Haji Malang Gad Trek Difficulty

Haji Malang Gad, also known as Shree Malanggad, is a fort located at a height of 3200 ft above sea level, near Kalyan in Maharashtra. It derives its name after a Sufi saint Hazrat Haji Malang Baba who is believed to have spent his life on this hill. His holy shrine - Haji Malang Dargah is a pilgrimage for people from diverse beliefs and faiths who visit the dargah every year. Known for its religious significance, Malanggad fort also has an elaborate history of the Maratha-British war of the 18th century, a captivating view of the district from the hilltop, and a well-designed fort structure which makes it a perfect trek destination to explore.

The trek is best suited for both amateurs as well as experienced trekkers looking for an enthralling adventure as the trek is divided into three difficulty levels - easy, moderate, and difficult.

Malanggad fort Kalyan

Easy Part of the Trek –Visiting Haji Malang Dargah

Haji Malang Dargah situated at the lowest plateau of Malang Gad is the easy part of the trek. The route from the base village to the dargah consists of 1500 concrete steps. It takes about 2-2.5 hours from the starting point depending on whether the route is crowded with the devotees. The concrete steps covered with a shade for most of the part and numerous shops providing refreshments make it less of a trek and more of a tourist destination that can be easily covered by everyone.

Concrete steps leading to Haji Malang Dargah

The major stops are Pehli Salami, Doosri Salami, and the main Haji Malang Dargah. After a further climb, you can visit Panch Pir Dargah at the Pir Machi. There are also many Hindu temples along the way.

Haji Malang Baba Dargah

Pilgrims climbing down the mountain of Malanggad

Moderate part of the trek – Visiting Sone Machi

Those seeking a spectacular trek experience after visiting the holy shrine can continue climbing the mountain and head towards the main fort. Sone Machi, which resembles an elephant's trunk, is a long plateau measuring 25 meters wide and 250 meters long, with a 70-foot-wide and 100-foot-tall rock projection at one end. The route towards Sone Machi consists of narrow steps cut between rocks and boulders and can be rated as a moderate difficulty level. Although it could get a bit exhaustive for beginners, it is fairly easy for experienced trekkers. 

Steps leading to the Malanggad fort

Once you reach the Sone Machi, all the tiring journey becomes worth it for the breathtaking view of the hills and valleys around.

Plateau of Sone Machi – imposing citadel summit

Difficult part of the trek –Visiting Balekilla

After enjoying the spectacular landscape at Sone Machi, the real challenge lies ahead as you approach Balekilla(citadel), the trek's highest, difficult, and final destination. The citadel is 200 yards long and 70 yards tall. However, getting there requires crossing a 14-foot gap connected by a narrow pipe. Crossing this path without a safety belt and rope is extremely dangerous. The climb is very steep and involves high risk. Hence it is not advisable to ascend the pinnacle without a safety harness and experienced guide to ensure safety. 

Stone structure built at Balekilla

Balekilla pipe crossing

Steep climb to reach Balekilla

Risky pipe crossing with the rope support

In a nutshell, Haji Malang Gad trek can be divided into three levels of difficulty-easy, medium, difficult making it a suitable trek destination for beginners as well as experienced. However, it is important to take necessary precautions while attempting to trek the higher levels. 

Want to plan a trek soon? Read our travel guide of Haji Malang Gad trek for detailed information.

Reaching Malanggad village from Kalyan station

Malanggad Fort is in Raigad District in Maharashtra. The nearest city to the Malanggad fort is Kalyan city. The fort’s highest point is 2590 ft. above sea level. It is also popularly known as Malang Gad, Haji Malang Gad. It is famous for Haji Malang Dargah which is a famous holy shrine of Haji Abdur Rehman Malang Baba. People visit Malanggad fort for the "Haji Malang Dargah" and the trek which leads towards the top of the mountain. There is a fort nearby named Chanderi fort in Badlapur which has approximately the same height.

"Haji Malang Gad" is at a 17 km distance from the nearest railway station called Kalyan Railway Junction. The holy shrine of Haji Malang Baba called Haji Malang Dargah Kalyan is Situated on the lower level of Malanggad fort. The fort is divided into three levels – Pir machi (first level), Sone machi (second level) and Balekilla (final level).

Haji Malang Dargah

On the first level (Pir Machi) of the Malanggad Fort you will find the Haji Malang Dargah. To reach the Dargah you must take the stairs which consist of more than 1500 steps. To reach the Dargah from the base village it almost takes 3 hours and is recommended to start the journey early in the morning. People from multiple religious communities come to Haji Malang Baba’s Dargah to pay respect and take their blessings. 

In the month of February, the "Urus festival" is celebrated on the Malanggad fort as the death anniversary of the Haji Malang Baba by the people on the fort. Many Devotees from different places visits the Haji Malang Dargah during the Urus festival to seek their blessings.

