Forts of Maharashtra

डोंगर-पर्वत आणि
डोंगरात राहिारे
डोंगर बघिारे
डोंगर आर्डिारे
डोंगरमय झालेले...
या सर्ावना
अपवि
-आनंद पाळंदे

• Shivneri Fort
• Mahuli Fort
• Rajgad Fort
• Jivdhan Fort
• Rohida Fort
• Harishchandragad fort
• Lohagad Fort
• Visapur Fort
• Pratapgad Fort
• Naneghat

प्रौढप्रताप पुरंदर,हहंदर्ी स्र्राज्य संस्थापक,छ्त्रीय कु लार्तंश,गोब्राह्मि
प्रतीपालक,ससंहासनाधिश्र्र,महाराजाधिराज छरपती सशर्ाजी महाराज िक जय.........!!

About
• Fort Height : 3500 ft..
• Type : Hill forts
• Fort Range : Naneghat
• District : Pune
• Grade : Easy

Ways to reach Junnar
 From Mumbai or Kalyan one can reach Junnar via Malshej Ghat or via Khandala
Ghat. Route via Malshej Ghat is the preferable as it takes less time. Buses ply
hourly from Kalyan towards Junnar. Distance from Mumbai is approximately 100
km.
• On Kalyan one diversions: Bangar Phata

History
 After the reign of the Satvahans, the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakuts, the Yadavs controlled
Shivneri from 1170 to 1308.
 Later, in 1443, the Bahamanis took over the fort.
 In 1630 the fort was in the hands of the Adilshahi chieftain, Vijayrao Sidhoji Vishwasrao.
 During this time, as Shahaji raje was going through a difficult phase, he brought his
pregnant wife, Jijabai, to shivneri for shelter.
 On 19th February 1630, Jijabai gave birth to Shivaji Raje.
 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj tried to conqur the fort twice, in 1673 and in 1678, but was
unsuccessful.
 Finally it was his grandson Shau maharaj who captured Shivneri from Mughals in 1716.
 In 1818, the fort was handed over to the British by the Marathas.

Shivneri fort Attraction
Mahadarwaja (Main Gate) Ganesh Darwaja (Ganesh Gate)

Piracha Darwaja (Pir Gate) Piracha Darwaja (Pir Gate)

Hathi Darwaja (Hathi Gate) Shivai Devi Darwaja (Shivai Gate)

Mena Darwaja (Mena Gate) Kulup Darwaja (Kulup Gate)

Amberkhana Ganga Jamuna Tank (Drinking Water)

Maa Jijabaee And Baby Shivaji Shiv Kunj

Kamani Masjid Shiv Birth Place

Cradle of King Shivaji Statue of King Shivaji

Badami Tank Kade Lot Point

Base Of Rajwada Edaga (darga)

Base Of Rajwada View from Shiv birth place

Accommodation facility
 One can make a stay on the fort in Shiv Kunj or Ambarkhana. Shiv Kunj is a suitable option
among the two because of water facility is available near it.
 Food Facility : Available in Junnar
 Time To Reach : 1 hour from base village.

About
• Fort Range : Shahapur
• District : Thane
• Grade : Easy

History
 In 1636, when Shahaji Raje was trying to save the Nizamshahi, he had taken
refuge on this fort.
 But the joint Mughal and Adilshahi army defeated him and the Nizamshahi
regime came to the end. The fort went into the hands of the Mughals.
 In 1656, Shivaji Maharaj took back the fort.
 Later, during the treaty of Purandar, the fort was given to the Mughals.
 In 1670, Shivaji Maharaj again captured it.

Ways To Reach :
• Via Asangaon : Asangaon is on Mumbai-Nasik rail route. From Asangaon station by
walking or by auto we reach at Mahuli gaon. It is 5 km away from Asangaon station.
At the base of the fort we see a very beautiful Mahadev temple. One can spend a
night here. From here at the right side, after crossing a small water flow, and
climbing for 3 km further, we reach at the fort. From this way we have to go by a
ladder. After crossing it there are two water reservoirs.
• Via Vasind : Alight at Vasind by bus or local train. Then go at north for Duhagaon and
then ‘Charyacha Pada’. Keeping Chanderi to right, one has to ascend the western
trunk of Mahuli. This way is quite difficult. We reach at Kalyan Darwaaja and
proceed to the top of Bhandargad. There is a lithograph on this entrance.

