One of the biggest attractions of southwestern India, the Visapur Fort, is located near the Visapur village in Maharashtra and is an integral part of the Lohagad-Visapur fortification. Located in the district of Pune, the Visapur Fort is only at a distance of approximately 5.5 to 6 kilometres from the Lalavli railway station. What makes the fort so famous is the long trek that enhances the entire experience for the tourists and the visitors. The Visapur and Lohagad forts are situated on the same plateau or tabletop and stand 1084 meters from sea level.
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History Of Visapur Fort
The Lohagad-Visapur fortification is a reminder of India’s rich cultural heritage and architectural splendours dating back to the eighteenth century. The fort was constructed by the first Peshwa of the Maratha empire, Balaji Vishwanathan. The construction began and was completed somewhere between 1713 CE and 1720 CE under the reign of Peshwa Balaji Vishwanathan. The comparatively more famous Lohagad Fort was built much later. Still, the Visapur Fort was constructed on a cliff much higher than Lohagad, and the journey to the fort is nothing short of an adventure. The history of Visapur Fort is closely tied with the greatness of the Maratha Empire. It attracts throngs of visitors and historical and architectural experts every year.
The history of the Lohagad and the Visapur Forts is entwined. Visapur drew the attention of the British colonial rulers in 1818 when an attack was launched on the fort on 4th March 1818. To force the Peshwari to come to its knees, an army comprising 380 European soldiers and 800 Indian soldiers was deployed from the Konkan coast. The valour and the financial strength of the Maratha empire made the British summon two other battalions and entire artillery from Chakan to join the battle.
Taking advantage of the high altitude, the British troops strategically set up their firearms and bombed the Visapur Fort, which forced the Maratha warriors to flee from the fort when the British took over its control in the same year. Colonel Prother was chosen to take over the full command of the fort, followed by the complete annihilation of the northern and the southern getaways from the fort, except for a few scattered huts around the area. The Konkan (northern) and the Deccan (southern) way-outs were closed to prevent future attacks. The Lohagad Fort was not affected much and is comparatively in better shape and still intact.
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Visapur Fort Trek Details
A visit to the Visapur Fort trek is an experience for a lifetime. The trek starts at the base of the Visapur cliff, from the Bhaje village. The muddy path through Bhaje is a simple walk as the land is flat, and the elevation does not start for some time. The fort's walls still stand and can be seen from the base of the trek itself. After 4 kilometres, the road split into two, forming a crossroad. The trail on the right leads to the Lohagad Fort, while the one on the left will lead you to the Visapur Fort. The twin forts are located on the same plateau and can be covered in a single day.
This is where the climb begins, and the road gets steeper. There are arrows all along the way, steering the trekkers in the right direction you must follow until you reach a small hut. You will find a stone marking with the painting of a horse. Once you reach this point, turn to the left and enjoy the second part of the journey as you climb higher. Several waterfalls come down with regained strength and beauty during the monsoons. The charm of the trek is greatly alleviated by the waterfalls and streams that make the rainy season the best time to visit the Visapur Fort.
It takes around 40 to 45 minutes to complete the trek for amateurs. If you are a pro climber, it will take 30 minutes. The entire cliff boasts rich flora, including plenty of mosses, shrubs, and even bigger plants and trees. Some major attractions of the Visapur Lohagad twin forts include several small water reservoirs inside the caves, bigger water storage facilities, and a Hanuman temple. The visitors can also catch a glimpse of the Lohagad Fort and the Tikona and Tung forts from the Visapur fort. Around the fort, there are a few smaller buildings and establishments termed Wada, in the local tongue, and a canon and a bastion besides the Maratha flag and grinders used during the construction of the Visapur Fort. Follow the same path while coming down. The arrows and the road markers will help you reach the base without getting lost in the lush greenery and the wilderness.
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Visapur Fort Trek Details At A Glimpse
- Estimated Height. 1084 meters or 3,556 feet
- Difficulty Level Of The Trek. Easy To Moderate
- Endurance Level Of The Trek. Easy
- Total Distance Of The Trek. 3 kilometres (approximately)
- Location of The Visapur Fort. Malavli, Maharashtra
- Starting Point Of The Trek. Bhaje Village
- Distance From Lonavla. 15 kilometres
- Distance From Pune. 60 kilometres
- Distance From Mumbai. 103 kilometres (approximately)
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Places To Visit Near Visapur Fort
Some major attractions near Visapur Fort include Bhaja Caves, Lonavla, Aamby Valley City, and the Lohagad Fort. Read on to find out some of the best places to visit near Visapur Fort and how you can make the most of your trip.
1. Lohagad Fort
The Lohagad Fort is often called the Visapur Fort's twin. The structure falls on the same trekking route that starts at Bhaje Village. To reach the fort, take the right trail from the fork, where the left trail leads you to the Visapur Fort. Unlike the Visapur Fort, Lohagad was mostly under the Maratha occupation except for a short five-year period when the Mughals had taken over its command. One of the many hill forts of Maharashtra and a string base for the Maratha armies, the Lohagad Fort stands at 1,033 meters and can be seen from the Visapur Fort.
