Mahuli Fort- A Trek That Make You More Photogenic

MAHULI FORT- A TREK THAT MAKE YOU MORE PHOTOGENIC

ABOUT MAHULI FORT

Monsoon trek to Mahuli fort is one of the popular destination and paradise for rock climbers from Sahyadri range. As like North is covered with Himalayan Mountain, Maharashtra has got beauty of Sahyadri which is covered with amidst greenery. Mahuli is one such Mountain from Sahyadri. It is situated on the height of 2815 feet. It is also the highest point from Thane district of Maharashtra. This fort is located in Tansa wildlife sanctuary which is further extended up to different area of Shahapur in Thane district. This forest has also got a Lake that serves the water to the wildlife, different species of animals and birds. 

HOW TO REACH MAHULI FORT

Mahuli village is the base point to start the trek towards summit of it's fort in Shahapur area of Thane district.

BY AIR

Nearest airport is Pune and Mumbai international airport. One can take self-drive car or can option for bus and train in following way.

BY TRAIN

Nearest railway station is Asangaon which rail route is easily accessible from Mumbai. Mahuli village is further 4 km from station. One can take direct auto to reach there. Auto-driver will charge around 200 INR.

From Asangaon station one can reach up to Shahapur village which is 3 km and can take bus towards Mahuli village. Shahapur to Mahuli village bus frequency is every two hours starting from morning 6:00 am first bus to evening 6:00 pm last bus. Or

Alight at Asangaon railway station, cross the national highway- walk about some km towards Shahapur- Take left towards famous Manas temple- Walk further 20 minutes and at the junction of Manas temple, go straight towards Mahuli village.

From Pune reach Kasara and then to Asangaon.

BY ROAD

Mahuli is 92 km from Mumbai and 192 km from Pune. Drive through national highway towards Shahapur and left road that goes towards Manas temple will take you to the base of Mahuli village.

Road ahead of Manas temple junction towards Mahuli village are not in good condition. This distance can be easily accessible by road.

HISTORY OF MAHULI FORT

The creator of the fort are Mughals. In 1485, this place came under rule Nizamshahi dynasty, When Shahaji became the secretory of Nizamshahi, Mughals wanted to end Nizamshahi, later Shahaji along with jijabai and Chhatrapati Shivaji moved to Mahuli, Afterword Khan Jaman attacked the fort, and Shahaji asked the Portuguese for help, but they refused and Shahaji surrendered.

8 Jan 1658 Chhatrapati Shivaji took this fort from Mughals, but lost in 1661, and later won it back. Later again Marathas lost the fort in February 1670, Chhatrapati Shivaji tried to conquer the fort but he failed. A thousand Marathas were killed from nearby village. After four months Moropant Pingle conquered the forts and Mahuli along with other forts became part of Swarajya till 1817, later it was controlled by British.

TREKING TO MAHULI FORT

Chhatrapati Shivaji, for whom all youth has ample amount of respect in heart. His sacrifices along with others is worth of awarding. He has given a reason for all to visit his remarkable castle, and everyone started to find this warrior on all fort in the form of trek. I was one of those, who was impatient to know the Mahuli Fort. One of my friend who accompanied me for this trek. I had been to Mahuli a month ago with my friends, but we reached the base at 12:30 pm due to which guards from Mahuli closed the main entrance. After 12 noon, no one is allowed to start the trek. So, rather than wasting a day we headed towards Manas temple which was close to Mahuli village. After a month later, I along with my partner drove the distance of 92 km on bike from Mumbai. This time we managed to reach at 10 am in morning and we got the opportunity to conquer the fort.

ENTRANCE FROM VILLAGE TOWARDS MAIN GATE 

SIGNING BOARD WITH MAHULI HISTORY, OPPOSITE TO THIS THERE IS ENTRANCE GATE

Recently the Maharashtra government has started developing it as a tourist spot. They are helping tourist and trekkers with basic direction. The trail starts right from Bhakti Niwas, Ganesh temple lies on left side. If you have own two wheeler, then it can go up to entrance point of main gate. Four wheeler needs to park at base village. Government has started collecting 20 INR per person as an entry charges for trek. The initial route is simple and clear that passes through crossing the River streams. There is one bridge to cross the River. Left from bridge goes towards waterfall. In monsoon no one is allowed to go to the waterfall due to some risk factor and several live has been lost here. 

