Weekend Travels: Malhargad { Also Known as Sonori Fort }

Malhargad is just 30kms from Pune (Katraj). It is also called as Sonori Fort due to the village Sonori situated at its base. The fort has been named after the god Malhari and is the last fort built by the Marathas, 1775. It is also known as "Tarun Killa" (young fort) because it is the latest fort built in Maharashtra.

The fort is believed to be built to keep watch on Dive ghat along the Pune-Saswad route. The fort was built during the period of 1757 to 1760. The fort was built by Bhivrao Yashvant and Krishnaji Madhavrao Panse, a Peshwa Sardar, who was the chief in charge of “Tofkhana” of the Peshwas. Citations of a visit of Elder Madhavrao Peshwe to the fort are available in historic documents. A palace, belonging to Panse, can be seen in the Sonori village though; much of it is in ruins.

The fort is in good condition. There are two temples constructed side-by-side: the smaller is of Lord Khandoba, and the bigger one is of Lord Mahadeva.

I have been to Malhargad many times. It is very beautiful and small fort. It takes one and half hours to reach Malhargad from Pune and less than one hour to see the entire fort.

For more photos see link below

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