Become a torchbearer of change and light up our forts with pride and purpose!
Mission Urja is a rural electrification initiative led by TREE Innovative Foundation, aimed at delivering clean, reliable energy to remote tribal villages in Maharashtra. Launched in 2022, it began with micro-hydropower in the Sahyadris and expanded to include solar microgrids and mobile solar units for migrating communities and off-grid forts.
With partners like Netcracker Technology Solutions, Arttemyn India Ltd, and Imerys, the mission has electrified 22 villages, impacting 800+ families and over 4,500 people across Velhe, Mulshi, and Bhor Talukas.
Over 10 MW of renewable energy has been installed, enabling night safety, education, women’s empowerment, and local livelihoods. Built on community ownership and local training, Mission Urja is creating lasting change through sustainable, self-reliant energy solutions.
Mission Urja (Fort Edition) marks a groundbreaking initiative in 2025 that brings clean, renewable solar energy to four iconic hill forts and their surrounding tribal communities. These ancient forts—steeped in history but often overlooked in terms of infrastructure—will now be illuminated and secured through the installation of solar street lights, mobile charging stations, solar floodlights, CCTV surveillance systems, and centralized solar power units. The project is designed not only to improve night-time safety and fort preservation, but also to foster eco-tourism, support livelihood generation, and provide reliable energy access to remote settlements near these historic sites.
The inaugural ceremony of this unique solar electrification drive will take place on June 6, 2025, at the majestic Tikona Fort, coinciding with the celebration of the Coronation Ceremony of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj—a fitting tribute to Maharashtra’s heritage and valor.
With robust backing from Netcracker Technology Solutions, Artemyn India Limited, and the wholehearted involvement of hundreds of volunteers, Mission Urja’s Fort Edition is not just about electrifying stone walls—it’s about breathing new life into cultural landmarks, empowering communities, and creating a replicable model of heritage-led sustainable development. It reflects a perfect synergy between clean energy innovation, community participation, and historical conservation.
Volunteering with Mission Urja – Fort Edition isn’t just about lighting up walls—it’s about illuminating legacies. On 6th June 2025, the mission launches at Tikona Fort, where volunteers from across Maharashtra will unite to power up heritage with solar energy and purpose.
This initiative electrifies the historic forts of Maharashtra—like Tikona and Ghangad—through solar lighting systems, mobile charging points, floodlights, and security setups, enhancing safety and accessibility for locals, trekkers, and tribal communities. These are the very forts that once embodied Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s vision of Swarajya—self-rule rooted in community, dignity, and collective strength.
Today, we reignite that vision—not with weapons, but with solar panels, collective action, and grassroots leadership. Swarajya 2.0 is here, built on sustainability, community service, and energy equity.
At Tikona Fort, the day begins with a traditional welcome, cultural energy, and a symbolic Torch Ceremony in tribute to Shivaji Maharaj. A special highlight of the event includes:
🔸 Shiv Pooja at the Ancient Temple: A spiritual start with rituals at the historic Shiv Mandir, dating back to the 8th century, rooted in the sacred geography of the Sahyadris.
🔸 Powada Performance: A powerful, poetic storytelling art form that celebrates the valor and legacy of Shivaji Maharaj, performed with rhythm, pride, and voice.
🔸 Shiv Garjana: A thundering group war cry of unity and courage by volunteers, echoing the Maratha spirit and awakening the mountain with collective pride.
🔸 Dhol-Tasha Display: An electrifying traditional percussion performance, bringing in the iconic sounds of Maharashtra's martial and festive spirit to energize the mission.
Volunteers then dive into high-impact activities:
🌿 Cleaning the fort area
🌱 Planting 1,000 native trees
🔌 Mapping locations for solar infrastructure
📚 Leading awareness and research drives
And it’s not just about physical impact. It’s about learning, connecting, and growing. You’ll engage with local communities, environmental experts, trekking influencers, and fellow changemakers. Through this experience, you’ll develop leadership skills, cultural awareness, and real-world exposure to sustainable practices.
Whether you're a student, professional, or nature lover, this is your chance to be part of something bigger. Something rooted in the past, acting in the present, and building for the future.
Tikona Fort, also known as Vitandgad, is a triangular hill fort located in the Maval region of Pune district, Maharashtra, near the picturesque Pawna Lake. Standing at an elevation of approximately 3,500 feet (1,100 meters) above sea level, it offers stunning panoramic views of the Sahyadri ranges and nearby forts like Tung, Lohagad, and Visapur.
Historically significant, Tikona Fort dates back to the Maratha era and was an important military outpost under the rule of Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort served as a strategic watchtower controlling the surrounding valleys and trade routes. Key features of the fort include a large stone entrance, steep climbing paths, caves, water tanks, and a small temple dedicated to Trimbakeshwar Mahadev at the summit.
Today, Tikona is not only a popular trekking destination but also a symbol of Maharashtra’s rich heritage and Maratha valor.
Ghangad Fort is a historic hill fort nestled in the Mulshi Taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra, within the Western Ghats. Positioned at a height of around 3,000 feet (915 meters) above sea level, it offers commanding views of the Tamhini Ghat, Mulshi Dam, and neighboring forts like Korigad, Tailbaila, and Sudhagad.
With roots tracing back to the Maratha Empire, Ghangad Fort was primarily used as a watchtower and prison, securing trade routes and maintaining control over the surrounding region. Though not a large fort, it is known for its steep rock-cut steps, fortified entrance, and the panoramic beauty of the Sahyadri hills. Its rugged terrain and strategic location made it a crucial part of regional defense.
Today, Ghangad stands as a quiet yet powerful reminder of Maratha ingenuity and is a favorite among trekkers and history lovers seeking a raw and scenic adventure.