Kamalgad Fort

Kamalgad is a fort on a hill in the shape of square. It is also famous as Bhelanja or Kattalgad. The fort is near to Wao town. It is in the Satara district of Maharashtra. It is one of Maharashtra's most well-known historical sites and a must-see in any Panchgani package.

The fort is on a flat area that's about 3–4 acres big. It's ringed by thick trees and steep rocks that you must carefully climb to reach its base. In the past, the only way to get here was through an artificial tunnel. A big rock has now stopped that tunnel. One thing different about this fort is that it has no houses, walls, or even a gate on top.

Kamalgad fort history

Over 4511 feet above sea level is where the fort is located. It has stunning views of the beautiful Dhom Dam. No one knows who built the fort. During the Maratha era, a Mokasaddar from Bijapur managed Kamalgad Fort. He was also in charge of Pandavgad and other nearby forts.

Early Marathi records mention the fort as Kattalgad. These records were written in the Modi script. Kamalgad gave up in April 1818 after fighting off a British army led by Major Thatcher. When the British were in charge, the fort was used to put to death war prisoners. It is one of the most well-known places to visit near Panchgani.

Kamalgad trek

It is possible to start the journey to Kamalgad Fort in either the village of Vasole or in Nandgaon. The trail to the fort is well-worn at the start. It's high and not very wide. As you slowly climb up to the gorge between a hill and Kamalgad fort, you'll see a lot of cow trails. It is a good idea to check the routes with people who live nearby or with shepherds.

Always go in the direction that goes up. Take a left turn from the gorge. Follow the path until you reach the Gorakshnath temple. Then, take the left turn and keep going. Trekkers can get to the top of the fort after walking for about 20 minutes. People who live in the area should be asked to check the path often.

How to reach Kamalgad Fort?

You can start the Kamalgad Trek from Nandgane. You can easily reach it by road. It is approximately 260 kilometers away from Mumbai and 125 kilometers away from Pune. You can drive all the way there. To get to Nandgane from Mumbai, the drive takes 6-7 hours. To get there from Pune, it takes 3–4 hours. There is an airport 93 km away in Satara. But there aren't many flights to Satara.