The "Malanggad fort" is well known for trekking towards the top of the mountain and Haji Malang Dargah situated at level one which is known as Pir machi. It Is located in the hill range of the Matheran. The nearest city to the Malanggad fort is Kalyan city which is 17km away near Mumbai.
People visit the Malanggad fort to experience the adventure and visit the Haji Malang Dargah to worship. This Haji Malang Dargah is the famous shrine of Sufi Saint Hazrat Haji Malang Baba, which is situated at the lowest plateau of the fort. Every year people from different religions visit the dargah to pay their respect and many more visit the dargah in February to celebrate the "Urus Festival"
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| Malanggad Fort |
Pir Machi
The lowest level of the mountain is the plateau where the 2500 ft. long and 1000 ft. broad dargah of Sufi Saint Hazrat Haji Malang Baba is situated. Also, at the end of the plateau, the Panch Pir (Panch Peer) lies which is named after the five pirs who followed the "Haji Malang Baba" to Malanggad fort. It is 45 to 60 mins away from the Haji Malang dargah. Further at the edge place called chasma is located where people visit to pray. People believe that the water emerging from the ground because the Haji Malang Baba’s horse tapped the ground.
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| Haji Malang Dargah on Pir Machi |
Battle of British and Marathas
The Malanggad fort was ruled by Pandurang Sambhaji Ketkar in the 17th century. The Britishers moved close in the month of August instead of May and July to avoid the heat and captured the lowest level of Malanggad, Panch Pir. Later, ketkars shifted their base to Sone Machi (Second level) they fought bravely with Britishers but in the end, they had a shortage of food supplies. Other families staying on the Pir Machi fought with the Britishers and ketkars on the Sonemachi. Marathas bought their cannon to Pir Machi and bombarded the British army. Heavy damage was caused to the Britishers on Pir Machi and taking the advantage of the situation Marathas decided to attack together on 18th September which resulted in the end of blockade by the British army. To Know more read our blog "History of Maratha-British War at Haji Malanggad"
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| Old British Painting of Malanggad |
Trip to Pir Machi
Malanggad fort is located 17 Km from Kalyan Station. By road, it takes about 1.40 hours from Mumbai to reach Haji Malang Gad. There are buses and Auto-rickshaws available from the Kalyan Railway Station. From the base village, it takes 3 hours to reach the Pimachi and to visit the Haji Malang Dargah. There are more than 1500 steps till Pir Machi. At the end of the lowest level of Pir Machi, you can also visit the Paanch pir, the graves of five followers of Haji Malang Baba. On the way to the Pir Machi, you will also see few Hindu temples situated and dargahs called Pehli and Doosri Salami. To know more about Pehli and Doosri Salami read our blog "Haji Malang Dargah, A Holy Shrine of Haji Malang Baba"
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| Pehli Salami |
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| Doosri Salami |
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| Paanch Pir |
The journey to the top of the mountain is a combination of adventure and religion. The journey to the first level of the fort is rated as medium difficulty. This trek will give you a beautiful view and adventure to remember.
