Hello All,
Thanks for the immense feedback and feels great to know that
my Blogs are being read by Enthusiasts on a large scale.
Let me share another wonderful experience that I had been
recently.
Destination was the same “HARISHCHANDRAGAD”… but via Pachnai
route
This poute is considered the shortest and easiest way to
reach the Top, but….
Nothing comes without a price.
We have delayed this plan for almost 2 months and suddenly,
one fine evening, we decided to move on.
It was Saturday, @ 7.30 am. Freshened myself, Packed my stuff, got
ready, Took my bike and vroom…….off we go.!!!
First meeting point was Padgha toll naka on Mumbai Nasik
Highway since Pritesh and Mahesh were to join me from Mumbai side.
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| Padgha Toll Naka |
Moving along the scenic beauty of countryside views we
marched towards Kasara crossing the Majestic Mahuli Gad at Asangaon it was
already 11am
Took a break to fill our tummy and gave a bath to our
darling companions (My Unicorn and Pritesh’s Jupiter) we had a healthy Brunch
as we were already running behind schedule.
 |
| Selfie lele re..!!!! |
We took the Kasara –
Igatpuri –Ghoti section… Awesome and smooth road, didn’t realize we were riding
with heat above.
Looking ahead for directions, asked some local jeep-walas,
they asked us to keep Right and take the Bhandardara road (Nagpur - Aurangabad
– Mumbai Highway)
This road was under construction and for some odd Kilometers
we had to drive at 15kmph speed.
Aarrrghhh…. Now I was little Irritated… asked
PP(Pritesh Pisal) and MB (Mahesh Bait) to stop ahead.
Fortunately the location was soooooo amazing….. we couldn’t
contain the Photographer in us.
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| Atrangi Bhaijaan..!!! |
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| Main aur meri jaan |
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| PP With his Jupiter |
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| My Dearest Darling..... |
People cossing us by must b thinking… “Ye 3
Yede kyaa kar rahe hai itni Dhoop me” (what are there 3 idiots doing in this
scorching heat)
The Aftermath of Monsoon, Green surrounding, valleys,
mountains just filled our soul with energy to ride ahead …… AGAIN.
 |
| serene countryside |
Next Stop: Rajur Phata. From here Pachnai village is
30kms…and most part is an Offroad with ups and downs…
Took some rest at 2-3 places to enjoy the scenic beauty
which we miss in the Urban lifestyle.
Small Dams constructed to preserve flowing water, Little
boys demonstrating their diving skills CAREFREE. Took some snaps and moved to
complete the rest part….
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| beautiful lake |
 |
| Photographer ki nishaani |
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| Red Dragonfly |
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| M in the Air... |
 |
| here i come..!!!!! |
HELL….. where were we heading, the pathetic condition of
road shook each and every part of our body.. in and out. I felt as if the Parts
of my Bike would just fall off anytime
But My Unicorn NEVER-EVER disappoints me. Cruised me safely
to Pachnai village by 3pm
Parked our bikes at a home for 20Rs each for 1 day – worthy
isn’t it.
 |
| the Board describes the Massiveness of Harishchandragad |
Since we were trekking from this side for the very First
time, saw young kids... even toddlers running us past for the fort atop. But we
were in our own world and taking sweet time, enjoying every bit of the step
taken.
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| and we Start the Trek |
 |
| capturing each moment |
 |
| entire view |
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| PC: Mahesh Bait |
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| Selfie with the Valley |
By 5pm we had already reached the Temple area, called up our
Food organizer, took the tent and asked him to directly bring the food at
Kokankada by 9
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| Harishchandreshwar Temple |
 |
| 6ft idol @ Ganesh Gufa |
Enjoying the sunset at Kokankada is a Stress buster with
nothing to match it. By the time we ordered our “T”… PP and MB had started to
raise the tent.
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| Behold....the Tent Raisers..!!! |
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| Rangeen Tamboo without bamboo |
This is indeed a Magical place. 10 minutes within the sun
set… temperature declines immensely forcing you to rush inside your tent or add
on some more clothes. So to keep us busy, we lit a campfire that attracted
other people as well.
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| Campfire |
Exactly by 9 we were served food.
Menu: Bhaakri, Mirchi cha Thecha, Pithla, Amba Loncha, Bhaat
ani Daal.
Who can ask for such unlimited food just for nominal cost.
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| PC: Mahesh Bait |
 |
| PC: Mahesh Bait |
 |
| Angaaar |
MB is a professional photographer and he went on to explore
his creativity and PP as his subject. I couldn’t stand the chilly wind outside
and slept in.
By 3am the moon was high and breeze turned to wind. If I
hadn’t been in the Tent, it would have flown away.
So now it was time to rest…
Got up at 7 in the morning and explored some other angles of
Kokankada, and then moved towards Harishchandreshwar Mandir.
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| Kokankada - side view |
Had Upma for Breakfast and T, settled off the payments and
visited Kedareshwar befored decending. By 11am we were at Base.
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| Kedareshwar |
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| Harishchandreshwar temple |
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| PC: Mahesh Bait |
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| ready to depart |
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| Chameloen |
The villagers suggested us to take Malshej Ghat route to
reach Kalyan earlier, which was our mistake. Infact the roads were soo
pathetic, it almost spoiled our timing. No worries, atleast we now have 2 ways
to reach Pachnai.
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| Marigold plantation |
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| Rohidas and Taramati peak |
Good bye... and see you soon, with another such
“Trexperience” J
Regards,
Sumeet Rao (Sumya)