Mahuli fort Attraction
Shidi Rout Shiva Temple

Mahuli fort Attraction
Rajwada Base Drinking Water

Accommodation Facility :
• No accommodation is available on Bhandargad. The gatehouses at Mahuli can
accommodate a few people. However it is better to complete the trek within one
whole day.
• Food Facility : One should arrange for the foodstuffs.
• Drinking Water Facility : Water is available in reservoirs in front of gatehouses at
Mahuli. No water is available on Bhandargad.
• Time To Reach : 2 hours from Asangaon
• Notes : Mahuli is Easy from Asangaon- this is most trodden way. But it is Difficult
from Vasind. It will take 6-8 hours from Vasind (Kalyan Darwaaja)

About
• Fort Height : 1394 Meters.
• Fort Range : Pune
• District : Pune
• Grade : Medium

Ways To Reach :
• Via Secret doorway (Gupt Darwaja) : From Pune, board a State Transport Bus to
Rajgad and alight at Vajeghar village. Thereafter from Babuda zapa we proceed
towards Railing in approx an hour. From there it takes minimum time to reach
Rajgad. Using this route, one can reach Rajgad in 3 hours.
• Rajgad via Pali Darwaja : From Pune, board a State Transport Bus to Velhe and
there after from Pabe village after crossing Kanad river we can directly reach Pali
darwaja. This staircase walkway is quite easy and one can reach Rajgad in 3
hours.

History
 This strategically placed and beautifully structured hill having three prominent
ridges, originally known as ‘Murumbdev’, attracted Shivaji Maharaj’s attention
during the capture of the Torna fort in 1645.
 He used the treasure obtained at Torna to fortify the adjoining Murumbdev making
it into an impregnable stronghold.
 He named this Rajgad.
 Shivaji Maharaj made it his home from 1650 to 1669.
 On 16th February 1704 Aurangzeb conquered this fort.
 However, the Marathas soon regained its control.
 In 1818, Rajgad was handed over to the British along with other forts.

Rajgad fort Attraction
Myan Darwaja Myan Darwaja

Padmavati Lake Padmavati Devi

Office Sunset (Sanjivani Machi)

Pali Gate Balekilla

Padmavati Machi (from Balekilla) Sanjivani Machi

Nedha Nedha

Suvela Machi Balekilla Marg

Bramheshar Temple Janni Devi Temple

Rajgad Fort
Chor Darwaja Step’s

• About 20 to 25 persons can be easily accommodated within Padmavati Mandir.
• Tourist Guest houses are available on Padmavati Machi.

Camp Fire for the people who stay for night….

Food Facility, Drinking Water Facility :
• We need to arrange food on our own.
• Opposite Padmavati Temple, there are cisterns (well) which is a source of drinking
water all year round.

About
• Fort Height : 3754 ft.
• District : Pune
• Grade : Hard

History
 In June 1636, Murtaja, a seven year old descendent of the Nizam dynasty, was held
captive on Jivdhan by the Mughals.
 Shahaji Raje, father of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj effected his release and took him
to the fort Pemgiri, 21 km southwest of Sangamner, where he was enthroned as the
new Nizam.
 Shahaji Raje then assumed the rule of Nizam’s chief advisor, but soon Murtaja was
recaptured by Shahajahan, and Nizamshahi was finally dissolved.

Ways To Reach
• Way from Naneghat (Main entrance) : This way has approach through the forests
and a guide is much helpful. After we climb through dense forests and walk for
about 2 hrs., we reach a diversion. On our right is the pinnacle and to the left is the
main entrance. If we proceed rightwards, we come to the base of the pinnacle. Way
further from here is difficult and there are beehives. We turn to the left from the
diversion and reach the steps. These are broken due to the devastation by the
British. The entrance being ruined, a small gap exists through which we reach the
top of the fort. Here the bastions and ramparts are very intact in spite of such
devastation. We reach the western side of the fort.
• Way from Ghatghar: From Ghatghar village, one way goes to Naneghat and the
other goes to the fort. Its much better till one reaches the steps. Some of the steps
have been destroyed and it has become slippery. From here we can reach the
eastern part of the fort in 2 hours.

