| Fort Name : | Alphabetically | RangeWise | DistrictWise | CategoryWise | GradeWise |
| Chandragad(Dhavalgad) | FortHeight : 2337 | ||
| Type : Hill forts | Fort Range : Mahabaleshwar | ||
| District : Raigad | Grade : Medium | ||
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| History : | |||
| Chandrarao More built the Kangori fort in the valley of Jawali for the purpose of keeping a vigil on the trade routes and watch keeping on nearby province. When Shivaji Maharaj won the Jawali province on 15th January, 1656, the forts of Dhavalgad, Kangori, Rayri etc also came under his reign. Murarbaji was one of the most trusted and dependable commander at that time. The fort was refurbished and renamed as Gahangad. After the death of Sambhaji Maharaj when Aurangzeb ordered Itkadar Khan aka Zulfikar Khan to capture Raigad fort, he first captured the nearby forts in March 1689 of which Mangalgad was one of it. | |||
| Fascinating Spots : | |||
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| Chandragad fort is located to the East of Dhavale village and is spread in South-North direction. Start the trail by keeping the village temple to our left. The path through fields and reaches Shelarwadi hamlet. Proceed towards the hill which is seen from this hamlet and take the path which circumvents the hill. We reach the fort by keeping the valley first to our left and then to our right. There is a signboard installed here. There is scree while approaching the fort and an unpaved path to guide us. On the last patch we have to cross a small rock patch. As we get on top the fort keep moving ahead on the path. To the right we come across a square shaped ditch with a Shiv ling and a Nandi idol in it. This place is regularly worshipped during the festival of Mahashivraatri. Moving ahead there is water tank which does not have potable water. There is a platform above this water tank which has another Shiv ling. When we see below across the left fortified wall there are five water tanks and the access to them is very difficult. Some of the tanks are dried while some have water in them. While moving ahead towards north we can see remains of a platform structure. There is also a traditional house hold crusher made of stone kept here. As we proceed northwards keeping the platform to our right after descending some steps we come across a water tank which has potable water. There is also a fortified wall here. There one more water tank next to this but the water is dirty. To the left after we descend the steps there are five more water tanks of which only three can be sighted. Locals say there are 14 water tanks on the fort but only 11 are visible. Mangalgad fort can be seen from the top. | |
| Ways To Reach : | |
| 1) One has to reach Poladpur first and aboard an S.T. bus bound to Dhavalw or Umrath village. Umrath to Dhavale is 7 kms. Umrath is the birth place of Tanaji Malusare. One of the shopkeepers in the village has kept ancient weapons belonging to the Maratha era. From Mahad and Poladpur S.T. buses ply regularly which stay overnight at Dhavale village. 2) Poladpur is 183 kms from Mumbai on the Mumbai-Goa highway. From Poladpur on the way to Mahabaleshwar there is a junction for Kapde village at 8 kms. From this junction Dhavale village is at 18 kms. One can proceed as Poladpur-Umrath-Dhavale. Umrath village is 16 kms from Poladpur and 34 kms from Mahad. From Umrath a diversion to the right takes us to Dhavale village at 7 kms. | |
| Accommodation Facility : | |
| Available in Dhavale village. | |
| Food Facility : | |
| Not available | |
| Drinking Water Facility : | |
| Only one water tank on the fort has potable water. | |
| Time To Reach : | |
| 2 hours from Dhavale village |
| Marathi Version |