12/12/2020
"Grandfather Mountain Journey via Fort Bhairavgad (Shirpunje)"
Ajoba Parvat Ta. Shahapur, Dist. Thane is a mountain about 1376 meters high which is about 4500 feet high. The western foothills of the mountain are known as the Samadhi of Valmiki sage and the birthplace of Love and Kush. This peak is known as one of the highest peaks in the Sahyadri range. We had reached Bhairavgad in Shirpunje at 10:30 pm on foot for 32 km to reach this mountain. Kamlu Pokla, a famous guide from Belpada village in Thane district, Prakash Sable, a famous guide from Pachanai village in Ahmednagar district and Ramesh Kharmale from Khodad village in Pune district. This was also the reason for arriving at Bhairavgad late at 10:30 pm. Napta and Domba peaks had climbed 400 feet rock climbing peaks and then started the journey by descending. Later we reached Bhairavgad (Shirpunje) by making a 32 km pipeline from Gadeshwar, Janewadi, British Naka via Pachnai, passing through Hapatya's Konkankada and Kaladgad fort. We pitched a tent in the carved square in front of the water tank and left some freshly tied shidori and pushed some grass into our stomachs to calm down. I had to get up in the morning, climb many peaks again, reach my grandfather and travel again at night to reach Pachnai. As soon as we pitched a tent on Bhairavagba's head and closed it, we immediately entered the world of different kinds of dreams. Then we came out of that world of night only when the alarm of mobile suddenly called. It was early in the morning because we had to travel fast all day again. The journey started with visiting Bhairavnath on horseback in the caves. To the east in the morning, the sun god on the horizon had started throwing golden nets. Our minds were very happy to see that beautiful view from that high peak of Bhairavgad. He thought that he would not leave this place without visiting the Sun God. As the sun god was coming up, the colors of the sky seemed to be golden and bright. The view from the heights was somewhat enjoyable. The Sun God had appeared. After taking pictures of various buildings of Bhairavgad and having breakfast, we were once again ready for the journey of grandfather. Exactly 7:15 p.m. Our journey had begun. We could see the various peaks in front of us approaching. The entire area was gilded by the golden rays of Bhaskara. Did the yellow rays on the footpaths make the golden carpet the bed for our walk? It seemed so. So I was not aware of yesterday's fatigue while walking. Everything was new. Our footsteps were starting to move towards the zigzag peak. The line stretching west of Bhairavgad was taking us up and down towards Ghanchakkar. Now our journey from the north was turning towards Ghanchakkar peak.
To make the journey to Ghanchakkar pleasant, I was reminded of the little history I had read of my grandfather's mountain. It is said that the ashram of sage Maharshi Valmiki is at the western foot of Ajoba mountain. At the behest of Lord Rama, Sitamai was followed by her grandfather who came and stayed in the mountain area and gave birth to two children, 'Love-Kush'. Sage Maharshi Valmiki had trained Love and Kush in various disciplines in this area and had mastered archery. His grandfather was a sage of Valmiki. Legend has it that in later times this place came to be known as Grandfather Mountain.
We had now reached the summit of Ghanchakkar on foot. The Ghanchakkar peak seemed to me like the Kubhakarna in the Mahabharata. From this place you could see the surrounding mountains. We stopped here for a moment's rest as we took a couple of sips of water to moisten the dry throat and got ready to go to Gavaldev peak. We were descending from the west of Ghanchakkar peak. To the west, a long circle of solid wheels led to a deep ravine in the distance. Our enthusiasm was going to be a little less when we saw this. Our joy was overflowing. We had deliberately sealed the lotus. The dried body was just as sharp. The 400-foot setup of the Napta summit was bravely completed in just 35 minutes. If he was ahead, he would be exhausted. Kamalu Pokla is a ghorpad stuck in the path of Harishchandragad pipe from Belpada in Thane district. When he went ahead, our enthusiasm was doubled. Then we were also doing a long way near his back. We were creating energy by pulling and smiling at each other. We were very careful not to cause any trouble to the animals. Now we had left that mountain range of Ghanchakkar in the gorge and started climbing Gavaldev. The flat road to the south on the eastern side of Gavaldev had increased our walking speed. The mind was delighted to see the beautiful view of the Shindad trees on the hill in front. We were now encircling Gavaldev from the south. Now we traveled west through the trees of Shindad. From here, waiting from the east, Gavaldev reached Matha. We descended after taking a beautiful darshan of the entire area by taking darshan of Gavaldeva.
