| Koldurg |
FortHeight : 2250 |
| Type : Hill forts |
Fort Range : Shukacharya |
| District : Sangli |
Grade : Medium |
Koldurg and Banurgad forts are based in Khanapur taluka of Sangli district. Banurgad (Bhoopalgad) fort is very well known as it was captured by Chhatrapati Sambhaji with the help of Mughals but the fort of Koldurg which is nearby stands neglected. The structures on the fort are in complete ruins and the stones of the temple on the fort were used to build Siddheshwar Temple in the village of Palashi.
The temple of Shukracharya in this region is well known and is frequented by visitors but the Koldurg fort is avoided. With one’s own vehicle one can visit the two temples and two forts in one day.
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| Fascinating Spots : |
The plateau which is to the left of Koldurg fort is joined to Palashi – Banurgad road. From here it takes 15 minutes to reach the fort. The other three sides of the fort has steep valley. Another path to the fort comes from Shukracharya temple which can be reached by buses. The Shukracharya temple is located in the cleft between two hills. This place was the spiritual abode of Sage Shukracharya who was the son of Sage Vyas and also has his shrine. It is believed that Parikshit, the Grandson of the Pandavas was given lessons on Bhagwat here. The temple of Shukracharya is located in dense trees. Alongside there is a stream which flows round the year and a small water tank. There are two caves besides the temple. Proceeding ahead from the water tank and climbing about 10 steps there is a path to the right which goes into the jungle. Take this path to ascend the mountain and a rock patch which can be easily crossed. After this we come to an open flat ground in about 10 minutes from the temple.
There is a temple of Lord Dattatreya here. Behind this temple there is a path which further splits into two. The path going straight goes to Kusbavde village while the right path goes to Koldurg fort. as we move ahead we can see two houses and we have to proceed towards them. As we move ahead the flat ground ends and we come to the cleft between Koldurg fort and Kusbavde village. It takes about 20 minutes to reach this cleft from Shukracharya temple. There are stairs to descend into the cleft and it takes about 5 minutes. From the cleft one can see the fortification wall of the fort’s south side. We enter the fort from here. From Shukracharya temple it takes about 30 minutes to reach the fort.
There are some houses on the fort which belong to the Chavan family. There is a fortified wall behind the houses. A road has been made by cutting the wall which goes to Palashi – Banurgad. Opposite the houses there are remnants of Temple, Nandi, Veerghals and a Satighal. There is a lake on the lower side ahead which is now used for farming purpose. To the north of the fort there are very few remains of the fortified wall. The fort is spread widely across but has very few remains. To the north one can see the temple of Banurgad fort.
From the eastern edge of the fort opposite to the houses a proper path descends to the Hivtad village and takes about 10 minutes to reach. Where the path descends there is a cow shed and an ashram. Near the ashram the stairs for Shukracharya temple start and takes further 5 minutes to reach the temple.
In this way one can do an easy trek of 1 hr 30 minutes from the Shukracharya temple to Koldurg fort and back to the temple.
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| Ways To Reach : |
Reach Vita village on Karad – Pandharpur road which is 42 kms from Karad. Buses are available from Vita to reach Banurgad. Alight at Shukracharya on this route. If travelling by a private vehicle reach Khanapur village which is 22 kms from Vita. Next to Khanapur there is Bhivghat village and Shukracharya further ahead.
In the main hall of the Siddheshwar temple in Palashi there are idols and Veerghals kept which were originally on the fort. Shukracharya is 4 kms from here and Koldurg fort is on the mountain besides it. With one’s own vehicle reach the cow shed in Hivtad village. A road from Bhivghat village goes to Nilkaranje village from where a road goes to Gomewadi village and further to Shukracharya.
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| Accommodation Facility : |
| Nil |
| Food Facility : |
| Available in Bhivghat |
| Drinking Water Facility : |
| Nil |
| Time To Reach : |
| 30 minutes from Shukacharya |
| Best Season To Visit : |
| All round the year |
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