Malhargad (मल्हारगड)

Eastern Bastion of Malhargad
(Eastern entrance is behind this bastion)

The trek is quite easy. Good for beginners. The fort is situated on a small hill. You need not even search for the route. Start climbing the hill from anywhere along the ridge and you will reach the top.

You can combine the trek with Purandar fort, which was one of the most important forts in Pune region. This is also a one-day trek. You can stay at some hotel in Saswad city or fort Purandar for night. Also Saswad city has some spectacular places worth a visit. Refer to Purandar page for details

1. Reach Sonori by ST or auto from Saswad

2. Visit the Panse Palace in Sonori (This is a must)

3. Start towards the fort and take left along the vehicle route.

4. Start climbing the hill to reach the top of the fort hill at the East side where two large electric towers are located.

5. You will reach rightmost bastion (East side) of the fort behind which there is huge entrance door.

Sardar Panse Palace

Khandoba and Shiv Mandir in Balekilla of Malhargad

1. Malhargad was the last fort built in Maharashtra. Sardar Panse was admiral of the army of Madhavro Peshwe. He built a fort near sonori village to keep watch on Dive-ghat, which leads to Pune. This is Malhargad built during 1757-1760.

2. Sonori - Sonori village has historic significance. It has many huge old temples made up of in black-stone. The palace of Sardar Panse in this village is a miniature of Shaniwar-wada. It has 6 bastions and a huge lakshmi-narayan temple inside. The remains are quite enormous to tell the real glory of the palace.

3.  Fortification - The fort is not a real mountain fort like those of Shivaji. But it looks like a check post. It has been built in red and black-stone with bastions and fortification clearly in place. Fort has huge east entrance door tactfully hidden.

4. Fort is worth a look since the walls and bastions are quite recent and in place. The lime and lead used for cementing at that time can be seen between the stoned of bastion and walls.

5. Balekilla - Balekilla (citadel) has one more stone-door and has two large temples. One of Lord Shiva and one of Lord Khandoba or Malhar (Hence the name Malhargad). Between eastern door and Balekilla you can find a well.

Get down from the eastern entrance. There is one more door at west side also. Better get the last bus at 5.00 pm. Otherwise you may face problem while coming back. Rickshaw is not easily available.

From Saswad (सासवड) ST stand to Sonori	2.30pm
From Sonori (सोनोरी) to Saswad	5.00pm (Last bus)

Time to climb	45 minutes climb from Sonori village and 45 minutes to see the fort.
Food	Available in Saswad city.
Drinkable Water	Available at Sonori village but not on fort. There are wells on the fort but not drinkable.
Shelter	Night stay can be made in Saswad or Sonori village. Not possible on the fort.