Pandavgad Fort

Pandavgad Fort, located in the vicinity of Satara, is one of the major tourist attractions of Maharashtra. Pandavgad is also famous by a name called Pandugad, which is spread over a region of six acres of land. It is said that there were 18 ponds in the fort earlier, but now only three of them could be seen today. Although all the structures in the fort are in ruins, there is still one beautiful architecture temple that could be seen, which is well supported by four carved pillars.

Trek to the Pandavgad Fort is quite easy and could be quickly done by a newbie as well. On reaching over there, you could get the sight-seeing views of the neighboring areas. You could sense the beauty of nature over there with the calm wind, beautiful views, and many more.

Traveler Tips

While walking, it is essential to keep in mind that the path that leads to the fort is not too wide. Hence, one must be careful and alert as these steep paths made it difficult to walk upon.

It is recommended to carry trekking shoes, water bottle, and some snacks with you as in the route you could not spot any eating place. Therefore, it is advisable to carry the necessary things with yourself instead of depending on the others.

Things To Do

Trek to Pandavgad Fort would be a treat for the heritage lovers. You could witness great enchanting sight-seeing views while reaching to the top. Pandavgad Fort could be easily identified because of its peculiar structure as it is built on a mountain. You would get a chance to see a beautifully carved Hanuman temple, Pandjai temple, and a grinding wheel. You could also take part in the camp expeditions and trekking that take place around the fort.

You could also visit some popular nearby attractions like Bhairavgad Fort, Kamalgad Fort, Bhatghar dam, and many more.

Availability

The best time to visit the Pandavgad Fort is from the monsoon season to the start of the summer. Now, coming to the accommodation, you could stay in Pandjai Temple. It's a beautiful place to stay with all the necessary amenities. Moreover, it could accommodate 15-20 people at one time.

You could stay in Satara as well. Many hotels are available, and you could easily book them via an online site or could take a room personally to stay.

History

After the end of Chalukyas, the powerful Shilahar dynasty established its rule over Panhalgad in Kolhapur. The spectacular Pandavgad Fort was built in 1191-1192 AD by the Shilahar King Bhoj-II, and it is stated by a copper plate inscription as well. It is said that the fort was established under the rule of Adilshahi.

In 1673, the Marathas captured the fort and included it in their Swarajya. But later on, in 1701, the Aurangzeb took over the fort, and afterward, Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj seized the fort. This was followed by the control of Britishers over the fort in 1818.

Architecture

The mesmerizing Pandavgad fort is 4185 ft (914 Meters) above the sea level. Although all the structures present inside the fort are in ruins, you could still witness valuable history by visiting. Despite the ramparts, you could see the temple's enchanting architecture and has a beautifully carved statue of Lord Hanuman.

People having a great interest in archeological things could see remnants of old construction. You could also see three grinding wheels and many lakes.

Festival

Festivals in Satara are celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. Holi, Dussehra, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Diwali are some of the major festivals celebrated by everyone. People ranging from children to adults celebrate these festivals with great pomp and delight.

Popular Culture

Satara is home to the Marathi population; therefore, you could witness Maharashtrian cuisine over there. These people prefer spicy food, and jaggery is abundantly used in cooking instead of sugar. The local people are a massive fan of non-vegetarian food like fish, mutton, etc.

Best Time To Visit

It is said that the prime time to visit the spectacular Pandavgad Fort of Satara is from October to March. These months lie between the end of monsoon season and the start of summers. The weather between these months is delightful and enjoyable with chilly winds, refreshing atmosphere, and vibrant days. So, you could efficiently complete your trek without facing any difficulty due to weather and make beautiful memories while reaching over there.

How To Reach

There are two ways to reach the spectacular Pandavgad Fort. One is that you could take a bus from Menavali and buses ply regularly between Wai and Menavali. So, after crossing the Dhom dam, you could easily spot astonishing Pandavgad. Later on, after walking for half an hour, you would reach a plateau from where two routes are available to reach the top point. One path is straight and would take only one hour to reach the massive fort, but the other one would take one and a half.

Another route is from the village Gundewadi. It would take 90 minutes to reach from here, and it's quite easy to reach to the top from here. Moreover, it's a pleasant walk to the top from here.

Interesting Facts

One of the exciting facts about Pandavgad Fort is that it is built on a mountain, lending a peculiar structure to the fort. The mountain on which the fort is built looks as if a spectacular surface crowns it.

Trek to Pandavgad Fort would be a great and memorable journey witnessing brisk winds, beautiful scenic beauty, incredible flora, and fauna. Apart from this, you would encounter archeological things as well in the staggering fort of Satara like beautifully carved temples, grinders, citadel, etc.