Are you ready for a historical adventure, my fellow travelers? Then let’s head to Bhudargarh, a fort that is 36 miles south of Kolhapur and 5 miles from Gargoti. This fort is so ancient that it was built in the 12th century by King Bhoj. Yes, you heard it right, the 12th century! That’s like 900 years ago.
The fort is situated on a rocky outcrop in the middle of the Sahyadri, and its length is 2,600 feet in the south and a width of 2,100 feet. Now that’s what I call a grand fort!
The Bhudargad Fort is also holy ground, and you can visit shrines like Shree Kedarlinga, Bhairavanath, and Jakhubai. But wait, there’s more! The fort was visited by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj himself in 1677, and he restored it. But sadly, the Bhudargad Fort fell under the control of the Mughal dynasty later.
The fort was also conquered by many brave warriors, such as Parashurambhau Patwardhan and Karveerkar Chhatrapati. In 1844, the Shimbadi of this fort took part in the revolt of the Kolhapur state. Babaji Iyerkar, a brave Gadkari, was well supported by Subhana Nikam with her 300 companions. Unfortunately, the main gate of the fort and part of the fortifications were destroyed by the British.
But hey, the fort is still in good condition, and you can see the Eastern door, Shiva’s Temple, Deepmal, Eastern Buruj, Bhairavnath Temple, Bhudargad, Jakhin Caves, and even Dhudhsagar Lake. You can reach the Bhudargad Fort by a private car or bus, and the best season to visit is from September to March.
So what are you waiting for, fellow history buffs? Pack your bags, and let’s time-travel to the Bhudargad Fort!
