Palgad fort near Palgad village, Dapoli in Maharashtra.
The fort’s summit looks like a lizard, which is ‘pal’ in Marathi, hence the name Palgad. Isn’t that funny?
The fort offers breathtaking views of the Sahyadri Mountain Ranges and marks the boundary between Dapoli and Khed villages. As you enter, you’ll see remnants of the fort like old canons and a dry well. On the west side of the fort, there’s a dense forest waiting to be explored. And if you’re looking for some shopping, the nearby Bazaar Peth market has got you covered.
Palgad village was initially called Palil, but the name got changed due to its proximity to the fort. There’s also a temple of the Goddess Jholai Devi of Palgad down the fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built this fort, and although it hasn’t seen much action in history, it still stands strong behind Palgad village in a dense forest.
Sane Guruji, a renowned author, was born in Palgad and has mentioned it in his book ‘Shyamchi Ai.’ Today, the village has a primary and secondary school named after him, and a memorial is being constructed in his honor. But if you’re looking for something more spiritual, the Ganpati temple in Palgad village is a must-visit. It’s famous in the area, and in 1996, the centenary festival of the temple was celebrated.
Now let’s talk about the fort itself. Spread over an area of 15 acres, the eastern entrance of the fort has been destroyed, but the bastions are still intact. To the right of the door is a cannon facing the sky, which looks like it’s ready for some action. As you enter, you’ll see a few rows of wadras and a dry pond. The fortifications of the fort are partially intact, and there’s a settlement on the loft of the fort.
If you’re feeling adventurous, climb the steps to the northern edge of the fort and witness the fortifications and steps leading to the fort. But be warned, the gate between the two towers of the fort can be reached by climbing the steps of approximately 80 to 100 old structures. It’s quite a climb, but the view is totally worth it.
One quirky thing about this fort is that it doesn’t have a rock-cut water tank like other hill forts. But it does have a small well dug in the rock in the middle of the fort. There’s also a cannon planted vertically in the ground on the northwest embankment. And while the fortifications and bastions of the fort are in a dilapidated state, they still offer a glimpse into the past.
In conclusion, Palgad fort is a hidden gem that shouldn’t be missed. Although there’s no evidence that it was built during the time of Shivaji Maharaj, it’s still a piece of history that’s worth exploring. And if you’re lucky, you might even see the lizard-like summit that gave the fort its name. Happy travels!
The village at the western base of the hill was earlier known as Palil. The summit of the hill is shaped like a lizard for which Marathi word is Pal. Therefore the fort was named as Palgad. The village changed its name from Palil to Palgad being close to the fort as time went by. The Palgad was a major market place for the surrounding villages in the past. The fort is said to have been constructed during the reign of Shivaji and then was under the control of Peshavas. It came under British control subsequently.
The fort has little of the structure remained from the past. The dense forest on the western end is believed to be having some spirits and makes the person who goes up the fort through those to forget his way back. The phenomenon is known as Chakwa in the local language. It is better to have a local guide or get the directions correctly while climbing the hill from Palgad village. Alternatively one can climb it from Eastern side from hamlet of Kadamwadi which is a hamlet of the village Jamge in the Khed taluka.
Sane Guruji, a famous Gandian and freedom fighter was born in the village of Palgad and a memorial has been developed in the village.
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