Harishchandragad

Harishchandragad rises to about 1,420 metres in the Sahyadris, fortified from at least the sixth century, and it carries the eleventh-century Harishchandreshwar temple carved partly from a single rock outcrop, with a cave beside it holding a lingam standing in waist-deep cold water. Its defining feature is Konkan Kada, a cliff that falls around a thousand metres to the Konkan plain and curves inward at the top like a hood, so that the overhang is concave; upcurrents on it are strong enough to throw light objects back up. Several routes climb the hill, from an easy path at Pachnai to the technical Nalichi Vaat.

History

The fort is very old: remains of microlithic people have been found here, and the Matsya, Agni and Skanda Puranas mention it. Its origin is placed in the 6th century, under the Kalachuri dynasty, when the citadel was built; it later came under Mughal control, and the Marathas captured it in 1747 (Wikipedia, Harishchandragad).

What to look for

• Konkan Kada - a concave cliff with a thousand-metre drop and strong updraughts.
• Harishchandreshwar temple - an eleventh-century rock-cut shrine.
• Kedareshwar cave - a lingam standing in cold waist-deep water.
• The cave lodgings - rock shelters used by trekkers overnight.

When to go

October to February for stable weather; the monsoon makes routes dangerous and the cliff edge lethal in wind and cloud. Winter nights on top are cold. Weekends are crowded.

Practical notes

Routes vary from a walk to a technical scramble. There are no facilities beyond basic village food. Litter on the plateau is a serious problem.

Nearby

Malshej Ghat lies north; Bhandardara is northwest.

Key facts