Fort Gandharvgad

Location: Southern side on Kolhapur

Base Village: Valukuli.

Height: 916 meter.

Brief History: Mention of Sabhasad Bakhar, Gandharvgad is one of the 111 forts restored by Chh. Shivaji Maharaj. On January 1666, Chh. Shivaji Maharaj captured this fort in the conquest of Panhala with an army of 5000. July 1687, Desai’s of Kakti Karyati and Desai of Hukkeri Pargana have captured this fort from Marathas, for which Adilshah were promised, the Deshmukhi of Ajamnagar in Belgaum and Chandgad, Ajara respectively. Adilshah controlled the fort many years. Sadashivrao Bhau Peshwa stayed here for some times during his Karnataka campaign. Later the British army destroyed this fort in 1844.

Gandharvgad is a small village in Chandgad Taluka in Kolhapur District. Chandgad, Ajara, Nesari, Gadahinglaj, are the nearby Towns to Gandharvgad. This fort is reachable by Belgaum Railway Station, Desur railway Station, Madure railway Station and  Sawantwadi Road railway Station. Its main Village Panchayat is Gandharvgad Panchayat.

Gandharvgad is one hour walking distance from Valukuli village. The entrance of fort starts at small Hanuman Temple. There are residence on the fort. Further on this way is the temple of Lord Chaloba, which is the deity of village. Ahead is an ancient well, which has potable water. There is a ground in front of Chaloba Temple, where there were remnants of old palace of the Herekar Sawant. Now there is nothing to see not even remnants. In the eastern part of the fort, we can find some plinths. The ramparts on the southern side are intact and spacious. There are 3 secret passages in the walls here.

What to see:

• Chaloba Temple.
• Three Secret doors.
• Old cultural idols.

Place to Stay:

No accommodation. Nearest place to stay Nesari, Chandgad.