Anjaneri Hills & Brahmagiri Trek Guide

West of Nashik, along the road to Trimbakeshwar, the Sahyadri foothills rise into two hills that matter to pilgrims for very different reasons. Anjaneri is believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman, and Brahmagiri is the hill from which the Godavari rises. Both are easy to reach from Nashik and both can be climbed, but they are hill walks in the Western Ghats, not strolls, and monsoon makes them hazardous. This guide gives you the context, the approximate effort and the safety rules.

Anjaneri: Hanuman's Birthplace

Tradition says that Anjana Devi, Hanuman's mother, gave birth to him in a cave on this hill, and the name Anjaneri comes from her. A temple of Anjani Mata and a cave associated with the birth sit on the slopes, with a Hanuman temple lower down. The hill is about 20 km from Nashik on the Trimbak Road. The route to the top is well marked, with rock-cut steps in places. We were unable to find an official step count or visiting hours, so ask locally. Anjaneri also has the remains of a hill fort and old rock-cut caves, and it is known to botanists for plants that flower during the rainy season, so the hill is worth looking at carefully.

Brahmagiri: Source of the Godavari

Brahmagiri rises above Trimbakeshwar. Sources give its height for the Godavari's source at between about 1,070 and 1,300 metres, and agree that the river appears at Gangadwar, a cave shrine on the hill. The climb is by stone steps. One account describes about 750 steps from the base, while another speaks of auto access to the Gangadwar junction followed by about 180 steps; time estimates range from under an hour to several hours. The spread tells you something: routes differ, and fitness and weather matter more than any number. Hill forts, caves associated with Gorakshanath and a group of small Shiva caves are also reported on the hill.

Hanuman worship is strong across Nashik, from Anjaneri's birthplace tradition to the two-faced Dutondya Maruti beside the river.

The Two Hills Compared

Brahmagiri rises behind Trimbakeshwar and is climbed by stone steps to Gangadwar, the Godavari's emergence point.

The Brahmagiri Pradakshina

In the month of Shravan (July-August), devotees perform a circumambulation of Brahmagiri that draws very large crowds on Mondays. If you plan it, go on a weekday and expect road closures and heavy crowds in Trimbakeshwar. This is a different experience from a quiet hill climb.

Safety Rules for Both Hills

• Start early in the morning and come down before the afternoon heat or evening mist.
• Wear shoes with grip, not sandals, and carry water, a snack and a basic first-aid kit.
• Avoid both hills during heavy rain, fog or thunderstorms; steps and rock become slippery and visibility drops.
• Do not leave the marked path or approach cliff edges, even for photographs.
• Keep food covered; monkeys are bold and may snatch bags.
• Tell someone your plan and expected return time; mobile networks are patchy.
• Check for any temporary closure notice, because authorities close access during heavy rain.

Ropeway Plans

A ropeway of about 5 km to Anjaneri has been proposed, with a tender reportedly floated by the national highways authority. A tender is not a ropeway, so do not plan around one; for now the climb is by foot.

A Sensible Day Plan

From Nashik, go first to Trimbakeshwar for the temple in the early morning, then decide on Brahmagiri or Anjaneri depending on weather and energy, not both. Eat a light lunch, and start the return to Nashik in good time so you are not on the Trimbak Road in the dark. Elderly and very young pilgrims should skip the climbs and visit only the lower temples. If rain is forecast for the day, postpone the hills and spend the time on temples closer to the road instead, because a missed climb can be repeated, but a fall cannot be undone.

What to Carry for a Hill Day

• Two litres of water per person, electrolyte salts and a few energy snacks.
• A cap or scarf, sunscreen and a light rain jacket, since the weather on the ghats changes fast.
• A small first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, pain relief and any personal medicines.
• A torch or phone light, in case the descent runs into the evening.
• A cloth bag for shoes at the temples, and a plastic bag to carry your own rubbish back down.

Respecting the Places

Both hills are places of worship and fragile habitats. Keep to the paths, carry out what you carry in, and do not feed the monkeys. Avoid playing music on the hill, and remember that many local people climb Anjaneri and Brahmagiri as an act of faith and expect a quiet atmosphere. If you hire a local guide, agree the fee before the climb, and prefer one who is registered with the local forest or tourism office.

Related guides: places to visit in Nashik · Trimbakeshwar darshan guide · Tapovan and Sadhugram