Tung Fort - Lonavala -Pune (Trekking)

Tung Fort was built by the Adil Shahi dynasty but was captured by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1657.
It is small, and not able to hold more than 200 troops at a time.

As such, it would not have been able to defend itself on its own for a long time.
Tung Fort has an elevation of 1075 m above sea level. The fort is conical and has steep climbs with a very narrow route on the edge of the mountain throughout.

The Dhamale family, one of the Deshmukh from the Maval region, was charged with ensuring the security of Tung Fort.


This fort served as a watchtower in the past because from top of the fort, a lot of area in the Maval region of the Pawana and Mulshi valleys can be seen, and thus, from the top of the fort, a watch on these areas can be kept.

During invasion, it served to provide a temporary distraction for invaders. 
Thus, the major forts of Visapur and Lohagad would have time to prepare themselves to meet the invading army.

How To Go:-
Tung Fort is  60 km away from Pune.

Local trains available from Pune to Lonavala.

From the Pune to Tung there are ST (State Transport) buses or local transport are available to Lonavala.

Near By Places To Visit:-Pavna Dam|Tikona Fort

Tikona Fort In Pune - (For Trekking)

Tikona is a major hill fort in Maval near the Lonavala. Tikona fort, literally means triangle fort.

The fort was built during the Silhara dynasty. There is a temple on top of the peak. There is a temple on top of the peak. The view of the Pawna dam, Kathingad, and valleys from the top.

Trekking will take around 1 ½ hours to reach the base of the fort.
There is a pay parking available at the base of the fort. 

There are some hotels available for  refreshments at nearby eating joints, before you start with the trek.

This is good site to camping near Pune.

How To Go:- Fort is 51 KM Away from Pune.
From Lonavala, either take a local train or bus and alight at Kamshet.If coming from Pune, catch a local train going toward Lonavala and get down at Kamshet.

Near By Places To Visit:-Pavna Dam|Tung Fort

Vishramgad Fort (Patta gad)- Nashik - Nagar

Vishramgad is a fort situated between Nasik and Ahmadnagar in Maharashtra. 

This fort was in the Bahmani Sultanate. In 1490 when the Bahamani Empire was torn into pieces, this fort was captured by Nizam of Ahmednagar.
In 1627 this fort was won by Moghuls.In 1671 Moropant Pingale captured this fort but, it was again recaptured by Moghuls in 1672. 
In 1675 this fort was captured again by Moropant Pingale. Patta used to be at the border of the Swarajya. 
Shivaji Maharaj arrived at this fort in November 1679 after winning Jalnapur, the Mughal army trapped him from three sides. 

It was because of the skill of Bahirji Naik (head of the detective department) that Maharaj, was able to reach Patta safely.

On 11 January 1688, this fort was captured by Moghul army headed by Matabarkhan.
He appointed Govindsingh of Bhagur as the chief of the fort. 

Later this fort was captured by Peshwas in 1761. Finally in 1818 this fort was won by the British.

Drinking Water available on Fort.

How To Go:-
Nearest Railway station Igatpuri which is on C.Rly.
Take bus for Bhagur from Igatpuri bus station at 7 a.m. and get down at Kadva Colony Naka.
This journey takes approximately one and half-hour. Going further from Kadva Colony we reach at Kadva dam. Going by this way we reach Ninavi village after 45 minutes. 
This is best picnic places near Pune.

Sudhagad Fort In Pune -(Best For Trekking)

Sudhagad (also called Bhorapgad) is a hill fort situated in Maharashtra. It is about 53 KM  away from Pune, 26 KM away from Lonavla and 11 KM away from Pali in Raigad District.
The height of the fort is around 2,030 feet above sea level.Recently the entire area around the fort is declared as Sudhagad Sanctuary.

The Thanale Caves and Khadsamble caves nearby called Bhrorapgad,the name come after Bhoraidevi. In 1436, it was captured by the Bahamani Sultan. In 1657 the Marathas took over and renamed it "Sudhagad". 

In the regime of the Peshwas, the ‘Pantsachivas’ of Bhor became the custodians of this fort.

