TREK TO MOUNT EVEREST OF MAHARASHTRA !

 HELLO HUMANS,

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

THIS BLOG IS ALL ABOUT TREK TO MT. KALSUBAI. 

I ALWAYS HAD ACROPHOBIA - EXCESSIVE FEAR OF HEIGHTS & MANIFESTS AS SEVERE ANXIETY BUT ON MARCH 27, 2021 I CONQUERED OVER IT BUT SUMMITING

THE HIGHEST PEAK OF MAHARASHTRA - MT. KALSUBAI .

ABOUT KALSUBAI PEAK :-

Kalsubai is a mountain in the Western Ghats, located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Its summit situated at an elevation of 1646 meters or 5400 feet is the highest point of Sahyadris in Akole Taluka, of Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.The mountain range lies within the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary. It is visited throughout the year by avid trekkers, Kalsubai temple devotees, and wildlife enthusiasts alike. It offers commanding views of Bhandardara. You can easily spot milky way on new moon day from here.

KALSUBAI PEAK TEMPLE :-

Kalsubai temple is located at the topmost summit. At the summit, there is a plain ground with a small temple of Kalsubai, a local deity. A traditional prayer service is held every Tuesday and Thursday by a local priest. Local villagers sell the pooja materials almost all year long while sending their cows for grazing. On Navratri occasions, many stalls are set up atop the summit for the pooja materials. During the Navratri period, for all nine days, special poojas are carried out and the idol is fully decorated. Special Mela fair is organized for Navratri. You should avoid trekking during Navratri at Kalsubai Peak as thousands of devotees come to pray.

ACCOMODATION :-

Bari is the base camp . Igatpuri is the Nearest Town to Bari. Igatpuri is 40 km from Bari .Igatpuri railway junction is closest . 

• Reach Kasara Railway Station
• Take local Taxi till base village Bari
• By Road Mumbai - Kasara - Igatpuri - Ghoti - Bari Village
• Kalsubai Trek from Pune By Road Pune - Sangamner - Rajur - Bhandardara - Bari
• Kalsubai Trek route is well marked
• Local guides often accompany climbers to the summit
• Local Villagers offer homestay and food option
• Many restaurants are available till Bari Village

 BEST TIME TO VISIT :-

•  June to August for Monsoon Trek, 
•  September to October for flowers trek,
•  November to May night treks are recommended

NOTE- YOU WILL FIND THRONG OF FOLKS DURING 9 DAYS OF NAVRATRI FEST.

Story of Kalsubai :-

Kalsubai is said to take its name from a Koli girl named Kalsu.' Kalsu, according to the story, was fond of wandering in the forest. One day she came to Indor at the foot of the hill now called Kalsubai, and took service with a Koli family on condition that she should not be asked to clean pots or to sweep. Matters went smoothly till, one day, one of the family ordered Kalsu to clean some pots and clear away some Utter. She did as she was bid, bat, immediately after, climbed the hill and stayed on its top till her death. Where she cleaned the pots is known as Thale Mel, and where she cleared away the litter as Kaldara.

 ABOUT TREK :-

We were group of 5 people along with Prassana Uncle who is an experienced trekker & few localites ,its always advisable to trek Early morning or midnight then afternoon in  groups & not individual due to wild life. 

It took us 4 hr & 30 min to reach Kalsubai Shikhar summit from Bari Village. Food can be arranged at the base by local villagers you need to give order before trekking. Kalsubai Trekking Route is always full of people visiting it for the various reason some to conquer the highest peak in Maharashtra, some trek to Kalsubai to visit the auspicious Temple- Kalsuaai and offer prayers to local deity.You will always find people trekking on this route. There are few huts along the way who sell Nimbu Pani, Maggi, Tea, Onion Bhaji. They play an important role as they keep trekkers hydrated and good on energy by providing snacks and refreshments after intervals.We made several stops along the way to regroup and recharge our batteries as there were people of varying ages and experience. Many of these points provided amazing panoramic views of the surrounding Sahyadri range. We reached the summit by 11am. Being a 1st time trekker it was very arduous for me , I was completely Exhausted till the time we reached the summit But the Breathtaking panorama was worth the efforts.

Before saying Yes for this Trek I knew that it won’t be that Easy , During the trek once I also felt like it’s way more difficult then what I had expected to be & for a sec I had self doubt my body had given up BUT 

“When everything feels like an uphill struggle, think about the view from the top.”

I always visualized myself at that top & kept going on..

The most difficult part of this trek was Climbing the dreadful stairs. When you reach the carved steps from Bari Village you would have covered 1/3rd of the trek. After crossing 2 & 3rd stairs your  2/3rd of the Trek would be over.  After a decent walk on plateau, you will reach the final ladder (4th ladder)till Kalsubai summit. After the summit I didn’t felt like going back home , I Ringed up & fortunate enough that I did get network, to video call  my Parents, my Aaji Baba (Grandparents) showed them the mesmerising view , I expressed my happiness that finally I have summited the Highest peak Kalsubai  & I’m on top of Maharashtra, More than me I guess my parents were happy & Congratulated me .This was my Favourite moment of this trek. The calmness in the environment just blue my mind. Now it was that part of the day which we all were waiting after the summit, Yes ! Food Since it’s better to trek on an empty stomach with some light food (Biscuits ..) Later we came downstairs & had our  yummy homemade packed lunch If you run out of water you shouldn’t worry because there’s a Natural well which provides Chilled ,Purified water , just when u come down the 4th stairs , the well is said to be auspicious as No one knows from where the water comes & it’s always available for the trekkers it’s believed it’s Grace of God Kalsuaai Till now there are no cases reported of Death while trekking as Lord Kalsuaai   Fend Everyone. We Rested for a while to boost up energy which is very imp. While we also had amazing conversation with the localite , They also provide Stay for days. We reached to the base camp by 5 pm & way back to home, the day was very hectic but I was contented to take back so many New Unforgettable Adventurous memories back which will last forever In my Life. 

The Difficulty level for ascending & descending is the same Just have Faith in yourself & Don’t give up.  

NOTE:- Trekking isn’t Easy, you will have to face Altitude Illness Symp for 2-3 days depends person to person - There will be Numbness , Swelling in your lower extremities , Unable to walk even getting up from bed and opening your door would be a difficult task , Tiredness , Dizziness, Feel like sleeping even after 7-8hr s of sleep but don’t worry it’s common if severe then Contact your Health care provider. 

Hope you like it! 

Do follow or comment & share your experience.

Other Places of interest Near Kalsubai 

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Bhandardara Dam, located 6 km away, impounds the Pravara river to form the Arthur Lake.

Arthur Lake: The clear and placid lake is bounded by thick canopied forests of the Sahyadri hills. The Lake gets its water from the Pravara River. It also attracts one's attention from the summit.

Umbrella falls are formed as water from the Arthur lake is released periodically to drain downstream.

To the north of the mountain range forts such as Ramsej, Harihargad, Brahmagiri, Anjaneri, Ghargad, Bahula, Tringalwadi, Kavnai can be seen. To the east one can spot Aundha, Vishramgad, Bitangad, to the west Alang, Madangad, Kulang, Ratangad(southwest), and to the south Pabhargad, Ghanchakkar, Harishchandragad can be seen.