76 km to the northwest of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, is where you’ll find the Vishalgad Fort. The renowned Panthala Fort lies around 60 km to the northwest of it. Again, the location is around 21 kilometres south of the Ratnagiri Road in Kolhapur. The hills form the basis of the fort.
The Anaskura Ghat and the Amba Ghat are the two areas that are separated by these hills. The Konkan area and the Sahyadri hills serve as the foundation for the Vishalgad Fort. Because of this, the hill fort was regarded as a watchtower that allowed for appropriate monitoring over both territories in ancient times, when it was of great strategic value.
This fort is quite popular with tourists since it is one of the most well-known forts from Shivaji’s rule and period. This location is regarded as one of the most popular tourist destinations that must be visited. It discusses the Marathas’ historical legacy and customs from long ago.
History of Vishalgad Fort
Adilshah of Bijapur was the initial owner of the fort. Shivaji had his sights set on the fort for a long time, but the difficult terrain prevented him from taking control of it.
Shivaji did, in fact, attack the fort as well, but in vain. Ultimately, a plot was devised in which a few Marathas approached the Adilshahi commander and persuaded him that they were dissatisfied with Shivaji’s reign and would want to join Adilshah against him. The strategy worked, and the Marathas were allowed passage inside the fort. After the Marathas staged their uprising within the fort, Shivaji launched an outside force attack on the fort while it was in a state of turmoil. This was a strategy that worked. The fort was successfully taken by Shivaji and the Marathas.
How to reach
Vishalgad Fort is located in an area that is accessible by air as well as by road. The closest train station is Kolhapur, which is connected to the fort. Pune is the closest airport from Vishalgad if one chooses to go there by plane in order to access the fort.
Entry Fee
No charges are required for you to access this fort.
Timings of the Vishalgad Fort
Every day of the week and the weekend are open for visitors to the fort. The best time to visit the location is during the day. This guarantees both the tourists’ personal safety and an accurate view of the fort and its history.
Activities to do in and around
This fort offers several locations to explore. In actuality, it’s the ideal place for a weekend getaway in Maharashtra, where visitors can unwind and enjoy themselves with loved ones.
The fort is home to a number of tourist attractions, including Takmak Tok, Sri Nrusinha Temple, Amruteshwar Temple, Sati’s Vrindavan, and the mausoleum or dargah of Hazrat Malik Raihan.
Additionally, there are samadhis dedicated to Baji Prabhu Deshpande. Indeed, a trip to Maharashtra would be completed without stopping at this fort and its stunning surroundings.
The best time to visit
Summertime and wintertime are the finest seasons to visit the fort; wintertime is the most comfortable time to go there. Festivals held in the area and academic breaks must be the other regular and popular visitor seasons.
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