Pandavgad Fort — Attraction in Maharashtra

Pandavgadh Fort, located in the picturesque Pube district near Wai, offers a delightful and immersive trekking experience. The fort's historical significance, coupled with its easy to moderate trek difficulty level, makes it an excellent destination for both adventure enthusiasts and history buffs.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Pandavgadh Fort is its association with Nana Phadanvis, a prominent figure in Maharashtra's history. This connection adds a layer of historical charm to the fort, making it a compelling destination for those interested in exploring the region's past.

The trek to Pandavgadh covers a distance of approximately 11 kilometers from Wai, ensuring a satisfying hike through the beautiful countryside. The verdant landscapes and soothing monsoon climate enhance the overall experience, making the rainy season the best time to visit. The cascading waterfalls and lush greenery along the trail create a stunning backdrop for trekkers, providing a refreshing and rejuvenating escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

As you ascend the fort, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The vantage points from the top offer breathtaking vistas that showcase the natural beauty of the Western Ghats region. Exploring the fort's ruins, including its ancient walls and structures, adds a sense of exploration and discovery to the trek.

The fort's well-preserved remnants provide glimpses into its glorious past and offer an opportunity to appreciate the architectural prowess of the bygone era. The tranquil ambiance and serene atmosphere at the fort create a serene environment, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the historical aura and soak up the rich heritage of the region.

The trek to Pandavgadh Fort strikes a perfect balance between adventure and history. Its accessibility, moderate difficulty, and captivating surroundings make it an ideal choice for trekkers of varying skill levels. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or a beginner, the fort offers an enjoyable and rewarding experience that leaves a lasting impression.

In conclusion, Pandavgadh Fort, nestled in the enchanting Pube district near Wai, is a treasure trove of historical significance and natural beauty. The easy to moderate trek, coupled with its association with Nana Phadanvis, makes it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and history lovers alike. So pack your bags, put on your hiking shoes, and embark on a memorable journey to Pandavgadh Fort for an experience that will captivate your senses and leave you with...

I visited in December-January. There are two routes; one from Menavali and the other from Dhavdi. I chose the route from KambatWadi (कांबटवाडी), that is on the boundary of Dhavdi (धावडी) village. This is the easiest route. Also, you can visit the Buddhist Leni and Dhavdi Caves from this side. You can take your bike/jeep up to the fort base till KambatWadi. The small road beyond Kambatwadi is not recommended for cars. For jeep/bike you can park at the very base where climbing starts. You can find KambatWadi on wikimapia. Or you can locate The Yellow Retreat resort on Google map which is near by. Ask for directions to any local guy. From the base, it takes 1-1.5 hrs till the top. The route is simple. There are no rock-patches. There are teak trees (सागवान) all over this hill. At this time of year (Dec-Jan) you will find lots of dry teak leaves on ground. It becomes almost impossible to walk without making noise. Loosened soil makes some small patches slippery. At half height of the hill, you will find two houses and a temple near by. The moment you reach to the temple, you will start admiring the scenic view of Dhom dam. The path behind this temple takes you to the first gate. But it is not easily identifiable as there is hardly any structure remaining. Then the path goes to left side, keeping stronghold (बालेकिल्ला) to your right. You will find one large water tank on the way. There are many water tanks carved on this fort. But only one is in use as of now (next one after this, on the right). You can get drinkable water here. I am not sure how long the water lasts throughout the year. There is one house at the rear end of fort. The way to balekilla will be on the right. There are two temples, one limestone grinder (चुन्याचा घाणा) on balekilla. The view from here is good. From here you can see Mandhardev, Dhom dam, Kamalgad, Wai etc. It would be best to reach the first temple below fort for sunset. The sunset here is just superb! But make sure you reach at base before it's dark.

Climbing Time: 1:30 hr Difficulty Level: Easy Endurance...

At a distance of 11 km from Wai and 23 km from Panchgani, Pandavgad Fort is one of the major tourist attractions situated in Wai Taluk of Satara district in Maharashtra. Situated at an altitude of 4177 feet, Pandavgad Fort lies on the Wai-Mandhardev Road. Pandavgad Fort was built by King Bhoj II of the Shilahar Dynasty. This fort was formerly under the rule of Adilshahi. The fort was taken by Shivaji Maharaj in 1673 AD but in 1701, Aurangzeb captured the fort. The fort was an important line of defense in the battle between Trimbakji Dengle and the British in 1817 AD. The fort is about six acres in extent and is a square shaped structure. Its consist of a slope of forty to sixty feet high along with several strong masonry ramparts surmounted by a huge wall. The main feature of this fort is that it has the natural protection of a sharp rock which is about 6 m high. All the buildings in the fort except the temple of Pandjai Devi are in ruined state. The fort possesses 18 ponds which used to supply water to the residents, now only three ponds possess water. On the top a large pond on the eastern part is blocked with silt. To the north of the main gate, down the shoulder of the hill is a group of small rock cut water tanks which are not maintained well. The fort can be reached by a rocky path diverting to the north from Bhogaon village which is 6 km west of Wai on Wai-Velang route. The approach to the fort is very difficult and at places the path is very narrow with the hill slopes on one side and deep valleys on the other. Though the hill is not covered with thick forest, it has considerable foliage of bushy shrubs. It is a 1.5 - 2 hours moderate trek and the last 200 m had...