Kenjalgad

Kenjalgad Fort also known as Ghera Khelanja Fort is situated near the town of Wai in Satara District. The fort lies at an elevation of 4269 feet above sea level and is located on the Mandhardev spur of the Mahadev Hill Range. The rhomboid-shaped Kenjalgad Fort is quite striking, visible even from a long distance.

It is believed that Kenjalgad was built sometime during the 12^th century by the Bhoj Rajas of Panhala. In 1648 Adilshah of Bijapur conquered the fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured the fort in 1674 while he was on a military campaign at Chiplun. In 1701, Mughal king Aurangzeb captured the fort, but it was once again conquered by the Marathas in 1702. On March 1818 the fort was captured by the British.

Kenjalgad can be reached from both Wai and Bhor. There two trekking routes to reach the top of the fort. It takes an hour to reach the fort from the col joining Raireshwar Plateau and Kenjalgad. The second and nearest route to Kenjalgad top starts from the base village of Ghera Kenjal. The climb to the top via this route takes about 30 to 45 minutes. The trek is relatively easy with rock-cut steps on the eastern side of the fort. There is no water available on the trek route or the fort. A night halt can be arranged in the temple at the base village.