SINHAGAD FORT

OVERVIEW

District : Pune
Height above sea level : 4320 ft (1317 m)
Difficulty rating : Simple
Base village : Aatkarwadi, Kondanpur
Approx. time to reach : 2 hrs from both villages
Best Season to visit : One can visit the fort round the year
Duration : 1 Day

How To Reach

PMT buses run every hour, from Shanivarwada and Swargate to the Sinhagad foothills (and back).

You can trek up the fort from here---this takes between 45 mins and an hour and a half uphill and between 30 mins and an hour downhill, depending on your physical condition. There are lime juice(limbu paani) and buttermilk(chaas) stalls along the route. It makes sense to carry a bottle of water or two. Be warned that the route is slippery in the rainy season.

For those who do not want to trek up, you can get get off the bus at Golewadi, a stop prior to Sinhagad, and take a Jeep from here to the hill top (and back). Jeeps charge Rs.30-35 per person. Jeep drivers wait till they have collected around 6-10 people. The roads are steep and the ride takes 20-25 mins.

Another popular option is drive/ride your own car or two wheeler to the hill top---the roads are steep.

Pune-Khadakwasala-Donje-Golewadi junction-Aatka : From Swargate bus stand in Pune, board S.T.bus to village of Aatkarwadi. From here, a walk of one & half hour takes us to the topmost point. The path is bit tiring; hence early morning is best time to climb. Here we enter through Pune Darwaaja.

Pune-Kondanpur : From Swargate, one have to board the bus to Kondanpur, which is about 20-25 Km. On this way one, have to walk for 1 hour, and finally we reach Kalyan Darwaaja. This is comparatively easy way.

Trekking from Katraj Ghat to Sinhagad : It is a favourite of many trekkers. Board any bus via Katraj Ghat from Pune early morning, and alight at the tunnel of the Ghat. On the top of the tunnel is the peak known as Vrindavan, from where the trek starts. It is about 6-7 hours trek and we reach the fort by evening.

Trekking via Vitthalwadi-Khadakwasala route : From Pune, reach Vitthalwadi-Khadakwasala route. Keeping Sinhagad in view, we can reach the fort by a small way from Kalvantini’s bastion.

Trekking via Vinzher : On the Nasarapur-Velhe route, board the bus to the village of the Vinzher on the route and get the way to Kalyan Darwaaja.

Place to Stay / Eat

On Fort there are plenty of Locals who serve Pithale Bhakri, Kanda bhaji (Onion Fries), Zhunka Bhakri, Thecha all local famous marathi dishes and hot tea. Don't miss the opportunity to have them there. Enough Drinking water is also available on top. Though there are no place to stay on top but trekkers can find shelter from Rain and wind in fort area.

Places of Interest

Rajaram Samadhi : This monument was built in the memory of Rajaram Maharaj. So, Friends this fort, rather a magnificent museum and the caretaker of many ancient remnants and monuments, should be maintained properly.

Pune Darwaaja : From Pune, via Aatkarwadi village, we reach Pune Darwaaja we come across three consecutive entrances, of which third one was built during the era of Yadavas. We can see fine sculpture on it. On the way here, we notice an entrance through a distance, which is called Dhondse Darwaja. To reach this there is a tar road.

Khand Kada : After entering Pune Darwaaja, we come across this peak from where we can observe the region of Purandar fort and the rivers Mula and Mutha.

Kalyan Darwaaja : This is the entrance to the fort for those who come via Katraj Ghat. In older days, this door was used for communication between Sinhagad and Raigad.

Daru Kothar : On entering Pune Darwaaja, on the right we observe the building, which was ancient storage for grains.

Kondhaneshwar : When we follow the way rightwards along the Rajsadar, we reach this ancient temple of Lord Shankar.

Amruteshwar Mandir : This temple of Bhairav is located leftwards to the Konadhaneshwar temple, at a few minutes walk.

Statue of Tanaji : On the way behind Amruteshwar temple, after going upwards for few minutes, we can see this admirable monument. Every year, in his memory, one day is celebrated here.

Zunjar Buruz : This bastion lies to the left after entering Kalyan Darwaaja and comprises the westernmost point of this fort. From here, we can have a glimpse of Rajgad, Torna, Lingana and Raigad and Purandar on the west.

Tanaji Kada : This pinnacle is quite thrilling and lies beyond Zunjar Machi. It is a great attraction for hikers.

Western point : This point, as it is named, is the westernmost and is the place to keep the watch.

Kadelot point : This peak lies at a few minutes walk from the western point, and is the most suitable place to keep a watch on the extensive Pune city.

Bungalow of Lokmanya Tilak : The bungalow of Lokmanya Tilak is situated on the fort. He used to come here many a times. His works like Geetarahasya were completed here. In 1915 Gandhiji and Tilak met here. Whenever Gandhiji visited Pune, he drank only the waters of Sinhagad. Once Netaji Subhashchandra Bose had come here. He was at the second entrance of the fort, which was the main one when Shivaji ruled. He stopped here and lost into his Shivaji’s memories, while chanting Tagore’s words. This place is really very inspiring.