India: Maharashtra: Bhairavgadh (Shirpunje) - Ghanchakkar peaks loop hike.

Bhairavgad fort is located in the Sahyadri mountains of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Multiple mountains are named Bhairavgad including one near the Karad-Chiplun area, one near Malshej Ghat and third in the Bhandardara region in the neighborhood of Ghanchakkar the third highest peak of Sahyadris.

Bhairavgad (Shirpunje): 1145 mtrs tall.
This fort is believe to be ancient and almost 2500 years old. This fort has only few ruins and remains on the top. There are two big caves on the top in which one cave is a shrine of Lord Bhairavnath and another cave is used for residence purpose. There are many water tanks on the top.
The idol in the cave is very good carved painted and is well maintained by the villagers.

Ghanchhakar : Ghanchakkar 1,532 metres (5,026 ft) is the third highest peak in the Maharashtra State under Sahyadri mountain ranges in western India. Its neighbouring peak Muda 1,520 metres (4,990 ft) is the fourth highest peak in the Maharashtra State under Sahyadris.

We took assistance of a villager as our guide and paid him Rs 1000.

We first hiked up Bhairavgadh and then connected to Ghanchakkar mountain and its poeak and descended back to Shirpunje village with a loop path.
For both mountains, there are steel ladders installed for safe climbing.
While ascent of Bhairavgadh is steep, the transition to Ghanchakkar mountain is gradual.

Below text is from Internet blogs:

Bhairavgad is located in Shirpunje village 27 km from Rajur in the Akole taluka of Ahmednagar district.
Bhairavgad is accessible from Shirpunje village and Ambit village.
The fort is part of Kalsubai-Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary and is covered by dense trees.
Many water tanks sit at the top of the hill, one containing potable water.

This fort is believed to be ancient and nearly 3000 years old. This fort is in ruins. Two big caves on the top host a shrine of Lord Bhairavnath and a hostel. The idol in the cave is carved and painted and in good condition.
Recently the Safety Climbing Initiative (SCI) and DurgPremi Giribhraman Sanstha made a rock climbing route.
To visit Bhairavgad, one has to travel from Mumbai via Malshej Ghat to Otur-Bamanwada-Kotul-Kothale-Lavhali-Ambit or via Mumbai-Ghoti- Bhandardara via Rajur-Manikozhar-Khadki-Ambit to Shirpunje village. After crossing the bridge over the river before Shirpunje village, Bhairavgad.
Since there is no public transport facility in this area, if you have your vehicle, you can go directly to the base of the fort. From here you can see Bhairoba cave in the middle of Bhairavgad, hoisted flags can be seen outside the cave as well as over the cave. Adjacent to the parking lot is a cement shelter built by the forest department and in front is an iron arch inscribed as Shri Kshetra Bhairavnath Devasthan, Shirpunje.
From this arch, after climbing some steep steps and climbing serpentine for an hour, we come to the temple on the fort is visible as it is frequented visited by local villagers. Bhairobagad, Kalsubai, and Harishchandragad are in the one can see a road on the left. There is also a sign saying Kalsubai Harishchandra Sanctuary and this road goes to the foothills of iron railings constructed by the forest department. After crossing these walls, you come to a gorge between Bhairavgad and the neighboring Chanchakkar hills.
After reaching this gorge, Ambit village can be seen from here. You can also take a path from Ambit village and come to this gorge. At the top of the gorge is a ruined cistern and steep steps are carved in a circular pattern. Climb these steps and enter the fort through the ruined entrance facing north.
Only the base of the bastion next to this gate remains and some remnants of the ramparts can be seen on the ridge. The height of Bhairavgad is about 3500 feet above sea level and it is spread over an area of about 7 acres from east to west.
There is another joint cistern on this side and the road leading to the fort is visible from here. Seeing this, there is a big pillared cistern on the left side. The design of this cistern is worth to see. Currently, this cistern is named Jalkumbh.
The road leading to this pillared cistern is also made out of rock and a cave is carved in the rock in front of the tank. The roof of the cave is covered and ditches are dug on all four sides of the cistern to harvest rainwater. This cave feels cool even in summer when the temperature is high.
Further down the steps carved in the rock and going to the cave of Bhairav near the cliff, another hero stone can be seen outside. The cave has two halls, one with a five-foot-tall equestrian statue of Bhairoba and some carved stone pillars, while the adjoining hall has enough space for ten people.
The cave has two halls, one with a five-foot-tall equestrian statue of Bhairoba and some carved stone pillars, while the adjoining hall has enough space for ten people. The cave has a fireplace to cook food and some utensils are also kept so that the people who come for the trek can make meals and stay there. The entrance to the cave is lined with iron bars and a gate on one side.
There are steps carved into the rock to get down from there although they are broken up to some extent. Below this step is a cave measuring 10x12 feet. From here, Shirpunje village and the surrounding area can be seen.
If you look around from the top of the fort, you can see a very large area like Kalsubai, Harishchandragad, Kaladgad, Kunjargad, and Naneghat. While descending the fort, you should descend in the direction of the entrance rather than descending from the path you came up from.

The entire fort round takes an hour. Looking at the remains and water cisterns on the fort, it should have a large population previously. There are 23 water cisterns on the fort, although only two cisterns have potable water.
The beauty of Bhairavgad should be experienced at least once. Even if Bhairavgad is mentioned in history, it is difficult to refer to it as Bhairavgad is the name of many forts.