Lohagad - the Iron Fort

Lohagad

Lohagad fort is a formidable fort near Pune. Lohagad makes an ideal trekking destination for trekkers from Pune because of its accesibility, ease of the trek and lush green surroundings. Lohagad is 3400 feet high and is a very wide spread fort. There are 4 doors to Lohagad from the nearby village Lohagadwadi. Lohagad divides the basins of the Indrayani and Pavna and is situated the Sahaydris.
To reach Lohagad from Pune one can either take a local train; there are a number of local trains operating between Pune and Lonavala; you can take any of them and alight at Malawli. If one is driving from Pune to Lohagad one has to take the Pune Bombay highways and get off the highway at Malawli. From Malawli railway station the fort is just 9 km away. Vehicles can go up to the foot of the hill. From here, which is near a village called Lohagaon, there are steps to the fort, numbering approximately 500.,However, people can also walk all the way till the fort. Bhaje Caves is on the way to Lohagad if a small diversion is taken. This walk is a particular favorite of trekkers, especially in the monsoon.

It is a simple and easy trek and the distance from Malawli station to Bhaje gaav takes about 20 min. Distance between Malawli and Lohagadwadi can be covered in around 2-2.5 hrs. The trekking route is easy even when it rains and even inexperienced climbers can easily walk till the fort enjoying the picturesque scenery, lush green grass, cool mountain air, and the pleasant salubrious climate. Lohagad is an ideal one day trek because of its ease and accesibility especialy the local trains.

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Rajgad Fort

Rajgad literally means King of forts is one of the most glorious forts of Maharashtra. Situated in Maharashtra, India this fort is approximately 4250 feet above sea level.

Formerly known as Murumdev, it was capital of the Maratha Kingdom (Hindavi Swarajya) ruled by Shivaji for almost 26 years, after which he moved to Raigad.

Treasure found on adjacent Torna was used to fortify this hill.

Location
The fort is 42 km to the south west of Pune, about 15-16 km west of Nasrapur, in the Sahyadris range.

Parts of the fort
The fort can be divided into four different parts based on geographical terrain and fortification. Those are three sub-plateaus (Machee) namely Padmavati Machee, Suvela Machee and Sanjevani Machee surrounding a central volcanic plug called Ballekilla (meaning "small fort").

Padmavati Machee (north end)
Padmavati Temple, Padmavati Lake, Chor darwaja, Pali darwaja, Gunjavane darwaja, Daru Kothar (storage of arms and ammunition), Diwankhana, Rajwada (ruins), Ghod tale (Horse Lake), Sadar, (Office) Dhalkathi (flag hoisting place).

Sanjeevani Machee (south west - west end)
This huge, beautiful and royally constructed machi faces west and has 3-stepped (layered) fortified structure. Each of the lower levels is separated from the higher one by a fortified bastion with a gate that could be defended independently. The lowest level is beautifully fortified by double curtain walls (chilkhathi) separated by a deep trench, on average 12 feet across. One can walk between these walls. The outer wall has openings to let soldiers out for sudden attack.

Suvela Machee (south east)
This is another grand machi facing east with lots of secret routes and doorways. This one is double stepped fortified machee with the steps separated by a beautiful bastioned doorway. At the end of first step a hole cuts across the rock; one can sit on this hole (nedhe).

The final (lowest) step like Sanjeevani Machee is has a double curtain wall.

To the south side to this machee one can find a beautiful triangular bastion called Kaleswari buruz having an escape door near it. This machee housed homes of noted Subhedar Narveer and Tanaji Malusare.

Bale Killa (centre)
This is the highest part of the fort which has remains of palaces, water cisterns and caves. It has a beautiful entrance door called Mahadarwaja. One can view the whole fort and the vast surrounding expanse.

Surrounding hills
To the north one can see Singhagad with its marked television tower. To the west lie Torna, the pinnacle fort Lingana and down in Konkan (read "Kokan") Raigad.

To the east one can see the twin forts of Purandar and Vajrangad.

To the south east one can locate Rohida. To the south are Kenjalgad and Raireshwar plateau at a distance Mahabaleshwar (seen through the "W" of Kaleshwar plateau range behind Raireshwar.)

History
Rajgad boasts the highest number of days stayed by Chhatrapati Shivaji on any fort.

This fort has witnessed lots of historic events, including the birth of Chhatrapati Rajaram, the death of Shivaji's beloved queen Saibai, the return of Shivaji from Agra, the antyayatra of Tanaji Malusare to his Konkan village, the burial of Afzal Khan's head in Mahadarwaja walls of Ballekilla, the strict words of Sonopant Dabir to Shivaji and the Khandoji Khopade episode.

