Information on Malhargad Fort (Pune, Maharashtra) - History & Architecture

Malhargad Fort also know as Sonori Fort is a beautiful hilltop fortress found on the Shyadri Ranges in Maharashtra. This fortification is known as the last ever forts build by the Maratha kingdom in their declining period. This is also a holy place due to the presence of Lord Malhar Temple. It is located near Saswad City, Sonori Village, 2 km for Kalewadi in Pune District in Maharashtra State of India. This is a well know adventure tourist place.

Malhargad Fort Architecture

Malhargad Fort is a unique defensive fortress which is constructed on the Bhuleshwar Range as a look out place for Dive Ghats areas of Pune District. This fortress is also known as the Temple Fort for the Marathas. This fort is dedicated to the great God of the Hindus known as the lord Shiva. This fort is built on a triangular shaped plateau on this hilltop. It main ramparts occupies the boundary cliff of this hills. The main fort is built in a square pattern. Its designs are found in the traditional Hindu Architectural form. The building materials used here are the granite stones, which are cut from the same hills. There are also traces of red sand stones here. All these stone blocks are bonded with lead and lime stone past. This forts rampart is strongly built with cylindrical bastions. Its ramparts are very thick and stronger. Its main gateway is the important structure build in a hidden pathway. There is an arched gateway near the entry of this plain land on the hilltop. It has got a wicket gate as exit door near the pond. The inner side of this fort has two Hindu Temples. These are built in the traditional Maratha style. Both of the temples have a square single structure with triangular pagodas on its top. These pagodas are fitted with the temple flags of the respective deities inside these temples. The deities are found to be made in of a monolith stones, these idols are well carved in shape of the gods. There are also few small complexes found here without roofs related to these temples. There is a large fresh water pond near the temple. This was the only source of drinking water found here. The entire fort building was completed in a 3 years' time period.

Malhargad Fort History

Malhargad Fort is also well known with its place name as Sonori Fort locally in these villages. This was built by the one of the Admiral of the Maratha Army named Sardar Panse. The fortification works started in the year 1757 AD and was completed in 1760 AD. This fort was named after the Malhar God and these hill ranges were called as Malhargad locally in those days. This name acquired since the temple of Malhar was built in side this fort. This temple is still a great worship place for the Hindus in India. Locally peoples visit here for daily offerings to this god. This is an important temple place on the occurrence of Shiva Rathri, a mythical belie of the Hindus. This fort remained here as the check post for many years and not meet in any aggressions in its longstanding history. Presently it is a protected monument by the archeological survey of India.

Malhargad Fort Tourism Importance

Malhargad Fort is a heritage site in Pune District of Maharashtra. The entire view of the Shayadri ranges can be seen from here, these looks very awesome with greeneries in the Monsoon seasons. The Parvathi Hill ranges and it's beneath Jejuri City view are very pleasant to see from here. One can get a very good trekking experience to reach its hill top from the beneath of Sonori Village.