Her journey began in 2012 when her family set up a humble eatery at the fort’s summit to cater to trekkers and tourists. With no other way to reach the top, Anusuyabai took on the challenging climb, navigating rocky trails with inclines of up to 80 degrees. The three-kilometer trek, which takes an average of three hours each way, has since become second nature to her.
Dressed in a traditional Maharashtrian nauvari saree, Anusuyabai ascends the fort with food rations in tow, accompanied by a helper. Her eatery, a modest shack made of mud and wooden sticks, is the only source of a hot meal for trekkers at the top. Though the structure requires rebuilding after every monsoon, her dedication never wavers.
“We know when the rains will be destructive, so we close the eatery beforehand to ensure everyone’s safety,” she says. The rebuilding process takes two weeks, a task the family handles together with determination.
At the base of the hill in Pachanai village, her family also runs a homestay. Nestled between the fort and a lush forest, this establishment accommodates trekkers who arrive at all hours, eager for adventure and Anusuyabai’s warm hospitality. The weekends are spent managing the eatery and homestay, while weekdays are dedicated to farming on their 2.5 acres of land, where they grow paddy to feed their guests.
Known fondly as Aai (mother), Anusuyabai has become a beloved figure among the trekking community. Her physical endurance is awe-inspiring. The climb to Harishchandragad is notoriously difficult, requiring trekkers to crawl through narrow paths and navigate slippery boulders. Yet, Anusuyabai completes the trek upright, balancing heavy loads on her head with ease. Earlier this year, she fulfilled a long-time dream by rappelling 500 feet down the fort’s iconic Kokankada peak; a feat that left even seasoned adventurers in awe.
“People ask me if I need shoes, but I’m most comfortable in slippers,” she says with a smile, her confidence and humility shining through.
Life in Pachanai village, with its 700 residents, is marked by a lack of basic amenities. The roads are riddled with potholes, public distribution system (PDS) rations rarely arrive, and the local water supply once became undrinkable. Undeterred, Anusuyabai and her family, along with fellow villagers, took matters into their own hands. They pooled resources by charging a small fee to visiting vehicles and installed a motor and pipes to channel water from a nearby waterfall. More recently, the forest department constructed public washrooms, a small but significant step forward.
Born in the neighbouring village of Kothale, Anusuyabai married Nathu at the age of 16 and moved to Pachanai. Life was initially marked by hardship; she worked as an agricultural laborer, earning a mere 40-50 rupees a day for 12 hours of toil. Despite the challenges, she never wavered in her commitment to her family and community.
Her elder son Bhaskar recalls how their lives transformed after establishing the eateries. “The number of tourists has grown significantly since 2012,” he says. Today, the family earns Rs. 5,000–8,000 weekly from their ventures, providing not just sustenance but an authentic cultural experience to visitors.
For Anusuyabai, the climb is more than a necessity. Her story is a reminder that age and circumstances are no barriers to achieving extraordinary feats. From balancing pots of food on her head while scaling treacherous paths to serving home-cooked meals with a smile, she embodies resilience and resourcefulness.
“I’ve wanted to rappel down Kokankada for a long time, but who takes an old woman seriously?” she jokes, her laughter as infectious as her spirit.
One thing for sure, Anusuyabai proves that true strength knows no age.
Source / Image Credit : Pari.education