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Purandhar Fort situated 1.5 km west of Sasvad or about 40 km south of
Pune via NH4, is a hill fort known for its unique location. It occupies
one of the highest points in the Sahyadris, the summit rising 1475 m above
sea level.
The mountain on which the fort is constructed was known
as the Indraneel Parvat. As per Hindu mythology, this mountain was created
when Lord Hanuman was carrying the Dronagiri mountain range, a portion
of land slipped from the hands of him.
The history of Purandar fort goes back to 13th century.
It was fortified by the first Bahamani king Hasan Gangu in the year 1350
after he gained control over Maharashtra. The fort was remaining in Bahamani
rulers hands untill 1486. The fort then fell into the hands of Ahmad,
the founder of the Nizam Shahi Kingdom for a long spell of over hundred
years. In 1596 AD, the fort was given as a Jagir of Maloji Bhosale, grand
father of Shivaji. In 1646, Shivaji established control in the fort. In
1665 AD, Purandar was besieged by Mughal forces under the leadership of
Mirza Raja Jai Singh and Dillir Khan after an intense battle with Murar
Baji Prabhu. Murar Baji Prabhu lost his life in the struggle to retain
the fort. The treaty of Purandar was signed after this epic battle in
which Shivaji agreed to surrender 23 of his forts to the powerful Mughal
Empire. However, Shivaji, recaptured the fort from the Mughals only five
years later in 1670. Shivaji spent prolonged periods of time here. Sambhaji,
Shivaji's eldest son and successor was born at this fort. Later in 1818,
Purandar was occupied by the British and they used it as a sanatorium
and detention camp. During the Second World War, the British kept here
the German Prisoners.
One of the highest forts in Maharashtra., it has two
levels : the upper or Ballekilla with precipitous side all around and
the lower part or Machi about 300 meters is relatively plain. The northern
end of the machi houses a number of new and old monuments which
includes the 'Dilli Darwaza' at the eastern extremity of the fort. Machi
also compressing the cantonment area of the fortification. The north facing darwaza is
flanked by two lions on either side. A narrow path from here will lead
to Kandakada, which boasts a huge rock located in the east. From here
there are fine views of Vajragad, the fortified lower hill immediately
to the east and the Bhima valley below.
A set of stairs that start from this point lead directly
to the upper level of the fort via Ganesh Darwaza. This winding path takes
to the highest part of the fort . A small Mahadev Shrine also known as
the Kedareshwar temple crowns this area. One can see another defensive
entrance to the fort immediately below. The Rameshwar temple, Purandar
machi, Bhairav Khind and Padmavati Lake are some other attractions.
This fort also offers rock climbing and trekking. Trekking
up Purandar is not very difficult because the climb is not very steep.
Once on the top the place provides a panoramic view of the surrounding
areas. It takes about three and a half hours to get to the fort from the
base village which is Narayanpur and about 45 minutes from Purandeshwar
mandir.
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Monuments 
