock Climbing, Rappelling, Trekking or any adventure activity is potentially risky. For all these events you are at your own risk. Organizers are not responsible for any mishaps/accidents during the program. Or compensation in whatsoever manner.

Note:

v  Please read above Instructions/ rules and regulations.  You are bound by the same.

v  Print and leave a copy of this mail at home, with a friend or relative in case of Emergency.

v  If your friends/relatives coming with you on the trek please do inform them about the trek Rules above. We all are going for an adventurous and interesting trekking expedition, please Do Not misinterpret it as a PICNIC or LEISURE TOUR, There will be ample of enjoyment but not at the cost of discipline.

Thanks and Regards,

Team Swachhand