Fort Mahuli

Mahuli Fort, at 2815 ft., this is very popular spot frequented by Mumbaikars on weekends. Ease of access and the very much tranquil environs near the suburb of Asangaon is really luring more and more picnickers to Mahuli. Earlier this fort was frequented by trekkers, but now Mahuli is more of a picnic spot. Mahuli. Village at the base houses a spacious Temple, which can serve as a good halt for an overnight stay.


The waterfalls at the base of the fort near Mahuli village are very famous for waterfall rappelling events conducted by many trekking and outdoor clubs in and around Mumbai. However one must be careful while treading the gushing streams and waterfalls as this region receives very heavy rainfalls and the water flow can be difficult to negotiate.




Being popular and visited by ignorant crowd has been responsible for defacing Mahuli. The plastic litter and trash littered on the fort is a pathetic sight. The main entrance and the cave lies in ruins with littering all round it.






There are three massifs seen in front as one reaches Mahuli village. The one on the right is Bhandargad, the centre one is Mahuli and the one on extreme right is Chotta Mahuli or Palasgad. Bhandargad is mostly an aggregation of group of pinnacles

The main route to the top of the fort is in ruins and bad condition and should not be attempted by novices.

Mahuli-Chanderi group of pinnacles, which has been luring the rock climbing enthusiasts from Maharashtra for decades. Pinnacles like Navra-Navri, Navryachi Karavali, Navrichi Karavali, Bhatoba, Vajir dot these range.

The top is a huge plateau with dilapidated fort walls, crumbling remnants of the bygone eras. The top hosts large water tank, and holds potable water, except during summer months. A small temple near the cave calms the ambience, with a potable water trough near it.

Asangaon on Mumbai-Nashik highway (91) Kms from Mumbai. 5 kms inside on to the left is the Mahuli village. A temple and a humble home of Mataji Geetabharati is at the base. Temple dormitory and camp area can be reserved. Mataji provides authentic maharashtrian vegeterian food on advance information.



The creator of this fort is unknown. In 1485 this place came under rule Nijamshahi dynasty. When Shahaji Raje became the secretary of Nijamshahi, Mughals of Delhi tried to end Nijamshahi



In 1635-36, Shahaji Raje transferred himself with Jijabai and Shivaji to Mahuli. When Khan Jaman attacked the fort, Shahaji asked Portuguese for help, who refused and Shahaji surrendered.




Shivaji took this fort from Mughals on 8 Jan 1658. In 1661 it was given back and was won again by Shivaji. In treaty of Purandar, in 1665, Marathas lost these forts again. In Feb 1670, Shivaji Maharaj tried to conquer Mahuli, but failed, thanks to an alert Manohardas Gaud, who was the in charge of the fort

Thousand of Marathas were killed. Manohardas Gaud, soon gave up his position and Alveerdi Beg took over. On 16 June 1670, after two months, Moropant Pingle conquered the forts and Mahuli, Bhandargad and Palasgad became part of Swarajya. Till 1817, Shivaji's dynasty owned the fort and later by the Britishers.

To reach the top, for the convenience of the visitors a small iron ladder is fixed with bolts by a local trekking club. Nisarga Giri Bhraman, a local trekking club has paited and hoisted a large map of the fort Mahuli at the base village. Shivgarjana, another local trekking club based at Kalyan paints and maintains the temple at village Mahuli annually.