Trek towards the top

From the second level (Sone Machi) the difficult part of the trek begins. "Sone Machi" is the plateau that measures 250 m long and 25 m wide. The trail towards the Sone Machi has rock patches which can be tiring to few people after climbing 1500 plus steps till Haji Malang Dargah. 

From there, you can continue and reach the top called "Balekilla" which is the last level of the Malanggad Fort. The Route to the Balekilla has been seen broken for a while. The People Staying on the mountain has put a steel pipe at the broken patch. With the help of climbing ropes and the pipe, one can reach the top of the mountain. Reaching to the top is very risky and is recommended not to do it without expert guidance 

How to Reach Haji Malang Dargah from Kalyan

There are two different ways through which you can reach Malanggad from Mumbai. One of them is by Roadways and the other one is by Railways. From Railways, you can board a local train from Mumbai on the Central Line to Kalyan Railway Station which takes around 1 hour 30 mins. And then from Kalyan Railway Station, you can take either ST Bus or Auto-rickshaws which will directly take you to the base village of the Malanggad fort. It will take you 20-30 mins from Kalyan Railway Station to reach the base village. ST Bus Number 45 is the bus which will drop you at the base village for rupees 20 per person. If you are travelling by personal vehicle from Kalyan Railway Station you travel to Naveli Phata which in the way Kalyan-Badlapur road from their onwards it is a single road opposite to Kalyan City which will lead you to the base village of Haji Malang Gad which is known as Malang Wadi. In the base village, you will be able to see a huge space in front of the Bus Station where you can park your vehicle. Also, you can read our blog called "Different Ways to Travel to Haji Malang Dargah" to reach Haji Malang Dargah from Pune.

Malanggad fort is the best place to experience the trek and visit a religious place like dargah and a few Hindu temples near the dargah and in the Malanggad village (base village). From the top of the Haji Malang Gad you can enjoy the spectacular view of the Raigad district which you will never forget.

Best Season to visit Haji Malang Gad

 Malanggad is a fort near Kalyan, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra. It is most likely known as Haji Malang Gad. It is famous for its most famous Sufi shrine located on the hill. It is a three leveled fort with each having its specific names. 

The lowest is the Pir Machi where the Sufi shrine Haji Malang Dargah is situated. The second is the Sone Machi which is a rocky projection. Ahead of the Balekilla or Citadel, it is the top-most fortification, which has some copper pipes and freshwater which is supplied to the lower parts of the fort. This water is supplied with the help of those copper pipes that are present at the Balekilla.

Haji Malang Gad is a combination of a religious and adventurous journey. The fort has many Hindu temples on its way upwards and a Dargah which is named after the Baba Abdur Rehman Malang, also known as Haji Malang Baba. The fort is famous as a trekking point. Many people visit Malanggad to trek and experience the mesmerizing view from the top of the hill.

  

Haji Malang Gad

Urs Festival at Haji Malang Dargah

Urs is a festival that solemnizes the death anniversary of Sufi Saint Haji Malang Baba. It is a huge festival that is celebrated for 8-9 long days. The ceremonies of the festival are performed at the Haji Malang Dargah which is situated at the Pir Machi (lowest level of the fort). The festival is usually celebrated in the month of February when many devotees come to seek blessings. The devotees carry processions which start from the Haji Malang Dargah, then moves further and covers the whole mountain and comes back to the Dargah. Many devotees and followers from all caste and creed come and be a part of this festival. This is the best time to visit the Haji Malang Dargah.

 

Haji Malang Dargah

Trekking at Haji Malang Gad

Trek to Haji Malang Gad is a must! The appealing and attractive view from the top of the fort shouldn’t be missed. Once you start from the base village it takes around 2.5 hours to reach the Haji Malang Dargah that is situated at Pir Machi. Then moving further to the rocky projection we reach the Sone Machi. This is the second part of the fort which is, a 25-meter-wide and 250-meter-long projection, and 70 feet wide and 100 feet tall. On reaching here, it is a wonderful breathtaking view. Further one can visit the Balekilla, which is a narrow gap connected with 14 feet long two pipes. The way is too risky and can’t be crossed without the help of a rope. The view from the Balekilla or Citadel is worth watching but at the same time, it’s too risky to be fatal. 

 

View from Sone Machi

The best season to visit Haji Malang Gad is Monsoon. It is best to visit when the rains pour and nature adopts the beautiful greenery around. The fog around while climbing up the fort altogether makes it a surreal experience.

From the top of Haji Malang gad fort one can enjoy the beautiful view of the Chanderi fort, Matheran range that is visible in the south direction. One can see Mahuli and the Kalyan and Ambernath city in the north direction. To the west is Mumbai city. 

The best experience to visit the Haji Malang Gad for trekking is during the monsoon season.