Hardly anybody dared to attack this mighty fort. Possibly need for huge logistics and fear of Marathas may be the reason. The diameter of the fort at the base is 40 km making it tough for anybody to lay siege to it.

Tourism
This fort is a significant site for trekkers and adventurous tourists to visit. Accommodation for 50 people is available in Padmavati Mandir. Water tanks provide water all over the year.

Routes
One can climb the fort from numerous route from villages at the base of Rajgad, namely Gunjavne (Gunjavne Darwaja or Chor Darwaja both on Padmavati Machee, and a tough route to Chor Darwaja near Nedhe on Suvela Machi); Chirmudi (Chor Darwaja on Padmavati Machee, the route meets corresponding route from Gunjavne); Wajeghar (Chor Darwaja on Padmavati Machee, the route meets corresponding route from Gunjavne); Pali (Rajmarga to Pali Darwaja on Padmavati Machee); Bhutunde (Alu Darwaja on Sanjeevani Machee); and Male (Chor Darwaja on Kaleshwari Buruj, Suvela Machee).

Another route from Budhla Machee of Torna comes through a connecting ridge to Alu Darwaja on Sanjeevani Machi.

The best way to reach Rajgad is to take a Maharashtra State Transport bus to one of the base villages for the ascent, and descend to another base village for the return to Pune, in order to experience different facets of the terrain.

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Shivneri

Shivneri Shivneri Fort is one of the most magnificent as well as historically rich forts of India. It is situated at a distance of approximately 90 km from the Pune city of Maharashtra Road map to Shivneri. The fort dates back to the time period when Shivaji was not even born yet. Shivneri Fort was built under the aegis of Sahaji, the father of Shivaji, who wanted a strong fortification that could protect his family from the enemies. Infact, Jijabai (Shivaji's mother) spent the days of her pregnancy here and it was here only that Shivaji Maharaj was born, in the year 1627.

Almost the entire childhood of Shivaji was spent playing inside the compound of the fort. He received most of his basic education here only and the lessons he learnt here were responsible, to quite an extent, in shaping his personality as a great ruler. Apart from its connection with Chhatrapati Shivaji, the fort is also quite popular for its magnificent architecture. To make the Shivneri Fort enemy proof, Sahaji ordered the construction of seven massive gates. One has to go through all the seven to gain entrance into the fort.

Badami Talav, a small pond situated in the heart of the fort, is one of its most endearing features. In the vicinity of the pond is a magnificent statue of Jijabai, along with her son Shivaji. There are a number of structures near the Shivneri Fort that are worth having a look at. Amongst them is a temple dedicated to Goddess Shivani. The local people of the area believe that Shivaji was named so, after the Goddess only. Then, there are the splendid Nane Ghat and the Jivdhan Fort. So, whenever you visit Pune, make sure to pay a visit to the historical fort also.

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Harishchandragad

Harishchandragad Fort
Harishchandragad situated at the top of Malshej Ghat is about 91 Km. from Kalyan. To reach Harishchandragad Fort from pune it takes about 5 hours drive. Please check the road map from Pune to Harishchandragad for driving directions from pune to Harishchandragad trek. Harishchandragad Road map

One can start the trek from Khireshwar to Tolar Khind (about 1 hour climbing. After Tolar Khind there is a rock patch. Precaution and easy steps see you through it. Once the rock patch is gone it is a simple walk up and down small hills to the caves. Harishchandragad is necessarily a two day trek , one can do the overnight stay in the caves or will have tarry one's own tent!

Carry ample amount of water from Khireshwar. After Khireshwar there are no water sources in the way till you get to the caves. The best season to visit Harishchandragad is winter especially the months of December and January. One should carry warm clothing's as its really cold at night. Lunch, dinner and snacks are also available at the top on weekends.

The major attraction of Harishchandragad is Kokan Kada . Its beyond description, one should actually see it to experience the nature's architecture. Konkan kada should be visited in the evening as well as morning. In evening one is enchanted by the sunset where as in the morning one can experience the divine feeling of being in the heavens. Taramati and Rohidas , the two peaks atop Harishchandragad, are also worth visiting as they offer beautiful views of the sahyadri ranges. The ancient temple of Lord Shiva atop Harishchandragad is also good sight for observing. An ancient temple and the caves present at the base village Khireshwar are also worth seeing.

For more details and trek arrangements you may contact
Pune travel Guide