Harishchandragad is a beautiful hill fort in the Ahmednagar district of India. It is one of the most popular trekking destinations in the western ghats. The Western Ghats are also known as Sahyadri, which is a mountain range covering an area of 140,000 sq km and listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Harishchandragad has a great history that is linked with the Malshej Ghat and kothale village. Harishchandragad Fort is a historical monument in Malshej Ghat that was built in the 6th century. This amazing region is one of the most famous hill forts, especially known for its scenic beauty and alluring charm. The Harishchandragad Fort is surrounded by caves, temples and a pond. Located at a height of 1422 meters, this fort is a famous trekking spot for adventure tourists and proves to be a challenge for nature lovers and adventurers.
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The fort is quite ancient and it is believed that it was built during the rule of Kalachuri dynasty. The various Puranas like Matsyapurana, Agnipurana, and Skandapurana include many references about Harishchandragad. There is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the premises of the fort. Nearby Buddhist caves are another major attraction. The various caves probably have been carved out in the 11th century. The fort was built since it served as a great strategic location to guard and control the surrounding region. Harishchandragad has three major peaks, Rohidas, Harishchandra and Taramati. Taramati peak is the highest of all and is a popular point to be visited by trekkers because it offers a wonderful view of the whole Konkan region.
After the monsoon, the period from October to December is considered to be a good time for Harishchandragad, because, after the rains, the greenery that surrounds the entire area looks amazing. During the monsoon, from June to October, this Hill fort looks spectacular, but trekking during this season is very risky and dangerous. There are several known paths to hiking the fort but the most usual are from Khireshwar, Pachnai, and Belpada.
Image Credit - Wikipedia
Image Credit - Wikipedia
Image Credit- Wikipedia
The fort is quite ancient and it is believed that it was built during the rule of Kalachuri dynasty. The various Puranas like Matsyapurana, Agnipurana, and Skandapurana include many references about Harishchandragad. There is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the premises of the fort. Nearby Buddhist caves are another major attraction. The various caves probably have been carved out in the 11th century. The fort was built since it served as a great strategic location to guard and control the surrounding region. Harishchandragad has three major peaks, Rohidas, Harishchandra and Taramati. Taramati peak is the highest of all and is a popular point to be visited by trekkers because it offers a wonderful view of the whole Konkan region.
After the monsoon, the period from October to December is considered to be a good time for Harishchandragad, because, after the rains, the greenery that surrounds the entire area looks amazing. During the monsoon, from June to October, this Hill fort looks spectacular, but trekking during this season is very risky and dangerous. There are several known paths to hiking the fort but the most usual are from Khireshwar, Pachnai, and Belpada.
Most Famous Attractions in the Region
1. Kedareshwar Cave
Kedareshwar Cave is situated towards the right of Harishchandreshwar temple, which is a very interesting place. In this huge cave, a big Shiva Linga of height five feet from the base is established. Shiva Linga is completely surrounded by ice-cold water that's the reason it is very difficult to reach the Shiva Linga. To support the cave four pillars were built around the Shiva Linga. These pillars are said to be symbols of the four eras. Local legend holds that when the fourth pillar breaks, the world will come to an end.2. Saptatirtha Pushkarni
Saptatirtha Pushkarni is a small beautiful lake which is situated to the east of the temple. The water of this lake always remains cold like ice, even in summer you will feel like you are standing in a refrigeration unit. However, due to lack of arrangement, the water of the pond has now been polluted by tourists because they throw plastic wastes and other things in the pond.3. Kokan Kada
Kokan Kada offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area and the sunset. Sometimes a circular rainbow can be seen from this point. But this rainbow can only be visible when there is a bit of mist in the valley, and the sun is right behind the person facing the valley.4. Taramati peak
Taramati Peak is the topmost point of the fort. From here we can see the full range of Naneghat and the glimpse of the forts near Murbad. Leopards are seen in the forests beyond this summit. It is a popular point of the trekkers. |
| A gorgeous view from the Taramati Peak |
Image Credit - Wikipedia
5. Temple of Harishchandreshwar
Harishchandreshwar temple is an excellent example of the fine art of carving sculptures out of stones. This temple can be entered from all four directions. Its main entrance is decorated with sculptures of the faces. It is believed that these faces belong to the temple guards. The top of the temple looks like the construction of the north-Indian temples. |
| Temple of Harishchandreshwar |
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