Weekend Travels

Kenjalgad Fort ( Ghera Khelanja )

Kenjalgad (Ghera Khelanja)

Kenjalgad or Ghera Khelanja Fort, 4,269 feet above sea level, is situated on the Mandhardev spur of the Mahadev range eleven miles north-west of Wai. The fort is situated on the ridge which separates Pune and Satara districts. Both the Krishna and Neera rivers are visible from the Ghera Khelanja fort. Bhor with its surrounding villages and Wai with its surrounding villages are also visible clearly. Therefore during the time of Maratha Empire the fort successfully performed the role of Watch Guard.

This was last fort taken by Shivaji before coronation ceremony! Just in front of the fort is Raireshwar where Shivaji took his oath for swaraj and this fort he conqured before sitting on throne, 24.04.1684 from Gangaji Naik Kirdat (Adilshahi Sardar).

I had visited Raireshwar many times but never got chance to visit Kenjalgad. So this I plan to visit Kenjalgad along with my friends. It was Sunday 17^th June 2012 when we started our journey towards Kenjadgad. Kenjalgad is around 70kms from Pune. The fort is easy to climb. There are water tanks, Caves on the fort.

Food and accommodation facility is not available on the fort. Best time to visit this fort is from October to May.

Route to taken:

Pune - Khed Shivapur - Kapurhol - Bhor Phata - Bhor - State Highway 70 - Titeghar - Kenjalgad.

Kenjalgad

Road to Kenjalgad

Take Left to Kenjalgad & Right to Raireshwar or Wai

Road to Kenjalgad

View from Kenjalgad( Dhom Dam back waters )

View of Kenjalgad

View from Kenjalgad( Dhom Dam back waters )

View from Kenjalgad

Me @ Kenjalgad

Cave before climbing Kenjalgad

Time to take some rest

Cave before climbing Kenjalgad, Take this route

Cave before climbing Kenjalgad

Rock cut Stairs at Kenjalgad

Park you vehicles in this small village

Kenjalgad

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Korigad Fort

Korigad (also called Kumwarigad).

Korigad is a famous hill fort in Lonavala, in Pune District. It is at an altitude of 3050 feet in the Lonavala region. The base village of the fort is Peth-Shahpur or Ambivali. There are many popular tourist sites nearby like the Korlaidevi and Ganesh temples besides several caves and a lake.

Korigad (also called Koraigad, Koarigad or Kumwarigad) is a fort located about 25 km away from Lonavla in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. This fort was incorporated into his kingdom by Shivaji along with the forts of Lohagad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona in 1657. On March 11, 1818, Col. Prother tried to take over this fort but even after a prolonged siege could not make any headway. Finally on 14 March, by igniting the stored ammunition by means of a loose cannon ball he succeeded and this fort went to the British. There are two lakes on the top of the fort.

I have been to Korigad twice. One in rainy season and another in summer, i.e. in May and the best season to visit Korigad is after October. It takes less than 45mins to reach on the fort from Peth-Shahpur village. The fort is in good condition. There are many cannons on the fort which also are in good condition. Stairs are now repaired. There are small caves on the fort. There is temple of Goddess Kori devi on the fort, which is renovated also. The idol of Kori devi is around 4feet. There are two more temples on the fort. There are two large ponds on this fort and ahead of them are two caves. Here we can see the idol of lord Vishnu. Food is not available on the fort; however there is hotel in Peth-Shahpur. Water is available on the fort; however it is advisable to carry water. Once can enjoy beautiful view of Aamby Valley city & Aamby Valley small Airport developed by Sahara Group from the fort.

Best time to Visit:-

Korigad can be visited in any season. The best time to see fort is from October to May. There are heavy rains in this region; however this fort attracts many people in rainy season, but due to fog and rains you may not be able to see the beauty around this fort.

Korigad - Lonavala

Korigad - First Cave Just before climbing.

climbing towards Korigad

climbing in Rainy season

Drinking water is available here in all seasons

Me at Ganesh Darwaja

Ganesh Darwaja

Idol of lord Vishnu carved just before Ganesh Darwaja

Top view of Ganesh Darwaja

Aamby Valley city

Cannon on fort

View of Aamby Valley city & Airport

Small Airport (Runway)

Cannon on fort

View of Korigad

Cannon on fort

View of Korigad

Pond on Korigad

View of Korigad

Ganesh Idol

Aamby Valley city

How to reach Korigad:-

Korigad is 77kms to 110kms from Pune. There are three routes to Korigad from Pune and the distance varies from each route. Distance can be save my taking route 1 or 3 and time can be saved by taking route 1.

Route 1:- (Approx 110kms)

Pune – NH4 – Lonavala – Bushi Dam/INS Shivaji Road – Peth-Shahpur.

Route 2:- (Approx 77kms)

Pune – Chandani Chowk – Paud – Kolvan Phata – Kolvan – Hadashi Dam - Take left to Javan Tungi Road/Lonavala - Peth-Shahpur.

Route 3:- (Approx 88kms)

Pune – Chandani Chowk – Paud – Mulshi – Tamhini Ghat – Take right to Dhangad/Lonavala - Peth-Shahpur.

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Vairatgad Fort

The fort Vairatgad is situated in the province of Wai, and 8 km away from Wai.

Once you reach the top you have to follow the right side trail. There are couples of water cisterns on the way. The trail ends at the flight of steps. A road from Vyajwadi joins here.

I have been to Vairatgad on 31/03/2012. The fort is easy to climb and it takes 1 to 1½ hrs to climb the fort and less than hour to see the fort. You directly reach the top of the fort. Top of the fort is actually very small and there are remnants of old buildings. Hanuman temple welcomes you and right across it is a huge pond. Inside the fort are five stone ponds none of them more than forty feet in diameter, and outside is one cave pond.

History Vairatgad Fort

The fort is one of those said to have been built by Bhoj Raja, the Kolhapur Silahara chief Bhoja II. (1178-1193) of Panhala, and its name is locally derived from the Vairats, a wild tribe supposed to have dwelt in this neighbourhood, who were subdued by the Pandavas. King Bhoj of the Shilahar dynasty built Vairatgad in the 11th century. The fort is partly commanded by the heights of Bavdhan three miles to the west. The view on all sides is very fine and extends on the west to Malcolm Peth. During Shivaji’s period the fort was used only as a military station. Shivaji Maharaj conquered the Wai region and included Vairatgad and Pandavgad in his kingdom. The British captured it in 1818.

Best time to Visit:

September to May

What to see?

Bastian, Fortification, Cannon, Water cisterns, Temple of Godess

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 Wai or at base village of Vyajvadi

Places around

Satara, Wai, Mahabaleshwar

Approximate Distance from Pune

92Kms