The Lohagad Fort is in Maval tehsil of Pune District in Maharashtra. It is a hill fort near popular hill stations Lonavala and Khandala. It is one of the most visited forts in Maharashtra. Lohagad has an elevation of approx 3608 ft. above sea level and falls in the beginners' category in trekking.

Districts/ Region 

Pune District, Maharashtra, India.

History

Overlooking the ancient path linking Coastal Ports with the commercial centres the hill for of Lohagad marks its presence. There are numerous structures constructed over the period of 600 years, the remains of which can be still seen on the fort. There are lakes, temples, cave, fortification walls with Bastian and well-preserved entrance gates. The fort plays a vital role in the history of Marathas.

The date of construction of this fort is quite uncertain but is believed to be approx 600 years old. In the year 1489, Malik Nizam Shah founded the Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar. To expand his reign he conquered several forts in the Pune region. Lohagad fort is one of these forts which was captured by the Nizam. Burhan Nizam Shah II is believed to be confined here in the year 1564. After the decline of Nizamshahi, the fort came under the rule of the Bijapur sultanate. In the year 1648, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj won this fort. In 1665 the Lohagad and some other forts were given to the Mughals under the Treaty of Purandar. In 1670 it was regained by Shivaji Maharaj and was utilized to store the plunder collected from the loot of Surat. In 1713 the fort was shifted to Kanhoji Angre by the East India Company. In 1720 the fort went under the control of the Peshwa (Balaji Vishwanath). In 1770 Nana Phadnavis took charge, who ordered the reconstruction of this fort in 1789 CE. Furthermore, he constructed some water tanks and a step well too. The fort fell under the control of Bajirao II in 1802. In 1818, after the Peshwa gave up to the British it fell under the control of Colonel Prother. It was utilized till 1845 by the British and later was deserted.

Geography

The Lohagad Fort is in the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges in Maval Taluka of Pune District. Lohagad and Visapur Forts are known as twin forts. Visapur is within a distance of 1 KM and is divided by a mountain range.
 

Weather/Climate

It has a hot-semi arid climate year-round with an average temperature ranging from 19-33 degrees Celsius.April and May are the hottest months when the temperature reaches up to 42 degrees Celsius.Winters are extreme, and the temperature can go as low as 10 degrees Celsius at night. The average daytime temperature is around 26 degrees Celsius.The annual rainfall in the region is around 763 mm. 

Things to do 

One can visit the Vinchu Kata (Scorpion Nail) Point on the Western Side of the Fort which is a 
famous attraction amongst the tourists. There are four entrances to the fort namely:
● Ganesh Darwaza - It is named Ganesh Darwaza because of sculptures of Lord Ganesha on 
both sides of the walls. The door also has sharp spikes nailed on it.
● Narayan Darwaza - It was constructed by Nana Phadnavis during the reconstruction and repair 
work of the fort. It also has a tunnel room adjoining it.
● Maha Darwaza - This door was also commissioned by Nana Phadnavis.
● Hanuman Darwaza - It is named Hanuman Darwaza because of the sculpture of Lord Hanuman 
engraved on the wall beside the door. This Darwaaza is said to be the oldest entrance of the fort.
The conditions of all these entrances are said to be particularly intact even after all these years. On 
the Eastern side of the cliff, there is a rock-cut cave where an inscription was found on the outer wall. 
Nana Phadnavis built a step well and many water tanks. Out of those water tanks the largest water tank was known as ‘Bawantaki’. There is a Kothi built which is named the Laxmi Kothi. There is a temple and a grave of a Sufi Muslim on top of the fort.The fort has well-preserved gates and 
fortifications. The hilltop has a wide-open place where numerous structures from different periods 
can be seen. There is a well-designed water management system on the fort. This fort is one of 
the twin forts of the Lohagad-Visapur pair.

Nearest tourist places 

Visapur Fort is about 1 KM, divided by a mountain range.
Bhaje caves are about 3.4 KM
Dudhiware Waterfalls - 1.6 KM
Tung Fort and Pawna River - 7.4 KM

How to travel to tourist place by Rail, Air, Road (train ,flight, bus ) with distance and required time

● The Lohagad Fort is accessible by road via the Mumbai-Pune Expressway via Dudhiware 
Khind. State Transport Buses are available from Shivaji Nagar Station and Pune Station.
● By Train, if coming from Pune one can take the Pune-Lonavala Local train and get down 
at Malavli station. While coming from Mumbai, one should get down at Lonavala station and then 
take the Pune-Lonavala local train to reach Malavli.
● From Malavli station cabs and Private vehicles for hire are available up to the foothills 
and further into the Lohagadwadi village.
● The nearest airport is the Pune International Airport which is 66 KM.

Special food speciality and hotel

Many local snack corners at the base village serve simple menus like Zhunka-Bhakri, Thecha, Kanda-Batata Bhaji and various refreshment drinks like Tea and Lime water.

Accommodation facilities nearby & Hotel/ Hospital/Post Office/Police station

Some hotels and resorts are available for accommodation.

● Kusgaon Police Station is the nearest Police Station around 10.9 KM

● Dr Giravle Hospital is the nearest hospital 5.9 KM away.

MTDC Resort nearby details

MTDC Karla is the nearest resort at 9.7 KM

Language spoken in area 

English, Hindi, Marathi.