After
you leave the vehicle a 2-½ hour climb takes
you straight to the shrine. Shops on either side for
the entire stretch try or coax you in to buying something.
There are also stalls that sell soft drinks, sugarcane
juice, etc, which also offers you a place to sit and
rest a while if you are so inclined.
For the more experienced or adventurous, the climb can
be made with the help of locals through the brush and
up the mountainside, straight to the shrine.
History:
As the story goes in Thane district of the state of
Maharashtra a king by name "nal" ruled. The
atrocities on the common folk and the havoc created
in his state by the demons reached unbearable proportions.
The cry from the oppressed had reached Mecca Medina
and Allah ordered Baba Hajji Malang to pay a visit to
the place from where these crimes against the society
are committed and to ensure safety and well being of
the common man by eliminating these demons.
Baba Haji Malang and his followers reached the small
village called Brahman wadi near this mountain. On reaching,
he felt very thirsty and asked for water from a house
belonging to a Brahman. The Brahman, realizing that
Baba Haji Malang and his followers are tired, arranged
for a place to rest and offered them Milk instead of
water. This holy act of the Brahman was duly appreciated
by Baba and he blessed him. He took leave from the Brahman
in order to complete the work ordered by the God at
the earliest.
They found a small and cleaner place where Bakhtawar
wanted to put so Baba Hajji Malang blessed him, and
said "that during "Kalyug" this place
will be known as "first Step" and will be
treated as sacrosanct."
According to legend the King and Queen have been turned
to stone and even today are stoned by believing public.
A climb to the mountain includes being carried by a
rope across two peaks for Rs. 20.00 After this you carry
on climbing and try to stone the peaks and it is believed
that if your stone hits one of the peaks then your wish
will be granted as long as you do not wish for the throne
of Delhi.
URS
Once a year it is time to celebrate a big festival on
this mountain named after Baba. This year on the 26th
of February is the annual Urs or the birth centenary
of Baba Hajji Malang. The devout followers of Baba from
every caste and creed attend to the celebrations with
great fervor. During these annual celebrations Baba's
palanquin is carried out and it forms the Juloos. The
palanquin route covers the entire mountain and is then
brought back to the Dargah. The bursting of crackers
and lightening of the mountain highlight the night on
which this palanquin makes round. The fireworks display
from the mountain is a delight to see. The pilgrims
desiring to stay overnight can hire temporary huts on
small rentals. |
