EXPLORE PLACES TO VISIT IN MANSOON IN PUNE
PUNE THE CITY OF CULTURE AND BEYOND

Lets start the journey

1.Visapur fort

Location[edit]

It is located in Pune district, 5 to 6 km from Malavli Railway station out of which 3 km is steep road. It has an elevation of 1084 meters above sea level.[1] It is built on the same plateau as Lohagad.

History[edit]

It was built during 1713-1720 CE by Balaji Vishwanath, the first Peshwa of Maratha Empire.[1][2] Visapur fort was built much later than Lohagad but the histories of the two forts are closely linked.

Sunlit view of Visapur Fort

In 1818, when reducing the Peshwa's forts, the strength of Lohagad and its fame as the treasury of the Maratha kingdom, caused the English to make special preparations for its attack. A detachment of 380 European and 800 native soldiers, with a battering train, summoned from Konkan, were joined by artillery from Chakan, and two other British battalions. On 4 March 1818, Visapur was attacked and occupied.[2][3]

Making use of its higher elevation and proximity to Lohagad, the British troops set up their cannons on Visapur and bombarded Lohagad, forcing the Marathas to flee. Thus, in 1818, Lohagad-Visapur was taken over by the British in 1818 AD and placed under the command of a Colonel Prother.[4] Considering, the strategic importance of Visapur, both the north (Konkan) and the south (Deccan) gateways were blown up, and except a few huts, nothing was left standing.[3] In contrast, most of Lohagad fort is still intact.

2.Rajmachi 

Rajmachi Fort (Killa) is one of the many historical forts in the rugged hills of Sahyadri mountains (Western Ghats).[1] 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.[2]

History[edit]

The fort played a strategic role in the First Anglo-Maratha War.[3]

Rajmachi Fort has been declared as a protected monument.[4]

Trekking to Rajmachi[edit]

There are two approaches to Fort Rajmachi, (a) from Lonavala [5] and (b) from Kondivde or Kondhane village in Karjat Taluka of Raigad District. Lonavala – Rajmachi distance is 15 km and it is almost a plain walk, though there are a few ups and downs on this path. It takes about three and a half hour to cover the distance on foot. From Kondivde or Kondhane village, it is a steep climb up to Rajmachi. An experienced trekker takes about two and a half hour to climb up on this route. In case a Trekkers’ Group is not familiar with the Trek Route, they should hire a local Route Guide During the dry season after rains, i.e. from November to May, a strong and sturdy utility vehicle like Tata Sumo, Mahindra Bolero, Qualis, etc. can be taken right up to Udhewdi (Fort Rajmachi). The route is via Khandala, Kune village, Della Adventure Resort, Patel Dam, Phanasrai and Jambhali Phata. The initial section of this route up to Della Adventure Resort is a good road, The further portion of this route is a very rough track and therefore not fit for driving ordinary passenger cars like Maruti 800, Wagon R, Indica, Swift, etc. Sturdy utility vehicle like Tata Sumo can be hired at Lonavla or Khandala for reaching Rajmachi Fort.

Rajamchi Fort is an easy trek, there are vehicles who leave you till the base village and from there you have to walk around 6 Km, which take around 2 hours depending on the speed. Best part about the Rajmachi trek is for the bike riders as the road are muddy and best for the off riding. There are also beautiful waterfalls on the way.

3.Lohagad

History[edit]

Lohagad has a long history with several dynasties occupying it at different periods of time: Lohtamia, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizams, Mughals and Marathas. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured it in 1648 AD, but he was forced to surrender it to the Mughals in 1665 AD by the Treaty of Purandar. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj recaptured the fort in 1670 AD and used it for keeping his treasury. This fort was used to keep the winnings from Surat. Later in Peshwa time Nana Phadnavis used this fort for living for some time and built several structures in the fort such as a big tank and a step-well.

Jain Inscription[edit]

The Lohagad fort has caves on its south side facing Lohgadwadi. In September 2019 an inscription in Jain Brahmi script in Prakrit language dating back to the 2nd or 1st century BC was discovered by team of trekkers from Pune in the cave on the cliff. The inscription was studied by Dr. Shreekant Pradhan, an ancient Indian paintings scholar working at Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute.[1]

The inscription was found on the outside wall of a rock-cut cave on the eastern side cliff of the Lohgad fort, close to Lohgadwadi village. The inscription is written in the Brahmi script and the language is Prakrit influenced Sanskrit.

The inscription is similar to, but more descriptive than, an inscription discovered at Pale caves (Maval) by Mr. R.L.Bhide and studied by archaeologists HD Sankalia and Shobhana Gokhale in 1969. It starts with ‘Namo Arihantanam’ which is commonly used by Jains in Navakar Mantra, pointing to the fact that the Lohgad cave is a Jain rock-cut cave. The inscription at Pale caves also begins in a similar manner and based on Sankalia and Gokhale’s study, it was assumed to be a Jain inscription.

The inscription mentions the name "Ida Rakhita", meaning Indra Rakshita, who donated water cisterns, rock-cut benches to settlements in the area. The inscription at Pale also mentions the same name. The newly discovered inscription is 50c m-wide and 40cm-long and is written in six lines.The Lohagad Jain cave is near the fort.

