Dibyendu's Blog: Trekking in Sahayadri- Part-II (Harishchandragad)

From Ratangad we proceed to Harishchandragad by a pickup van. The base village of Harishchandragad is Pachnai. We spent 18th night at Pachnai. On the next morning (19th Feb) we started for our destination. The road leads us to a jungle which is known as Harishchandragad National Park. The road is somehow easy and where there is a problem, the authority has provided a railing for easy accessibility because Harishchandragad is a renowned pilgrim spot. It took 3 hrs to reach at Harishchandragad. We took our shelter in the temple complex. An age old temple of Panchamukhi Shiva with 2-3 small temples with a Yagna Griha are within the complex. The main temple is about 1000 years old. Local story said that Raja Harish Chandra served here as a waterman to a Dom (a class of people who burn dead bodies in the burning ghat). One can see a stone carving where a man with a headband carrying water in front of a small temple nearby. The name Harishchandragad came from there. In the temple complex there is a small Siddha Mahabishnu temple which is having a broken deity and The Bitthal-Rukmini is placed in a cave. A natural underground water reservoir is situated beneath the Bitthal-Rukmini temple which is used as drinking water. A small dilapidated temple which is having no deity is also in the temple complex. A big Ganesha idol is also placed beside the main temple. There is a holy pond in front of the temple complex where devotees can take a bath performed their puja at the temple. One side of the pond is having 14 small temples with no deities in side. Remains of temples are scattered here and there. Uphill there are 11 caves with water resource. A big stone carved Ganesha is also present here. Two caves are having beautifully designed pillars. Downhill there is a big cave full with knee deep of water and a gigantic Shiva Linga is placed in the middle. On the left side within the cave there is a stone carving of Shiva-Parbati. The wonderful scenic beauty of Harishchandragad will attract everyone where mythology and nature stand side by side.