India /Maharashtra /Satara /Wai
Sight Address : Pandavgad Fort lies on the Wai-Maandhardev Road, about 10 km away from Wai. Edit
Detail InformationEdit
The Pandavgad fort was built by King Bhoj II of the Shilahar dynasty. The fort was an important line of defense in the battle between Trimbakji Dengle and the British in 1817. The fort is about six acres in extent and nearly a square. Its defenses consist of a scarp generally from forty to sixty feet high, more than usually precipitous and in many places actually overhanging and surmounted by a wall with masonry ramparts. The original materials of enormous blocks of dry stone have nearly all disappeared and except the northern end where the gateway and wall are of the huge masonry of the old forts, what remains is very light works.
The fort possesses a number of 18 ponds which supplied the garrison with water, only three posses water. On the top a large pond on the eastern part is silted up. To the north of the main gate, some 150 feet down the shoulder of the hill is a group of small ill maintained rock cut water cisterns.
All the buildings on the fort excepting that of the temple of Pandjai Devi are in a state of complete ruin. A number of ancient buildings on the fort have been reduced to a mere heap of bricks. In the centre, remains of the main building are hidden by a thick growth of bushy shrubs. The fort commands an excellent view of the surrounding area. To the east one gets a bird s eye view of Wai.
The Pandavgad caves are situated on a small south-east projection of Pandavgad fort. The small spur with the caves is found at about a distance of 300 yards. The angle it makes with the main spur should be made for and about 200 feet up are the caves. The first is a flat roofed chapel or chaitya about twenty-one feet by seven and about twelve to fourteen feet high. An arched entrance blocked up with mud and stones lead to a relic shrine or daghoba four and half feet in diameter and six feet high. Close by is another cave seven feet square, also flat-roofed with an arched entrance and containing a mutilated stone instead of the daghoba which is three feet in diameter at the base and scarcely a foot at the top. East of Cave II is an eight-celled dwelling cave about thirty-five feet square and five feet high. The floor has been much silted up with earth brought in by rain water. The original height, as seen from the outside, was probably eight feet. The roof is flat and the rock overhangs four feet making a verandah with an entrance in its back wall about eight feet wide. The cells are two each on the east and west and four on the north, and there is a bed shelf all round.
Pandavgad Fort and Caves
HistoryEdit
Pandavgad fort is said to have got its name from the Pandavas who stayed here during their exile in Mahabharata. The fort was built by the Kolhapur Silahara chief Bhoja II (1178-1193) of Panhala. About 1648 it is mentioned as being in the charge of a Bijapur mokasadar stationed at Wai. In 1673 it was taken by Shivaji. During Trimbakji Dengle’s insurrection in 1817 Pandavgad fort was taken by the insurgents. It surrendered in April 1818 to a detachment of the 9th Native Infantry Regiment under Major Thatcher.
Must SeeEdit
Attraction
Visiting TimeEdit
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Closed OnEdit
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Best Season to VisitEdit
The Best season to visit Wai is the winters and the onset of summers. The temperature remains comfortable and is apt for sightseeing. The best months to visit are September, October, November, January, February, March, April and May.
Best Time To VisitEdit
Morning , Afternoon , Evening
Time Required for SightseeingEdit
2-3 hours.
Ticket Required : No Edit
Individual National Adult Rs. : N.A.
Kids Rs. : N.A.
Individual Foreigner Adult Rs. : N.A.
Kids Rs. : N.A.
Still Photo Camera Rs. :N.A.
Video Camera Rs. : N.A.
Guide Required : No Edit
Approximate cost: N.A.
Dress Code (If Any) : N.A.Edit
Dress Require: N.A.
Restaurants NearbyAdd / Edit
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How to ReachEdit
Taxi : To reach the attraction and get around Wai – local and Taxis are available.
BUS : Wai is well connected by state road transport and private bus services. Regular bus services are available from Pune and Satara. Super fast and Deluxe A/C buses are also available on this route.
Train : The nearest railhead is Satara which is on the Pune-Miraj section and is connected to Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mysore, Baroda, Surat, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Sangli-Miraj and Goa by express trains.
Air : Pune’s Lohegaon airport is the closes airport at 88 km. After reaching airport local and MSRTC buses, Auto rickshaws and Taxis are available to reach wai.
Others : N.A.
Things to CarryEdit
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Safety / WarningEdit
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HelplineEdit
• Police: 100
• Police Helpline: 9011181888
• Ambulance: 102
• Women Helpline: 1091
• Fire: 101
• Natural Disaster Comtrol room: 1096
