Panhalgad - 31st May 2009

General information : 

Panhalgad is hill fort. Panhala gad is situated approximately at about 20 km from the Kolhapur in Maharashtra. This fort is considered to be one of the largest and one of the most magnificent forts present in the Deccan region.  The most notable being the Battle of Pavan Khind. Here, the queen regent of Kolhapur, Tarabai, spent her formative years.

The fort information : 

Panhala fort was built between 1178 and 1209 CE.  A copper plate found in Satara shows that Raja Bhoja held court at Panhala from 1191–1192 CE.  

It is the largest forts in the Deccan, with a perimeter of 14 km. Now days “Gram Panchayat” office is situated on the forth, so make a proper way to go on fort for the surrounding people.

Height :  3177 ft above from sea level.

Andhar Bav (Vihir)

Andhar Bav front view 

Information about max visited places :

-             Maratha Queen Tarabai palace, There is a huge beautiful Temple here.

-             Panhala High School and military boys hostel is situated on the fort.

Sajjakothi : Sambhaji Maharaj stayed in Sajjakothi when he was on Panhalgad. This was the place where confidential meetings of Shivaji Maharaj took place.

Rajdindi : This is a tough way which travels down from the fort. Shivaji Maharaj managed to escape this way during the siege of Panhalgad, and went to Vishalgad, which is 45 miles away. 

Ambarkhana : This was initially the Balle-Killa or the citadel on the fort. Nearby Ambarkhana is a Khandak. Here there are 3 buildings named Ganga, Yamuna, and Sarasvati, which were used for storing grains (Dhanyachi Kothare) . Vari, Nagli, and Rice were stored here. Approximately 25 thousand Khandi food grain could be stored here.

Char Darwaja : It is situated on the eastern side and was very important from security point of view. The British demolished it in 1844.

Tin Darwaja

        Dhanya Kothar

Dhanya Kothar

   Sajj Kothi

Baji Prabhu Statue 

Must visit : 

Tarabai Palace, Sajja Kothi, Raj Dindi, Ambarkhana, Char Darwaja Lake Somale, Samadhi of Ramchandra Amatya, Rede Palace :

Sambhaji Temple : Ahead of Rede Palace is Sambhaji Temple, which is actually a small citadel.
Dharmakothi : Near the Sambhaji Temple, we can see a spacious structure which is recognized as Dhramakothi. Her grocery was donated in charity.
Mahalaxmi Temple : Stepping out from the Palace, near the Nehru Garden, this is the oldest structure on the fort. It is almost 1000 years old. It was the deity of Bhoj King Gandaritya.
Teen Darwaja : This entrance is on the western part of the fort, and its carvings worth seeing. In 1676, Kondaji Farjand opened this door with 60 soldiers to conquer the fort.
Andarbav : This is a 3 floor monument. There is a well in the base, and a secret way to escape from the fort.
Baji Prabhu Statue :

How to reach:

There are two ways to reach .
From Char Darwaja : From Kolhapur city you can easily opt for a bus or hire a vehicle which takes us to the top of fort from Char Darwaja. You can take your vehicle almost all spot.
From Teen Darwaja : This is another way which goes to the fort from 3 Darwaja.

Best season to visit : 

-     Winter   :       Awesome  

-     Rainy     : Superb 

-     Summer : Nice