Torna

About Torna

On the fort are found many trees of the type “Toran”, which may be the reason for the name of the fort. The fort is located in Pune district, 18.36 degrees Latitude & 73.37 degrees Longitude. The village at the base of the fort is called “Velhe”. To the south of Torna is the river of Velvandi & to the north is the Valley of Kanad River.

Torna (near Pune, India) known as prachanda(huge) gad is a massive fort very close to another grand fort Rajgad.Large fort located in Pune district (at 1405 metres above sea-level, the tallest in the district) in the state of Maharashtra, India. In 1646, when Shivaji was 16, he launched his first military attack by capturing Torna fort, paving the way for the great empire. During the construction of this fort he came across the huge treasures which he utillised for the construction of new forts. Many battles have been fought on this fort.The fort is truly grand and stretches for couple of kilometers. The fort floor looked like a carpet of yellow flowers. The scenes were right out from fairy tale. These kinds of scenery can be observed in sahyadris only during sept - nov period.The name derives from Prachanda (Marathi for huge or massive) and gad (Marathi for fort).

The fort is about 40 km southwest of Pune in the Sahyadri mountain range.

History

The name derives from Prachanda (Marathi for huge or massive) and gad (Marathi for fort).

This fort is believed to have been constructed by the Shaiva Panth, followers of the Hindu god Shiva, in the 13th century. A Menghai Devi temple, also referred to as the Tornaji temple, is situated near the entrance of the fort.

In 1643, Shivaji, son of a local jagirdar with royal ambitions, captured this fort at the age of sixteen, thus making it one of the first forts in what would become the Maratha empire. Shivaji renamed the fort Prachandagad, and constructed several monuments and towers within it.

In the 1700s, the Mughal empire gained control of this fort after assassination of Shivaji’s son Sambhaji. Aurangzeb, then Mughal emperor, renamed this fort Futulgaib (Language unknown: Divine victory), in recognition of the difficult defense the Mughals had to overcome to capture this fort. It was restored to the Maratha confederacy by the Treaty of Purandar.

To get to the Torna, one has to first reach the base village called Velhe. From Swargate bus station in Pune, take a state transport bus with route ‘Swargate - Velhe - Ghisar’. This bus will drop you at Velhe in around 1hr 45mins. It will be good to start in early morning for the fort. 6.30am bus will be very good option to reach early to the fort.Once you reach the Velhe, ask for Torna fort way. Once you start climbing the fort, you should reach the fort within 2hr 30mins with an easy pace.

Interesting things to Visit

Konkan Darwaaja :
Kokan Darwaaja still exhibits the constructional features that prevailed during 17th century. Here the fortification is the better condition. It lies on the way to Budhla Machi.

Temple of goddess Mengai :
This is the only place on the fort where one can stay. It has two doors & the roof is still in the need of repairs. Here the group “Pune Ventures” has put a map of Torna. In front of the temple is a Deepmala (a structure that supports oil lamps & is always found in every temple of Lord Shiva).

Zunjar machi :
It is situated on the western side & a wonderful spot to see. However, in the recent period, way here has been destroyed, & hence it cannot be reached easily.

Goddess Toranjai :
It is a small temple where goddesses Somjai & Toranjai are worshipped. Ahead we can see the lakes called Toran & Mhasoba.

Maal & Safeli bastions :
On the west of Kothi Darwaaja are the bastion Maal, & the latter one is to the south of the former. Near Safeli is a construction called Lakadkhaana, where wood was stored. Here is the way to Kokan Darwaaja & to Budhla machi.

Budhla machi :
In Marathi “Budhla” means a vessel, & “Budhla” Machi looks like a vessel kept upside down. This diff is a breathtaking spot on the fort. From here, a cheek was kept on the western side of this fort.

Bini Darwaaja :
This is the main entrance to the fort from Velhe and is situated to the northwest of the fort. The bastion on the left side has collapsed. The path ahead leads to Kothi Darwaaja.

Kothi Darwaaja :
Ascending the steps carved in the rock, we enter the Kothi Darwaaja facing east. Here we come across some guardrooms. Way along the wall towards east takes us to the temple of goddess Toranjai.

Hanuman bastion :
This bastion is situated east of Kothi Darwaaja. Here we can see idol of Hanuman facing south & a flag post. Way ahead leads to the bastion Bhel. To proceed ahead a guide is required, the way being a bit difficult. Further eastwards we come to Zunjar machi.

Nearest Visiting places

Padmavati Machi is main place of the Rajgad fort. The Padmavati temple, lake and two houses on the machi are important places to watch for. The temple is very old and the only place to rest for the trekkers.

One can also see ‘Chor Darawaja’ and ‘Pali Darwaja’ on the machi. Suvela Machi is one of the strongest places on the Rajgad fort. It is very difficult to climb but one can see a hilarious view from this place. The third machi - Sanjivani is very beautiful too. One can go to Torana from Sanjivani machi which takes almost 8 hrs to reach.

‘Bale killa’ is one of the best fort in Maharashtra. It is very difficult to climb. One can see various places and forts especially from Rajgadh. It includes Torana, Raireshwar, Mahabaleshwar, Pratapgad, Raigad, Lingana, Bhatghar, Tung, Visapur and Sinhagad etc.

You can also visit Gangasagar Lake or worship at the nearby Jagadishwar Temple or pay your respects to the great Maratha king at his Samadhi.

Tomb of Sambhaji Maharaj
Purandhar and Vajragadh Fort
Parvati
Vishram Baug Wada
Shaniwarwada
Agakhan Palace
Sinhagad

Things to carry

• Luggage packed in big good trekking sack, all luggage wrapped in plastic bags to avoid getting wet
• Complete spare set of clothes & socks and rainwear/Jacket
• Water
• Electral/ Glucon-d energizers and personal medication
• Good trekking shoes
• Camera

Help Line/Phone Number

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Location info

• Address:40 km southwest of Pune

• **District: Pune district
  **

• Nearest City: Pune.

• Best time to visit: Sept - Nov

Things to do at Torna

Torna Fort is trekker destination.

How to reach Torna

• Nearest Railway Station:Nearest railhead is pune 65 kms away.

• Nearest Airport:Pune is nearest airport 65 km away.

• Road Transport:Torna fort is about 65 km away from Pune/Many Buses available from Pune/From village Velhe local Jeep-Taxies are available till Nasarapur.

Hotels & accommodation nearby

Tourism Development Corporation provides accommodation near the Menghai Devi temple.Food and water not available so should arrange for oneself.

Best time to visit Torna

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 Torna. 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: Torna
• 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 “Torna, Maharashtra” on Google Maps for precise directions and navigation.