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Ratangad - The Jewel of Sahyadri

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  “Ratan” means Jewel in Hindi  and indeed it is jewel in all the hill forts here in Sahyadri, at a height of 4255 ft above sea level. Ratangad gives you the best views of surrounding peaks and Bhanadardara dam. At a distance of 6 km from Ratanwadi, 23 km from Bhandardara, 183 km from Pune & 197 km from Mumbai, Ratangad is an ancient hill fort situated at Ratanwadi village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. Ratangad is very popular place for trekking in Maharashtra and also one of the famous Bhandardara tourist places.The fort is located at a height of 4250 feet. Ratangad Fort is 400-year-old fort, which was used by Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.The fort has four gates known as Ganesh, Hanuman, Konkan and Trimbak. Valley of Sandhan is a one-and-a-half-kilometer distance from Samrad village in Ahmednagar district, on the west side of the Bhandardara region. All year round, there is crowd except for four months of rainy season.The way in the valley becomes ...

Rajmachi

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Rajmachi fort is located on the way to Mumbai from Pune, just before the starting point of the ghat in Khandala. Rajmachi Fort is one of the many historical forts in the rugged hills of Sahyadri mountains (Western Ghats). It consists of two twin fortresses Shriwardhan and Manaranjan, with a wide machi (plateau) surrounding the two Balekillas. Udhewadi is a small village of about 60 households(as per 2011 census report) situated on the machi, at the southern foot of Manaranjan Balekilla of Rajmachi Fort. Rajmachi Fort is one of the most beautiful historical forts located in the rugged hills of the Sahyadri mountains. Surrounded by lush green mountains, beautiful flora and fauna, waterfalls,and green valleys, this fort is a perfect place for trekking. Through the Rajmachi Fort trek, reconnect yourself with the beauty of nature and experience an adventurous day out with your  History:  Rajmachi  has a history of two thousand years. This defense arcifftecture Inged to ha...

Torna - Swarajyache Toran

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The great Torna fort also known as Prachandagad which is located in Pune district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. t is historically significant because it was the first fort captured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1646, at the age of 16. The hill has an elevation of 1,403 metres (4,603 ft) above sea level, making it the highest hillfort in the district. The name derives from Prachanda (Marathi for huge or massive) and gad (Marathi for fort).   History:  This fort is believed to have been constructed by the Shiva Panth in the 13th century. A Menghai Devi temple, also referred to as the Tornaji temple, is situated near the entrance of the fort.  Malik Ahmed, a Bahamani ruler, captured this fort during the reign of Alauddin Khilji during the late 1470s.In 1646, Shivaji captured this fort at the age of sixteen thus making it one of the first forts that would become one of the forts of the Maratha empire. Shivaji Maharaj renamed the fort ' 'Prachandagad' ' as ...

Harishchandragad

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  Harishchandragad is located on the western ghats of India in the Ahmedabad district of Maharashtra. It is hilly fort and one of the most famous trekking places in Maharashtra. The main attraction is the view from Kokankada.  The fort is surrounded by natural caves. The biggest one is called the Nalichi Vaat, and it is located on the extreme right side of the mountain. The rocky patch is approximately 80 degrees in angle and is meant for the fittest and most experienced trekkers. There are many dhabas along the way to accommodate your party and enjoy the trek. You can also enjoy camping in the fort. History:     Harishchandragad is in the Kothale village of the Malshej region of Ahmednagar district in the Western ghats of Maharashtra. Historically, the fort is related to Malshej ghat that has played a pivotal role in guarding and controlling the surrounding region. This fort was built in the 6th century, during the reign of the Kalachuri dynasty. This fort is histor...

Durg Bhandar

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Durg Bhandar is located in Nakshi region near in Trimbakeshwar. It also known as Brahmagiri. The main highlight here is the deep rock cut steps which goes deep inside from Brahmagiri mountain.  In addition,  Brahmagiri  is the source of the Godavari River, which flows east and meets the Bay of Bengal. Durg Bhandar is shaped like a cubicle and is connected to the main mountain by a natural rock bridge. To go to Durg Bhandar, one must first travel to Brahmagiri, from whence the journey to   Durg Bhandar   begins from Shiv Jata Temple.  Climbing allows one to take in the beauty of the building as well as the history of the location. All ancient structures, carved idols, caverns, stairs, and temples may be seen while ascending. The course is simple and safe, with fences and refreshments offered along the way. The hike to Brahmagiri is magnificent and gorgeous, wit h two entrance gates that are finely carved, and a large Hanuman idol carved into the rock. Histor...

Sudhagad

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The one and only fort which was considered before Raigad for eastablishing as the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja's Swarajya.   Sudhagad also known as Bhorapgad  Which is located in the Pali district of Maharashtra.  History:  It was captured in 1436 by the Bahamani Sultan. The Marathas took over and Renamed it form 'Bhorapgad' to 'Sudhagad' in 1657.  It was a large fort and was considered by Maharaj as the capital of the kingdom. But after survey Maharaja chose Raigad as capital because of its central location.  Accessibility:   Base village is Thakurwadi for Sudhagad fort.  By bus: Direct bus available to Pali (98 km) and Pali you can take a bus to Thakurwadi(base village). By train: Direct train Dadar – Khopoli then opt for bus. By road: Mumbai – Khopoli – Pali – Thakurwadi – Sudhagad fort. Best time to visit: Monsoon & Winter  Trek Level: Easy  Places to visit in the fort:  1. Lake...

Durg Durgeshwar Raigad

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 We learn about history; we speak about history but are we witness of that history?   These forts are real witness about that great history. Raigad is one of the most important forts in the history of Marathas. Raigad is one of the most famous trekking destinations in Maharashtra. Trek to Raigad takes about 2 hours to reach the top of the fort. One can experience the splendid natural beauty of Raigad in the monsoon season. June to October is the best season to enjoy the eye-pleasing views of surrounding Sahyadri Mountain Range. In monsoon season, local people set food stalls in between the trekking route of Raigad. Overall, it is an exciting trek.  History:   Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj won this fort in 1656 in a battle with Chandrarao More, a feudal lord ruling a part of the Western Ghats. Due to the fort's massive size, steep slopes and easy communication with the mainland and the sea, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj chose this fort as his capital in 1662. Raigad ...