Harihar is a unique fort in the Sahyadris, built on a triangular prism of rock. Its three faces and two edges are absolutely vertical. The third edge is inclined at an angle of about 75 degree. A one meter wide rocky staircase is hewn on this range. At one place, it goes through a hole, carved in rock. The rocky staircase has good fingerholds, so it is an easy and interesting climb. On top, there is a small temple, a shelter, a rocky hill with an easy route to top and 16 water tanks. One can stay a night at this shelter/room, which is in good condition.

The British officer Capt. Briggs described it as wonderful route and wrote : 'Words can give no idea about its dreadful steepness. It is perfectly straight for, I suppose 200' and can only be compared to a ladder over a height of this nature'. This was one of the forts surrendered by Shahji from Bijapur control to Mughal general Khan Zaman of forces of Shajahan. It surrenderd to the British in 1818 after the fall of Trimbak.

Khodala, Jawahar and Mokhada are tribal (Adivasi) dominated area situated amidst of mountainous country with forested areas. Drivers of this zigzag route drive leisurely with caution. The dress is of special interest - special type blouse and a red scarf with white dots are commonly used. Every village has its own deity and night long pujas/bhagans followed by animal sacrifice is still practised here. Evening time is for enjoyment with home made (desi) liquor.



Travel to Kasara from Kalyan by train (1 hour) and then to Khodala (31 km) by jeep. Appraoch the base village Nirgudpada via Devgon phata (24 km) by Trimbakeswar jeep. From Nirgudpada climb the connecting ridge coming from Fani Dongar - Harihar fort plateau. The to and fro trek takes 3 hour. Bus service is infrequent on Khodala - Trimabk route. Trimabk is 21 km from Nirgudpada.



Fani Dongar (992 m) a triangular hill with a 30 m cobra like projection (difficult to climb), located near Harihar fort.