Prime Day & Hours: Weekends, sunrise and sunset
Suggested Duration: 2-3 hours
Tickets: Free Entry
Nearest Railway Station: Wathar Railway Station, about 41 km away
Nearest Airport: Pune International Airport, about 105 km away
Nearest Bus Stop: Satara Bus Stand, about 46 km away
Pandavgad Fort, also known as Pandugad, is a 12th-century building that sits about 1,400 meters above sea level in the lush Sahyadri hills near Wai, Satara. It also offers stunning views of green valleys and the Krishna River, especially at sunrise and sunset. The fort sits on a steep escarpment that is 40 to 60 feet high and was built by the Shilahara prince Bhoja II. It was taken by Shivaji in 1673 and later occupied by Aurangzeb and the British.
To get to the fort, you have to embark on a moderate two-hour trek from Menavli or Gundewadi village, with narrow trails and steep stone steps at the end. This mildly challenging expedition leads to some stunning sights of nature and history. The square plateau has the ruins of the temple of Pandjai Devi and a Hanuman shrine on top. There are about three ponds that still work out of the original eighteen, a testament to the ancient engineering.
The Pandav Caves are made up of multi-cell dwellings and a chaitya shrine. These are believed to be from the time of the first inhabitants or the mythological Pandavas. Take a break from the city and go on an adventure to Pandavgad, where you can see a mix of myths, strategic architecture, and the Sahyadri wilderness.
