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

Shrivardhan Fort is a hilltop fortress located at a high altitude of the Shyadri Mountain ranges in Lonvala. This is an ancient historic fort known from the Vedic times in India. It stood as a watch tower in the long standing history to safe guard its territory and peoples living here. It is one of the tourist attractions in lonvala. It is located in Karjat Village, Pune District of Maharashtra State in India.

Shrivardhan Fort Architecture

Shrivardhan Fort is built in the Hoysala architectural form found in the 11th century AD. It is built in the highest point of the Rajmachi hills on its east end. It is built at an altitude of 900 meters from the base of its foot hills. This fort was built as a watch tower to look out on these hills and plains of this region. It has got a very strong wall built around its bordering cliff of this hill. These walls are still not damaged by humans or it weathered of naturally with time. These walls are the only great structure visible today. In the earlier times there were traces of mud structured, which were naturally weathered off. Over a period of time many rulers occupied this fort and they built minor tents only, since it was used as a watch towers. It has two fresh water tanks on its top. These are perennial water source for this fort. From the base village to the top of the hill, one can find many caves here. These are caves are beautifully cut from monolith stones and have an outer designs like a traditional house. There are few caves which captures rain water in the rainy season. These looks very beautiful like small water tanks in the monsoon seasons. These caves are also believed to be carved by the Buddhist peoples who came here to meditate for a long time. There is record for the Buddhist stayed here for many centuries. Near the fort a Hindu temple is built here. This is very famously known as the Kalabhairavi Temple. This is also a pilgrim place on some special dates on Hindu colander year.

Shrivardhan Fort History

Shrivardhan Fort is mentioned in the history from the 11th century AD. It is believed to be built by the Sathvanahas. This fort is well known in medieval period, when local rulers occupied this fort in their territory expansion interest. This fort area was main trade route towards the west or to the Arabian Sea ports. This is known as the Borghat passage in these mountain ranges. Many Islamic invaders came in the route as traders and invaders to India by sea. This area was mostly with aggression by the Siddhi's, The Bijapur Kingdom and the Shahi rulers. In the advent of the Maratha Empire led by the Chatrapathi Shivaji, these Islamic rulers were defeated and this territory came under the Marath Wad province. The Marathas also used this fort as watch tower in their reign. Presently it is a protected monument and ancient heritage site in Pune. It is well maintained by the Archeological survey of India.

Shrivardhan Fort Tourism Significance

Shrivardhan Fort is a famous place and a tourist attraction in the Khandala regions of Pune. It is surrounded by picturesque places like mountains, lakes, waterfalls and pasture lands. Here one can find many ancient temples and pilgrim places. This place is well known as fort tourism in Lonvala and Khandala. This fort is in the top of the list as it is built on the highest peak of the Shyadri Range. A view from here will give you the information of many other forts built here.