PURANDAR FORT

overview

District : Pune
Height above sea level : 1387 Meter (~4472 feet)
Difficulty rating : Easy
Base village : Narayanpur
Approx. time to reach the top : 1 hr from base village
Google MAP co-ordinates :
Best Season to visit : August to February, though there are good chances of heavy shower in August and September
Duration: 1-2 days

How To Reach

Via Saswad : A S.T. bus to Bhor from Saswad will drop you at the bus-stop of 'Purandar Ghat matha' in Narayanpur village. A road on the left side along the two houses situated on mountain ahead leads to Bini Darwaja which can be reached approximately in 45 minutes.

Via Pune : A S.T. bus to Saswad from Pune takes us to the foothills of Purandar fort. Pune-Narayanpur bus is also available to reach up to the base village, Narayanpur.

Place to Stay / Eat

Available in military camps/bungalows situated on the fort. Note that prior permission of the officers is needed to get this accommodation. Food needs to be arranged on their own. Water is available round the year. Though Purandar has many water cisterns (at least 25), they don't hold potable water, especially in summer. So better to take enough water from base village itself.

Places of Interest

Purandareshwar Temple : This is Lord Mahadev's temple built in 'Hemadic' style of architecture. The temple houses approx. 1.25 to 1.5 feet high statue of Lord 'Indra'. Senior Bajirao was instrumental in leading its reconstruction.

Delhi Darwaja : This door, facing north, is still in a good condition. As the road turns near the Darwaja, we can see a temple of Goddess Laxmi. A leftward route from the bifurcation ahead leads us to the other end of the Citadel. The same road leads us to some water cisterns. The rightward road from the bifurcation leads to yet another door (Darwaja). Two statues of lions guard either sides of this Darwaja.

Khandakada : As we enter and proceed along this Delhi-Darwaja, we see a huge rock extending eastwards. This is nothing but 'Khandakada'. At its end lies a bastion. After visiting this place, it is advisable to return to the Darwaja for our further journey towards the right end uphill. We get to see here the remnants of few structures like 'food-grain storage rooms' as also of a castle. A few water reservoirs are also located here. As we go ahead, we come across Kedar Darwaja. Although, it may not be in a good condition today, however, its historical value and importance can't be overlooked.

Kedareshwar : As we walk for 15 minutes along the main road and climb the steps, we come across 'Kedareshwar' temple. A reconstructed temple, it is of Lord Kedareshwar. During Mahashivratri thousands of pilgrims visit this temple. 'Deepastambha', a stone pillar for enlightening the lamps, can be seen in front of the temple. This temple is a topmost part of the fort. One can see the forts like Rajgad, Torna, Sinhagad, Raireshwar, Rohida, Malhargad as well as Karhe-Plateau from here. At the rear end of this temple there is a fortified place called as 'Koknya'

Bini Darwaja : The only door to Purandar Machi,enroute from Narayanpur as we approach Purandar fort. Unlike many other forts, the door is in good condition even today. As one enters through the door, there are provisions for the guards to hide and attack enemy. These are called as the Gatehouses. (Paharekaryandiya Devdya) As one proceeds further, the khandakada immediately catches our attention.

Once you enter through the door, the road branches, one straight ahead whereas the other towards the rear end of fort. As we move on, we come across the vintage military camps and a few bungalows. The same road leads to the foothills of the citadel, where we can see the temple of "Purandareshwar". Also, the statue of Murarbaji in his fighting stance gives us the feel of his courageous nature and dose not fail taking us back to those glorious days.

Rameshwar temple : This temple is located towards the rear end of Purandareshwar temple. Constructed during the start of 'Peshva' dynasty, built by Balaji Vishwanath, it was a temple that was privately owned by the Peshvas. Moving further ahead we come across the remains of an ancient two storied bungalow called as 'Wada'.It was in the same 'Wada' that Sawai Madhavrao was born. Behind it is a well, which is in a good condition even today. Moving further ahead, the road bifurcates, one that leads to the foothills of citadel whereas the other towards 'Bhairav Khind'. As we move towards the road leading the citadel, after a walk of 15 minutes, we come across 'Dilli Darwaja'.

Purandar Machi : Coming back up to Delhi Darwaja, one can take a straight route, which leads to 'Purandar Machi'. We get to see many dilapidated remains along this route.

Statue of Murarbaji Deshpande : The statue of Murarbaji Deshpande was established in 1970 to the right after we go through Bini Darwaja.

Bhairav Khind : Enroute to Purandar Machi, is the 'Bhairavkhinda'. A statue of the Great Maratha, 'Shivaji Maharaj' can be seen here. On the right hand side we see the 'Rajale lake' which also the source of water supply for Purandar Machi.

Padmavati Lake : It can be seen if we walk just a little ahead of the great Murarbaji Deshpande statue.

Shendrya Bastion : There is bastion called SHENDRYA build in alignment with the fortification which is North-west to citadel & behind the Padmavati Lake.

Purandhar fort has a National Cadet Corps Academy. It is a favorite destination for paragliders and trekkers.