KALSUBAI PEAK MAHARASHTRA HIGHER

Kalsubai

Kalsubai (Marathi: कळसूबाई शिखर) is a mountain in the Western Ghats, located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Its summit situated at an elevation of 1646 metres (5400 feet) is the highest point in Maharashtrawhich earns it the much glorified title of the 'Everest of Maharashtra'.[1]

Kalsubai

Kalsubai, highest peak in Maharashtra.

Highest pointElevation1,646 m (5,400 ft)Prominence1080 mListingList of Indian states and territories by highest pointCoordinates19°36′04″N 73°42′33″E Geography





Kalsubai

Location of Kalsubai, Maharashtra

LocationBorder of Igatpuri Taluka, Nashik district, Shahpur Taluka, Thane district and Akole Taluka, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra, IndiaParent rangeWestern GhatsGeologyAge of rockCenozoicMountain typeFlood basaltType of rockBasalt and LateriteClimbingEasiest routeHiking

The mountain range lies within the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary. It is visited throughout the year by avid trekkers, Kalsubai temple devotees and wildlife enthusiasts alike. According to the villagers living at the base of the mountain, a woman name Kalsu Bai was punished by villagers and forced to leave the village, and that the woman climbed the mountain and started living on it, and later died there, giving the mountain its name.[citation needed]

GeologyEdit

The mountain range was formed by the same historical events [2] that gave birth to the Western Ghats. Resting on the Deccan Plateau geologically identified as a large igneous province, it consists of solidified Flood basalt dating back to the Cenozoicera.[3]

Geography and topographyEdit



Kalsubai peak in Western Ghats - to the North of Bhandardara backwaters (as seen from 20,000 feet)

The peak along with the adjoining hills spans along a downward-slanting east to west axis eventually merging with the formidable escarpment of the western ghats at almost right angles.Along its length they form a natural boundary demarcating the IgatpuriTaluka, Nashik district at its north from the Akole Taluka, Ahmednagar district at its south.The mountain itself lies on the Deccan Plateau with its base at an elevation of 587 meters (1926 feet) above mean sea level.

The mountain along with adjoining hills forms an enormous catchment area for the Arthur Lake which it overlooks.

Reaching KalsubaiEdit

The mountain can be viewed, in its entirety, from Bari village located on its eastern side, about six km from Bhandardara. It can be reached by road, via Igatpuri on the Mumbai-Nasik route. Trains leaving from Mumbai provide an alternate mode of transport till Kasara railway station with connecting State transport buses, plying on the Akole-Kasara route, leading up to the base village. Private vehicles from Kasara provide yet another alternative to public transport.

TrekkingEdit

The peak attracts a large number of trekkers and devotees determined to scale the mountain. To reach the summit there are well designated trekking routes.The most popular route is through the eastern mountain face taking off from the base village Bari. The Waki river, a tributary of Pravara, takes origin on its eastern slope and flows as a stream through the outer fringes of Bari. A short distance away from the stream a Hanuman temple has been built. This provides an important landmark to commence the trek as well as a resting post for those nearing the final lap of their trek. The route from behind this temple takes the hiker straight to the summit. The trek along this route is a mix of easy to ascend slopes as well as treacherous rocky outcrops overlooking the valley below. Considering the increasing foot fall in recent years, the government has built iron ladders along the vertical hill slopes. These assist trekkers to allow for a convenient and safe ascent.

The route via Indore is relatively unexplored as not many people are aware of it. Unlike the regular route via Bari, which has fixed ladders, cemented steps and several people flocking during the monsoon, the route via Indore is raw with stone steps and a huge iron chain for support at the dangerous patches.[4]

Kalsubai templeEdit



Temple at the summit

The truncated summit provides a modest area of flat land which holds a sacred temple of a local deity. Local legend[5] says that kalsubai was a house maid residing in a nearby Indorey village. She is believed to have disappeared near the mountain while trying to escape her employer's relentless torment. This lends the mountain its current name as well as a reason for this temple to be built in her fond memory.

A traditional prayer service is held every Tuesday and Thursday by a priest. During the festival of Navratri a fair comes to be organized each year with many stalls being set up near the summit to provide pooja materials to the devotees. On these special occasions local villagers participate in this fair which helps to supplement their livelihood and as well as provides them an opportunity to revere the mountain.

EcologyEdit

Kalsuba