Purandar Fort ( किल्ले पुरंदर )

Purandar Fort ( किल्ले पुरंदर )

• Name of the Fort : Purandar Fort
• Type : Hill Fort
• Height : 4,472 ft
• Built by : It is built in many stages by the various rulers
• Materials : Stone , Lead
• Open for Public : yes
• Significance : The birth place of Sambhaji raje Bhosale

• Purandhar Fort located near Narayanpur and 1.5 km west of Sasvad or it is 40 km from Pune via NH4, Purandar fort is a hill fort known for its unique location.
• It occupies one of the highest points in the Sahyadris, and its rising 1475 m above sea level.
• There are twin forts, they are Purandar and Vajragad (or Rudramal).
• The Purandar village takes its name from the Purandar fort.
• Purandar fort is the birth place of Sambhaji raje Bhosale who was the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
• Purandar Fort has two levels, the upper or Ballekilla with precipitous side all around and the lower part or Machi about 300 meters is continuously plain.

History:

• Purandar Fort is one of the oldest fort ever built in Maharashtra. Shivaji maharaj spent big periods of time here. Sambhaji Maharaj, Shivaji Maharaj eldest son and successor was born at this fort.
• The history of Purandar fort goes back to 13th century. It was built by the first Bahamani king Hasan Gangu in the year 1350 after he gained control over Maharashtra.
• The fort was remaining in Bahamani rulers hands untill 1486. Then the fort fell into the hands of Ahmad, the founder of the Nizam Shahi Kingdom for a long time of over hundred years.
• In 1596 AD, the fort was given to Maloji Bhosale as a Jagir of fort, They was grand father of Shivaji Maharaj.
• In 1646, The Shivaji maharaj established control on the fort.
• In 1665 AD, Purandar was attacked by Mughal forces under the leadership of Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Dillir Khan after an intense battle with Murar Baji Prabhu. Murar Baji Prabhu lost his life in this battle to retain the fort. The agreement of Purandar was signed after this epic battle into this Shivaji maharaj agreed to surrender 23 of his forts to the powerful Mughal Empire.
  
• But, Shivaji Mahraj, recaptured all the fort from the Mughals only five years later in 1670.
• Later in 1818, Purandar Fort was Capctured by the British and they used it as a sanatorium and detention camp. During the Second World War, the British kept here the German Prisoners.

Important Places on Purandar Fort:

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• Kedareshwar mandir:- Kedareshwar Temple is a must visit place on the top of the hill.
• Statue of Murarbaji Deshpande and Sar Darwaja:- it is in memory of the great valour and courage the man showed in defending the fort in the face of all adversity.
• Sawai Madharao Peshwe Mandir.
• Purandareshwar mandir.

Nearby Attractions:

• Baneshwar Temple & Rock Garden :- There is a temple of Lord Mahadev and Beautiful rock Garden.
• Baneshwar water fall :- This is very beautiful waterfall near the temple.
• Prati Balaji temple:- Near Narayanpur village is the Balaji Temple which is also called as Prati Balaji. This is very spice full place and there is temple of lord balaji. Purandar fort to Prati Balaji temple distance is 16km.
• Jejuri Temple (Malhargad) :- This temple is an the Lord Khandoba which is worshiped by many of the villagers which is called as "Dhangars"worship they are god of Jejuri. It is devotional place well known all over Maharashtra and also in India. Every year lakhs of people come here to worship god 'Khandoba'.
• Bhatghar Dam :-

All above spots are at nearby locations on pune satara road & easy to cover within one day.

Best Time To Visit Purandar Fort: June to February is an ideal time to visit this fort. Visit during summers makes you exhausted due to high temperature.

How to reach Purandar Fort:

Tourists can take personal or rented vehicles from Pune to base village (Narayanpur) of the fort. There is an very easy trek path from a village narayanpur to the fort top. You can reach Narayanpur by taking a road to Saswad via Hadapsar Pune.

By Train: Pune railway station is the nearest railhead to reach the fort. Pune is well connected to all major cities in Maharashtra. Cabs & other vehicles are also easily available from Pune to the Purandar fort.

By Road: Purandar is located 40 kms from Pune by National Highway-4. Buses are available from Pune to Purandar. These buses stop is at the base of the Purandar fort. You can also reach Narayanpur village using Saswad-Bhor route.

By Air: Nearest airport to the Purandar fort is located in Pune city.