Panhala Fort

Hill stations are the favourite holiday destination of all times. Panhala is a destination that combines a hill station and a fort.  This hill station is 230 kms from Pune and takes around four hours by road. It is twenty kms northwest to the city of Kolhapur.  It is at an height of 845 meters.

A major trade route in the olden times, it is strategically located overlooking a pass in the Sahyadri range. It shows off a remarkable view if the valley and the sheer beauty of the Sahyadri range. Panhala is the largest fort in the Deccan region. It was built by Bhoja II of the Adil Shah dynasty. The fort has a large number of underground tunnels.  The fort has typical Bijapuri style architecture and the peacock motif can be seen in most of the structures.

There are a number of structures within the fort. Adhar Bavadi is a three storeyed structure made to safeguard water storage. A winding staircase leads to a well concealed well. On the east side of the fort is Kalavaticha Mahal which is the courtesan’s terrace room. In the centre is the Ambarkhana which consists of three granaries. There are two entrances to the fort known as Chaar Darwaja which is on the eastern side and Waagh Darwaja.

There are also four on temples on the fort dedicated to Someshwar, Ambabai, Mahakali, and Sambhaji II respectively. The Someshwar temple overlooks a beautiful lake known as Lake Somale. Next to the lake one can also see the structure of a market place.

There is a beautifull sunset point at the northern end of the fort. One can see a breathtaking view of the valley from atop a small tower here.

The climate is pleasurable around the year and Panhala is a place that is worth visiting at any time of the year.

Be sure to visit Kolhapur when on a holiday here and try the delicious Pandhra and Tambda Rassa or the Kolhapuri Misal.