Harishchandragad: The Trekking Pilgrimage

Every year people make New Year resolution. Very few of them do materialize. It was one of those resolutions which materialized for me. The resolution was to make pilgrimage to Harishchandragad which is Mecca for all those who claim to be trekking enthusiast. Its fashionable nowadays to claim to be one. I do claim that but only blot on my trekking history in Maharashtra remained Harischandragad. This fort had been a jinx to me as thrice I had planned that trek during my college and working bachelor days. All those plans flopped for some reason or other. So for ten yrs I have been keeping this as a resolution . To visit Harischandragad was motto.
This opportunity came in through a trekking group at my health club. They had organized this trek. I jumped on this as its hard to get group of friends who are completely into a phase called Gruhasthashram in local language.

We assembled at 6 am where a 28 seater bus was waiting. The group was motley. It was mainly comprised of college and working bachelors. Harischandragad can be accessed by two ways. Tougher route is through Khubi phata khireshwar. Easier route is through pachnai but for that you need 1 hr drive extra going ahead of alephata. Looking at fitness levels of the group the organizers decided the Pachnai Route.
The nasik road journey was normal with picnic mood setting in. Breakfast of missal pav at alephata is unavoidable.

We then went across the main road and the country side is amazing. The fields, mountains, small dams. This area is remote and local villages are sparse.

We reached a very small village of Pachnai. This village does not have a chai tapri as well. We had photo session and instructions. We started the climb. The first climb really tested each one of us. Its significant climb and has great greadient. But alongwith it offered great view while climbing.

As we approached top after an hr or so, we had some respite of open plateu wherein the other route meets. The top plateu is wide and after few turns around. We reached the main section of temple and cave where most trekkers stay. The main fort is above this plateau and has another climb which we planned next morning.

It was almost 4 pm. Could not have waited to see the grandeur of Kokan kada. Had heard a lot about this overhang cliff. And after a walk of half an hr amidst greenery on the plateau we reached there. This is a paisa wasool moment. The wind, the valley, the wall, the height, setting sun all combine to make you feel different. This place has a touch of divinity. Peace of mind, perspective all things set in. setting sun adds seriousness to the moment. We reached the cave back before dark.

Night at this place is another experience. Clear sky without city pollution, noise and lights is amazing. Our talk and music were the only silence breakers. The sky was studded. There was nothing to do but to chat with fellow trekkers. And of course volunteers were busy cooking khichdi on fire. We tried helping without success.
Sleeping in cave is another experience. There were two other groups. Get your corner and enter sleeping bag only to be awakened in morning. That’s another trek experience I love. Morning challenges of ablutions were met.

After visiting the main fort, we climbed down where the bus was waiting. Another great lunch at alephata and we reached pune by 3 to join my daughter. Back to gruhshtaashram…

Cycling after long time

As per the the plans, tablers started assembling in front of the crowded SGS mall, by 430 onwards. Some had driven the cycles, some had innovatively arranged for tempos, vans to transport the cycles. The twinkers and ladies were in great number and enthusiasm. By around 5:15 we kicked off the rally which is an achievement in tabling based on past tabling time standards. Tr Jignesh Furia had printed the stickers, route-map and a cap with round table details. It was really a great design and other follow-up work. Those were distributed. Few tables also managed to get on the two wheelers. Tr Ankit had sent those placards to be held by pillion riders. There was a car behind the cyclist where the main flex was printed. To top the cavalcade of around 15 two wheelers, 2 cars and around 40 cyclists was a police van provided by the commissioner thanks to the police permission taken by Tr Ritesh. Getting the permission was a task itself to which Tr Ritesh was up to it. Normally they don’t allow on crowded Sunday evenings. The commissioner was impressed by Round Table activities. He had personally directed the staff. There was PA system warning other traffic to make way for us. There were curious onlookers at the mall and throughout asking what its all bout. We then had a pamphlet to give for such curious people. The route took East Street till the 110 hoarding. It turned on MG road, again from westend till Poona club. We had photo ops near Inox. Then we turned back near alankar talkies , sadhu wasvani chowk, Nehru memorial and back to SGS mall.
Twinklers on their small bikes were the toast of evening. The enthusiasm and resolve to complete the rally was great. Ladies added glamour quotient thus adding further curious onlookers. There was great traffic on all these roads and am sure our message must have reached at least 20 to 30 thousand people in that area. Thanks to some great traffic management done by volunteers like Tr Mohit, Tr Sagar , Tr Bijoy , Tr sanjay and other with of course help from police announcements.

Upon conclusion of the rally, there was photo session and pamphlet distribution done by Twinklers and Tablers. The twinkler enthusiasm was appreciated by large SGS Sunday evening crowd. Most tablers used the opportunity to spend time together either at mall, Mac D and RKs. The respective fellowship conveners to take on from there…..

Must say a great solidarity of Pune Tablers and a really enjoyable and effective Publicity events. Tables will attempt release the Note on 10th. Tablers will wear shirts and pins on 10th. The three hoardings are already in place spaces for which had been managed by 110 and 144 (one for 144 and other for joint tables). The tables had taken up the printing and fixing cost. So we have made great visibility in Pune …..