Sudhagad is a popular trekking destination as it is one of the better preserved forts in Maharashtra. It takes about 1–2 hours to reach the top of the fort. The trekking route from village Thakurwadi is most popular and regularly used.
The night halt at the fort in any season can be made at Pantsachiv wada and Bhorai mata Mandir. There are two water ponds on the fort. On the slopes of the fort there are trees of pandhri which are used to make a popular walking stick.

On the fort there are two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and also there is a temple of Bhoraidevi  which is well maintained. On the large plateau there are two lakes, a big granary, a house, a temple, some tombs and other remnants on the fort.

Route to Fort

 It’s better to make food arrangement by yourself.

How To Go:-

You will get ST(State Transport) buses from Pune or local transports are available to Pali, Distance between Pune to Pali is 111 KM. After you can go to Pachchapur, which is 12 KM from Pali, then you can walk from Pachhapur to Thakurwadi, where as Pali to Thakurwadi is 13 KM.
Route of Pune to Sudhagad Fort
Shivajinagar :- Chinchwad :- Dehu Road :- Lonavala :- Khopoli :- Pali:- Pachchapur :- Sudhagad. 

Where To Stay:-
You can stay in palace of Pant Sachiv or  Bhorai Devi temple is good place for a stay on the fort.
Near By Places:-  Ballaeshwar Temple


 

Ratangad Fort, Bhandardara Maharashtra

Ratangad is a fort in Ratan Wadi, Maharashtra, near by Igatpuri-Nashik area. The fort is about 2000 years old.

Ratanwadi fort

The fort has four gates Ganesh, Hanuman, Konkan and Trimbak. It also has many wells on the top.

Ratangad was captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje. The village Ratanwadi is based foot of the fort  which has an Amruteshwar temple which is famous for its  carvings and made up of Black rock.

Fort Door

Trimbak Door

he Trayumbak Darwaza is especially a beautiful piece of ancient architecture that is just entices the viewer
-- Read more: https://www.ixigo.com/ratangad-fort-bhandardara-india-ne-1069156

The Trimbak Darwaza is especially a beautiful piece of ancient architecture that is just entices the Visitior.

Water Tank Nr the Fort

The near by fort ratnubai guha is origin for the river Pravara/Amrutvahini. The Bhandardara dam(arthar dam) is built on this river.
 

Amruteshwar Temple

This is beautiful stone carved Shiva Temple made during Shilahaar Family ruling in Maharashtra 900 AD. This is one of 12 Shiva Temples built by King Jhanj. We can see lots of fine carved work on most of stone blocks used in this temple. This temple is on bank of holy river Pravara. This emple is approached by road from Igatpuri and Sangamner cities via Bhandardara Dam town.
The style of Amruteshwar temple is called Himad Style.The Shivling was drowned under water.

Amruteshwar Temple

How To Go:

The nearest railway station to Ratangad Fort is igatpuri train station Junction which is 27 KM away from Ratangad Fort.

You need to Reach Nashik and from Nashik to Igatpuri.
Buses are available from Igatpuri/Kasara stations to reach Shendi,near Bhandardara (approx 20 km from base village Ratanwadi.)

Best Season:
June to February.Better to go post-monsoons if you are  photography lover.


Where to Stay :

1. MTDC Bhandardara
2. Anandvan Resort

Lohgad Fort In Pune(Ideal One Day Trekking Destination)

Lohagad is Situated close to the hill station Lonavala and 52 km Away (northwest) of Pune.

Lohagad makes an ideal trekking destination for trekkers from Pune and Mumbai because of its accesibility, ease of the trek and lush green surroundings. 





Main Entrance of the Fort

Lohagarh fort is 7kms south of Malavali station on the Pune-Mumbai railway line.  Situated on a side range of Sahyadri mountains, if divides the basins of Indrayani and Pavana rivers.

Lohagad at 3400 ft is a wide spread fort. There are 4 doors to Lohagad from the nearby village Lohagadwadi.

The fort is still in a good condition and relatively clean. Many of the structures on the fort are still intact and climbing the fort would give you the feeling of actually climbing a fort. 

The highlight of Lohagad is its Vinchukata fortification (resembling a scorpion’s tail). This structure juts out from the main section of the fort and requires an additional 15-20 mins of walking to reach the edge. 

How To Go:-

The nearest train station is Malavli, which can be accessed by suburban trains between Lonavala and Pune. The nearest major train station is Lonavala, on the Mumbai-Pune railway line.