Now that it was downhill again, the tiredness of the climb was gone again. Again, the same excitement was felt. Now our march was towards the top of Muda hill. The climb was very short. Soon we were thinking of reaching that head and calming the fire of hunger in our stomachs. It was necessary to increase the speed of walking to calm the fire and save time. Since the climb was short, we took a quick jog and soon reached the top of Muda hill. It would take time to prepare the meal and I was worried that my grandfather would be in the mountains in the evening. Because the climb was almost covered with grass, they were hard to find. To the south of the Muda hilltop, a cowboy hut was spotted. If you ask me if I get three glasses of milk there, it also became available. Gurakhi Dada Bole gives a little bit of milk while giving milk. Then what happened was like a drop of sugar. It was time to prepare the meal. The lotus had only taken milk. We had left for Katrabai Khindi again, paying for the meal for the singing grandfather. The stomach was full, so the body was strong again. The descent was a journey so it was soon to end. The Mudach mountain range was about to reach Katrabai pass and leave. After visiting the temple in Katrabai pass, Katrabai returned and reached the pass again. The descent was too long. Kamalu was very hungry but it was going to be difficult to spend time cooking. A wandering group from Kalyan was seen bathing and preparing food near the flowing stream of Madhyantari stream. It was here that Maggie decided to cook and eat, to save time. It was 11:39. Lotus and Prakash were ready to make Maggie. However, I took advantage of this short time and took a bath and freshened up. Then Maggie was ready to become. Prakash had made a delicious Maggie using chutney brought from home, and she was fascinated by Maggie's heartfelt news.
Now at 12:12 we started the descent again. The sun-god on the head, however, was now going to rain rays on his face while walking. However, it was going to be troublesome while walking. Grandpa had to reach the eastern foot of the mountain by 3:30 in any case. We wanted to move on, encircling the mountain range to the south of Mount Karanda. The descent was over. Our journey continued by treading the paddy field in Kumshetchi. Thackerwadi was left behind. Now we had reached the main asphalt road. But from here on, it was a long way off. The sun god was slowly coming in front of his mouth. The load on the back was starting to feel heavy. Now leaving the asphalt road to the left, Grandpa was visible in front of the mountain. 3:00 p.m. Time was showing. It would still take half an hour to reach the base. Climbing with a load on the back would be troublesome. Grandpa decided to reach the top of the mountain with a backpack at Prakash's friend's house. 3:34 a.m. at Prakash's friend's house. Had arrived. Carrying a bag and water bottles in a bag, my grandfather ran towards the mountain and reached Shidoba temple near Gohiri gate in 10 minutes. As the weight on the back became lighter, the legs were now jerking. The journey was a difficult climb and a steep footpath. Prakash's friend told us that we would have to climb for three hours. We decided to fall and made the difficult path easier and reached the summit by 5:15. We decided to stop here for only 15 minutes and land. Because it was difficult to get down in the dark. To the south of this peak are Harishchandragad, Kaladgad, Napta and Domba peaks, Naneghat in Junnar taluka, Fort Shindola and Mula river which originates from here. Forts Adan, Madan, Kulan, Bhandardara Dam, Kalsubai peak, the highest peak in Maharashtra and Konkan, which is very deep in the west, have a beautiful and panoramic view of Shahapur taluka. The descent started without taking much time to take pictures here. The speed of descent was increased. Since there was no burden on our backs, we started descending very fast. Within 45 minutes, we descended the amazing Grandpa Mountain and reached Prakash's friend's house at 6:15. From here, our journey started again via Kumshet from Raidhar river basin, Bendaravasti to Pachanai. Now the darkness was slowly overcoming the light. It would take at least 4 hours to reach Pachnai from here. We had reached the asphalt road. Gradually the black asphalt road underfoot seemed to disappear into the darkness. Thakurwadi was pushed forward. My feet felt like something was coming out of my shoes. I was telling Kamalula and Prakash to stop but they were telling us to stop near Chhatri Point and sleep. Finally, the nearest umbrella point ends at 1.5 km. Stopping there, he first took off his shoes. You can see that the shoes were torn while walking and there was a blister on the foot from the stone that came inside. He was telling us to stay here. I was saying no to them. In the end, we decided to move on. The walking speed was about to slow down a bit. From here it was going to travel about 8 km. The brain would remember the left foot with each step. When I got up at night and got up in the morning, I had to do no matter how much my legs hurt, so I kept walking without thinking about my feet. Now the footpath on the bank of the Mula river basin had begun its journey in the light of a flashlight. Raidhar decided to make a meal by stopping at the river basin. So, he took the news by making pithalam rice from the mast in the container. They both insisted on staying here after the meal. But my same denial bell was ringing. Finally our journey began again. Now Pachanai was at a distance of Hake. Malganga was flowing nearby while walking. I suddenly decided to stay in this character. Because it was going to be a comfortable routine here in the morning. Therefore, it would have been easy to reach Pachanai in half an hour from here and reach Bhairavgad in a four-wheeler. At 11:00 pm, we pitched a tent on a field in that deserted area. The map posted on the Stava app showed a distance of 40.6 km on foot in 15 hours and 35 minutes. Bringing water from the river, washing our hands and feet, we took our beds and blankets and lay there to see the rising sun god the next day.
Photo and article - Ramesh Kharmale
Translation : Amit Zodge
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