Tuesday, 26 June 2012

                 Lohagad Fort - One day trekking place
 
                     Lohagad - main entrance               







              


































































































































































































































Vinchu Kata ( Like a Scorpian's tail )           














































































































































Lohagad is most visited place near Malavli station (Next to Lonavla Station ) ,generally means Iron fort .Lohgad was one of the most important forts of Satwaahan Period, which takes us to 2000 to 2500 years back. Bhaje & Bedse caves where used by Buddhist monks to stay. These caves are situated in the mountain of Visapur. Sage Lomesh had been meditating on Lohgad, and this is why the fort is called so. It had been built with a primary intention to keep a watch on Nane Maval, Korbaarse Maval and Andhra Maval.
After the downfall of Bahmani kingdom, the fort went into the hands of Nizamshahi in 1489. Thereafter it remained with till 1630. When the brother of seventh Nizam named second Burhan ruled here (1590-1594), he was imprisoned on this fort. In 1630, the fort went under the control of Adilshah. Shivaji Maharaj captured it in 1648, two years after he captured Torna. Netaji Palkar was appointed to look after the fort and the surrounding region.

In 1665, Mirza raja Jaysingh invaded Purandar, and launched a major attack on the forts in Pune region. Villages nearby Lohgad became a victim of that. In March 1665, Kutubuddin attacked and looted the villages here. About 1500 soldiers came down from the fort, but could not sustain, and returned back. According to the treaty of Purandar, the fort went into the hands of Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb broke the treaty, and Shivaji Maharaj got it back in 1670. Aurangzeb recaptured it in 1700. Shahu Maharaj gave the fort to Kanhoji Angre. In 1720 it was under the control of Balaji Vishwanath. Nana Phadnis was an important personality amongst the Peshwas. He developed the fort a lot. He renovated the first, second and the fourth entrance of the fort. Jaavji Bomble and later Dhondopant Nitsure ruled under Nana Phadnis. He shifted his entire treasury on this fort, which was kept in Laxmi Kothi. Nana Phadnis passed away in 1800. His wife came here in 1802. Bajirao-II was an inefficient ruler, who was pro-British. General Wellesley was the person who insisted Dhondopant to be loyal to Bajirao. But it did not last long, and Dhondopant Nitsure’s man attacked Bajirao. Wellesley decided to capture the fort. In 1818 colonel Prother came here and captured Visapur. Lohgad came into his hands without firing a single bullet.
            Lohagad is an important hill fort used extensively  by Chatrapati shivaji Maharaj.
Lohagad fort is placed at an altitude of more than 1050 meters wich is nearly equal to 3400 feet. 
There are 4 doors to Lohagad from nearby village i.e. "Ganesh Darwaja " , "Narayan Darwaja " , "Hanuman Darwaja ", "Maha Darwaja ". Lohagadwadi is the base village of Lohagad fort.
Maha Darwaja

Pavana Dam

Lohagad - Durgah

Ganesh Darwaja
It is easy  trekking place. Lohagad is 6 km's from Malavli station. mainly travel in monsoon season. Most visited place to trek. Lohagad is not so spreaded and can be easily seen in few hours . A very beautiful view of “Pawana Dam” is also visible from the Lohagad. 
           
       Main spots of Lohagad Fort :-
  • Vinchu kata (Scorpian tail )
  • 4 doors of fort mentioned above
  • Hatti Talav 
  • Mahadev  mandir 
  • Durgah
  • 16 koni Talav
  • Asta koni Talav
  • Laxmi Kothi
  • Burug        
          we can also travel from Lonavla  by jeeps to backside of Lohagad.
Food is available in very cheap cost and also water throghtout the year.
       
Near Loahagad fort there are several places to visit :-
  • Visapur fort ( in front of Lohagad fort i.e. 2km away from Loahagad )
  • Bhaje Caves
 
Meeting point of ways to Bhaje caves and Lohagad and Visapur Fort




 


 


















                     
Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Maha Darwaja
Steps to Lohagad Fort
Toff
Visapur Fort


Lohagad Fort Wall
In monsoon
Burug
Top view of Maha Darwaja
Fort wall
Hatti Talav
Steps