Purandar Fort A Complete Guide to History Trekking & Travel

Prabhuling jiroli

Mar 3, 2025 10:29 am

Purandar Fort, located in Maharashtraโ€™s Pune district, is an ancient hill fort with immense historical and strategic significance. It played a vital role in Maratha history, especially as the birthplace of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. Standing at 1,387 meters (4,553 feet) above sea level, it offers scenic views, thrilling trekking trails, and historical ruins.

The fort is divided into two parts:
โœ… Lower Fort (Machi) โ€“ Houses temples, water reservoirs, and military structures.
โœ… Upper Fort (Ballekilla) โ€“ The highest point, with breathtaking views.

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๐Ÿ“œ 1. History of Purandar Fort

๐Ÿฐ Early & Medieval History

  • Purandar Fort dates back to the 11th century and was built by the Yadava dynasty.
  • It was later controlled by the Bahmani Sultanate and the Nizamshahi rulers of Ahmednagar.

โš”๏ธ Maratha & Mughal Era

  • Shivaji Maharaj captured Purandar Fort in 1646, strengthening its defenses.
  • In 1665, during the Treaty of Purandar, the fort was temporarily surrendered to the Mughals.
  • Later, Shivaji Maharaj recaptured it in 1670, making it a major military base.

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ British Rule & Present-Day

  • In 1818, the British took control of Purandar Fort after the fall of the Marathas.
  • Today, the fort is partly under the Indian Armyโ€™s control, but trekking is allowed on specific days.

๐Ÿš— 2. How to Reach Purandar Fort

๐Ÿ“ Nearest Cities & Distances

LocationDistance from Purandar FortApprox. Travel Time
Pune50 km1.5 hours
Mumbai200 km4.5 hours
Saswad20 km40 minutes

๐Ÿš† By Train

  • Nearest Railway Station: Pune Junction (50 km)
  • From Pune, hire a cab or take a bus to the base village (Narayanpur).

๐ŸšŒ By Bus

  • MSRTC buses are available from Pune to Saswad.
  • From Saswad, take a private auto-rickshaw or taxi to Narayanpur.

๐Ÿš– By Road (Best Option)

  • From Pune: Take the Pune-Saswad Road, then continue to Narayanpur.
  • From Mumbai: Drive via Mumbai-Pune Expressway, then take NH-65 towards Saswad.

๐Ÿฅพ 3. Trekking to Purandar Fort

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Trekking Routes & Difficulty

RouteStarting PointDifficulty LevelTime Required
Narayanpur RouteNarayanpur VillageModerate1.5 - 2 hours
Saswad RouteSaswadDifficult2.5 - 3 hours

โณ Best Time for Trekking

โœ… Monsoon (June - September) โ€“ Best for lush greenery ๐ŸŒง๏ธ
โœ… Winter (October - February) โ€“ Cool weather, best for photography โ„๏ธ
โŒ Avoid Summer (March - May) โ€“ Hot & dry, dehydration risk ๐Ÿ”ฅ

๐Ÿ” Trekking Tips

โœ”๏ธ Start early (before 9 AM) to avoid the heat.
โœ”๏ธ Carry at least 2 liters of water per person.
โœ”๏ธ Wear good-quality trekking shoes.
โœ”๏ธ Stick to marked trails โ€“ Some sections are steep.
โœ”๏ธ Bring a raincoat if trekking during monsoon.


๐Ÿคฉ 4. Why You Must Visit Purandar Fort?

โœ… Birthplace of Sambhaji Maharaj โ€“ Son of Shivaji Maharaj.
โœ… Scenic Views โ€“ Overlooks Sahyadri hills, Torna, and Rajgad Fort.
โœ… Adventure Trek โ€“ Perfect for trekkers seeking moderate difficulty.
โœ… Rich History โ€“ Associated with Maratha-Mughal battles.
โœ… Less Crowded than Other Forts โ€“ A peaceful offbeat trekking destination.


๐Ÿฐ 5. Important Fort Details

๐Ÿšช Fort Gates (Darwazas)

Gate NameSignificance
Dilli DarwazaMain entrance, grand stone structure.
Binni DarwazaInner gate leading to upper fort.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Fort Towers & Structures

StructureSignificance
Kedareshwar TempleDedicated to Lord Shiva.
Purandeshwar TempleSacred site for devotees.
Fort BastionsStrong defensive stone walls.
Water TanksAncient water reservoirs for soldiers.

๐Ÿšจ 6. When to Avoid Visiting Purandar Fort

โŒ During Heavy Monsoons (July-August) โ€“ Trails become slippery and unsafe.
โŒ Late Evenings/Night โ€“ No proper lighting, risky for trekking.
โŒ Hot Summers (March-May) โ€“ Extreme heat, dehydration risks.


โš ๏ธ 7. Who Should Avoid This Trek?

๐Ÿšท Elderly people with mobility issues โ€“ The trek involves steep climbing.
๐Ÿšท People with breathing difficulties โ€“ Humidity in monsoon makes it tougher.
๐Ÿšท Young kids (under 7 years) โ€“ Unless they are experienced trekkers.


๐ŸŽ’ 8. What to Carry for the Trek?

โœ”๏ธ 2-3 liters of water per person.
โœ”๏ธ Trekking shoes with a strong grip.
โœ”๏ธ Cap, sunglasses, and sunscreen (for summer treks).
โœ”๏ธ Raincoat/Poncho (for monsoon treks).
โœ”๏ธ First aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic, painkillers).
โœ”๏ธ Energy bars & dry snacks.
โœ”๏ธ Power bank & fully charged phone.


๐Ÿ’ญ Final Thoughts

Purandar Fort is a perfect blend of history, adventure, and scenic beauty. Whether you are a trekker, photographer, or history enthusiast, Purandar Fort offers something unique.

๐Ÿ“ Plan your trip wisely, respect nature, and enjoy the adventure! ๐Ÿšถโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿฐ