Weekend Travels: Tikona Fort, Also Known as Vitandgad

Tikona is hill fort in Maval region near the Lonavala.

Malik Ahmed Nizamshah of the Nizam dynasty conquered the fort in 1585 and aanexed it to the Nizam territory. In 1657 Shivaji Maharaj (The Great Maratha Emperor) brought the whole of Konkan, which had been Nizam territory, under his control when he conquered Tikona along with the forts of Karnala, Lohgad, Mahuli, Songad, Tala, and Visapur. This fort was a strategic nexus: the centre of control for the entire Pawana Mawal region. In 1660, Netaji Palkar was charged with ensuring the security of fort Tikona. Jaysingh invaded the regionn in 1665 and the local villages were by Dilerkhan but the forts held out. Tikona fort was surrendered to the Mughal warrior Kubadkhan, who had attacked the region together with Halalkhan and others, according to the Treaty of Purandar signed on 12 June 1665. Kubadkhan took over the fort on 18 June but it was later recaptured by the Marathas.

We reach Tikona fort from Pune via Kolvan phata near Paud. From Pune the distance is only 55kms. The fort is now cleaned and renovated. The fort is easy to climb. There are two routes to climb the fort, but the simple one from ‘Khind’ side, i.e. from Mahadev Mandir.

It takes less than 45mins to climb fort and less than 90mins to see whole fort. The fort is in good condition. There is a cave before climbing the fort.

Best time to Visit:

September to April

What to see:

Idol of Hunaman

Lord Mahadev Temple.

Tulja Bhavani Mandir

Water tank on fort.

View of Tungi Fort

Pavana Dam & Pavana Dam Backwaters

Bastian, Fortification, Water cisterns.

Nearby Forts from Tikona:

Tungi Fort