Mangalgad Fort is located in the village of Dudhanewadi in Mahad taluka in the district of Raigad in Maharashtra state. It is situated in the Mahad sub-division and is around 11 miles away from the town of Mahad. The fortress is built at a height of 2457 feet on the top of a steep cliff on the Sahyadri. The site can be reached by a rugged and narrow path that stretches for almost 2 miles. The structure is 264 feet from north to south and 1485 feet from east to west. Mangalgad Fort is also known as Kangori Fort.
History of Mangalgad Fort Mangalgad Fort was established by Chandrarao More of Jawli. The structure was among the 7 fortresses that were seized by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj of the Maratha Empire in the year 1648. Chitursing, the brother of the Raja of Satara, was imprisoned in the fort from the year 1812 to 1818 when he died. Most of the fortress was dismantled in April 1817. Mangalgad fort and the region were captured by the army of British East India Company in 1818 after the capture of Raigad Fort.
Architecture of Mangalgad Fort:Parts of the ramparts and the walls are still intact. However the main gateway and most of the buildings in the premise of the fort are in a dilapidated state. A rock-cut water reservoir and an ancient temple are located near the rampart. There is another temple in the vicinity which is known as Kangori Devi Temple. There are some water tanks at the top of the temple. The fort prison and the wada are presently in ruined condition.
Time to climb: 1.5 hrs.
Accommodation :
10 People can be accommodated in the temple except for the rainy season.
Getting There :
By Air : Mumbai is nearest airport.
By Rail : Sape Wamne Rail Way Station , Karanjadi Rail Way Station are the very nearby railway stations to Pimpalwadi
By Road : 275 KMs from Pune.Gogavalewadi near Pimpalwadi close to ShivthalGhal.Gogavalewadi near Pimpalwadi close to ShivthalGhal. To reach Kangorigad, one has to board the Thane-Pimpalwadi ST Bus & get down at Dudhanewadi/ Kangorigad stop. Near that stop, you can see the temple of Kangori Sidhheshwar & it is besides a hill. Behind this temple, the way to the right, around the boundary of a field, will lead to the top of the hill within 30-45 minutes. Once we reach here, we can see the western bastion of the fort in front. We need to ascend in this direction. After climbing a small rock patch, we can walk on the way to left to reach the entrance of the fort. This is bit steep. There is another way to this fort. In front of Kangori Sidhheshwar temple there is a field, and a steep hike from here takes us in less time to hill top. However, this way might be tiring being more steep. This way can be used while descending the hill. If you don't get the Direct Pimplwadi Bus from Thane then you have to go to Mahad. From Mahad you need to go to Birwadi. There you will get Birwadi-Pimplwadi Bus in every two hours. Jeeps or Rickshaws (10 Seaters ? Rs.20/- per person) are also available from Birwadi to Dudhanewadi.
Places to see nearby :
1. Kangorigad
2. Shivtharghal
3. Kangori temple