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Sinhagad is an ancient hill fortress located at around 49 km southwest of the city of Pune, India.

Previously known as Kondhana, the fort had been the site of many battles, most notably the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670.[1]

It is Located near the Pune district in Maharashtra. The fort is also on the famous fort in Maharashtra which has a great history of Tanaji Malusare. The fort was captured by Tanaji Malusare and his brother. Sinhagad (Lion's Fort) fort was strategically built to provide natural protection from the enemies due to its very steep slopes. The walls of the forts and bastions were constructed only at key places. There are two gates to enter the fort named Kalyan Darwaja and Pune Darwaza. The Kalyan Darwaja is towards the southeast while the Pune Darwaza is towards north east.[2] This fort is also called as center fort of Maratha empire as it is surrounded by many forts beside. During the clear climate you can see Rajgad, Purandar and Torna forts from the Sinhagad killa.

Geography[edit]

Perched on an isolated cliff of the Bhuleswar range in the Sahyadri Mountains, the fort is situated on a hill about 760 metres above ground and 1,312 metres above mean sea level.[3]

History[edit]

Sinhagad: View from the "Pune Darwaja"

Early history[edit]

Some of the information available about the fort, suggests that it could have been built 2000 years ago.[citation needed] The caves and the carvings in the Kaundinyeshwar temple stand as proofs for the same.. Also there is a Gondwana state symbol on the main gate of the fort. It has the sign of lion and elephant as well as fish. The Raj Gondian[citation needed] According to the Deccan sultanates era muslim historian Ferishta, Sinhagad fort was captured from Koli chieftain Nag Nayak in 1340 by the sultan of Delhi, Muhammad bin Tughluq .[4]

The Sinhagad Fort was initially known as "Kondhana" after the sage Kaundinya. The Kaundinyeshwar temple coupled with the caves and carvings indicates that the fort had probably been built around two thousand years ago.

The fort was captured by forces of Muhammad bin Tughluq in 1328 from Koli chieftain Nag Naik after a siege of eight months.[5][6] It then became part of the Bahmani sultanate followed by the Nizam Shahi of Ahmadnagar in 1485.After the fall of Nizam shahi it came under the control of the Adilshahi in early late 1500s.[7]

Battle for control in 17th century[edit]

The entrance to Sinhagad

Shahaji Bhosale, as the commander of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, was entrusted with the control of the Pune region. His son Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, refused to accept the Adilshahi and initiated the task of setting up Swarajya. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gained control of Kondana in 1647 by convincing Siddi Amber, the Adilshahi Sardar who controlled the fort, that he, the son of Shahaji Bhosale, could manage the fort's defenses optimally. Bapuji Mudgal Deshpande played a key role in this activity. Adil Shah jailed Siddi Amber for this treasonous act and schemed to get it back. He imprisoned Shahaji Bhosale for a concocted crime and informed Shivaji. In 1649, Adil Shah traded the fort for Shahaji's release. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj recaptured it in 1656 again with the help of Bapuji Mudgal Deshpande who convinced the Fort commander by giving land in the newly created Khed Shivapur village and peacefully gained control of the fort. This fort saw attacks by Mughals in 1662, 1663, and 1665. In 1664, Shaista Khan, a Mughal general, tried to bribe the people of the fort to hand it over to him but was unsuccessful.Through the Treaty of Purandar in 1665, that Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj entered into with Mughal general Mirza Raja Jai Singh I the fort passed into the Mughal hands.

Battle of Sinhagad

5.Kalu Waterfall

The Kalu Waterfall Trek is a mesmerizing jungle trek that allows you to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature. It offers a perfect blend of adventure, scenic beauty, and tranquility, making it an ideal destination for both experienced trekkers and beginners.

Kalu waterfall undoubtedly is the highest waterfall in Malshej Ghat & falls from a height of about 1200 feet.

The waterfall originates from Harishchandragad and subsequently flows through the Khireshwar village.

A seasonal waterfall, it is at its peak in the monsoons; however, the best time to visit is from September to October.

• Height: 1200 ft

• Region: Malshej Ghat

• Type: Seasonal Waterfall

• Trek Level: Easy

• Best time to visit: September to October

The Kalu waterfall is easily accessible through a trek from Khireshwar village, which is approximately 4-6 kilometers away. The trek offers a scenic route and is a popular choice among adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers.

To reach Khireshwar village, you have a few transportation options. If you have a private vehicle, you can drive from Mumbai, which is about 130-150 kilometers away. The journey typically takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on the traffic conditions.

