Tourist Attractions near Haji Malang Gad

Haji Malang Gad is a beautiful place for trekking and religious visit for people from all caste and creed. It is nearest to Kalyan city. Haji Malang Gad is also known as Shree Malang Gad or Malanggad. This fort has a significant history as there was a war fought between the Marathas and the British. 

At the first level of the Malanggad Fort, which is called Pir Machi the Haji Malang Dargah. This dargah is said to be named after a Sufi Saint Baba Abdur Rehman Malang, also known as Haji Malang Baba. People from all the places and caste visit this religious dargah to seek blessings. Also, there is a huge festival that is celebrated in the month of February, named the Urs festival. This festival continues for almost 8-9 days.

This fort is best known as a trekking spot, where many people visit during the monsoons and winters. The trek grade is medium to difficult, it becomes difficult and challenging as and when you move towards the top of the hill. People usually return from the second level of the fort, that is Sone Machi. After this level, it is very difficult to trek upwards to the Balekilla or Citadel. Balekilla is very risky as the roads are very narrow and it is connected with two pipes. Expert trekkers take a risk to cross this road with the help of ropes and reach the Citadel.

 

Haji Malang Gad

Places to visit near Haji Malang gad

There are a few places near Haji Malang Gad, which are worth visiting. I would like to suggest a few good places near the Malanggad fort that one should surely visit. 

Durgadi Fort

Durgadi Fort is situated in the west of Kalyan city. Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort from Adil Shah on 24th October 1654. Then he built the fort with the help of 340 Portuguese workers. It was said the wealth was found at the time of the excavation of the fort. It was named Durgadi after the goddess Durga. It was believed that it was her blessings that the fort was captured and built. This fort is just 18 kilometers away from Haji Malang gad. It approximately takes 50-55 minutes to reach the Durgadi fort via roadways.

 

Durgadi Fort

Kala Talao Lake

Kala Talao Lake is a lake in Kalyan. It was built by Adil Shah of Bijapur and was half a kilometer away from Kalyan railway station. The lake covers an area of 24 acres. It was previously known as Shenale Lake. The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation maintains the lake. People come here to exercise, morning and evening walk, and boating.  This lake is approximately 18 km that is about 50-55 minutes of distance from Haji Malang Gad. It is worth visiting during the evenings. 

 

Kala Talao Lake

Ambarnath Shiv Mandir

Ambarnath Shiv Mandir is a historic Hindu temple since the 11th century. This temple is located near the banks of the river Vadavan. It is 2 kilometers away from the Ambarnath railway station. It was built beautifully and was carved in stone. The temple is of Lord Shiva, where thousands of people visit to seek blessings. Hindu festival Mahashivratri is celebrated on a huge scale with all the rituals. This Shiv temple is 17 kilometers away from Haji Malang Gad, which takes around 40 minutes to travel through roadways.

 

Ambarnath Shiv Mandir

Chikhloli Dam

Chikhloli Dam is a beautiful dam near Haji Malang Gad. It is 19 kilometers from the fort that is around 50 minutes by road. It is best to visit during the monsoon season, where nature is in its purest form. The trees, bushes, grass are a fresh green and the water making is way to flow from the streams. All this is just a mesmerizing view. Chikhloli dam is nearest to the Ambernath and Badlapur railway station. When you are at Haji Malang Gad, make sure you do give a visit to Chikhloli Dam.

 

Chikhloli Dam

These were a few places near Haji Malang gad which are worth visiting. 

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.