Jivdhan fort Attractions
Steps

1st Rock Patch 2nd Rock Patch

Kothi (Storehouse) Vandarlingi

Vandarlingi View from Nana cha Anghta

• One can stay on the fort in the Kothi, but mice may pose a problem. Trekkers also
stay in the cave of Naneghat or the base village.
• Food Facility : One should make arrangements for foodstuffs.
• Drinking Water Facility : The two cisterns on the western side of the hump are more
reliable.
• Time To Reach : 2 hrs. 45 minutes

About
• Height : 3650 ft. (above MSL)
• Base village : Bajarwadi (near Bhor)
• Grade : Easy

History
 From the inscription if is understood that Adilshah had control over this fort till
1656.
 Shivaji Maharaj took control of this fort towards the middle of 1656 or a little later,
after a battle against Bandal Deshmukh, in which the latter met his death.
 Baji Prabhu Deshpande was Bandal’s administrative chief at that time and defeating
Bandal, Shivaji Maharaj absorbed Baji Prabhu and other soldiers into his
administration.
 This is the same Baji Prabhu who later sacrificed his life in the Pavan Khind battle.
 Rohida was one of those forts which were handed over to the Mughals according to
the treaty of 1665, but Shivaji Maharaj Later on during Sambhaji’s death i.e. in 1689
it went out of the Marathas hands along with the forts of Rajgad and Torna.

How to reach:
• Rohida is about 15 km from Bhor. For Bhor Mumbai Kars can get down to Pune
station. From Pune station go to Swargate S.T stand, from Swargate you can get
many S.T buses as well as Private vehicles for Bhor S.T depot. The first S.T bus from
Swargate to Bhor (Swargate- Mahad) is at 6.00 am.

Rohida fort Attractions
1st gate

Steps Second Gate

Third gate Sheila lekh in urdu

Buruz Map of fort

Rohideshwar Temple Mahadev pinda

Lake Tehelni buruz

Water tank Tehalni buruz

• About 5 to 7 persons can be accommodated in the Temple.
• Food Facility : Arrange yourself
• Drinking Water : Water cistern near first Darwaja (gate).
• Time to reach : Approximately about 1 hours will be required to reach the fort.

About
• Fort Range : Malshej
• District : Ahmednagar
• Grade : Medium

History
 The various Puranas (ancient scriptures) like Matsyapurana, Agnipurana and
Skandapurana include many references about Harishchandragad.
 Its origin is said to have been in 6th century, during the rule of Kalchuri dynasty.
 Though the cliffs are named Taramati and Rohidas, they are not related to
Ayodhya.
 The carvings on the temples of Nageshwar (in Khireshwar village), in the
Harishchandreshwar temple and in the cave of Kedareshwar indicate that the
fort belongs to the medieval period, since it is related to Shaiva, Shakta or Naath.
 Later the fort was under the control of Moguls.
 The Marathas captured it in 1747.
 The last warrior named Joshi became a martyr in the fight against the English in
1818.

Ways To Reach :
 Harishchandragad lies where the boundaries of Thane, Pune & Ahmednagar districts converge. There
are 4 - 5 known ways to this fort, the most usual being the following ones:
 From Thane District : One has to board the bus for Nagar from Kalyan & alight at ‘Khubi Phata’. From
there we reach the village of Khireshwar by bus or private vehicle. This village is at 4km from the
foothills of the fort.
 Way from Khireshwar: The way beside the caves, where water tanks are seen, proceeds further to
Junnar Darwaaja (Entrance From Junnar). From here, the route goes straight to Tolar Khind. Walking
a few minutes from Tolar Khind, we come across a rock-patch on which railings are fixed. After
ascending the railings, we come to the plateau region on which less dense forests are seen. From
here, we have to cross 7 hills & after a walk of 2-3 hours, we reach the temple of
Harishchandreshwar, the temple of Lord Shiva.
 Way from Belpada: The third way is specially meant for hikers, which is via Sadhleghat. One should
board the bus for Malshej Ghat & go to the village of Belpada. From here, the route goes through
Sadhleghat. Here one has to climb a straight rock patch on which grips are provided. The temple is
situated at a height of about 1km from Belpada. The total distance is about 19km.

