TREKKING the Natural Bridge on needle's eye: Hatkeshwar to Lenyadri range trek.
1st monsoon trek on 28th June 2026 with a group of 26 members. It was 18 km long and took 9 hours to complete.
β Pic courtesy: my friend, PT. β
The blog post is divided into 4 parts:
Experience.
Photos.
Timeline.
Expenses.
EXPERIENCE:
It is said that if you take the darshan of Hatkeshwar Mahadev thrice, then the blessings of Kashi yatra are received! That ancient and pure is this trek and pilgrimage. I call this trek a pilgrimage because it covers AshtaVinayak Ganpati at Lenyadri - the Girijaatmaj. This is the only Ashtavinayak Ganpati which has to be climbed as it is in a cave on a mountain. But we climbed down from Hatkeshwar to Lenyadri and instead of climbing 350 steps up, we descended those steps.
β Left: Hatkeshwar temple & Right: Lenyadri temple. β
The lunch needs a special mention. It was delicious without any doubt. But the setting, ambience and the serving elevated it to the next level. We completed the trek and stepped down from the bus at the restaurant. We were guided to a farm with seating mats and under the trees in a clean place. The cutlery was steel and they served us when we were sitting (like it happens at home or in a traditional Hindu marriage)
The lunch had the traditional dish called MASWADI. It is a vegetarian dish and it is called so because the shape resembles a fish. It contains besan or gram flour, coconut, ginger, garlic, chilli and spices and is steamed and served cut in half. Maswadi is mixed in with the curry and the jowar bhakri is broken into pieces and dipped in the bow of curry-maswadi. Mix it well (Like Lord Krishna's gopal-kala) and eat it. Indrayani rice is fragrant and a bit sticky and goes well with the curry and maswadi. Pickle and laddoo completed the meal.
PHOTOS:
β The flowers and fruits of this AGAVE AMERICANA - century plant - may be used by the bats to feed and indirectly help in pollinating them. β
β Drops on beard moss - this beard moss becomes a water reservoir. β
TIMELINE: Day 1 - Saturday. 22:30 - meet at pick up point.
Day 2 - Sunday. 03:15 β Reached Kshanbhar Vishranti restaurant at Junnar. 05.30 β Freshen up and have a Healthy Breakfast. 06:45 β Bus journey to trailhead. 07:15 - Trek (ascend) to Natural Bridge of Hatkeshwar from Base village Godre. 11:00 β Reached Hatkeshwar temple. 11:30 - 12:00 - explored the needle's eye & crossed over the natural bridge of Hatkeshwar. Packed Lunch. 12:15 β Descent trek along the range to reach Lenyadri started. 16:00 β Reached Lenyadri temple and Darshan of Girijaatamaj AshtaVinayak Ganpati. 16:30 - reached the Kshanbhar Visharnati restaurant for lunch. 18:15 - return journey in bus started from Junnar. 23:25 β Home sweet home.
EXPENSES: Rs. 1100/-
Includes Transport by non-AC Bus from Mumbai to trekking point in Junnar & pick up from Lenyadri and drop back at Mumbai. 2-time Tea, 1-time Breakfast & 1-time Lunch (Veg). Basic First Aid.
THE YOUTUBE VIDEO OF ENTIRE TREK IS A BONUS!
