Kenjalgad Fort maharashtra
• Location:
Kenjalgad Fort is situated on the border of Bhor Taluka in Pune district and Wai Taluka in Satara district of Maharashtra state.
• Height:
The fort stands at an average height of 4,269 feet above sea level.
• Routes to Reach the Fort:
• From Pune, reach Bhor and then travel via the Raireshwar Road through Ambawade – Korle route to Pakharewadi village, from where the trek to Kenjalgad Fort begins.
• From Satara, travel to Wai and further through Menavali and Ghera Kenjal route to reach the fort by trekking on foot.
Places to See on Kenjalgad Fort
• While coming through the Bhor route on the Raireshwar Plateau Road, one comes across the Kenjalgad junction. From here, the path leads to Pakharewadi village. Vehicles can be parked here, and the trek to the fort starts through a forest trail near the school. After a long climb, trekkers reach the hilltop near the fort.
• Watch Post and Horse Water Tank :
Before entering the fort, the first structure seen is the watch post. Today, only its ruined remains can be seen. Nearby is a square-shaped rock-cut water tank made for watering horses. Cavalry soldiers and warriors who arrived here during military expeditions used to water their horses at this spot. A carved rock peg for tying horses can also be seen nearby.
• Entrance Gate :
Walking a little further leads to the first entrance gate of the fort. One side of the doorway and a guard chamber carved for the watchmen’s rest still remain intact. The other side and the upper frame have collapsed over time. Even from the remaining ruins, the grandeur of its medieval architecture can still be imagined.
• Cave Tunnel :
A little ahead lies a cave-like tunnel structure. Nowadays, fort trekkers often use this place for cooking food during their visits. It may once have served as a resting place or a secret underground passage. Due to years of neglect, the inner section has become blocked. During the monsoon and winter seasons, wild animals, beehives, spiders, and insects inhabit this area. Visitors should therefore move carefully while exploring the inside portion.
• Kenjalgad Fort Bastion :
Further ahead, a ruined bastion can be seen. Its scattered stones are lying around the surrounding area.
• Rock-Cut Stairway :
A stairway carved directly into the rocky cliff has been created to reach the top of the fort. Not a single joint can be seen in these steps, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship.
• Second Entrance Gate :
After climbing the rock-cut steps, the second entrance gate appears. It is now in a ruined condition, and only the lower threshold remains intact. Beneath it, a drainage hole for flowing water can still be seen. The upper steps have been damaged and washed away by continuous rainwater flow.
• Fortification Walls :
The fortification walls of the fort have collapsed at many places, while some sections still remain in good condition. The fort is especially situated on a high rocky plateau and is surrounded by steep cliffs on all sides.
• Water Tank :
A large rock-cut water tank can be seen on the fort. It was excavated directly into the rock. During summer, only a small amount of water remains in it.
• Spring and Water Reservoir :
A little further ahead, a natural spring can be seen. Water seeps down from the upper part of the fort and collects in a reservoir located in the lower section. By the end of winter, the spring usually dries up. In earlier times, this water was used to fulfill the drinking water needs of the fort residents.
• Granary :
A constructed granary can be seen on the fort. Its upper roof has collapsed. The lower portion appears to have been built during the Shivaji era, while the upper brick construction was probably added during the Peshwa period. It may have been used either as a grain storage facility or an ammunition storehouse.
Lime Grinding Pits :
Two lime grinding pits can be seen on the fort. During the construction of the fort, lime mortar was used to join stones together. Limestone, leaves of the hirda tree, gum, resin, and jaggery were placed in a circular pit, and a large stone wheel was rotated over the mixture with the help of bullocks or horses. This process prepared a strong binding material used for firmly joining the stones and making the construction durable and solid. Such two lime grinding pits can still be seen on the fort today.
• Ruins of the Administrative Court (Sadar) :
The structures on the upper part of the fort have mostly disappeared. Remains of residential buildings and the administrative court known as the Sadar can still be seen. Stone lamp structures and remains of ceremonial lamps are also visible. Administrative matters related to the fort and nearby region were once managed from this place.
• Ruins of Residential Mansions :
Ruins of residential structures can be found at several places on the fort. These buildings were once used by the fort commander, clerks, administrators, and guards stationed at the fort. During the Maratha period, the outer defensive structures were built extremely strong and durable, while the inner residential structures were made economically using stone, mud, and wood. Therefore, the gates, fortification walls, and bastions remained strong and nearly impregnable, whereas many of the internal buildings gradually collapsed over time.
• Karanjai Devi Temple :
There was once an ancient temple on the fort, now found in a ruined state. It is dedicated to the fort deity, Goddess Karanjai Devi. Due to long neglect, the temple had deteriorated over time. At present, reconstruction work of the temple is underway. Idols of the goddess and other Hindu deities can be seen inside the temple. Stone-made lamp pillars and lamps are also present here. The fort was once known as Kelanjagad because of this goddess.
• This fort has been known by various names such as Kenjalgad, Kelanja, Keranjai Gad, and even Manohargad, a name believed to have been given by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj after admiring the beautiful surrounding landscape.
• From this fort, one can enjoy magnificent views of Mahabaleshwar, Nira Deoghar Dam, Dhom Dam, Sinhagad Fort, Rajgad Fort, Raigad Fort, Purandar Fort, Torna Fort, the Raireshwar Plateau, Navra-Navri hills, and the Varandha Ghat region.
Historical Information about Kenjalgad Fort
• Since ancient times, the temple of Goddess Keranjai Devi has existed on this fort. She is considered the presiding deity of the fort.
• Like many forts in the Maval region, Kenjalgad Fort was built in the 12th century by the Shilahara king Bhoj.
• Later, the fort came under the control of the yadav dynasty.
• After the fall of the yadav rule, the fort passed into the hands of the Sultanates and later the Bahamani rulers.
• After the division of the Bahamani Sultanate, the fort came under the Adilshahi rule and remained under their control until 1674 CE.
• In 1674 CE, during the Chiplun campaign, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj sent his forces to capture this fort. The campaign was led by Gangaji Vishwasrao Kirdat, who attained martyrdom during the battle. On 24 April 1674, the fort became part of the Maratha Swarajya.
• After the death of Sambhaji Maharaj, Mughal emperor Aurangzeb captured the fort in 1701 CE.
• In 1702 CE, Sardar Pilaji Gole recaptured the fort and brought it back under Maratha control.
• Afterwards, Sardar Pilaji Gole administered the fort.
• During the Peshwa period, some additional constructions were carried out, especially granaries and other structures.
• In 1818 CE, the British captured the fort. British officers realized that if defended with proper planning, the fort would have been extremely difficult to conquer. Fearing that the Marathas might recapture it, they deliberately destroyed many structures on the fort.
• After India gained independence on 15 August 1947, the fort came under the administration of the Government of independent India.
• Accommodation Facility :
There is no accommodation facility available on the fort itself. However, arrangements can be made in the nearby base village, or visitors may set up their own tents for camping.
• Food Facility :
Visitors need to cook and arrange their own food.
• Drinking Water :
Water tanks are available on the fort, but the water should be purified before use. Water availability is generally better during the monsoon and winter seasons. Drinking water can also be obtained from the nearby village.
• Thus, this is the complete information about Kenjalgad Fort.
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