Harishchndr Fort information in English

 Harishchndr Fort information in English 

Location: 

Harishchandra Fort is a very high fort on the left side of the Malshej Ghat in the Sahyadri mountain range of Maharashtra state in the Indian subcontinent, i.e. on the border of Pune, Ahmednagar, Thane districts. 

• Height of Harishchandra Fort: 

This fort is 4670 feet / 1424 meters above sea level. 

• How to reach Harishchandra? 

• Since it is a wide stretch of land, this fort can be reached by many routes. 

• Harishchandra is 130 kilometers from Mumbai. 

• It is 110 kilometers from Pune and 110 kilometers from Nashik. 

• From Kalyan and Mumbai, we should enter Khireshwar village through the Malshej Ghat route via Khubi Phatya. From there, we can reach Harishchandra Fort. 

• Coming from Nashik, from Ghoti village, on the Sangamner road, you can go to Pachnai village from Rajur, from where you can go to Harishchandragad by a direct route. 

• The Nali path When you reach Belpada in Murbad taluka of Thane district, you can see the Ajastra Sahaygiri cones. One of them is the trek to the Katyali ridge of a high ridge. Which only mountaineers can climb. It is very difficult to go through that route. Ropes and mountaineering equipment are necessary. And climbing experience is required.

The route to Khireswar is first from the Mumbai-Junnar state highway, after getting off at the Khubi fork near Malshej, there are two routes from there. The first route through Tolar Khind goes to the temple on the fort. The second route goes towards the side of Junnar. 

There is an ancient temple at Khireshwar. 

• The Tolar Khind route also has to be climbed. 

• Since the expansion of this fort and place is large, there are many routes to reach here. But the Pachnai route is easy and simple. 

• Places to visit at Harishchandra Gad: 

The place known as the Pandhari of the wanderers is Harishchandra Gad. The easiest way to reach Harishchandra Gad is the route through Pachnai village. After reaching the check point in Pachnai village, tear off the entry receipt and park your car at a place under the control of the forest department and walk towards the fort. 

• After walking further along the path, you can go up towards the fort through a narrow, high, low area. While going further, there is also a wooden bridge. The stream passing under the bridge comes from the upper part of the fort. 

• After crossing the stream and reaching the upper part of the fort, you can see huts like rooms built for living in many places. From there, you can go further to the plateau. 

• Harishchandreshwar Temple: 

After reaching the plateau area above the fort, you can see a temple with Hemadpanthi construction. This temple is very ancient and has been built in the black stone found in the entire area. Also, many small and large temples can be seen here. It was built by Shilahar King Jhanj in the 11th century AD. A Shivling can be seen in the sanctum sanctorum inside the temple. He, the Jhanj King, has built a Shiva temple at the source of every remote river in this area, from Godavari to Bhima.

There are many small chambers in the temple. In many of them, you can see water in the basement. Which is very pure. It is like nectar. It is suitable for drinking. You can see very beautiful craftsmanship, lines, and delicate sculpture. Some of these chambers here are for living, while others meet the need for water. In one of these chambers, Sage Changdev had meditated for 1400 years in the cave of the chamber. He also wrote a book called Tattvasara. 

• The sculpture in Harishchandra Temple has been done very meticulously using only a chisel and hammer. 

• In front of the temple, there is a stream adjacent to the temple wall. It comes from the top of Taramati Peak. It is known as the source of Mangalaganga. Which passes under the wooden bridge in the lower part. 

• Pushkarni Lake: 

A dug lake can be seen near the Harishchandreshwar Temple. This lake, dug entirely into the rock, looks unique due to the structures of the rooms along its sides.

The long shrines near Pushkarni used to have idols of many deities. Currently they are empty.

• Cave Kedareshwar temple in the valley :

After walking a short distance towards the temple, there is a valley section. Some Katyali caves are found there. One of the caves is huge. At that place one can see wall carvings. There is water in the middle and a huge Shivling can be seen in the middle of it. There were four pillars around the Shivlinga. Three of its pillars are broken. One exists. These four pillars are considered to symbolize the four ages. Sati Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapara Yuga and Kali Yuga. Kali Yuga is currently going on. So one pillar is left. It is believed that Many people visit the huge Shivalinga in the middle. This place has very cold water. And Shivling in the middle.

Many tourists and devotees visit here.

• Konkan Edge :

After seeing Kedareshwar, after walking some distance, we can see an attractive Konkan ridge towards Konkan on the western side of the fort. The ridge is at a height of 914 meters and has a mid-range curved structure. Due to the weathering of the rock on this side due to sun, rain and wind, you can see such attractive formations. Standing at this place, one can see the region of Kalyan in Konkan. Iron rods have been erected at this place for the safety of tourists. Also, if you want to see the breathtaking view of the valley, you can sleep on the ridge. It is found that there are cracks in this place due to frequent heat and rain. And the edges are showing signs of becoming dangerous.

When you reach Konkan Kad, you will be delighted to see the beautiful stone beauty and the valleys of the Yu Akar and the trees sitting in it. 

• Since the shape of Konkan Kad is like a snake, it is also called Nagphani Kad. 

• Harishchandra Waterfall: 

The water coming from the upper part of the fort falling from the high cliff makes you happy. Many beautiful waterfalls have been formed in the path of this water. Even in the middle of summer, suitable drinking water is available from the waterfall here. 

• Many small and large temples and structures can be seen at Harishchandra Gad. 

• Caves: 

You can see caves at many places at Harishchandra Gad. In ancient times, many saints used to do penance in these. Sage Changdev had done penance for 1400 years. 

• Many beautiful sculptures and idols of Hindu gods and goddesses can be seen in the caves. 

• Taramati Peak is located at the very high peak of Harishchandra Gad. Its average height is 4850 feet and from this place, one can see the Konkan and the Ghats. 

• Many types of plants are found in the forest area around Harishchandra Gad. In it, many types of animals like Karvand, Maruvel, Pangali, Kuda, Karvi, Garvel, Dhayati are also found. In it, animals like wild boar, leopard, rabbit, taras, wild cats and wolves are found.

Historical information about Harishchandragad: 

• Harishchandragad is a fort with human existence since ancient times. 

• This place is mentioned in the Hindu Agni Purana and Matsya Purana. 

• The people of the Adi Mahadev Koli community have ruled this place for many years. 

• The Mughals conquered this fort from the tribal Koli community. 

• Later, between 1747 and 1748 AD, the Marathas conquered this fort from the Mughals and brought it into Swarajya. And Krishnaji Shinde was appointed as the fort master. 

• The last fort master of this fort was Ramji Bhangre. Who was the father of the early revolutionary Raghoji Bhangre. 

• Later, this fort was conquered by the British from the Marathas in 1818 AD. 

• Currently, this fort is a part of independent India after 1947 AD. 

• This is. Information about Harishchandragad  in English language