| Bhushangad |
FortHeight : 2970 |
| Type : Hill forts |
Fort Range : Nil |
| District : Satara |
Grade : Medium |
| In the vast spread flat lands, this fort stands on the mountain which is the lone hill in the region of Khatav taluka of Satara district. There is also a well-known temple of Goddess Harnai on this hill. The fort has been well conserved by the villagers. Steps have been built for easy access and afforestation activity has kept the hill covered with trees. There are many trees which bear yellow flowers making the fort attractive and a thriving place for butterflies and small birds. |
| History : |
| Bhushangad fort was built by the King of Devgiri Singhan II (1210-1247). Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj won this fort from Adilshah in 1676 and re-built it. In the later period Aurangzed won this fort and named it “Islamtara”. The fort went to the British in 1848. |
| Fascinating Spots : |
A newly built arch welcomes you at the steps which have been built from the base to access the fort. The steps have been built in such a way that the fort bastion and fortified wall falls to our right which becomes easy to attack the approaching enemy. The arch entrance of the fort is not present today but the bastions besides it still stand. The entrance faces eastewards and is of the “Gomukhi” type design. There are porches built inside for gate keepers. The route in front of the entrance passes alongside the fortified wall. There is a deep well on this route.
The left path after entering the fort goes to a large bastion which has pockets to accommodate canons. The mid-point of the fort can be seen from here. While approaching the mid-point from here we come across a built in pond to the right and a temple of Lord Shiva besides it. Further there is the temple of Goddess Harnai. There is a lamp post and some stones painted with vermilion. The mid-point of the fort which is an elevated ground can be crossed to reach the North side of the fort. if trailed alongside the fortification wall there is a pond on the lower side of the temple. The whole fort can be circumvented alongside this fortification wall.
After descending few steps from the entrance door way there is a broad unpaved path to the left which passes below the bastion and the fortification wall leads to the temple of Goddess Bhuyari. This temple has been newly built by filling up a secret chamber. The entire fort can be visited in One hour.
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| Ways To Reach : |
Bhushangad fort is located in Khatav taluka of Satara district. Buses are available from Vaduz village on the Dahiwadi-Karad highway. With a private vehicle the fort can be reached as follows:-
१) Via Pune – Phaltan:-
A) Pusesawli village is 20 kms from Vaduz village on the Dahiwadi-Karad route. After entering this village the route to the right goes to the base of Bhushangad fort.
B) Another route which has unpaved roads throughout and the chances of getting lost are high is Dahiwadi-Vaduz-Umbarde-Shirsewadi-Holichegaoon-Bhushangad.
२) Via Pune-Satara:-
A) Pune-Satara-Koregaon-Rahimatpur-Pusesawli-Bhushangad
B) Pune-Satara-Koregaon-Pusegaon-Rahimatpur-Pusesawli-Rahatni-Bhushangad.
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| Accommodation Facility : |
| One can stay under the shade of Goddess Harnai temple. |
| Food Facility : |
| Not available |
| Drinking Water Facility : |
| Available on the fort |
| Time To Reach : |
| 30 minutes from Bhushanwadi village |
| Notes : |
| Vardhangad, Bhushangad and Mahimangad forts can be visited in one day. |
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