Gambhirnath Caves trek

visit:
https://nomadosauras.com/2017/06/28/gambhirnath-caves-1/
For complete information and pictures of the trek.

DISCLAIMER: I do not accept responsibility for, and explicitly disclaim all liability for any illegal or dangerous acts carried out by any person or persons in the pursuit of railfanning or hiking. I urge you to exercise extreme caution whenever in the vicinity of trains and railway lines in general & also follow all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, whether on railway property or not.

General information:

When: Summer ‘17
Where: Gorakshnath/Nagnath Temple & Gambhirnath Cave complex.

Some facts about the cave:
1.The caves are located on Nagnath Hill, locally known as Nagnath cha Dongar (Dongar means Mountain, in Marathi).
2. It is known as the Nagnath Temple because of the Idol of Nagnath on the left of the cave’s entrance.
3. An Idol of Gorakshnath is carved from the wall in a chamber of the caves, which is why the place has been named Gorakshnath Temple on Google Maps
4. I have come across two different boards referring to the caves specifically as Gorakshnath and Gambhirnath caves but I have referred to the cave complex as Gambhirnath caves as I found it to be the most widely used.

Range: Bhor Ghat
Nearest railway stations:
1. Thakurwadi Station (Down & Bidirectional Line): 2.4 kms
2. Nagnath Cabin (Up line): 1.3 kms
3. Monkey Hill (Up & Down Line): 4.5 kms
Max Elevation: 1292 Ft Above MSL
Total Distance: ~6 km
Total Active Time: 4 Hours
Approx. expenses: Below 250 Rs/Head
Best time to visit: Monsoon

Difficulty: Low
Endurance: 2
Risk Factor: Low but walking along the tracks is an inherently dangerous activity.

Route: Mumbai-Thakurwadi Station-Nagnath Cabin-Gambhirnath caves-Thakurwadi Station/Nagnath Cabin.

Directions: Alight at Thakurwadi and enter the Service tunnel by a trail south of the station. Exit near the top of Nagnath catch siding and reach Gambhirnath viaduct after crossing three tunnels via Nagnath cabin. One of the trail to the caves originates from the right of Tunnel # 36. Cross the sparse forest to reach the col by a traverse beneath the caves. Climb the rock cut steps to reach the cave complex and temples. Shivling on the northern hill of Nagnath cha Dongar can also be visited. Turn right (east) from the col to descend to Thakurwadi line. The trail leads you to a series of irregular steps culminating at the southern end of Tunnel 29. Walk back to Thakurwadi by the Down line (right most track when facing Karjat) and board any UP train/Banker.

Railway Terminology:

Banker: A banker is a locomotive that assists the leading loco in hauling the train up a steep gradient.
Catch Siding: A siding along a steep railway grade so placed as to catch runaway trains.
Central Railway HQ: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST).
Down (DN) line/Train: Down refers to a train travelling away from its headquarters.
UP line/Train: Up refers to a train travelling towards its headquarters.
MID line: A bidirectional line used by trains travelling in both directions.
Railfan: A person interested in the technical & historical aspects of Railways.
Service Tunnel: A tunnel through the mountain behind Thakurwadi (TKW) used for ferrying Men & Material while constructing the Nagnath line in 1982

GPS Coordinates:
1. Service Tunnel (Thakurwadi side): 18.831820, 73.364113
2. Diversion to Caves on Nagnath side: 18.817101, 73.368515
3. Diversion to caves on Thakurwadi side: 18.817167, 73.371010
4. Gorakshnath Temple/Gambhirnath Caves: 18.816570, 73.369690
5. Shivling on northern hill of Nagnath cha Dongar: 18.817799, 73.370102

Transport Options: People travelling from Mumbai can reach Thakurwadi by multiple ways.

Alight at Karjat, take a tum tum/auto to Kondivade village (also the base village for Kondana caves hike) and trek to Thakurwadi station (1.5 hours).
Alight at Karjat and take a tum tum to Beed gaon and walk up to Nagnath cabin/ Thakurwadi station. (1.5 hours).
Board a Pune bound train and alight at Thakurwadi (Only three Down trains stop at Thakurwadi station- Deccan Express, Sinhagad Express & Siddheshwar Express in the morning, evening and late night respectively. Obviously, Deccan Express is the most convenient for a one-day trip from Mumbai).
Alight at Khopoli and trek all the way to Gambhirnath caves (2 hours).
Alternatively, Alight at Kelavli stn (CR) and hike up by the beed route to join the railway line at Nagnath cabin and walk up to the caves (2-3 hours).

Alternative Routes:
For Pune folks (Both routes have been planned in such a way that you ’ll always be walking against the rail traffic on the given line as it’s safer):

Monkey hill Loop: Alight at Monkey hill and start walking along the DN line (right most track when facing Karjat), visit a small temple besides the track and take the diversion on the right of Tunnel 29’s entrance to hike up to Gambhirnath caves. Descend to Nagnath UP line on the other side of the mountain and walk towards Monkey hill to board a train for Pune.
Pros: Zenith waterfall & crossing the 150m long Viaduct # 6.
Cons: Longest route, fewer DN trains stop at Monkey Hill.

Thakurwadi Loop: Alight at Nagnath Cabin (or cross over to the catch siding by the service tunnel if your train halts at Thakurwadi) and hike up to the caves by the trail on the right of Tunnel 36’s entrance. Descend to the DN line on the eastern side of the mountain and walk towards Thakurwadi Station to board a train for Pune.
Pro: Shortest route.
Con: Fewer DN trains stop at Thakurwadi Station.

For Mumbai Folks: Follow the same itinerary as we did till Gambhirnath caves. Descend back to Nagnath UP line and walk towards Monkey Hill Station to board any UP train/Banker.
Pros: Zenith waterfall, crossing Viaduct # 6 & greater number of UP trains halt at Monkey Hill Station.
Cons: Longer route & you do not get to explore the eastern trail to the caves.