Mahipalgad Fort

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Mahipalgad Fort is an ancient fort located in the beautiful Chandgad taluka of Kolhapur district, Maharashtra.

It is just about 20 km from Belgaum. To start, one has to start their ascent to the fort from Dewarwadi village, where, you’ll come across the breathtaking Vaijnath and Arogya Bhavani temple complex.

The temple, built in the 11th century, is a stunning piece of architecture in the Hemadpanthi style. The pillars are ghatdar (read: super attractive), and there’s even a sacred stone-built tank containing sweet water behind the temple.

But the real adventure begins as you pass through the ancient caves and tunnels in the mountain ridge on the left side. Just make sure you bring some strong lightning with you, as some tunnels may be filled with water. And if you’re lucky, you might even witness the Indian Army’s regular war practice on the plateau above the ridge. How cool is that?

As you reach the fort’s settlement, you’ll see the ruined ramparts, remains of gateways, and ruins. The villagers call this Gaul Dev, and there’s even an auspicious statue of Shiva Raya to see. But the real highlight is the entrance to the fort, complete with a beautiful sculpture of Ganesha. As you enter through the door, you’ll come across a massive well dug in the rock on the left side. Its length is 70 feet, width is 40 feet, and no one knows how deep it is. So, if you’re feeling adventurous, take the steps and descend into the well.

After seeing the well, you can visit the Ambabai temple behind it, climb the well-maintained signpost, and even see the temple of Shri Mahadev right next to the tower. And as you keep the ramparts on your right-hand side, you’ll come across barns carved into the purple rock and a broken door with towers in good condition. And don’t forget to check out the historical stone vessels filled with water in front of every house in the fort.

So, there you have it, folks! If you’re up for an adventure that’s both historical and fun, Mahipalgad Fort is the place to be. To reach the fort, you can go to Belgaum and then Dewarwadi village via Shinoli fork. And if you’re lucky, you might even get to witness the Indian Army’s war practice on the plateau above the ridge.

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