Kankrala Fort is a hidden gem that you need to check out! It occupies two hills in the Malegaon taluka of Nashik district in the state of Maharashtra, India.
Now, don’t expect to find a lot of history about this fort, because it’s a bit of a mystery. All we know is that it was captured by the British Empire under Colonel Wallace in 1818. But don’t let the lack of history discourage you from visiting this awesome fort.
The Kankrala Fort stands at an elevation of 2,476 ft and is built from stones. As you make your way to the entrance of the fort, you’ll notice that it’s in a dilapidated condition, but fear not! Atop the fort and in the rocks near the gate, there are numerous rock cut water cisterns.
Now, getting to the Kankrala Fort might not be the easiest thing, but trust me, it’s worth the effort. The village of Karanjgavhan is close by, and by roadways, it’s only about 5 km away. But let me warn you, there are no proper steps or pathways leading up to the fort top. It’s a bit of a hike, but I promise you’ll feel like a conqueror once you make it to the top.
And once you’re up there, take a look around. You’ll see a nice water tank in the shear wall on the right-hand side of the pass. And if you look up, you’ll see a saffron flag flying on a tree near it. And let’s not forget about the many water tanks all over Gadmath, and the few caves near the entrance.
Oh, and did I mention there’s an idol of Lord Hanuman lying in the open at one place? So, if you need a little spiritual pick-me-up, you know where to go.
All in all, it takes about half an hour to tour the entire fort. And don’t forget to take in the beautiful view of the fort from Kankrala village before you head out. To get there, you’ll need to reach Malegaon via Nashik. And from Malegaon, there’s a village called Karanjagavan that’s about 30 km away on the way to Dongrale.
Jeeps are available from Malegaon to Karanjagavan, but if you’re lucky, you might be able to catch a train that goes directly to Kankrala. And once you make it to the village, be prepared for a bit of a walk. You’ll need to trek at least two km to reach the base of the fort, but don’t worry, it’s only one or two houses down there.
If you are there, Who knows, maybe you’ll uncover some of its mysterious history or stumble upon some hidden treasures. But at the very least, you’ll have a great story to tell. Happy traveling!
recommended nearby places
Chauler Fort/Chaurgad Fort
Chauler Fort – a small but mighty fortress located just 100 kilometers north of Nashik. Trust me, this hidden gem…
