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Lohagad Fort

Lohagad Fort

heritage site · Maharashtra

State
Maharashtra
Type
Heritage Site

Lohagad ("Iron Fort") is a hill fort in the Sahyadri range near Lonavala, about 52 km northwest of Pune, rising to 1,033 m above sea level and connected to the neighboring Visapur fort, overlooking the Pavana reservoir. It is a popular trekking destination known for its scenic monsoon views.

Lohagad Fort is known for

Iron FortShivaji's treasury siteNana Phadnavis step-wellVisapur fort connectionUNESCO Maratha Military Landscapes site

A short history

The fort's construction is associated with the Lohtamia dynasty around the 10th century CE, and it subsequently passed through several dynasties including the Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahmanis, Nizams, and Mughals. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort in 1648. He surrendered it to the Mughals under the 1665 Treaty of Purandar, then recaptured it in 1670 and used it to store his treasury. During the Peshwa era, statesman Nana Phadnavis resided at the fort temporarily and built structures there including a large tank and a step-well. In 2025, Lohagad was inscribed as one of twelve component forts of the "Maratha Military Landscapes of India" UNESCO World Heritage Site. [Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lohagad]

Why Lohagad Fort matters

Lohagad is a nationally recognized example of Maratha treasury and defensive fort architecture and, along with its Peshwa-era additions, is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

When to go

Monsoon season, for scenic mist-covered views

Why visit

An hour from Lonavala and the easiest big fort walk in the Sahyadris, on stone steps most of the way. Go in the rain, and walk out along the Vinchu Kata, the narrow spur off the far end that most people skip. Bhaja caves are at the bottom.

How to reach

The nearest railway station is Malavli (Lonavala-Pune line), about 7 km from the fort base with a roughly two-hour trek to the top; the fort is about 66 km from Pune and 114 km from Mumbai via the Mumbai-Pune Highway.

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