Weekend Travels: 2011

The base village of Vasantgad is “Talbeed”, (Karad) this is place remembered for Hambirrao Mohite, Shivaji Maharaj’s second Commander-in-chief. This is also the place of Queen Tarabai. We can also see the memorial of Hambirrao Mohite in Talbeed. The route to the fort starts from outskirts of the village. The fort entrance has been destroyed. We can see a Ganesh idol carved in the ramparts. If we turn right after ascending the steps, we reach a big temple. This is the temple of Chandrasen, the son of Shoorpanakha, Ravana’s sister. There are remnants of two more temples.

The mountain top is extensive, and is well fortified by strong bastions. We find a doorway in the bastion on the south side of the fort. This entrance is of “Gomukhi” type, and the carvings here are still intact. The ramparts are also intact. There is a big grinding wheel on the fort. It takes around one and half hour to see the fort. From the top we get a good glimpse of Koyna River.

The fort is easy to climb. I did not climb from Talbeed village. I took following route, Pune – Satara – Karad – Take left towards Karad Airport – Vasantgad. It takes less than 45mins to climb the fort and one hour to see the entire fort.

History of Vasantgad Fort

Vasantgad was built by Shilahar King Bhoj. Shivaji Maharaj conquered it on 1659. Later, Rajaram Maharaj stayed for some time on this fort when he returned from Jinji. Aurangzeb captured this fort in 1700 and named it “Kili-da-Fateh”. The Marathas got the fort back in 1706.

Approximate Distance from Pune

170Kms

Best time to Visit:

September to May

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Cannon, Water cisterns, 2 Temples of Chandreshwar or moon

Water and Food

No water & food on the Fort. Need to carry food and water along with

Stay / Accommodation

No place to stay on the Fort. One can stay at the base village of Talbeed or in Karad.

Places around

Karad, Sadashivgad, The monument of Hambirrao Mohite in Talbid. Chandragiri Ghal where Saint Samarth Ramadas Swami stayed some years

Route Available from Pune

Pune – Satara – Karad Road – Before Karad Take Left towards Talbid

Pune – Satara – Karad – Take left towards Karad Airport - Vasantgad

Vasantgad Fort

Climbing Vasantgad Fort

Vasantgad Fort Main Entrance

Ganpanti Idol at Entrance of Fort

Hanuman Idol

Chandrasen

Vasantgad Fort

View from Vasantgad Fort

Vasantgad Fort

Another Entrance

Vasantgad Fort

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Daulatmangal Fort (Bhuleshwar Temple)Also called as Mangalgadh

Bhuleshwar is famous for the Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva, situated around 60 kilometers from Pune. The temple is situated on a hill and was built in the 13th century. There are beautiful carvings on the walls. Bhuleshwar has a mythological & historical significance. Originally, it was a fort which was called as 'Mangalgadh'. It is said that Devi Parvati danced for Lord Shiva and from here they went to Kailash and got married. This place is very crowded during Mahashivratri. Tawny Eagles migrate here from Pakistan and Indian Himalayan areas during winter in Himalayas but summer in Maharashtra. Temple was built during the period of 1230 AD by Choula Rulers. It must have ruined by invaders and reconstructed later (because the entrance of the temple is hided like gaimukhi buruj construction of Shivaji's time & in 13th century there was no need to hide entrance). The fort on which temple is situated is called as Daulatmangal fort some times referred as Manalgad. Black besalt (`AA type') rock was brought to construct this temple it is far superior as compared to surrounding brownish color basalt which high percentage of calcium (lime - Chuna). The fort is constructed during 1634 by Murar Jagdev who in 1630 looted Pune. It is well known& people tell he ploughed Pune with donkeys (It means he completely destroyed the place). It is said that after that Murar Jagdev built this fort to keep watch on Pune area.

This place has a shivaling below which you put Indian Sweets. It is said if they disappear your wish will be granted. Mostly it has been observed that no matter how much amount of sweet you put it disappears.

I have been to Bhuleshwar by Pune Saswad Route on Sunday 27^th November 2011. It is around 56kms. It was little crowded due to Sunday. It takes 1 ½ hours to reach Bhuleshwar from Pune. Once can also go from Pune Solapur road to Bhuleshwar. It’s very beautiful place to visit. The road from Saswad to Bhuleshwar is in good condition. There are food stalls near temple. So food and water is no problem there. Best time to visit is from September to December to see greenery around otherwise one can visit this place in any season.

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