6.Raigad fort

Raigad, situated in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, India, is a formidable hill fort located in the town of Mahad. It holds a prominent position as one of the strongest fortresses on the Deccan Plateau and was historically referred to as Rairee or Rairy fort.[1]

Chhatrapati Shivaji, the renowned Maratha ruler, along with the Chief Engineer Hiroji Indulkar, oversaw the construction and development of various buildings and structures within Raigad. In 1674, after being crowned the king of the Maratha kingdom, Shivaji chose Raigad as his capital. Under his reign, the Maratha Empire flourished and expanded to encompass a significant portion of western and central India.[2]

Perched at an elevation of 820 metres (2,700 ft) (2,700 ft) above its base and 1,356 m (4,449 ft) (4,449 ft) above sea level within the Sahyadri mountain range, the fort offers breathtaking views. Accessing the fort requires ascending approximately 1,737 steps. Alternatively, visitors can opt for the Raigad Ropeway, an aerial tramway spanning 750 m (2,460 ft) (2,460 ft) in length and reaching a height of 400 m (1,300 ft) (1,300 ft), which conveniently transports them from the ground to the fort in just four minutes.

Major features[edit]

The Maha Darwaja

The Samadhi of Rajmata Jijabai "Ausaheb"

The main palace was constructed using wood, of which only the base pillars remain. The main fort ruins consist of the queen's quarters, and six chambers, with each chamber having its private restroom. The chambers do not have any windows. In addition, ruins of three watch towers can be seen directly in front of the palace grounds out of which only two remain as the third one was destroyed during a bombardment. The fort also overlooks an artificial lake known as the Ganga Sagar Lake.[3]

The only main pathway to the fort passes through the "Maha Darwaja" (Huge Door) which was previously closed at sunset. The Maha Darwaja has two huge bastions on both sides of the door which are approximately 20–21 m (65–70 ft) in height. The top of the fort is 180 m (600 ft) above this door.

The king's court, inside the Raigad Fort, has a replica of the original throne that faces the main doorway called the Nagarkhana Darwaja. It faces the East Side. It was here where Chhatrapati Shivaji's Rajyabhishek took place. This enclosure had been acoustically designed to aid hearing from the doorway to the throne. A secondary entrance, called the Mena Darwaja on the south side, was supposedly the private entrance for the royal ladies of the fort that lead to the queen's quarters. The convoy of the king and the king himself used the Palkhi Darwaja. on the north side. To the right of Palkhi Darwaja, is a row of three dark and deep chambers. Historians believe that these were the granaries for the fort.[4]

From the fort, one can view the execution point called Takmak Tok, a cliff from which sentenced prisoners were thrown to their death. This area has been fenced off.[5]

A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji is erected in front of the ruins of the main market avenue that leads to the Jagdishwar Mandir, which has Hiroji Indulkar's name engraved on the first step, his own Samadhi and that of his dog named Waghya. The Samadhi of Rajmata Jijabai, Chhatrapati Shivaji's mother, can be seen at the base village of Pachad. Additional famous attractions of the fort include the Khubladha Buruj, Nane Darwaja and the Hatti Talav (Elephant Lake). Henry Oxienden was on the fort from 13 May to 13 June 1674 & he quoted "We arrived at the top of that strong mountain about sunn sett, which is fortified by nature more than art, being off very difficult access, and but one advance to it, which is guarded by two narrow gates, and fortified with a strong high wall, and bastions thereto. All the other parte of the mountaine is a direct precipice, so that it is impregnable except the treachery of some in it betrayes it. On the Mountaine are many strong buildings, as the Rajahs Court,and houses for other Ministers of State, to the number of about 300, It is in length about 21 miles and breadth * a mile, but noe pleasant trees nor any sort of grains growes thereon.

7.Andrai jungle trek

Aadrai Jungle Trek Information:

• Deep in the belly of Sahyadri, lies this beautiful and unexplored Aadrai Jungle where the forest floor seldom feels the warm embrace of the sun. The Aadrai trek location was actually discovered by a local villager, who came across the Aadrai forest location by fluke as he had lost his way while hunting. 

• This beautiful trek location dates back to the 1st millennium and is located in the Junnar city in the Pune district. Aadrai Jungle trek is a paradise for all trek lovers who are looking for an escape from the monotony of city life. This jungle trek offers the trekkers a much-needed break from the polluted air and every breath of air here feels rejuvenating and refreshing. 

• The Aadrai Jungle Trek is a treat for all your senses given its abundant flora and fauna. Along the trail, one will witness various streams and passing waterfalls including a mega 1200 feet tall waterfall. 

• The mesmerizing view will seem like out of a fairy-tale with the lush green forests, melodious chirping of the birds, the chittering of the forest animals, and invigorating streams and waterfalls. 

• Apart from the lush green forest, the Aadrai trek has a lot to offer like the Kalu waterfall, Nageshwar temple, and many ancient caves- each with a story to tell. Due to Aadrai’s Jungle location, it is one of the most sought-after jungle treks.

• During Monsoons, the Aadrai jungle trek is one of the most exhilarating treks because of its dense forest area. It is one of the most thrilling treks of the Sahyadri range that lies deep within Malshej Ghat.  

Places to visit near Aadrai Forest :

• Kalu Waterfall

• Nageshwar temple

• Ancient Caves

• Aadrai jungle

Trek Details: 

• Trek Trail: Jungle trail

• Trek Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

• Trek Endurance: Medium/ Average

• Trek Length: Approx.7 km (One side)

• Trek Duration: 3 hrs (One side)

• Trail Location: Near Khireshwar Village 

• Best Time: June to October

• Distance from Mumbai: 138km

• Distance from Pune: 129km