The northen limit of the Sahayadris is defined by this region. To the north of the Selbari range, the sahayadris flattens out and allows an east-west railway line (Surat-Bhusawal) to pass.Thus from this region, techically speaking, the Sahayadris start from the south of the Tapi river . This is the dividing lone between Satpuda and Sahayadris.
Nashik region offers the most difficult mountaion to climb.Usually any place in this region will innolve a lot of travelling,both by rail and bus.Thus it would be advisable to atleast spend 2 to 3 days in the region and combine different places. Many places will require ropes ,and during summer it can be very hot as the area is not forested The region is divided in 3 sections .There are conveniant buses and trains leaving Bombay at night and reaching the starting point early in the morning. It is advisable to asertain bus timings , otherwise one may well br stranded somewhere.For most of the places Nashik and Satana are mail bus heads.
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Mangi --Tungi (1329m--4360ft) This is a very prominent twin-pinnacled peak with plateau in between.There are Jain temples underneath and around the pinnacles.The eastern pinnacle is Tungi, and the western one ,Mangi.The whole Mountain is a solid semi-circular basin and had regular steps leading to the temples. It commands an excellent view and one can see the flat expanse north os Sahayadris,including Pinpalner lake.This is the first peak of the Sahayadri in the north. It is directly served by buses from Mannad and Nashik via Satana-Taharabad,-Selbari phataon the Pimpalner road .Mangi is 6km off the main road .There are dharamsalas and plenty of food is available at the base.One can walk across the Mosam river valley in the south to Mulher (6km).On the hill opposite to Mangi, there is the famous dargah of Shah Daran Malik. |
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A
beautiful twin plateau which is also known as Aurangabad .It
is situated fae away and involves a long journey. Bombay via Nashik and to Satana. Change bus for Taharabad and for Mulher village, at the base of the fort . A good track to the top .One sees many ruins of the fortifications and Muslim tombs.It has two plateaus and both are totally deserted. The fort is about a 3 hr climb from the base with two temples and a water pond halfway up. The forest at the base is verdent .There are caves and historical ruins on the summit plateau. The adjoining hill is called Hargad and is little higher .It can be visited through a chor darwaza and a rocky staircase. |
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THE SATMALA RANGE
This range runs to the north of the Nashik-Manmad railway line.Running west to east it has many beautiful forts ,some of them remote and difficult to reach. Major starting points for the treks are Nsahik,Vani-Nanduri,Lasalgaon,Chandwad and Mannad.It was known as the Chandor range and the Balgana area in the past. The Maratha and the Moghal forces captured various forts and fought bloddy battles on the passes. Kanchana Khind, Dindori and Ahivant particularly ,witnessed many battles.
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Ahiwant (1228m-4029ft) A giant hill with many arms and a long plateau on top .It lies to the east of Achala (a)from Pimpri-Achala village one can reach it's western col (with achala) and climb up.(b) From Vani reach Male phata (2km) and reach Ahivantwadi(2km), off the road , From here a steep scree route leads onto the top.Or, proceed to the east to climb between the budhya and the main fort. The road at the base joins the Vani-Nanduri road (c)The longer route would be to get off after the Vani-Nanduri col and proceed to dariyapur.A long 6 km route skirts the arm to reach the col between Ahiwant and Mohindri and then the top. |
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Achala A twin peak of Taula,lying to the east of it.4km ahead of Vani (on the Saputara road) get off at Pimpri-Achala village. A track leads to the top via the eastern col (with Ahiwant) |
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Saptishringi (1416m-4645ft) A popular place with a temple at it's base .From Nashik proceed by bus to Vani (51km). Get down at Chandkapur phata for a route over a steep rock ladder to the temple. A well-defined route of 5 km .There is also a motorable road from Nanduri to the temple, and good places where one can stay .Higher up are plenty of opportunities for rock-climbing to the top. |
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Kachna This fort completes the eastern edge of the Satmala range. The motorable road from Nashik to Satana passes over the Kanchan-Manchan khind(to Devla). This road divides the Satmala range from the Chandwad range,further to the east. For visiting Kachna ,get off at the Kanchan-Manchan khind and traverse west,crossing Baflya , a small hill , and a deep cut called Vadalbari .There are rock cut rooms and water tanks at Kachna.The final pinnacle would be a challenging climb. |
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THE CHANDWAD RANGE
Strictly speaking ,this is a continuation of the Satmala range.However, for conveniance ,it os classified as a seperate range.From the Kanchan-Manchan khind (Nashik-Satana road), this range proceeds east to southeast.Then across the Manmad railway line to end in the Ankai-Tankai hills. The Bombay-Agra road passes at the base of Chandwad fort.
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Koldher (978m-3209ft) An imposing massif rosing above the Kanchan-Manchan khind in the east.On the top old rock-cut store houses and walls are the only things that remain .It has a huge plateau but the final square massif would be difficult to climb. Two principal approaches to reach this hill. From the Kanchan-Manchan khind (or Dhaode Bari, as it is locally known) follow the ridhe in the east, going up to the upper plateau with a small hill called Binthi. An easier route up Koldher to the base of the final massif and the caves . No drinking water available anywhere .Another approach is from the east ,coming from Rajdher. A long track via Tangdi joins Koldher |
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Ankai-Tankai (961m-3152ft) These twins hills form a part of the Chandwad rangeand are situated about 8km south of Manmad . The fort of Ankai can be reached from the railways station of Ankai near Manmad ,It has ancient caves and a temple of Agatsya , the sage who is credited with the achievement of the first crossing of the Vindhya mountains . Both the twin hills are very attractive to visit , with Buddhist caves at their base. These were said to be the strongest hill-forts. They command a wide view of the Knandesh and Godaveri valleys . The rock is so completely eroded on all the sides that it presents perfectly perpendicular walls on all it's four faces . There is a big temple , a mazar and the Agatsya tank. All are worshipped |
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Hadbi-chi-Shendi A very prominent and curious looking projection about 5km before Manmad. As one approaches Manmad by train ,this thumb like pinnacle of about 150ft is visible from a distance. Walk from the station on the Daund railway line and turn towards village Katarwadi. An easy scree scramble upto the base of the pinnacle . The last parts are exposed and difficult to climb ,over rather unsafe rocks . The Shendi has been climbed by a few and it has always been an exhilarating climb. |
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| This is based on the book 'Trek the Shyadris' By Harish.Kapadia. |
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