Nature Beckons: Trek To Anjaneri

To me, monsoons are no less than a magic wand that transforms the dry, parched landscape of Maharashtra into a lush and verdant carpet of green. Not only is it visually rewarding to take off to the countryside, but also is a good time to explore the varied inclines that the mountains our state has to offer. For an average city-dweller who associates monsoons with magnified traffic problems to deal with, my treks into the Anjaneri and Sudhagadh forts helped me redefine the monsoon this year.

Whereabouts:

Anjaneri is a beautiful little village of historical significance to Indian mythology. It is believed that it is the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. The name ‘Anjaneri’ is derived Hanuman’s mother, Anjani, also the wife of the Lord of the Wind, Pavan.

Anjaneri Fort is situated 4,200 feet above sea level in the Trimbakeshwar Range, near Nasik in Maharashtra. It is considered to be ideal for beginners and novice trekkers as the steps are carved into the rock face. On an average, it takes about  2 to 2-1/2 hours to reach the summit.

The nearest railhead is Nasik.


My experience at Anjaneri Fort in pictures:

Country road
Nestled in the majestic Sahyadris, Igatpuri is one of the most popular hill stations of Maharashtra. Igatpuri is placed at a height of 1,900 feet and is naturally endowed with a spiky-pebbly terrain. It owes its serene and tranquil ambience to tenuous forests and gurgling cascades.

Here we go!
When we reached the village, there was no sign of the rain whatsoever, making us a little nervous about the difficult trek that it would make for. However, soon enough the weather turned around in our favour!

Peeping Tom
I look at this opening as though it were a ray of hope. Don’t look at me… blame it on the weather! Even you would have turned philosopher!

Stepping down from the clouds
Not satisfied by just raining on us, eh? The water coming down the steps made for a delightful sight. It makes the climb a little tedious, but fun nonetheless!

And miles before I sleep
This is a picture of a friend, looking at the ‘uphill’ task at hand. The mountain in the background was where we had to go.

Divine sighting
On climbing the initial stretch of steps, we came to a plateau which had a temple dedicated to Anjani. Cold, gusty winds made the stop unbearable, so we moved on to the second leg of the trek, also the more difficult part.

Still waters

Within a few minutes of walking, we reached this serene-looking pond. At first, it was shrouded in fog; but it cleared up soon to give us trekkers a glimpse into its beauty.

The powers that be
This picture was shot right at the top of the fort, where an array of idols awaited us. The weather added to the mystique of the place.

Hanuman – The God of Strength

Right outside the entrance of the temple were idols of deities, with Lord Hanuman highlighted in saffron. Seen jetting into the sky is a trishul (trident), a significant symbol of Hinduism.

The Mother's abode
This is the second temple dedicated to Anjani Mata, located on the summit. We started our journey back to the base after her blessings and a much deserved snack.

Downward spiral
I missed getting a shot of the route on my way up, and managed to steal one as we were climbing down. This part of the trek reminded me of the tea estates of Munnar, Kerala.

Not quite the devil or the sea
The crisp monsoon air made you want to breathe deeper than usual and even take some back to the city! It makes me want to reiterate that we must do our bit to preserve nature in every way possible and save it for generations to come.

Been there, done that

Once we reached the base and looked back at the summit, all we could think of is ‘Mission Accomplished!’.

World view

This captures the essence of the place for me. But this panoramic shot is just a trailer; you have to be there to experience the elements.