Trekking spot - Pratapgad Fort

Trekking spot - Pratapgad Fort

Pratapgad is a large fort located in Satara district, in the state of Maharashtra in India. Significant as the site of the Battle of Pratapgad, the fort is now a popular tourist destination.

Pratapgad Fort is a mountain fort built by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort is at a distance of 24 km from the hill station of Mahabaleshwar. The fort holds a sturdy view of coastal Konkan. The Bhavani Temple and Afzal Khan's tomb are other places of interest.

Pratapgad consists of two forts - an upper fort built on the top of the hill and a lower fort immediately below on the south and the east. Surrounding areas can be easily taken guard from the fort on almost all the sides. The southern side is rocky while the eastern side has a strong outwork ending in the Afzal Buruj.


The famous minister More Tirmal Pingale on the command of Shivaji Maharaj to control the rebellious satraps of the surrounding Javali Basin built Pratapgad Fort in 1656. It is believed that Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja was blessed with a shining sword at the temple of Goddess Bhavani here.

The historic battle between Chatrapati Shivaji and Afzal Khan, the commander of the Bijapur Sultanate fought here. Bhavani Temple and Afzal Khan's Tomb are major attractions where are situated near the fort.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Bhavani Temple

The Bhavani temple was built by Shivaji Maharaj in 1661, because he was unable to visit the famous temple of Bhavani at Tuljapur due to torrential rains. The temple is on the eastern side of the lower fort. It consists of a hall and a shrine. The hall has wooden pillars and the shrine is made of black stone. The roof of the temple is flat inside, outside is a leaden cover put by Maharaja Pratap Singh of Satara, also there is a small spire or 'Shikhar' over the shrine.

Afzal khan's Tomb

The tomb where Afzal Khan's head was buried beneath the tower bears his name, Afzal Buruj. A Dargah of Afzal Khan is constructed away from the fort to the southeast of the Afzal Buruj, where an Urs (fair) is held annually in the month of January or February.

Getting there:

By Air : Pune is the nearest airport, 120-km away.
By Train : Satara Road is the closest railway station, but Pune / Mumbai is the normal departure point for Mahabaleshwar.
By Road : State transport buses run from Pune and Mumbai. There are also MTDC / private luxury buses, that plies daily in either direction between Mumbai and Mahabaleshwar.


MORE SNAPSHOTS >

Clouds on Pratapgad



Afzal Buruj

Small Canons and Guns

Monkey at Fort Pratapgad

Cannon at at Fort Pratapgad