Lohagad Fort, Pune Maharashtra
As we speak of Lohagad, one starts visualizing lush green terrain – especially that of "Vinchu Kata". Lohagad is forever shadowed by a dense fog, be it the rainy season or the winters and the aesthetic beauty of the Sahyadri mountain range that one gets to see here cannot be just described in words. A hill fort situated near Lonavala on the Pune-Mumbai highway, Lohagad stands guard to the Borghat" in Pawana valley of Maval region and is a beautiful tourist destination. Lohagad has a number of fort lovers from Pune and Mumbai visiting it during vacations. The forts of Visapur, Tung and Tikona are also located in the vicinity. The famous "Bhaje" and "Bedse" caves, famous from the times of Lord Buddha can also be seen in this area. One can take a local train to Malavali and head towards the fort from there. It is possible to drive a vehicle up to the foothills of Lohagad. On the way from Malavali to Lohagad, one can see the “Gaaymukh” valley. Lohagad is on its right and Visapur is on the left. The path further leads to the village of Lohagadwadi and there are stairs made from here to go up to the fort. As one starts climbing these steps, one sees the much enhancing natural beauty of the province and surroundings of Lohagad.
| Location |
Mumbai-Pune Highway , Malavali, Dist. Pune, Maharashtra |
| Type of fort |
Giridurg (Hill/ Mountain Fort) |
| Height of the fort |
1036 meters above sea level |
| Important Historical Records of Lohagad |
Burhan Shah the second, was kept in imprisonment at Lohagad in 1464. Shivaji Maharaj won the fort of Lohagad in 1648. |
| Map |
Click here |
History
History holds no evidence for the construction era of Lohagad, but it’s strong and robust fortified walls help in estimating the likely or near about period for the same. Probably, the fort was built before the creation of the “Bhaje” and “bedse” caves. Lohagad has been under the rule of the Satvahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakootas and the Yadavas. In 1489, when Malik Ahmedshah flagged the Nizamshahi on Shivneri, he had won almost all the forts in the Pune region. Lohagad was one of them too. Lohagad remained in Adilshahi reign since 1630 and later in 1657. Shivaji Maharaj won it over along with Visapur, while he was on the campaign of capturing Kalyan and Bhivandi. Under the historical treaty of Purandar in 1665, Lohagad was handed over to the Mughals but the Marathas once again brought it back to the Swarajya in 1670. The fortune brought in from the first loot of Surat by the commander-in-chief Netoji Palkar was also securely stored on Lohagad itself. In 1713, Shahu Maharaj handed over the fort to Konhoji Angre and after 1720, it went under the jurisdiction of the Peshawas. Nana Fadnavis commanded its renovation and repair in 1789 and the fort went under the British rule in 1803.
Places to Visit On The Fort : As one moves on towards the fort from Lohagadwadi, one has to take a curvy path that passes through a sequence of four doors. The path becomes slippery and water clogged during monsoons.
Ganesh Darwaaza : The door is adorned with sculptures of Lord Ganesha on both sides. The door has sharp spikes nailed on to it and holds unmatched importance when it comes to the safety of the fort.
Narayan Darwaaza : This door was made during the renovation and repair work of the fort commissioned by Nana Fadnavis. It has a tunnel room for food storage near it.
Maha Darwaaza : This is the main door of Lohagad. It has a sculpture of Lord Hanumana made on it. One has to take a few stairs made here to go the fortress ahead. This door too was commissioned by Nana Fadnavis. The path from here leads to the fort and opens just in front of a beautiful temple.
The Temple At Lohagad : The fort holds architectural relics and remnants of the bygone era. One such remnant is that of an old temple. History claims it to be a tomb of the wife of a Rajput Commander. There is a royal court hall just nearby and a lime furnace can be seen too. A flag pole stands tall just next to it and one can reach to the “Lakshmi Kothi” walking ahead from here. An old dilapidated canon lies here. The rooms of the Lakshmi Kothi however interestingly appear to be unveiling history even now.
Lakshmi Kothi : This kothi has been carved in a large stone and legend goes that Saint Lomesh completed his penance here. It is considered to be one of the oldest structures on the fort. In monsoons, the kothi gets filled with the rain water but offers good shelter in other times for the tourists here.
Bawantake : The fort has about 40 plus water tanks made on it. The tank named “bawantake” is the largest of them. This was constructed as per the orders of Nana Fadnavis and the rock inscription on the construction speaks about the same too.
Vinchu Kata : The fort boasts of a long and narrow “Maachi” called as “Vinchoo Kaata”. It looks like a cane of a scorpion (“Vinchoo”) from afar and hence the name. This is a major point of attraction for the tourists as it offers a broad and serene view of the entire fort. It has a bastion made on one of its edges as well.
