Tryambakgad (Brahmagiri) - Harihargad. - त्र्यंबकगड (ब्रह्मगिरी) - हरिहरगड

It was our anniversary trek of “Ikadun Tikdun Achanak Bhayanak ” Trekkers. A group of mad guys who couldn`t think a nice name for their group. A year ago we went to Rajmachi i.e. on 4^th January. And this year on 4^th January we were on the top of the Harihar fort. Unlike Rajmachi this time we were only 4.

ITABT- Rajmachi

We decided to go to Tryambakgad (Brahmagiri) , Harihargad and Basgad (Bhaskargad). But we dropped out the Basgad. On 2^nd jan took 7.21 pm Kasara local from CST. It was the day on which there was total chaos of locals. Because of that very few dared to travel by train. And surprisingly there was no rush for Kasara. After passing Titwala one of the passengers told us not to go to Kasara. Instead get down at Umbarmali (Sub-station between Khardi and Kasara) and take S.T. to Nashik. We did exactly the same.

We got Nashik S.T. from Umbarmali. Got down at Old C.B.S. it was 12 midnight. One can go Nashik from kasara by 10 seater. The next Tryambakeshwar S.T. was scheduled for 4 am. Slept at the stand only.  Took S.T. and reached Tryambakeshwar within an hour. Visited Tryambakeshvar temple. And started trek towards  Tryambak Gad. The fog was such that even we couldn’t see each other. 

Tryambakeshwar Temple

Fog

After an hour the view was visible. We rented a wood stick for Rs. 20 for safety from the monkeys. After about 1 hour walk we reached to the steps of the TryambakGad. 

Steps to Brahmagiri

After one and half hour of ascending reached to the top. There are different places to see on the top. Godavari Ugam Sthan, Jata mandir. There was no rush because we reached very early.

JataMandir

After seeing Jata mandir we went ahead of that Mandir towards Bhandardurg. Bhandardurg or DurgBhandar is not popular place. But the way to reach DurgBhandar is fabulous.  After 20 minutes of walk from Jata Mandir one can reach to carved steps going downwards. While walking no one can imagine that there might be a structure like this. After walking down from steps there is a small entrance ( a hole)  from which only one man can pass crawling. There is a natural bridge which connects TryambakGad and bhandarDurg. At the end of the bridge there is same structure of hole and carved steps to reach Bhandardurg.

durgBhandar view from Brahmagiri

Carved steps

Small Entrance- Courtesy Internet. 

On the bridge between DurgBhandar and Brahmagiri

There is nothing special to see on BhandarDurg. It was 11. We were hungry. So we ate Bread Jam. After half an hour we again headed back. But.. But… But there was a war situation on the carved steps. Steps were captured by monkeys. They were dancing on the walls of the steps. We decided to go anyway. After descending half the steps the ‘Monkey King’ didn’t allow us to go down. When we saw upward other monkeys were jumping from one side to another.  We took our feet back. We had bongo with us. Mayur started playing it. The one monkey among them started dancing on the rhythm. Rahul was so eager to go down that he would have started war with them. He took a small rock wrapped it in the paper and took out the lighter and tried to make fireball to throw it. We were not in condition to stop him as we were laughing for way too much time. After about an hour we seriously started thinking how to descend. Tejas was the instructor from the CAMP. I was sent to keep eye on enemy’s camp. I walked on the walls to see what’s happening. Mayur and Rahul were soldiers. With Bongo and small rocks, paper and lighter they attacked. Even not a single fireball was thrown. Mayur made territory at the middle of stairs doing su-su over there. After about half an hour monkeys went back. And we reached back to TryambakGad safely. Within one and half hour reached to Tryambakeshwar.

After winning the battle

The way to go to Harihar Gad was between base and the steps. But we came to know it when we got down. So we asked another route for HariharGad. It is called as Pradakshina Marg. It was very long route. After about 4 hrs of walking we decided to take a lift. Fortunately CHHOTA HATTI came. The driver was agreed for Rs.20 each. And after half an hour of drive we finally were at base village of HariharGad - Nirgudpada.

View from Pradakshina Marg

It was 7 pm. We started ascending. There are markings so no tension of loosing the route. Within 2 hours reached near the main attraction of HariharGad. Rock-sheet, which has got steps carved in it. Steps are almost 80 degree inclined. Many grooves have been carved there for additional support. After ascending steps we got upto the entrance door. There is cavern ahead of the door. Again there are steps which lead upto top of the fort. We started searching for the building to stay. It is at the end of the fort. There are 4-5 cisterns near the small building. We ate what we had and went to sleep. .

Hanuman Mandir

Shiv Mandir

lake on HariharGad

Cavern

steps next to Entrance

Almost vertical inclination

Carved steps.

In the morning of 4^th jan we took our bags and started to come down. Mean while visited Shiv Mandir and Hanuman Mandir. Reached base village. It was 12 noon. We got S.T bus upto Khodala. From Khodala there is Tumtum service upto kasara. Reached kasara around 3.30 pm.  Took CST local and returned home.

Timing and Expenses

2^nd Jan

7.21 PM - 9.49 PM         Cst to Kasara                                    Rs. 30

10.15 PM - 12.00 PM      Umbarmali to Nashik (ST)                 Rs. 146

3^rd Jan

12.00 PM - 4.00 AM       Stay at S.T. Stand

4.00 AM - 5.00 AM         Nashik to Tryambakeshwar (ST)         Rs. 32

5.00 AM - 1.00 PM         Visiting Trambakeshwar Temple

                                      Ascend – Explore - Descend.

1.00 PM - 2.00 PM         Lunch                                               Rs. 100

2.00 PM - 7.00 PM         Walk towards HariharGad

                                      Travel in Chhota Hatti.                   Rs. 20

7.00 PM - 10.00 PM       Reach to the top of HariharGad

10.00 PM                        Dinner (Carried) & Rest                   Rs. 100

4^th Jan

8.00 AM - 12.00 AM      Explore the fort descend.

1.00 PM - 2.00 PM         Nirgudpada to Khodala (ST)               Rs. 30

2.00 PM – 3.30 PM         Khodala to Kasara (Tumtum)             Rs. 40

3.30 PM                          Return to CST                                 Rs. 30

                                        Total                                            Rs. 528

                                                                                 aprox. Rs. 600