PRATAPGAD FORT TREK | SATARA

PRATAPGAD FORT TREK | SATARA | MAHARASHTRA

- December 23, 2022

Pratapgad Fort Trek | Satara | Maharashtra

I went to Pratapgad Fort Trek on 10 September 2017. Almost 3 years are passed but Pratapgad Fort memories are still fresh in my mind. Pratapgad Fort trek was one of the most memorable trek in my life. Pratapgad Fort trek was combined trek with Bhimachi Kathi and Pratapgad Fort trek. I went for Pratapgad Fort Trek with Wild Trek Adventure trekking group. Distance between Mumbai to Pratapgad fort is 210 km. So we have to left Mumbai one day before. Pratapgad Fort tek was going to start next day early in the morning. We all friends met at Dadar railway station at 10 PM.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue
Most of them must have gone on a trip to Pratapgad when they were in school. Looking at Pratapgad studied in history books due to Afzal Khan's assassination, it does not seem that we are having much great experience at that age. But at a later age, Prakash became aware of the grandeur of Pratapgad. The height of Pratapgad fort is 3540 feet. Between Pratapgad and Mahabaleshwar is the forest of Jawali. After climbing some stairs, when we reached the door of Pratapgarh Fort, a cannon welcomed us as soon as we entered through the main door. People were also taking selfies with this cannon. The mention of Pratapgarh Fort is also recorded in history. This fort situated at Panaghat is built at an altitude of 1100 meters. It is said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj killed Afzal Khan, the Subedar of Bijapur here. There are also graves of Afzal Khan at this place.

Pratapgad Fort

Pratapgad is a fort built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. History tells us that In 1657, Moropant Pingalya asked for the construction of this fort and it was completed by 1658. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj also established Bhavani Devi here. There is a crystal Shivling in the temple of Goddess Bhavani. This temple is on the left side if you start climbing the steps after entering through the main entrance.

Bhavani Devi Temple
On the right you can see Jiva Mahal or the Watchtower. The mountain range of Mahabaleshwar can be seen in front. There are steps to go to Balekilla from this machi. On the way to Balekilla, on the right is a statue of Hanuman. A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has now been erected at his place. The statue was unveiled by Pandit Nehru in 1957. Apart from Afzal Buruj, Surya Buruj, Kadelot Buruj, Dakshir Buruj, Rede Buruj and Kedar Buruj are on the ramparts of the fort.

Nasake ponds are such ponds. In one place, water will be seen in a pot buried in the ground. This was a facility for horses. It is said. At present there is a small beautiful garden on the fort. A rest house is built at the back of the garden.

Due to the large number of tourists visiting the fort at present, the food and drink facilities are good. You can reach Pratapgad in 45 minutes from Mahabaleshwar and return to Mahabaleshwar in 3.5 hours. Also, Pratapgad Darshan of ST is a daily bus from Mahabaleshwar.