Sinhagad fort ( सिंहगड किल्ला )
Sinhagad Fort is a place that instantly brings to mind the brave Subhedar Tanaji Malusare and his incredible sacrifices for Swarajya. This fort, blessed by the footsteps of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, holds a special place in the hearts of every Maratha. Known for its strategic location and strong defenses, Sinhagad Fort has witnessed many historic events and battles that shaped the Maratha Empire.
Sinhagad fort History
Sinhagad Fort is a historic hill fortress located near Pune, India. Its name means “Lion’s Fort” in Marathi. The fort has a long history, dating back over 2000 years. It was originally known as Kondhana and was strategically important because of its location.
One of the most famous events in Sinhagad’s history is the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670. The great Maratha warrior Tanaji Malusare led the charge to capture the fort from the Mughals, who were under the command of Udaybhan Rathod. Tanaji climbed the steep cliffs with his troops and fought bravely. Although Tanaji lost his life in the battle, his efforts led to a Maratha victory. Hearing of Tanaji’s death, Shivaji Maharaj expressed his remorse with the words, “Gad ala, pan Sinha gela” – “The Fort is conquered, but the Lion was lost.” To honor Tanaji’s bravery, the fort was renamed Sinhagad, with “Sinh” meaning lion and “gad” meaning fort.
The fort has two main gates: Kalyan Darwaja towards the southeast and Pune Darwaza towards the northeast. It is surrounded by several other forts and was known as the control center of the Maratha Empire. In clear weather, Rajgad, Purandar, and Torna forts can be seen from Sinhagad Fort, making it a significant strategic point.
Throughout its history, Sinhagad Fort has seen many rulers, including the Marathas, Mughals, and the British. Today, it is a popular tourist destination, known for its scenic views, historic ruins, and trekking trails.
The Journey Begins
It’s been 20 days since the monsoon began in Pune, and Mother Earth has started blooming. The Sahyadri mountains are turning lush green, and I couldn’t resist the urge to experience this monsoon magic. So, I decided to visit Sinhagad Fort over the weekend. I usually trek with friends, but this time, some relatives visited with their children and asked me to take them out somewhere. So, I decided to take their children to Sinhagad Fort.
As planned, we began our journey towards Sinhagad Fort at 5:00 AM. Weekends can be hectic after noon, so we wanted to avoid the crowds. After 45 minutes of riding, we reached the base of Sinhagad Fort, where we bought tickets to take the bikes up.
The ride up the ghat was full of twists and turns, with fog, greenery, and cold wind making the journey memorable. We stopped at a selfie point that offers a clear view of the Sinhagad fort. Children were thrilled since they had never seen such scenery before. The fort covered in fog made it even more beautiful. We took some pictures and continued on our way.
Exploring Sinhagad fort
As we approached the parking area, we parked our bikes and moved toward the fort. Near the parking area, I noticed a small structure shaped like a buruj, which is dedicated to Chattrapti Rajaram Maharaj, the son of Chattrapti Shivaji Maharaj. From this spot, we viewed a magical sunrise before moving towards the fort.
There were cloudy and foggy days, followed by clear days. We passed the Sahyadri mountains, which were covered in greenery. Our journey took us to Pune Darwaja, the entrance to the fort. We saw many people carrying supplies to their hotels on their heads, moving faster than us. It was impressive how strong and dedicated they were.
Scenic Views and Historic Sights
Before entering Pune Darwaja, we took a left turn onto a small path that leads to the front side of the fort. From there, we had a clear view of the parking area and, if the weather was clear, Purandhar Fort. The clouds touching the nearby mountains created a picturesque scene. The children asked me to take more pictures, and they enjoyed the beautiful view of the Sahyadri mountains.
We then entered Pune Darwaja and after a short distance, arrived at Toofkhana, the place where cannons, gunpowder, and explosives were stored.
Next to this cannon room is a structure called Horse’s Hoof (घोड्यांची पागा), curved inside the rock with several pillars holding a water tank. Interestingly, the place is not suitable for horses, as even they can’t stand properly there. This information was detailed on a board installed by the Maharashtra state government.
Next to this path, there was a large water tank used by locals and shop owners. Curious, I asked a local about the number of water tanks on the fort. He told me that there are more than 30 big and small water tanks. Over this tank, there is a small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Ganpati, so we took blessings and moved further towards the Subhedar Tanaji Malusare Samadhi.
Subhedar Tanaji Malusare samadhi
After removing our shoes outside, we entered the samadhi area. This area is beautifully constructed, with stories of Subhedar Tanaji Malusare and Shivaji Maharaj carved on the walls. Near the samadhi, there is a statue of a Mavla warrior with weapons like swords and dandpatta.
One carving depicts Tanaji Malusare taking a vow to win Sinhagad Fort from the Mughals. This gave me goosebumps, and the words “हा विडा मीच उचलणार” and “आधी लगीन कोंढाण्याचे मग लगीन रायबाचे” from Tanaji Malusare to Shivaji Maharaj and Jijabai came to mind.
We paid our respects to honor his valor and sacrifice. The children started asking about Tanaji Malusare, so I told them the story of his sacrifice, bravery, and his journey with Shivaji Maharaj, from taking the vow to establish Swarajya to the battle of Sinhagad Fort.
Temples and Water Tanks
Near the samadhi is the Amruteshwar Bhairavnath Temple. We visited this temple and took blessings from God Bhairavnath and Goddess Bhairavi. In front of this temple, there is a ruined deepmala (lamp tower).
Next to this is Hatti Lake (हत्ती तलाव), the major source of water during that era.
We then came across Devtake, the main water source, which is crystal clear. Nowadays, people use this water for drinking purposes on the fort. Behind this water source, there is a small Hanuman temple.
We filled our water bottles from Devtake and moved towards the Kondhaneshwar Mahadev Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. In front of this temple, there is a deepmala and a Nandi statue carved from stone, which provides a divine feeling to the people who come to take blessings. Behind this temple, there is a television tower, but it was covered by fog and not visible.
Chattrapati Rajaram maharaj samadhi
We took the same route and reached Rajaram Samadhi. This samadhi is well-maintained and in good condition. In front of it, there is a big water tank carved in stone, filled with water.
Behind the samadhi, there is another water tank and the ruined residence of Sardar Harji Dhamdhere, who has the right to perform pooja at Rajaram Maharaj’s samadhi. This was a new experience for me, as I had visited Sinhagad Fort more than 40 times but had never looked at the backside of the samadhi
Place where Tanaji Malusare lost his hand
From the samadhi, we started towards the place where Tanaji Malusare lost his hand while battling Udaybhan. En route, we saw a small temple dedicated to Garud Dev. On the way to Tanaji Kada, there is a small path leading to this place. Many people don’t know about it as there is no signboard on the route; the signboard is placed near the site, with a small monument constructed to pay respect to Tanaji Malusare’s bravery.
Wind Point and Other Sights
We then came to the most famous point on Sinhagad Fort, known as Wind Point, where the wind speed is high. Due to the foggy weather, we couldn’t see the valley below, but the children enjoyed the location. We spent 20 minutes there, took some pictures, and started moving towards Tanaji Kada.
Seeing the valley from Tanaji Kada, we could imagine the courage of Tanaji Malusare and his Mavla warriors as they climbed this cliff at night to reach the fort. Due to the cold weather, we had hot tea from a local seller. Tea with the magical Sahyadri and fog made this moment special.
Next, we moved to Kalyan Darwaja, another entry point of Sinhagad Fort. This gate is still in good condition, with two doors. Even if the enemy tried to enter, they would need to break through both doors to get inside the fort. I captured this magnificent Kalyan Darwaja standing tall against all enemies and weather.
A Delicious Break
As we had left the house early in the morning and had been exploring the fort, we felt hungry. So, I took them to the Food Lane (Khau Galli on Sinhagad Fort). Initially, all the food stalls were near the parking area, but the Maharashtra government demolished them and allotted places on the fort for locals to open snack centers. Pithala Bhakri, kanda bhaji, and dahi are famous here, so I ordered kanda bhaji, maggi, and pithala bhakri for us. We enjoyed this delicious food and rested for 10 minutes, enjoying the view of Kalyan Darwaja from the food point.
Continuing the Exploration
We then continued our exploration and came to Tilak Wada. It is said that Lokmanya Tilak stayed here to hide from the British, hence the name Tilak Wada.
We continued and saw a big cannon, which is 2 meters long and 23 cm in width. This cannon, known as “Mordi Cannon,” has the number 248 written on its backside. It was used to fight the enemy during that era and is still in good condition.
From this point, we could clearly see the backwaters of Khadakwasla Dam and the beautiful view of Pune city surrounded by mountains.
With this, we completed our exploration of Sinhagad Fort and started our return journey home with cherished memories of Sinhagad Fort. The combination of natural beauty, historical significance, and the monsoon magic made this trek an unforgettable experience.
How to reach sinhagad fort
Route via Pune city to Donje Base Village: At the base of Sinhagad Fort is Donje Village, situated approximately 35 kilometers from central Pune. Visitors can take a bus or an auto-rickshaw to reach Donje Village. Additionally, government buses run regularly from Shaniwarwada to Donje Village, providing convenient and accessible transportation options for those looking to explore this historic fort.
Timining and Entry fees
You can visit Sinhagad Fort every day from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. There’s a vehicle entry charge of 50 Rs for two-wheelers and 100 Rs for four-wheelers.
Conclusion
Visiting Sinhagad Fort was a memorable experience for all of us. The combination of rich history, beautiful landscapes, and the monsoon magic made this trip special. From the bravery of Tanaji Malusare to the scenic views of the Sahyadri mountains, every part of the fort tells a story. The children enjoyed exploring the fort, learning about its history, and experiencing nature up close. Whether it’s the historic ruins, the stunning views, or the delicious local food, Sinhagad Fort has something for everyone. This visit reminded me of the importance of preserving our heritage and sharing it with future generations. I highly recommend a visit to Sinhagad Fort to anyone looking to experience a piece of history and the beauty of the Western Ghats.
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