Kurdugad Fort

Kurdugad Fort

Kurdugad Fort, Located Near the Scenic Mulshi

Located to the west of Mulshi, on the boundary between the Mulshi and Mangaon talukas, this fort, which is on the border of Mangaon taluka, falls under the jurisdiction of Mangaon. However, when traveling from Pune, the fort, perched on the Sahyadri range overlooking Mulshi, feels much closer to Mulshi. Mangaon is a taluka in the Raigad district, situated on the Mumbai-Goa highway, and it is well connected to Pune through the Tamhini Ghat.

In a secluded spot within this Mangaon taluka, lies the hidden
Kurdugad fort. Not very well-known,
Kurdugad was under the control of the Mose-Khor Pasalkar family during the Shivaji era. Bajirao Pasalkar, a contemporary and companion of Shivaji Maharaj, belonged to this family.
Kurdugad was used by Bajirao Pasalkar for rest, which is why the fort is also referred to as Vishramgad (rest fort).

The fort of
Kurdugad with a spire-like summit, is situated on a ridge descending from the Sahyadri into the Konkan region. On this ridge, there is a small settlement called Kurdupeeth, which houses the Kurdai Devi temple. The fort is named after this temple. The trail leading to the fort from the village of Jite was destroyed due to heavy rainfall in 2006. A large portion of the mountain cliff collapsed, blocking the path. Hence, from Jite, one must travel about 2-3 km to the nearby Umbardi village to reach the fort. There is now a path from Umbardi that leads to the fort.

The fort, which stands 882 meters above sea level, can be accessed via the Mose Khor valley. To reach the fort, one has to travel by car from Pune through Panshet and reach the village of Dhamanvhal in Mulshi, the last village in the area. From Dhamanvhal, a footpath leads through Lingyaghat, and after climbing the Lingyaghat ridge, one can descend and reach the fort in about three hours. Though the path is a bit challenging, the surrounding natural beauty and raw power of nature make the journey mesmerizing. From the southernmost curve of the Tamini Ghat, the fort of
Kurdugad can be seen, making it an ideal starting point. From here, one can reach Umbardi in about 1 to 1.5 hours, saving time and effort.

After visiting the ancient temple in Umbardi, one can climb the nearby hill and reach Kurdupeeth in around 1.5 hours. From there, it takes only 10 minutes to reach the fort, passing a water tank used by the villagers during summers. After passing the tank, a short climb brings one to the base of the spire. Here, you can see remnants of bastions and fortifications. The unique feature of
Kurdugad is the natural cave inside its spire. Over time, the roof of the cave has collapsed, but it is still large in size. While the uneven floor makes it unsuitable for use, it is astonishing to consider how the cave once supported the weight of the spire above it.

From here, you can hike up to the Hanumant Buruj (Hanuman Fort) on the northern side. A statue of Lord Hanuman is located here, though it is now quite weathered. On the eastern side of the fort, one can enjoy a fantastic view of the valley below. This part of the fort is also known as the Kadelot Buruj (Spur tower). There are two smaller spires near the main spire, and the path between them is somewhat tricky. The fort of
Kurdugad is small but compact, and about an hour is enough to explore it.

For an overnight stay, the Kurdai Devi Temple in Kurdupeeth is a good option. Based on your time management, you can choose a return route that suits you. However, the spires of
Kurdugad will leave a lasting impression on your memory. You will need to carry your own food as there are no food facilities at the fort, although there are water tanks for drinking water. For accommodation, you can stay in caves on the fort.

How to Reach:
From Pune, travel by car to Dhamanvhal and then, with local help or guidance, reach the fort.
Alternatively, take an ST bus or private vehicle from Mangaon to reach Jite village at the foot of the mountain.
To reach the fort from Jite, you will have to take a long, scenic route.
At the base of the fort is the Kurdai Devi Temple, and on the way up to the fort, you’ll encounter a ruined gate. The highest peak of the fort is a spire. Upon entering the fort through the gate, you will come across a 1-meter-tall statue of Hanuman. Behind this statue is a natural cave that can accommodate 100 to 150 people. The fort also features two large spires, with the main spire being the summit. The path around the spire is partially collapsed in some places, but you can still walk around it. There are one or two water tanks on the fort, and the entire Konkan region can be seen from the fort. The location of
Kurdugad is strategically important. From here, you can view Raigad, Kokan Diva, and other forts in the region. It takes about half an hour to walk around the entire fort summit.