Anjneri

njaneri, one of the forts in the mountain range of Nasik-Trimbakeshwa. Anjaneri is located 20 km away from Nasik by Trimbak Road. It is a popular trekking spot, especially in the rainy season.Anjaneri is an attraction of Nasik city, which is also an important fort in the Trimbakeshwar region. Situated at 4,264 feet (1,300 m) above sea level, it lies between Nasik and Trimbakeshwar near Godavari river. It neighbors the Brahmagiri range, significant in Hindu traditions as meditation spot of Sage Gautam. In some of the Puranas it is relayed that Hanuman’s mother, Anjana Devi, was the daughter of Maharishi Gautama and Ahalya. When she refused to defend her mother against the accusation of adultery, she was cursed by Ahalya that she too would suffer shame by giving birth to a Vanara child before she was married. Anjana Devi, it is said, then resolved to undertake strict penance in the hills near her father’s hermitage. Standing on one leg, she became so absorbed in meditation that an anthill is supposed to have grown around her. Due to the intensity of her tapas, Indra’s throne began to shake and the gods were disturbed by the strong energies that were released. Sage Narada was dispatched to seek Shiva’s help in containing these energies who then incarnated as her son Hanuman.The Brahma Purana while extolling the greatness of the Godavari and the pilgrimage places along its course, narrates that a celestial nymph named Anjana mocked Indra for having a thousand eyes and she was cursed to be born on earth with a monkey face. Her friend, Adrika, also annoyed Indra by meowing like a cat and was cursed to be born as a human being with the face of a cat. Both the nymphs were born among the Vanaras and were later married to Kesari, the king of Anjaneri’s Vanara Kingdom. When Sage Agastya took up residence in this forest, Anjana and her friend Adrika served him with great devotion and he granted them each the boon of having an illustrious son. While walking in the forest one day, Anjana attracted the wind god Vayu and Adrika attracted Nirṛti. In due course, Anjana gave birth to Hanuman and her friend to Adri. When their sons grew older, their divine fathers advised them to take their mothers on pilgrimage to the Godavari River. Anjana bathed at a sacred place called Anjana tirtha, while Adrika took a bath at Marjari tirtha, obtaining release from Indra’s curse and regained their heavenly forms.Anjaneri is the birthplace of Lord Hanuman, and is named after Lord Hanuman’s mother, Anjani. The Bhavartha Ramayana of the famous Marathi saint-poet Eknath, states that Anjana Devi, intent on obtaining an exemplary son, performed severe austerities on top of the Anjaneri Hill for 7,000 years, with Shiva granting her boon by incarnating as her as son in the form of Hanuman.Located 20 km away from Nashik towards Triambakeshwar road, Anjaneri hills hold a lot of historical and religious significance. As per the Hindu mythology, Anjaneri is the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. Situated at 4264 feet above sea level, Anjaneri hills hosts a beautiful fort which is famous amongst the hikers and can be reached via Anjaneri village. Caves, temples, waterfalls and lakes are some of the common sights along the trek to Anjaneri Fort.Anjaneri fort trek is one of the famous treks in Nasik-Triambakeshwar mountain range of Maharashtra. It is an attraction of Nashik city and Triambakeshwar region.

Located 20 km away from Nasik and 6 km from Triambakeshwar. It is situated at an altitude of 4263 feet from the sea level.

The locals believe that the fort is the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. Therefore, it is considered as one of the religious places among Hindu devotees.

There are many small Jain temples, caves and a foot-shaped lake on the way to the main Hanuman temple.

There is also a temple built for Anjani Maata who gave birth to Hanuman. It is unique as there is no other temple built for Anjani Maata.Anjaneri Parvat is quite significant amongst the devotees as locals say that the cave on the top of the hill was the place where Goddess Anjana gave birth to Lord Hanuman. And that’s how the mountain got its name. Along with the cave, believed to be the place where Lord Hanuman was born, there’s Anajani Mata temple. A lot of other places associated with the life of Lord Hanuman are also there, which can be seen while trekking on the hill. One such place is a cave, which is believed to be the spot where Lord Pawan Dev took Bal Hanuman when he was hit by the ‘vajra’ of Lord Indra. Also, there is a Mata Anjana temple; the place where Goddess Anjani meditated for a kid, and Shiva ultimately appeared in front of her to bless a boon. There are two pindies inside the temple; the big one is of Mata Anjana and the small one is of Bal Hanuman. A cave decorated with inscriptions that are as old as 1000 years also appears while trekking on the hill.From the base village/ entry gate, it will take 45 minutes of walk to reach the starting point. You can treat this walk as a warm-up for the trek. You can also drive upto the starting point.

At the starting point to can see two pinnacles which are called as “Navara” and Navari.

After another 30 minutes of trek, you will reach the Anjaneri Fort. There are some caves and temples inside the fort and during the rainy season, you will experience a continuous water stream on the stairs. One needs to be very careful while using those stairs in rainy season as those are bit slippery. But once you complete the fort stairs, a plain area comes. Such a beautiful place it is. Those who like to have a picnic, this is the perfect spot. For here you get to capture both amazing sunrise as well as sunset.To reach the Anjaneri temple, you have to cross three mountains. When you cross the fort, you have already crossed the first mountain and came on second. Top of the second mountain is a plain area and you need to walk around 1 km to reach the Indra Sarovar Lake.

From here, you have to trek to the 3rd mountain for another almost 1 km, you will get to see first glimpse of the main temple. A small temple of Anjani Mata (Mother of Lord Hanuman) with little Hanuman.