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Sinhgadh

Great Sinhgad fort 

Sinhagad, Sinhgarh, or Sinhgad, is a fortress located roughly 30 kilometres southwest of the city of Pune, India. Previously called Kondhana, the fort has been the site of many important battles, most notably the Battle of Sinhagad in 1671

 

You can’t possibly visit the fort of Sinhagad without first experiencing the delights of a vibrant city like Pune. It was the first capital of the Maratha Empire under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and in the 18th century the city became a political centre of the Indian sub-continent as the seat of the Peshwas who were the prime ministers of the Maratha Empire. The city is a cultural, industrial and educational hub and there are plenty of places of tourist interest, including the Shaniwar Wada which was the palace of the rulers under the Peshwa dynasty; the Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple which was founded in 1893 by a sweetmeat seller who became a wealthy businessman; the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum that displays a variety of artifacts; the Saras Baug which is an imposing and well laid out garden; Parvati Hill that serves as an important religious destination; and Vishrambaug Wada which has a museum showing how Pune was in the old days. There’s also a lot of shopping that you can do in Pune as well as sample different cuisines, especially the Maharashtrian thali.
 
Sinhagad Fort is a popular picnic spot located at a distance of 25km from Pune city in Maharashtra state, India. This is a popular trekking destination for the people of Pune as it is situated on a hill, at a height of 700m above the surrounding landscape. I think most people are familiar with the fact that in Maharashtra state, you can see different forts. It is believed that Tanaji Malusare, a general in Shivaji's army sacrificed the wedding of his son to win the fort. This brave soldier was well supported by uncle Shelar Mama as well as Marathas. 
 
Do you know how this fort was named as Sinhagad fort? This fort was named after Kondana, after this brave Tanaji Malusare who fought like a true lion till his death. So Sinhagad fort is sometimes known as Lion fort also. When you get a chance to visit this fort, you can see that it still reflects the story of our Pune city. From this Sinhagad fort, you can also see Panshet, Khadakwasla, and Varasgaon dams as well as the Torana fort. Sometimes this fort is also used for training purposes by the National Defence Academy. Inside the Sinhagad fort you can also see the Samadhi of Tanaji Malusare with that of Shivaji's younger son Rajaram. Once, this fort was the summer house of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the great freedom fighter. You can also see Dev Taki, which is a tank famous with sweet and cold water in Sinhagad fort. 
 
One of the main attractions of this fort is its climbing on foot. It's better to carry some snacks with you while visiting the Sinhagad fort. Now I hope most of you may be thinking about how we can reach Sinhagad fort very easily.
 
 

Sinhagad Fort is located 4300 feet above sea level, on the Sahyadri Hills. It is a strategic fort, carefully selected for its proximity to the settlement of Pune, allowing control over important trade routes and offering protection behind its safe walls in times of need. Originally called Kondana, it was renamed the Lion Fort in honour of Shivaji’s trusted aide Tanaji Malusare who lost his life in a daring raid on the fort.

The summer months (March-June) are too hot to visit Sinhagad, but all other seasons offer great opportunities for a day outdoors. In September-October just after the rains, the hills are carpeted in green, and very scenic. From November through February, the craggy black rock contrasts beautifully with yellow hay and the weather is simply perfect. The monsoon season begins in June, and it is then that the Sahyadris become truly magical, with beautiful waterfalls and lush foliage. Trekkers from Mumbai and Pune head for the Sahyadris to see the hills come alive in the rains.

Panshet is a pleasant tranquil lake created in the 1950’s by the building of a dam. It supplies drinking water to Pune, and is a popular getaway for residents of Pune. 

Places we will visit: This is a half-day tour that can be done either in the morning or in the afternoon. The drive from Pune to Sinhagad takes about 45 minutes. There is a fairly easy 20 minute climb to the fort from the parking area. The guide will explain the history of the fort as well as some of the key principles behind its layout. You will visit the memorial of Rajaram, Shivaji’s younger son, who died here. There are great views of the hills, rivers and dams from the top of the fort. After an hour at the Fort, we will proceed to Panshet, for a relaxing picnic break, and then return to Pune.

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