So, as the legend goes, Shivgad Fort was named after the great Shivaji Maharaj and was mentioned in a letter dated back to the 1800s. Apparently, the letter was about increasing the security on the fort to protect it from the attack possibilities of Herekar Sawant, the Chief of Sawantwadi.
But wait, there’s more! Another letter from 1839th century mentioned an appointment of Amrutrao Pratinidhi and his 15 fighters, who were assigned to increase the security of the fort. This sounds like the 1800s version of a security detail.
The view of the Dajipur Bison Sanctuary is a major attraction here, and the peaks of this region come in contact with Asia’s largest known biodiversity for flora and fauna. So, if you’re a nature lover, this is definitely the place for you. And if you’re an adventurous person, you can even enjoy the bison wildlife sanctuary.
But wait, there’s more! The fort also has a temple dedicated to Goddess Bhavanimata, and there are some imposing structures that are still standing. And, for those who are into trekking, there are a few attractions like Satishila, Ugwai Devi Temple, and an old natural basin made by a waterfall. And, to top it all off, only trekkers and those who have visited the fort before know about these hidden gems.
Now, let’s talk about how to get to this amazing fort. First, you have to enter the Dajipur Sanctuary by paying a tourist fee of Rs.20/-. Then, you have to trek to the top of the fort, which takes around 30 minutes. But don’t worry, the trek is worth it. The view from the top is absolutely stunning, and you can see Gagangad and Kasarde Salva mountains clearly.
But wait, there’s more! On your way back, you’ll come across a waterfall patch on a rock, and there’s a built-in water tank that sources water from the waterfall through a small trench.
Ramchandra Pant Amatya was one of the eleven feudatories (Jehagirs) who controlled shivgad along with Gagangad fort. This fort was under the control of Pant Amatya of Gaganbawda, till the Indian independence.