Visapur Fort – A well-known hill fort near Visapur village and close to Lonavala is the Visapur Fort. It is a popular weekend getaway from Pune and Mumbai, also known as Visapoor Fort. A trek to the majestic fort is extremely popular. The rocky climb to the Visapur Fort is pleasant. It takes about 2.5 to 3 hours each way and reaches a height of 3556 feet, starting in the village of Bhaje.
The fort, which is at an elevation of 1084 meters above sea level, provides a panoramic view of lushly green hills. Visit Visapur Fort during the monsoons to take advantage of the lush vegetation, numerous waterfalls, and stunning fog. This enormous fort was constructed as a twin to the well-known Lohagad fort, but it was built at a higher elevation and covered a larger area.
Visapur Fort
The well that is well-known throughout the Visapur Fort is thought to have been constructed by the Pandavas. Guns and other ammunition from Queen Elizabeth’s reign may be present in a nearby location. There are also remnants of Mahadev’s shrine in its vicinity. Different attractions of the Visapur Post incorporates not many detached caves, old house ruins, old water reservoirs, and an immense flour factory.
Every visitor will remember the unforgettable adventure of trekking to Visapur Fort’s summit. The trek is peaceful and tranquil despite the rocky climb. You can begin your trek either at Lohagadwadi or Patan Village. You can also try your hand at the nearby paragliding activity.
Visapur Fort Details
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History
The Lohagad-Visapur fortification, built in the eighteenth century, is a reminder of India’s rich cultural heritage and architectural splendor. Balaji Vishwanathan, the first Peshwa of the Maratha empire, built the fort. Peshwa Balaji Vishwanathan’s reign saw the construction begin and be completed sometime between 1713 and 1720 CE. Much later, the Lohagad Fort, which is more well-known. Still, the Visapur Fort was built on a cliff much higher than Lohagad, so getting there is an adventure in and of itself. The Maratha Empire’s greatness is closely associated with Visapur Fort’s history. Every year, it draws a large number of tourists as well as experts in architecture and history.
The Lohagad and Visapur Forts have a history that is intertwined. Visapur drew the consideration of the English provincial rulers in 1818 when an assault was sent off on the post on fourth Walk 1818. An army of 380 European soldiers and 800 Indian soldiers was sent from the Konkan coast to bring the Peshwari to its knees. The British called two additional battalions and the entire artillery from Chakan to join the battle because of the Maratha empire’s bravery and financial power.
Exploiting the high elevation, the English soldiers decisively set up their guns and besieged the Visapur Post, which constrained the Maratha heroes to escape from the stronghold when the English assumed control over its control around the same time. With the exception of a few scattered huts in the vicinity, the northern and southern escape routes from the fort were completely destroyed when Colonel Prother was chosen to assume full command. To prevent further attacks, the Konkan (northern) and Deccan (southern) way-outs were closed. The Lohagad Fort was not significantly damaged, is in better condition, and is still standing.
Architecture
The Visapur fort is surrounded by high veranda walls and has a lot of water cisterns and caves inside. The Pandavas are said to have constructed a well inside the fort as well! The Visapur fort had Sri Hanuman, more commonly known as Maruti, as its patron deity.As a result, a magnificent, enormous carving of the great Lord Hanuman was carved into the fort walls as a tribute to the lord. The walls are flanked by smaller, intricate drawings made in his honor in addition to the enormous carving of the lord.
Additionally, the magnificent fort’s grounds are home to numerous temples dedicated to the lord. An older Mahadev shrine, which was built to honor Lord Shiva, can be seen in pieces. During the time of 1885, by the north mass of the post rested a ten-foot long iron weapon with the initials “E R” engraved on it. The gun is thought to have been given to Kanoji Angre or another brave Maratha commander as a reward from one of the English ships during Queen Elizabeth’s reign.
Visapur Fort Track Details
The trek to Visapur Fort is an unforgettable experience. From the Bhaje village, the trek begins at the base of the Visapur cliff. Because the ground is flat and the elevation does not begin for some time, the muddy path through Bhaje is a straightforward walk. From the trek’s starting point, one can still see the fort’s walls. The road split into two at a crossroads after 4 kilometers. The path on the right prompts the Lohagad Stronghold, while the one on the left will lead you to the Visapur Post. The two forts can be climbed in one day because they are on the same plateau. The climb begins here, and the road gets steeper from here. The trekkers are directed in the right direction by arrows all along the route, which you must follow until you reach a small hut.
A horse-painting-covered stone marking can be found. Turn left at this point to enjoy the second part of the journey as you ascend higher. During the monsoon, a number of waterfalls regain their strength and beauty. The waterfalls and streams make the trek much more enjoyable, making the rainy season the best time to visit the Visapur Fort. For novices, the trek can be completed in 40 to 45 minutes. It will take you 30 minutes if you are a professional climber. There is an abundance of mosses, shrubs, and even larger plants and trees throughout the entire cliff. The Visapur Lohagad twin forts have a Hanuman temple, larger water storage facilities, and a number of smaller water reservoirs within the caves.
From the Visapur fort, visitors can also see the Tikona and Tung forts, the Lohagad Fort, and the Lohagad Fort. In addition to the Maratha flag and grinders utilized in the construction of the Visapur Fort, there are a few smaller buildings and establishments around the fort that are referred to as Wada in the local language. These include a canon, a bastion, and the fort itself. As you descend, take the same route. You won’t have to get lost in the wild and lush vegetation to reach the base thanks to the arrows and road markers.
check:- Raigad Fort Raigad Maharashtra All you need to know In 2024
Place to visit near Visapur Fort
Some major attractions near Visapur Fort include Bhaja Caves, Lonavla, Aamby Valley City, and the Lohagad Fort near the Visapur. Read on to find out some of the best places to visit near Visapur Fort and how you can make the most of your journey.
