Lohagad Fort is situated 10 km from
Lonavala, in
Pune District of
Maharashtra. It is situated to the west of
Visapur Fort, at an altitude of about 3,400 ft above sea level. In 1564, the fort was used for keeping prisoners. The fort was conquered by
Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1670. It is believed that he had kept the treasures which were looted from
Surat in this fort for a short period.
Lohagad Fort, literally means ‘Fort of Iron’, commands an exhilarating view of the surrounding hills and hamlets. The entrance of this fort, the Delhi Gate, is an impressive one. There are three gates one after the other, of which the third gate is quite beautiful. On entering the third gate is the guard's post, which has a provision to position guns. The unique design on the walls of the fort is known as Vindhukata (fangs of a scorpion).
There is a huge cave situated outside the fort which was used to store grains during rainy season. On its premises is a tomb and a temple with a Shivling ensconced inside it. There are two tanks to store water and one of it was built by Nanasaheb Phandis.
Lohagad Fort can be reached from Malavli Railway Station which is the next stop after Lonavala Railway Station.
