Pratapgad Fort - tourmet

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India /Maharashtra /Satara /Mahabaleshwar

Sight Address : Pratapgad Fort is 24 km west of Mahabaleshwar. Edit

Detail InformationEdit

Pratapgad Fort is a mountain fort built by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The fort is at a distance of 24 km from the hill station of Mahabaleshwar. The fort holds a sturdy view of coastal Konkan. The Bhavani Temple and Afzal Khan’s tomb are other places of interest. Pratapgad consists of two forts – an upper fort built on the top of the hill and a lower fort immediately below on the south and the east. Surrounding areas can be easily taken guard from the fort on almost all the sides. The southern side is rocky while the eastern side has a strong outwork ending in the Afzal Buruj. The famous minister More Tirmal Pingale on the command of Shivaji Maharaj to control the rebellious satraps of the surrounding Javali Basin built Pratapgad Fort in 1656. It is believed that Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja was blessed with a shining sword at the temple of Goddess Bhavani here. The historic battle between Chatrapati Shivaji and Afzal Khan, the commander of the Bijapur Sultanate fought here. Bhavani Temple and Afzal Khan’s Tomb are major attractions where are situated near the fort.

pratapgad fort

HistoryEdit

The historic Pratapgad Fort was built by the Maratha chieftain Chhatrapati Shivaji in 1656, to control the rebellious rulers of the nearby Javali Basin. It is said that, Shivaji was blessed with a shining sword at the temple of Goddess Bhavani located here. It is also the site of the famous battle between Shivaji and Afzal Khan, ruler of the Bijapur Sultanate.

Must SeeEdit

Must See

Visiting TimeEdit

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Best Season to VisitEdit

Mahabaleshwar has a moderate climate all through the year and can be visited any time of the year. However, the best time would be from October to June. October to May is very pleasant with moderate to cool climates and ideal for all sightseeing in Mahabaleshwar. June to September is good for honeymoon couples in Mahabaleshwar and ideal for short sightseeing.

Best Time To VisitEdit

Morning , Afternoon , Evening.

Time Required for SightseeingEdit

1 to 2 hours.

Ticket Required : No Edit

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How to ReachEdit

Taxi : Taxies easily available here. Taxis are a good way to travel through Mahabaleshwar at night, and these do not run on meter too. They can charge you anywhere between Rs 30 to 200.

BUS : Maharashtra State Road Transport operates bus service to all major places in the state. Regular bus service is available to reach Mahabaleshwar from Nasik, Nagar, Sangli, Pune etc. Tourists can take both luxury coaches and semi luxury buses to reach Mahabaleshwar by roadway. Private air conditioned buses travel from Goa, Mumbai and Pune to Mahabaleshwar. Buses are cheapest and easiest mode of transport in Mahabaleshwar. These buses ply to almost all areas in the town, and you can take a bus ride to any destination of your choice provided you know the location well beforehand. Getting help from the locals can make things easier during a bus journey, and ticket fares will normally range between Rs 4 to 10. Government run buses are also available for sightseeing purposes. These can be helpful as they will allow you to comprehensively cover all major portions of the town. Sightseeing trips through a government bus can cost you around Rs 60 to 70 per head. These start at 9:15 in the morning and 2:15 in the afternoon from the bus stand and the transport office.

Train : The nearest railhead from Mahabaleshwar is Wather, located at a distance of 62 km from the city. But if you choose to travel to Mahabaleshwar by train, the Pune railhead, located at a distance of 120 km, is comparatively more convenient than the Wather station, because of its better connectivity to Mahabaleshwar. People traveling by train can get down at the Pune railway station to reach Mahabaleshwar. Private tour operators provide buses, mini-buses, taxis, etc, which are easily available for tourists outside the Pune station. One can also avail the state-operated buses that shuttle between Pune and Mahabaleshwar.

Air : Pune, located at a distance of 120 km is the nearest airport. If you plan to travel to Mahabaleshwar by air, you can board a flight till Pune, and then easily avail a bus, taxi or a private car from the Pune airport. The airport has various facilities within its premises for tourists traveling to the place. State operated buses are also easily available from Pune. Even private tour-operators provide luxury/ non- luxury bus services to Mahabaleshwar. You can even hire a vehicle of your choice from the airport, for the entire duration of your stay.

Others : Auto Rickshaw : Auto rickshaws is also available here. Auto rickshaws in Mahabaleshwar do not run on meter, so fixing up a particular rate beforehand is a good idea. Horse Carriage : Horse rides are also very popular in Mahabaleshwar, and this mode of travel can be quite adventurous too. A horse ride can cost you anywhere around Rs 50 to 100.

Things to CarryEdit

• The basic things to carry while travelling to Mahabaleshwar depend on the season. However, carrying sufficient warm clothing like sweaters, socks, and hand gloves is a must in winter. While raincoats, umbrellas, jackets or hoodies are required during rainy season.
• Apart from sweaters, carry raincoats, goggles, sports shoes or walking shoes, camping gear including clothing, ropes, torch, matchbox, candles, for those who are interested in trekking and hiking. Also carry binoculars.
• First aid medications, bandage, antacids, mosquito repellent, soaps, paper soaps, tissue papers, cellphones and cameras with their battery chargers.
• Carry enough cash and debit cards. Not all the places apart from some luxury hotels in Mahabaleshwar accept credit cards.
• Don’t forget to carry a garbage bag which can suffice your own litter like empty cans, tins, water bottles, food packets. You can easily collect your own garbage in these bags.