Harishchandragad fort Attractions

Muktai Devi Temple

Saptatirtha

Ganapati, Harishchandreshwar Temple Ganapati, Harishchandreshwar Temple

चक्रपाणी वटेश्वरनंदतु । तस्य सुतु वीकट देऊ ।। Ganapati, Harishchandreshwar Temple

Evening at Kokan Kada

Kedareshwar Pind Kedareshwar Cave

Junnar Gate Rock Cut Steps Junnar Gate Rock Cut Steps

Accommodation
• In Khireshwar, local school is the best for a night’s stay. In this village, we can see the
beautiful temple of Nageshwar as well as ancient caves of the Yadav era.
• Food Facility : In summer & winter, arrangement for food is available on the fort.
However, in monsoon, one should make the arrangement himself.
• Drinking Water Facility : The water tanks near the caves.
• Notes : In monsoon, proper care should be taken.

About
• Fort Range : Lonavala
• District : Pune
• Grade : Easy

History
 Lohgad must have been built during the reign of the Satvahans or possibly even before
that.
 Malik ahmed, the founder of the Nizamshahi conquered the fort 1491 A.D.
 After the decline of the Nizamshahi in 1636, Adilshah captured the fort.
 In 1657 A.D. Shivaji Maharaj conquered it.
 But the Mughals took hold of the fort under the 1665 Raja Jaisingh treaty.
 On 13th May, 1670 the Marathas again captured the fort by scaling its walls.
 Finally in 1818 the British took hold of this fort.

Ways To Reach :
 From Malavali : We have to get down at Malavali station near to Lonavala. After
crossing the Express-Highway & reaching Bhaje village we get straight route to
Lohgad. After walking for 1.5 to 2 hours & turning to right from `Gaimukh Khind` we
will reach to Lohgad. Turning to left we reach to Visapur. At the base of the fort we
have a village called Lohgaon. We can reach to the top of fort by stairs. From
 Lonavala : Jeeps are available from Lonavala, which take us to the backside of
Lohgad. The road here is worst, and one has to walk for about 3 km. We can have a
glimpse of Vinchu Kata from here, and extensive ramparts of the fort. The forts Tung
and Tikona are seen very near from here.

Lohagad fort Attraction
Canon Canon

Canon Steps

Lohagad Fort Wall Steps Of Lohagad

Paharekari Chi Choukdi Maha Darwaaja

Mahadarwaja Lower View of the fort

Canon Sheila lekh

Vinchukata Tung Fort

Shiva Temple Lakshmi Kothi

Lord Shiva Ling Lord Hanuman

Lake Way to Vincu Kata

Drinking Water Tank Drinking Water

 In Laxmi Kothi nearly 50 persons can be accommodated.
 Food is available at Lohgaon and we can also carry our own food.
 Drinking water is present throughout the year.

About
• Fort Range : Lonavala
• District : Pune
• Grade : Medium

History
 The Visapur fort must have been built after the construction if Lohgad.
 The annals of the fort are devoid of any historical event.
 As each fort is within the range of cannon fire from the other, fall of one fort always
sealed the fate of the other.
 The British took advantage of this situation.
 After taking hold of Visapur in 1818, Lohgad fell smoothly into their hands.

Ways To Reach :
 From village Malavali : First route is quite confusing and we may need guide to reach
the fort from the village itself. When the Bhaje caves come to our sight we leave
stairways & go towards right. For walking upto15 to 20 min we come across small
huts. From here the way through jungle takes us to the broken stairs. When we start
climbing these stairs there is a small temple & two big caves which can
accommodate about 40 people. These stairs straightway take us to the fort of
Visapur.

