Honest Review: When I visited Kalsubai, the highest peak in Maharashtra, I didn’t know the legend of the girl who vanished…. |
When I saw the mighty Kalsubai, the highest peak in Maharashtra (also known as the Everest of Maharashtra), I was not at all aware of the fact that it was named after a girl who disappeared in the mountains here. Yes, you read that right! Being a famous mountain in the Western Ghats, Kalsubai for me was just another tourist attraction, a chance to escape Delhi’s toxic pollution, breathe cleaner air, and mainly celebrate the holidays with my best buddies. But as we got closer to the peak, stories started unfolding from locals and in no time Kalsubai became more than just a tourist hub. I understood the legend which was steeped in folklore, faith, and raw Sahyadri.Kalsubai Peak is set at an elevation of 1,646 metres (5,400 feet). It dominates the beauty of Sahyadri range in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, near the borders of Nashik and Thane. The story of KalsubaiAs per locals, Kalsubai was a local young girl who used work as a domestic help. The woman was extremely helpful and was known for her generosity and healing abilities. She was always ready to help others. Despite being such a good-hearted person, she used to get mistreated. One day, after being mistreated, she decided to leave the world and climbed the mountain in utter sadness. That was the last day she was seen. Kalsubai never came back and vanished in the mountains or some say, she became one with them. Who knows.
Priya Srivastava (TOI)
After her disappearance, villagers named the peak after her. Soon after, villagers got a temple built at the summit in her honor. Today, locals and trekkers trek up and offer prayers. The festivals like Navratri are quite significant. I stood there for a long time while wind slapped across my face and body, as if trying to wake me up from a dream. At that time, it did not feel like a story but more like a presence of a guiding light.Where exactly is Kalsubai PeakKalsubai Peak is near Bari village in Maharashtra, which is the base for the trek. The village lies within the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s a beautiful village surrounded by hills. And during monsoons, seasonal waterfalls add to the village’s natural beauty. How to reach
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By Road: Bari village is about 150 km from Mumbai and 180 km from Pune. The drive takes around 4–5 hours (depending on the traffic) via Igatpuri. Roads are good but some parts closer to the village are a little narrow.By Train: The nearest railway station is Igatpuri, which is well-connected to Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik. Local taxis or jeeps are easily available to Bari village which is about 40 km.By Bus: State buses are also available till Igatpuri. From there, you can take local transport to reach Bari.Best time to visit
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October to February: This is considered the best time for trekking. The weather is cool and pleasant. June to September (Monsoon): This is a beautiful time but be prepared for slippery paths. It’s a little risky so only experienced trekkers are recommended.Trekking details
The Kalsubai trek is around 6 km one way. It generally takes around 4-5 hours to reach the temple. However, the trek time totally depends on a person’s endurance, fitness and also the weather conditions. During weekends, holidays and peak time, the peak remains crowded with adventure lovers, photographers and travellers. The rewarding views from the top
If you are lucky and the day is clear, you can enjoy some stunning views of the Sahyadris, and even spot Bhandardara and some forts. Sunrise and sunsets are very popular. I visited in the last week of December and met a crowd of tourists who were not trekkers. It was a bit foggy and cold too so the views were not that clear. But still, there was silence and freshness in the mountains.Well, Kalsubai for me was all about finding peace, filling my lungs with clean air and spending time with my people. But soon, it also became about the stories I heard, the people I met, and the quiet moments of solitude.
Priya
So if you ask me if the place was crowded, I would say yes, for sure because it was winter holidays. But if you ask me, if it was worth it, I would again say YES! Undoubtedly. I went up to see a popular attraction. I came back with a legend, a newfound respect for nature and the mountains of the Sahyadris in Maharashtra.Disclaimer: The above account is based on the author’s personal experience, and The Times of India does not endorse or verify these views.