THIS IS BRIDGE TO CROSS THIS RIVER STREAM

Mahuli fort trek route is well marked with proper arrow placed in the right direction. After trek for another half hour from River, we came across the vast surface. Trek continues from here unless it leaves us in the forest with some rocky trail. Now the ascend begins along with prominent trail. There are some rock paved steps which are easy for climbing as compared to leftover route. There is steep rock patch just before next flat plateau, but in recent years iron ladder has been placed here to overcome with this tricky patch.  After trek of around two and a half hour, we reached at first long plateau. It is said that “the best view comes after hardest climb”. Yes, It was completely true. The view from the top was amazing and breathe taking. We were greeted with the gentle wind at top. Nearby hills were filled with fog and amidst greenery. One should never miss the opportunity of conquering this fort in monsoon. It is easy grade trek but requires high endurance.

THIS IS IRON LADDER TO OVERCOME ROCKY TRAIL

After crossing this trail another flat plateau where Orange flag has placed which is the flag of our Swarajya. 

Trek doesn’t stop here, Shahapur Darwaza was yet to come. 10 minutes’ walk from here will take you to Shahapur Darwaza. There are some caves here that can be used for accommodation purpose in night. From there Kalyan Darwaza will take 40 minutes. It is flat surface to walk till 10 minute before reaching Kalyan Darwaza. This is the Konkan side entrance to this fort. This route is so difficult to climb unless you are expert in rock climbing. There are three view points on top called Navra, Navri, and Bhatoba. Those are on 5 minutes distance from Kalyan Darwaza. Due to lack of timing we could not spend much time here as it was also raining at the time. After break of 20 minutes we started to descend towards base. It took us 2 hours to reach at the base. Descending down from any trek is so easy. One needs to be careful from snakes on route. It is said that few years ago leopard was spotted here, so be very careful while hiking through jungle trail.

ROAD WITH NARROW SURFACE TO REACH AT TOP

PLACES TO SEE AROUND MAHULI FORT

Kalyan Darwaza along with three pinnacles- If you are making end point of trek, then this places lies on route to it.

Vajreshwari Temple- one of the oldest temple from this region and situated at 9 km from Mahuli.
Tansa Lake- Located near to Mahuli hills and famous for night camping.

Manas Mandir (Temple)-Located one route from Shahapur to Mahuli fort. It is famous for Jain temple.

IDEAL TIME TO VISIT MAHULI FORT

Mahuli Trek can be accessed throughout the year.

Post Monsoon is the best time to visit Mahuli fort as trail fills with amidst greenery and gives the reason to visit.

In monsoon route becomes bit slippery, but one can enjoy the view from top and River streams along the way.

Avoid trekking here in summer season as heat will absorb all your energy, and sun heat up the rock which becomes difficult to climb.

PLACES TO STAY AROUND MAHULI FORT

There is small temple at base of the fort that can be used for accommodation in night.

One can stay at caves on top if you are doing night trek to this place or can pitch your tent at the base.

There are multiple hotels available on the distance of 10 km from Mahuli village that provides stay option in cheap pricing.

This trek is also accessible in night with proper precautions.

FOOD AVAILABILITY AT MAHULI FORT

There are two hotels available at the base that provides home-made food.

They also provide Veg and Non Veg thali including Fish. Home-made food here will give you the reason to visit Maharashtra. 

You can pack some tiffin from them if going in night.

THINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE VISITING MAHULI FORT

• Don’t try to visit Mahuli waterfall if it is restricted by officers from Entrance gate. Several live has been lost here.
• While passing jungle trail, be aware of snakes.
• Try to avoid taking selfie’s if passing from ladder trail.
• If you are taking auto from Asangaon to Mahuli, then also take contact number of Auto driver, because while returning from trek there won’t be any Auto’s.
• Start the trek before 12 noon, entry gets close after 12 noon.
• Carry some water and snacks with you, on route there are no option available.
• Do not drink on fort and litter the area around fort.