Ideal of Pune the Sinhagad fort

Friday, May 22, 2015 0 Comments A+ a-

Sinhagad Fort

Type                                                             Sinhagad is Hill fort.       
Difficulty level                                            Sinhagad fort is easy trek.   
Height                                                          4429ft (1350mtrs) above sea level.         
Base village / District / Taluka                  Donje / Pune/Haveli, Maharashtra,India.

History of Sinhagad Fort

View of Sinhagad fort
View of Sinhagad fort
This fort has a long history it was called as 'Kondhana' dated 1350 A.D the fort was captured by koli tribal cheiftan in 1328 A.D. Shahaji Bhosale was the commander of adilshah he was given control of Pune region. Shahaji raje were in hands of adilshah hence Shivaji Maharaj had to give the fort back to adilshah.
But in the year 1656 he gained the fort again Bapuji mugdgal Deshpande helped him again, he convinced the commander of the fort by offering him land in shivapur village and controlled the fort from him.
This fort was attacked by the mughals in 1662, 1663 and 1665.In 1664 Shahistakhan bribed the people on the fort but he failed in his attempt during the 'treaty of purandar' the fort went in the hands of mughals in the year 1665, After five years Shivaji Maharaj attacked the fort and won the fort but this fort remained till 1689.
Entrance of Sinhagad
Entrance of Sinhagad
Death of the Sambhaji Maharaj gave chance to the mughals to get the fort. Under the leadership of Sardar Balkawade Chatrapati Rajaram died on Sinhagad on 3rd of March 1700 later after 3 years aurangzeb took the fort. The fort was in the hands of Marathas in 1706 in which Patanji Shivdev of sangola and path pratinidhis played important role gaining the fort. Another famous battle which states the bravery of Maratha warrior's Tanaji Malusure a general of Shivaji Maharaj.
View of Sinhagad fort
View of Sinhagad fort

Tanaji malusare climbed the mountain with the help of monitor lizard which is known as 'ghorpad' in marathi. War between Tanaji Malusure and the guard of the fort udaybhan rathod in this Tanaji Malusure was died but Suryaji Malusure his brothers fought the enemies with his mavals he won the fort.
Water Cistern
Water Cistern
But the sad news of tanaji malusures death reached Shivaji Maharaj was deeply hurted and expressed "Gad aala pan sinha gela" in Marathi which means 'won the fort , but lost the lion' hence Shivaji Maharaj renamed the fort with Sinhagad. There's a statue of Tanaji Malusure has been made on the fort.

Time to reach the top 
It takes around 1hrs - 1hrs 30 mins from base village (Donje).

Minimum Duration
1 day.

Best time to visit the fort  
Any time you can visit the fort.

Water Availability 
Water is available on the fort all year around in Devtake cistern.

Accommodation Availability
There is no shelter on the fort hence it is advice to complete the trek in one day.

Places to visit on the Sinhagad Fort

Veer Tanaji Smarak, Samadhi of Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj, Pune Darwaja, Kalyan Darwaja, Donagiricha(Tanaji) kada, Ghodyanchyapaga, Dev take cistern, Bungalow of Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak, Temples, Darukothar (Ammunation store), Kalavantinicha Buruj(Bastion), Canons.

Amruteshwar mandir
This temple is located near the Konadhaneshwar temple here lord bhairav is worshipped.

Kondhaneshwar
This is an ancient temple of lord Shankar.

Kalyan Darwaja 

This door is the way for the people who come from katraj. Before this darwaja was used for the 
people between Sinhagad and Raigad.

Pune darwaja 
This door is built in the age of yadavas we see their art on the darwaja. We can also see dhondse darwaja from here.

Khand kada
The place from where the surroundings of purandar and river Mula - Mutha can be seen.

Tanaji Statue
This statue was made seeing the bravery of Tanaji Malusure this statue is has its importance when one day is dedicated to this statue on the fort.

Tanaji kada 
It is most adventurous part on the fort and favourite to many hikers located at the back of Zunjar Machi.

Zunjar Buruj 
This point comprises the look of rajgad, Torna, lingana and Raigad and on the west purandar.

House of lokmanya tilak
This place is famous as lokmanya tilak used to stay here on the fort he completed 'geetarahasya' on the fort. Gandhiji used to drink water of Sinhagad when he came to Pune. Netaji subhashchandra bose once visited the fort and he was inspired by Shivaji Maharaj.

Lets find How to reach to Sinhagad Fort

Way from Pune to Sinhagad Fort

From Pune there are ST (State Transport) buses are available from Swargate to village Aatkarwadi, this bus will drop you at base village of fort. (Donje)(18 kms) From Shanivarwada and Swargate there is city buses available to base village of the fort. (Donje)(21 kms) By road one can take route:-
Pune - Sinhagad road and reach Dhairi Phata from there it takes you to Khadkwasla. Ask for Donje base village.

Trekking from Katraj Ghats to Sinhagad

Reach Katraj ghat by bus or local transport near the tunnel there is a peak called 'Vridavan', its start from here and takes around 6-7 hrs, it is advice to start in the early morning as in night you may not find the route.

Way from Mumbai to Sinhagad Fort

From Mumbai there are ST (State Transport) buses, Local transport or Train available to Pune station (148kms), from Pune station to Swargate there are local transport or city buses available,From Pune there are ST (State Transport) buses are available from Swargate to village Aatkarwadi, this bus will drop you at base village of fort. (Donje) (18 kms)

Places to visit nearby the Sinhagad Fort

On the way to Sinhagad on can visit places such as Ghadge Botanical Garden, panshet dam,Khadakwasla dam, wasla dam and varsgaon dam. There is also a water park called 'krushnai water park' which is near donje and is enjoyed all year around there are many water slides and other rides.