Weekend Travels

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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Wardhangad and/or Vardhangad is hill fort lies on the Bhadle-Kundla spur of the Mahadev range at a point of it on the boundary between the Koregaon and Khatav talukas, seven miles north-east of Koregaon and nine miles north-east of Satara. It is a round-topped hill rising about 900 feet above the plain below on the west or Koregaon side and about 700 feet on the east or Khatav side.

History of Wardhangad and/or Vardhangad

The construction of the fort was undertaken in 1673 by Chhatrapati Shivaji and was finished in 1674. It was used as an outpost guarding the east frontier of his newly acquired territory. In 1800, the fort, then in the hands of the Pratinidhi, was invested by Mahadji Shinde's force with 25,000 men. The Ramoshis in the south-west machi were attacked and killed the horse of Muzafarkhan one of Shinde's generals. The machis were then sacked and burnt. Further havoc was stopped by the influence of the Sarnobat Ghorpade's wife who was sister to the wife of Shinde. In 1803, Balvantrav Bakshi, the commandant of the fort, fought here a battle with Yesai Saheb Firangi. The fort was shelled, the machis sacked, and a contribution of Rs. 3,000 levied. In 1805 the fort was attacked by Fattesingh Mane. The Karkhanis and other officers were killed and Fattesingh took many horses in the neighbourhood. But was himself killed soon afterwards in a battle fought with Balvantrav Phadnis, the Mutalik of pratinidhi who was assisted by the troops of Chintamanrav Patwardhan. [Grant Duffs Marathas, Vol. II, 413.] In 1807 after the battle of Vasantgad, [Grant Duff's Marathas, Vol. II, 413.] Bapu Gokhale brought the Pant Pratinidhi to Cimanganv, a Koregaon village close to the north of the fort, and the fort was then surrendered to him. He administered it for five years till 1811 when the Peshva took charge of it. It appears to have surrendered in 1818.

The fort is very easy to climb. The top of the fort can be reached within 15 to 20 minutes and the whole fort can be seen in less than hour. A fair is held here on every Dasara. There is an idol of Parashuram in the hall. It is said that, there is a tunnel leading to Mahimangad. The door of the tunnel is now covered with prickly pear and stones.

Best time to Visit:

Throughout the Year

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Cannon, Water cisterns, and Temple of Vardhinidevi Mata

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 Wardhangad and/or Vardhangad

Places around

Nandgiri and/or Kalyangad Fort, Yamai temple of Kinhai, Mahimangad Fort, Satara City

Approximate Distance from Pune

135Kms