Gagangad is a fort situated in Gaganbawada tehsil of Kolhapur district in Maharashtra.
Well, for starters, it was built in the 12th century to keep an eye on the goods that landed in South Konkan ports and goods were transported via Kudal, Kankavali, Gaganbawda Ghats in Konkan. This place gained fame in the 19th century due to the residence of Gagangiri Maharaj, and people still flock to this fort because of the monastery of this great saint.
To reach this majestic fort, you can take a regular bus service from Kolhapur, which is 55 km away. If you’re coming from Vaibhavwadi or Kankavali in Konkan, it’s only a 50 km journey to Gaganbawda village. Buses from Konkan to Kolhapur also halt at Gaganbawda station. From there, a 2 km paved road leads to Gagangad, and you can cover almost half the height of Gagangad by car.
But if you’re in the mood for a little adventure, you can take the stairs from the train station to the fort. And trust us, it’s worth it! The fort is situated on the edge of the Sahyadri plateau, with deep valleys descending into the Konkan to its west. As you climb up the stairs, you’ll come across the temple of Mhsoba, which has an image of Redaya.
After climbing a few more stairs, you’ll find a spacious natural cave in the stone, and this is where Gagangiri Maharaj lived and did penance. So, his temple has been built in this cave, and outside the cave, you’ll find a magnificent image of Lord Hanuman carved in stone. Beside him are images of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, and Shankara. In front of the cave, you’ll find the monastery’s office and dining room.
But wait, there’s more! After climbing up the steps from the cave, you’ll come across the Bhakti Nivas and the Navagraha Temple. And if you’re feeling brave, you can check out the two guns on the bastion near the temple.
As you keep ascending, you’ll enter an open plateau, where you’ll find a marble shrine (Dhyamandir) on the left side and the Puratan Temple of Shankara on the right. Standing in front of the Shankar temple, you’ll see a mosque-like building on the highest point of the fort (Balekillah). And guess what? It’s the grave of Gaibi Pira or Samadhi of Gaibinath.
To reach the fort of Gagangarh, there’s a path of carved steps near the Shankar temple, and in just 10 minutes, you’ll reach the Samadhi. Nearby, you’ll also find a temple of Vitthalai Devi and a water well. And if you’re a history buff, you’ll be delighted to know that the ruins of old houses and fortifications can be seen on the lower side of the fort.
Phew, that was quite a journey, right? But before we sign off, let us tell you a little about the history of this fort. The credit for building Gagangad goes to Bhoja II, the last king of the Shilahar branch.
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