Lohagad Fort: Popular Tourist Attraction In Maharashtra

About Lohagad

Lohagad is a fairly large fort. This is one of the better preserved forts in the region, and many of its distinctive medieval defense features can be seen during the serpentine winding ascent to the top. From the nearby village, there are four doors to the top of Lohagad: Ganesh Darwaja, Narayan Darwaja, Hanuman Darwaja, and Maha Darwaja. All the doors are still quite strong and in good condition. Of the four doors, the Hanuman Darwaja is the oldest; the remaining three doors were built by Nana Phadnavis. Maha Darwaja has a few sculptures.

Between the second and third doors, there are some cellars that were (probably) used as granaries. After entering the Maha Darwaja, a structure containing some tombs can be seen. There is a spacious rock cut cave called the Lomesh Rishi Cave along the fortification. There are several water tanks with one of them having a natural spring in it containing fresh clean water.

On top of the fort, there is a a Mahadev temple adjacent to which is a tank with steps descending to the water. There is also a grave of a muslim pir.

History

Lohagad has a long history with several dynasties occupying it at different periods of time: Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas, Bahamanis, Nizamshahis, Mughals and Marathas. Shivaji captured it in 1648 AD, but he was forced to surrender it to the Mughals in 1665 AD by the Treaty of Purandar. Shivaji recaptured the fort in 1670 AD and used it for keeping his treasury. It is said that when Shivaji raided Surat, all the wealth was brought to this fort under the supervision of Netaji Palkar. Legend has it that Shivaji’s treasure still lies buried in and around the fort but no evidence of this has been uncovered so far.

Shivaji also used this fort to keep a close watch on Konkan and Bhor Ghat from these forts.

The adjoining fort, Visapur, is larger and at a greater elevation than Lohagad. This height advantage was used by the British troops in 1818 AD who set up their canons on Visapur and bombarded Lohagad, thereby forcing the Marathas to leave.

Interesting things to Visit

The other fort near Lohagad is Visapur. It is 3500 feet high and situated between Lohagad and Bedse Caves. A huge cannon (almost 10 feet long) on Visapur is very vital as it has an impression of royal crown. One can see Purandar on south-east. Sinhagad as well as Tung and Tikona can also be clearly seen. Both these forts are of Satwahan Era and of great importance in Shivaji’s period as to keep watch on Konkan and Bor Ghat. These two forts are historically very crucial and must be visited by trek lovers and history lovers.
The Bhaja caves , situated in Bhaja village, are nearby and it is a 4 kilometer walk from Lohagad to these caves and so also from Lohagad to the main road. The nearest railhead is Malvali, 10 kilometers away.
Caves at Lohagad
Tikona Fort
Visapur Fort
Well at Lohagad Fort
Extension of Lohagad Fort
Water tank at Lohagad Fort
Karle Caves near Lohagad- Visapur

Nearest Visiting places

Malawali railway station
Mumbai-Pune Expressway (10 km)
Bhaja Caves (2 km from Malawali), once home to Buddhist monks
Karla Caves
Lonavala hill station (20 km)
Bushi Dam from Lonavala Market.
Ambey Valley Around 22 km from Bushi Dam.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation

Lemon Tree Hotel, Hinjawadi, Pune
Ginger Hotel
Can find lots of hotels at Pune.

Help Line/Phone Number

Nearest Hospital:

**Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital
**
**Khopoli Hospital
**
VIDYA PRABHA HOSPITAL

Pavana Lake is essentially an artificial lake brought into existence due to the Pavana Dam. A picturesque sight, the Pavana Lake, along with the Pavana Dam, is located around 14 kilometres away from Lonavla.Offering much-needed solitude and some peace and quiet, the Pavana Lake is not a crowded place like Lonavala. Tucked away around 19 kilometres somewhere inside Kamshet, the Pavana Lake offers a soothing outing for the tired city soul…..more

Location info

Address:52 km from Pune
District: Lonavala
Nearest City: Pune
Best time to visit: Any Time.July and December.

Things to do at Lohagad

Can capture the beauty of the place in your camera.

How to reach Lohagad

Nearest Railway Station:Mumbai, you can take a train to Lonavla/malavli station
Nearest Airport:Pune Airport

**Road Transport:Cross the mumbai pune express highway via overhead bridge and turn walking towards mumbai direction to bhaje village which is approx 2 Kms. From bhaje walk towards lohagad.
**

Things to carry

Mineral water bottles, food, first aid kit,camera and so on

Best time to visit Lohagad

October to March: cool and pleasant weather ideal for trekking. Avoid monsoon (June–September) as trails become slippery and dangerous.

Timings & opening hours

Typically open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Some forts may close earlier during monsoon or for maintenance.

Entry fee & tickets

Free entry for most hill forts. ASI-protected forts may charge INR 25 for Indians and INR 300 for foreign nationals.

Duration needed

3–4 hours including trek to the top and exploration. Larger forts may require a full day.

Safety tips

Wear sturdy footwear with good grip. Carry sufficient water — many forts have no water sources on top. Do not climb on unstable walls or edges. Start the trek early in the morning to avoid afternoon heat. Inform someone about your trek plan.

Nearest airport, railway & bus

Nearest airport: Pune International Airport (PNQ) or Mumbai International Airport (BOM). Nearest railway station: Pune Railway Station or nearest station on the Central Railway. Well-connected by road from Pune and Mumbai.

Mobile network coverage

Airtel, Jio, and Vi all provide excellent coverage across Maharashtra’s cities (Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur) and major tourist areas. 4G is reliable along highways and in most towns. Coverage may be weaker in deep forest areas of Tadoba, Melghat, and certain ghat sections. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels and cafes.

Food & restaurants nearby

Most hill forts in Maharashtra have local snack stalls at the base serving pithla bhakri, vada pav, and tea. Carry food for longer treks — many forts on hilltops have no facilities. The nearest village or town offers Maharashtrian thali meals.

Climate & weather

Maharashtra has a diverse climate spanning coastal Konkan, the Western Ghats, and the interior Deccan plateau. Winter (November–February) is the best time to visit: temperatures range from 12°C to 30°C depending on region. Summer (March–June) is hot, with interior areas reaching 40°C+ while hill stations (Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala) remain pleasant. The monsoon (June–September) brings heavy rainfall to the coast and ghats but transforms the landscape into lush green. October–November is pleasant post-monsoon.

Nearest petrol pump

Petrol pumps are available in the nearest town or on the approach road to Lohagad. It is advisable to fill fuel before heading to remote areas, especially hill forts and wildlife sanctuaries.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to trek to the top? The trek to most forts takes 1–3 hours depending on the fort’s height and the trail condition. Some forts have road access up to the entrance.

Is there food and water available on the fort? Most forts have no facilities on top. Carry at least 2 litres of water per person and some snacks. Local stalls at the base village sell refreshments.

Can I visit during monsoon? Many forts are open year-round but trails become extremely slippery during monsoon. November to February offers the best trekking conditions.

Quick facts

Location: Maharashtra
Best time to visit: October to March for comfortable exploration
Ideal duration: 1-2 hours to explore the site
Entry: Nominal entry fee at most ASI-protected sites
Photography: Allowed at most sites; videography may require permit

Map & location view

Destination: Lohagad
State: Maharashtra, India
Region: historical region of Maharashtra
How to reach: Accessible by road from nearby towns and cities. Local transport options include buses and taxis.
Google Maps: Search for “Lohagad, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.