Lohagad Fort
The Lohagad Stronghold is frequently considered the Visapur Post’s twin. The structure is located on the same trekking path as Bhaje Village. From the fork, take the right trail to the Visapur Fort, where the left trail takes you. Lohagad, in contrast to Visapur Fort, was mostly under Maratha control except for a brief five-year period when the Mughals took control. One of the many slope posts of Maharashtra and a string base for the Maratha armed forces, the Lohagad Stronghold remains at 1,033 meters and should be visible from the Visapur Stronghold.
check:- Lohagad Fort Maharashtra History, Timing All you need to know In 2024
Tung Fort
You must also make a pit stop at the Tung Fort if you want to visit the Lohagad and Visapur forts. The Tung Fort was built in the 1600s by the Adil Shahi dynasty and is 12 kilometers from the Mlavli Railway Station. It was later taken over by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a legendary Maratha warrior and ruler. The Tung Fort’s primary objective was to gain time so that the Lohagad and Visaput forts could prepare for battle in the event of an invasion. From the Tung Fort, you can see the Lohagad-Visapur fortifications as well as the Tikona and Korigad forts.
Pawna Lake
After the Pawna Dam was built on the Pawna River, Pawna Lake was created. Pawna lake, which is 25 kilometers from Lonavla and is in the Pune district, offers a beautiful view of the horizon where the water meets the sky. It has grown to be a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike, and on weekends, when people from all over the district gather for picnics and brunches by the water, it can get crowded. Include a stop at Pawna Lake to watch the sunset.
Bhaja Caves
Bhaja Caverns is an assortment of 22 stone slice caves tracing all the way back to the second century CE. The Bhaja Caves rise 400 feet above the Bhaja Village, the starting point of the Visapur Fort trek. These caves were once part of an ancient trade route that connected the Arabian Sea to the Deccan Plateau. As part of the Monuments of National Importance, the Indian Archeological Survey has taken care of maintaining the caves. The fact that the caves still house a number of stupas, or Buddhist places of worship, and were Buddhist educational institutions is what gives the caves their significance. Viewers are left in awe by the caves’ architecture.
The Bhaja Caves, with their stone and wall carvings, Chaityas, Viharas, and other structures, are sure to captivate visitors right away. A woman is depicted in the wall carvings playing the Tabla while other women dance to its beat.
check:- Nahargarh Fort Jaipur History
Bedse Caves
The Bedse Caves are a group of rock-cut caves that show the Buddhist legacy and are located just 9 kilometers away from the Bhaja Caves. The Bedse Caves, which are older than the Bhaja Caves and include two main caves as well as several smaller ones within the cave complex, date back to the first century BCE. A large stupa can be found in one of the main caves, the Chaitya, and a Vihara, or monastery, can be found in the other cave. Gavaksha is a type of arch design found on the Chaitya.
How to reach Visapur Fort?
One of Maharashtra’s highest forts, Visapur Fort is perched atop a lush plateau that is famous for its amazing waterfall trek. The location, which is 100 kilometers from Mumbai, is popular with campers, nature lovers, and trekkers. Diverse modes of transportation make it simple to reach the destination. Check out the best routes to Visapur Fort.
- Nearest Airport Pune International Airport
- Nearest Railway Station Malavli Station
- Nearest City Lonavala
- Distance From Lonavala 10.1 km
By Air
From Pune, the most convenient route is. The closest airport to Visapur Fort is Pune International Airport. To get to your destination after deboarding, you can take a bus, hire a taxi, or take a taxi. You have the option of taking a state bus or driving up the path to the village of Bhjae on the Lonavla Highway.
- Distance From Pune International Airport. 65.7 km
By Train
The railway is the simplest means of travel. There are numerous routes that can take you directly to the cliff’s base from the Malavli railway station, which is 5 km away from the forts. Outside the Malavli Railway station, you can hail a taxi or an auto rickshaw. Alternately, numerous trains connect Pune and Lonavla with the Malavli station. Depending on the train, ticket prices range from INR 5 to 10 per ticket.
- Distance From Malavli Railway Station. 5.1 km
By Road
By road, you can also get to Visapur Fort. Mumbai and Visapur Fort are connected by the Bengaluru-Mumbai highway. State highways that have been well-maintained speed up and make travel more comfortable. This route is served by a lot of state and private buses. A cab or taxi can also be booked by visitors. Bus travel is another option for getting to your destination.
Review
Although Lohagad fort was constructed a lot later than Visapur fort, the histories of the two forts are very similar. Lohagad’s twin fort is smaller and lower in elevation than Visapur Fort. Inside the post are caves, reservoirs of water, a brightened curve and old houses. Due to its moderate difficulty, the Visapur Fort trek is an excellent option for novice travelers. From Patan Village, Bhaje Caves, and Gaimukh Khind, there are three ways to get to the top.
Lohagad’s twin fort is smaller and lower in elevation than Visapur Fort. Old houses, a decorated arch, caves, and water cisterns are all within the fort. These two flat structures with veranda-style exterior walls are said to have been government offices in the past. The Peshwa’s palace is the name given to the ruins of a large stone house. In addition to a massive Hanuman carving, there are a number of Hanuman-themed temples scattered throughout the area.
According to local legend, the Pandavas constructed the well. An iron gun with a bore of four inches and a length of ten feet was found in 1885 near the north wall. It was marked with the Tudor Rose and Crown and the letters E. R., and Kanhoji Angre or another commander of the Maratha Navy gave it to the Peshwa as a bounty from an English ship. It has been disabled by breaking off its trunnions, just like other guns on the fort. There are the ruins of an earlier Mahadev shrine nearby.
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