| Fort Name : | Alphabetically | RangeWise | DistrictWise | CategoryWise | GradeWise |
| Bhairavgad(kothale) | FortHeight : 3465 | ||||||
| Type : Hill forts | Fort Range : Balaghat | ||||||
| District : Nagar | Grade : Medium | ||||||
| The main aim to build this fort was to keep an eye on the Tolarkhind route of Harishchandragad fort. The route to approach Tolarkhind is from Khireshwar village in Pune district and Kothale village in Nagar district. The architecture of this fort indicates that it must have been built in the same era as Harishchandragad fort. The mountain range start from Kothale village where at first there is a hill with the shape of a Shivlinga. This hill is named as Kolatha. Next to it there is a peak after which there is Bhairavgad with a flat surface and another peak named “Gadhavacha Dongar” which literally means Donkey’s hill. All these peaks are visible from Kothale village. Lord Bhairoba on the fort is the local deity. Villagers go barefoot from the second ladder on the fort. Every year in the Hindu month of Chaitra a religious procession is conducted here. After visiting Bhairavad one can go to Harishchandragad fort via Tolarkhind in 5 to 6 hours. |
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| Fascinating Spots : | |||||||
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| While heading towards Kothale from Kotul village, 0.5 kms before Kothale (Next to Kothale village while coming from Rajur) a route goes to Tolarkhind. There are two signboards of Harishchandragad Kalsubai Sanctuary and Tolarkhind installed here. After a 2 minute walk on this route we come across a path to out left which passes towards fields. After turning on this route there is a sculpture of Goddess Gavaldevi to the left. Moving ahead on the route from the fields the route enters a thick forest area. There is a steep ascend here and after 20 minutes we reach the rock cut steps of the fort. Next to these steps on the left there is water tank. After taking a turn on these rock steps there is a ladder installed by the forest department. After climbing this ladder there is another water tank to the left of the path. 5 minutes further on the path there is a pillared water tank and another tank next to it which has dried. The forest department has installed two benches on it. There is another ladder near the tank. This has 40 steps which leads to the fort. The summit of the fort is small. After we enter the fort there is the place of Lord Bhairav on the right to the north. There are some sculptures and Veerghals next to it. In front of it there are two rock cut water tanks and two lamp posts behind them. Behind the Lord Bhairav’s place railings are installed from where one can see Harishchandragad fort, Taramati peak and its Vetaldhar. After visiting Lord Bhairav’s place proceed to the opposite direction (South) where one can see a mountain taller than Bhairavgad. This is “Gadhavacha Dongar”. It is believed that Bhairavgad is the Lord’s Chariot and the Gadhavacha Dongar is a Donkey pulling the Chariot. While proceeding towards this mountain we come across five water tanks. It takes 30 minutes to visit the fort. From the fort top one can see Harishchandragad fort to the west, Bhairavgad (Shirpunje) to the north and Kunjargad to the east. | |
| Ways To Reach : | |
| The base village of Kothale can be accessed by two ways from Mumbai. 1) Reach Otur village from Mumbai – Kalyan – Murbad – Malshej ghat. A road passing alongside Otur S.T. bus stand goes to Kothale village via Bamanwada – Kotul (30 kms) – Vihir (base village of Kunjargad fort) – Kotul (25 kms). Total distance 214 kms. 2) Reach Rajur by Mumbai – Igatpuri – Ghoti – Bhandardara (155 kms). On the road from Rajur towards Kotul, Kothale village is at 41 kms. Total distance 196 kms. | |
| Accommodation Facility : | |
| The temple near Kothale village can accommodate up to 10 persons or available at Pachnai village. | |
| Food Facility : | |
| Available in Pachnai village at 10 kms | |
| Drinking Water Facility : | |
| Water in the tanks is potable | |
| Notes : | |
| 1) With our own private vehicle one can visit the forts of Kunjargad(Kombadgad), Bhairavgad(Kothale), Kalalgad, Bhairavgad(Shirpunje) in two days as follows:- Visit Kinjargad fort early in the morning and head to Kothale village for lunch in the temple and then head for Bhairavgad. For the rest of evening proceed towards Pachnai village and stay overnight. Food and accommodation facilities can be easily available at Pachnai. On the second day complete Kalalgad before noon. It’s a difficult fort to climb. In the afternoon visit Bhairavgad (Shirpunje). 2) Information on all the forts is available on our website. |
| Marathi Version |