Haji Malang Gad is a fort situated near the Matheran Hill range, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. This fort is best known for trekking. It has an extraordinary, mesmerizing and beautiful view from the top of the fort. Malanggad fort is as near as 17km from Kalyan city.
This fort is divided into three distinct parts, namely, Pir Machi, Sone Machi, and Balekilla. Pir Machi is the lowest and the first part of the fort. The Haji Malang Dargah is famous after the Sufi Saint Hazrat Haji Malang Baba at this lowest plateau of the fort.
Sone Machi is the plateau that is right above Pir Machi. This is the longest plateau of the fort. Sone Machi is suitable for any trekkers.
Next comes the Balekilla, It is the highest part of Malanggad. Keep reading to know details about Balekilla.
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| Malanggad Fort |
Trekking at Balekilla
Balekilla is the top-most part of the Malanggad fort. This level of the fort is inadvisable as it is very tough and risky to climb. It is preferable to return once you reach Sone Machi. The difficulty level at Balekilla is the toughest.
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| Narrow paths on the way to Balekilla |
After reaching Sone Machi, on the right is a way to move further to Balekilla and towards the left are a few remnants. Once you start moving towards Balekilla, you come across a 14-foot gap, which is connected with two pieces of pipes. Though it is very risky to cross it as you are exposed to a deep valley beneath, it’s worth visiting once. On the way, there are many narrow and tricky paths that we come across.
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| 14-foot gap connected with two pieces of pipes |
A local villager used to provide escort by tying a rope and helping people cross the pipe. He charged people Rs. 20/- for his help to and fro. Only expert climbers and trekkers climb on their own with proper ropes and equipment.
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| View from the 14-foot narrow route |
Top View from Balekilla
At the top of the Balekilla is a rectangular open stone-built structure which is called as Devni or Bara Ansaar Pinnacle. At the top of Haji Malang Gad, are five reservoirs that are filled with water during the month of May-June. The water is supplied to the lower levels of the fort with the help of pipes.
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| Bara Ansaar Pinnacle |
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| Water Reservoirs |
From Balekilla, we experience a beautiful view, where you can spot the Chanderi fort, Matheran range at the south, Kalyan and Ambernath city, Mahuli at the north, and Mumbai to the west. A part of the sea is also clearly visible from the top.
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| Top view from Malanggad Fort |
Haji Malang Gad is a well-versed and self-defined fort that is defensive in itself. There are many Hindu temples and Haji Malang Dargah on the way to the Malanggad trek. Pir Machi and Sone Machi are dependent on natural aspects of the mountain. It is suggested that one should return from Sone Machi and end up their trek without moving towards Balekilla. Though Balekilla is very dangerous and not advisable to climb, it is sheer beauty and great satisfaction as the view from the top of the fort (Balekilla) is completely beyond awesome and astonishing.