Lohagad is connected by the Mumbai-Pune Highway and can also be accessed from Paud for vehicles.



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Sidhudurg / Malvan Fort(Sea Fort)

A sea fort. This impressive Sindhudurg (meaning Ocean Fort), was built in 1664 by the great 17th century Maratha King, Shivaji on "Kurte" island to the glory of the Maratha Empire.

The construction of a sea fort was a stupendous task which is said to be completed in mere two and a half years.

Over 2000 khandis (4000 mounds) of iron were used for casting and the foundation stones were laid down firmly in lead.

It is said that the rocks of the same island were used to built the fort.Three sweet water wells are present on Sindhudurg Fort.


Today also we can See His foot & Palm print in fort. 

Fort Entrance Narrow Lane

Fort Entrance

Entrance1

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Places of Interest  :-
Handprint of Shivaji maharaj.
The only temple of Shivaji maharaj constructed in 17th century.
constructed by Shivaji's daughter in law Tara Rani.
3 wells "Doodh, Dahi & Sakhar" named by first 3 elements of Panchamrut.

Location:- Malvan Fort is situated Near Malvan City.

Where To Stay:- List of some of the Hotel Near by Malvan.

Name of the Hotel	Address	Contact Details
Hotel Sagar Kinara Malvan	5, Somwar Peth, Malvan 416606	cst@panoramicworld.biz/
Tarkali Niwas Nyahari	Tarkarli Beach | Wayri Bandha, Tarkarli 416606,	info@tarkarlitourism.com
MTDC Resort Tarkarli	Malvan Sindhudurg District, Tarkarli, India	http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in
Saagar Sangam	15, Pednekar Wadi | Tarkarli Deobag Road, Malvan 416606, India	Mob:- 09403946969 / 09423044040/ saagarsangam@yahoo.com
Hotel Chivala Beach	Kothewada Near Hindlekar Typing Institute, Malvan 416606, India	91-2365-251650 / 9404749650 e-mail: info@zantyehotels.com

HariHarGad In Nashik (Best For Trekking)

Harihar Fort  is  well-known attraction in Nashik. Situated in Nashik district, in Trimbak range of Sahyadri also known as Harshgad or Harishgad or Harihargad. It is the 2nd most acknowledged fort in Trimbak range and Vaitarana one of the major rivers flows in that range. The fort is 3676 feet above the sea level. This hill-fort is well famous cliff for chimney style climbing. 


Beyond Brahma we see Kapdya’s small slender hill and beyond it giant Trimabakgad hill fort. Beyond Trimbakgad we can find South ege of Anjaneri Hill Fort and Ranjangiri hill fort. With clear climate Awandh-Patta and Kalasubai range in South East and Saatmala and Shelbari ranges seen in North direction.

Fort Harihar is a triangular massif with sheer vertical walls & edges. The only way up the fort is by climbing rock cut steps in a 70 degree rock edge. There are a couple of caves, a storage house, water tanks, a pond & a temple atop the fort. The top offers one a birds eye view of the entire region & also gives one the gratification of havingHarihar-nasik gotten over the fear of heights.

Fort View

The fort appears to be rectangular from the base village. The fort has rock cut steps with grooves which one has to pass to enter the fort. After crossing this 1st set of stairs there’s an entry called ‘Darwaja’. The view you get to see from here is amazing and also breathe taking. 

The fort has small temple of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman on the plateau region. You can just feel the fresh air and the beautiful nature at the top and it is a worth place for trekking. Its surrounded by colorful flowers and the lush green environment is very pleasant.

How To Go:-

You can use below two route to reach HariHarGad.


Via Igatpuri :– Trimbakeshwar – Khodala : Ahead of Nirgudpada lies the village of Kasurli. One can alight here by boarding the bus of Igatpuri – Trimbakeshwar – Khodala. From this village one has to climb a small hill where Harshewadi is located. From Harshewadi the way to the fort is easy and can be climbed within an hour.

Via Kasara or Nasik :- One has reach Igatpuri via Kasara or Nasik. From Igatpuri board in a bus for Trimbakeshwar and alight at Nirgudpada, the base village of Harihar. From here a route leads us upto the rock-sheet from where the steps begin. One can reach the fort-top within about two hours via this route.



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Where To Stay:-  we can stay in the palace on the fort.