Visapur fort Attractions
Visapur (Tikona & Tung) Place where weapons were stored

Visapur fort Attractions
Visapur Madhyugin take Visapur Water Tank

 There are two caves, which can accommodate 40 to 50 persons.
 Food Facility : We have to carry our own food. Also available in base village
 Drinking Water Facility : The lake water on the fort is suitable for drinking.
 Time To Reach : 2 hours

Pratapgad About
• Fort Height : 1100 Mtr.
• Fort Range : Satara
• District : Satara
• Grade : Easy

Histroy
 Pratapgad is one of the important forts built by Shivaji Maharaj during the
establishment of Swarajya.
 When Shivaji Maharaj captured Jawli in January 1656, he noticed the Bhorpya hill in
the region.
 Realizing the importance of the strategic position of the hill, situated near the path
joining the Kokan and the Wai region, Shivaji Maharaj decided to fortify the hill.
 The fort built in two years time, by Hiroji Hindulkar, under the supervision of
Moropant.

Ways To Reach :
 Via Poladpur : Enroute to Mahabaleshwar from Poladpur, lies a village ‘Wada
Kumbroshi’. Pratapgad is situated at about 4 kms from this village. One has to take a
right turn from the road to Mahabaleshwar from Poladpur. Since, the entire stretch
of road is asphalted, State-Transport buses take you upto the base of ‘Tehalni Buruj,’
where there is a parking bay.
 From Mahabaleshwar : ‘Pratapgad Darshan’ bus service is available from
Mahabaleshwar.

Pratapgad fort attraction
Lower view of pratapgad

Maha darvaja (main gate)
Opened
Maha darvaja (main gate)
Closed

Canon Base off pillar

Second gate Second gate

Upper view of pratapgad (Tehalni buruz)

Beauty of Jawli Forest

Types of canon

Statue of SHIVAJI MAHARAJ

Rahat lake

Tehalni buruz

• As you go ahead from the statue of Shivaji Maharaj, there is a Maharashtra
Government Rest House. Rooms for accommodating 25 to 30 people are available
with prior booking (during season) on the following address :
• Food Facility : Various Restaurants are there on the fort.
• Drinking Water Facility : Perennial source of drinking water is available on the fort.
• Best Season To Visit : The fort can be visited throughout the year. However, nature
lovers can enjoy the lush greenery just near the end of rainy season.

About
• District : Pune
• Grade : Easy

History
 Naneghat and its surrounding forts were built by rules of the Satvahan dynasty.
 This pass was built to facilitate trade and commerce and to bridge the ports of
Kalyan and Nalasopara with Junnar, capital of Satvahans, an importance trade center
at that time.
 Information about the Satvhans dynasty and their achievements is inscribed in the
Brahmi script in the caves at Naneghat.

Ways To Reach :
 From Kalyan : Naneghat lies to Northwest of Junnar at 27 km. State Transport buses
(S.T.) plying regularly from Kalyan to Ahmednagar help us to reach Vaishakhare.
From Vaishakhare at about 4 km a diversion towards Naneghat originates. A stone
on which is written Malshej 29 indicates the diversion towards Naneghat. A thumb
shaped cliff that can be viewed from the highway is the topmost point of Naneghat
& is also known as Nana's thumb. Today there is board that specifies diversion to
Naneghat.

• Nearly 50 persons can be accommodated at a time easily in the cave, which is the
only place for accommodation.
• Food Facility : We have to carry our own food.
• Drinking Water Facility : Near to the cave we can find three small water reservoirs of
which the last one provides the drinking water.

Conclusion
 On each and every fort their should be washroom facility for the visitors.
 The buses to the foot of the fort should be on time, and the roads should be maintained
properly by the government as well as the visitors. So that more and more visitors should
visit the fort and get knowledge about the rich culture and heritage.
 Their should be rules and regulations for the visitors on the fort, they also should be
observed by the authorities.
 The top and the doors of the forts should be maintained by the authorities and even by the
visitors.
 Youngsters who visit forts in the influence of drugs and alcohol should sticitly be prohibited
on the forts.
 Cleanliness should be maintained by the visitors on the fort to keep our environment clean
and ecosystem balanced.

Forts of Maharashtra

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