Gorakhgad Fort
Information:- Gorakhgad is a fort that can be done easily in a day, both from Mumbai and Pune. Though not famous for any historical events, Gorakhgad attracts trekkers due to its inviting pinnacles, which offer good opportunities for rock-climbing. This region of Gorakhgad and Machchindragad has a dense forest cover.
Fort Gorakhgad is quite small in size. It was had strategic importance during the reign of Shahaji Raje. However, no major battle is recorded to have taken place here. It was used in Shivaji’s era to patrol the nearby region and was used as a stopover station during the journey to Junnar via Naneghat. Though small in size, there is enough availability water and a lot of space for accommodation. The fort gets its name from Saint Gorakhnath, who performed his “Sadhana” in this place.
Reaching the top of the Gorakhgad is a nice thrill that one should enjoy, except in the monsoon! The view around, is wonderful……..Siddhagad in the south-west and Naneghat, Jivdhan, Dhakoba in the east, offers a nice panorama.
Extra Places To Visit:- The trek to Gorakhgad is not complete without reaching the top of the pinnacle. Facing the cave, proceed ahead towards your right. Just after a short walk some steps can be seen on your left, which lead to the top. The climb along this stepped way in the rock needs to be carried out with utmost care.
The top of the fort is very small. There is a small Mahadeo temple with Nandi. A wide region ranging from Siddhagad and Machchindragad up to Ahupe Ghat and Jeevdhan in the Naneghat area towards north can be seen from the fort-top.
Type:- Hill Fort
Fort Range:- Karjat
District:- Thane
Height Above Sea Level:- 2137 ft.
Difficulty Rating:- Medium
Base Village:- Dehri, Siddhagad
App Time To Reach Top:- 2 hours from Dehri,3 from Siddhagad.
Water Availability:- Needs to be carried along
Food:- Perennial supply of water
Shelter:- About 25 persons can stay comfortably in the cave.
Best Time To Visit:- Any Time
How To Reach:-
1) Via Kalyan and Karjat :
To reach Gorakhgad, Mumbaikars and Punekars can travel to Murbad via Kalyan and Karjat respectively. Reach village Dhasai from Mhase junction. From here, private jeeps as well as S.T. buses are available to reach the village of Dehri.
Right from Dehri village can be seen two prominent pinnacles. The smaller one is Machchindragad and bigger one is Gorakhgad. It is possible to camp in the Vitthal temple in Dehri. Just behind this temple is a walkway that takes us to the fort entrance, which is carved-out in the rock. This way one can reach the fort in about two hours.
2) From Murbad via Milhe :
Village Dehri can also be reached from Murbad via Milhe. The way from this village is very easy.
3) From Siddhagad :
It is also possible to reach Gorakhgad from Siddhagad. This trail through the dense forest is well known among trekkers and can be followed to combine the trek Siddhagad and Gorakhgad. To reach Siddhagad, one can travel from Murbad to village Narivli that lies at its base. Stay on top of Siddhagad and start the descent early in the morning. One way going along the stream enters inside the forest. Proceed towards right on this way, which leads to a waterfall and then to a small plateau. This plateau has a small Mahadeo temple and two tombs. The way ahead from this point onwards is along a vertical rock-wall and hence enough care should be taken while walking. Thus we reach the entrance
dug out from the rock. It takes about three hours to reach Gorakhgad this way.