2. Tung Fort
If you go to the Visapur and Lohagad forts, you must also halt at the Tung Fort. Located at a distance of 12 km from the Mlavli Railway Station, the Tung Fort was constructed by the Adil Shahi dynasty in the 1600s, which was later taken over by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the legendary Maratha warrior and ruler. The main purpose of the Tung Fort was to gain time so that, in case of an invasion, the Lohagad and Visaput forts had a chance to prepare for the ensuing battle. You can see the Lohagad-Visapur fortifications and the Tikona and Korigad forts from the Tung Fort.
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3. Pawna Lake
Pawna lake was formed after the construction of the Pawna Dam on the river Pawna. Located in the district of Pune, Pawna lake is 25 kilometres from Lonavla and offers a scenic view of the horizon where the water meets the sky. It has become one of the major attractions for tourists and locals alike and can get crowded on the weekends when people come from all over the district for picnics and brunches by the waterside. The sunset at Pawna Lake is a must on your travel itinerary.
4. Bhaja Caves
Bhaja Caves is a collection of twenty-two rock-cut caves dating back to the second century CE. The Bhaja Village, the starting point of the Visapur Fort trek, was a part of an ancient trade route that connected the Arabian Sea with the Deccan Plateau, and the Bhajja caves fall right on the trail, standing at the height of 400 feet above the village. The Archeological Survey Of India has taken up the caves' maintenance as part of the Monuments of National Importance. The significance of the caves lies in the fact that they were Buddhist institutions of learning and still housed several stupas or Buddhist sites of worship. The architecture of the caves leaves onlookers in awe. From Chaityas and Viharas to stone and wall carvings, the Bhaja Caves are bound to impress visitors from the very onset. The wall carvings include a woman playing the Tabla while other women dance to its rhythm.
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5. Bedse Caves
The Bedse Caves are only 9 km from the Bhaja Caves and are a group of rock-cut caves exhibiting the Buddhist legacy. Older than the Bhaja Caves, the Bedse caves date back to the 1st Century BCE and include two main caves with several smaller ones within the cave complex. One of the main caves is the Chaitya which houses a huge stupa, and the other cave is a Vihara or monastery. The Chaitya is decorated with arch motifs termed Gavaksha.
How To Reach Visapur Fort, Malavli, Maharashtra
Visapur Fort, one of the highest forts in Maharashtra, is perched atop a verdant plateau known for its amazing waterfall trek. Located 100 km from Mumbai, the destination attracts many visitors, especially trekkers, nature lovers, and campers. The destination is easily accessible through diverse modes of transport. Have a look at the best ways to reach Visapur Fort.
- Nearest Airport. Pune International Airport
- Nearest Railway Station. Malavli Station
- Nearest City. Lonavala
- Distance From Lonavala. 10.1 km
By Air. The most convenient route is from Pune. Pune International Airport is the nearest airport to reach Visapur Fort. After deboarding, you can hire a taxi, cab, or travel on a bus to reach the destination. You can take the Lonavla Highway and drive up the path to the Bhjae village or take a state bus. pune to chumphon Flight Ticket Price.
- Distance From Pune International Airport. 65.7 km
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Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available To Reach Visapur Fort
By Train. The easiest route is via railway. The Malavli railway station is at a distance of 5 km from the forts and has many options that take you right to the base of the cliff from the station. You can take a cab or an auto rickshaw outside the Malavli Railway station. Alternatively, many trains are available from Lonavla and Pune to the Malavli station. The ticket fares range between INR 5 and 10, depending on the train.
- Distance From Malavli Railway Station. 5.1 km
By Road. You can also reach Visapur Fort by road. The Bengaluru-Mumbai highway connects Mumbai with Visapur Fort. Well-maintained State highway roads make the journey comfortable and faster. Many state transport and private buses ply services on this route. Visitors can also book a cab or taxi. You can also travel on a bus to arrive at your destination.
- Distance from Lonavala. 15 km
- Distance from Pune. 60 km
- Distance from Mumbai. 103 km
- Distance from Satara. 168.8 km
- Distance from Pandharpur. 270.3 km
- Distance from Solapur. 313.3 km
- Distance from Goa. 540.2 km
- Distance from Bengaluru. 898.7 km
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Plan a trip to Visapur Fort and soak in the verdant beauty of the destination. Enjoy the trek to the fort and feel stimulated. Adotrip.com brings you the best flight deals, instant train and bus bookings, exciting tour packages, and hassle-free hotel bookings, all in one place. With us, nothing is far!
Frequently Asked Questions About Visapur Fort
Ques 1. What is the difficulty level of the Visapur Trek?
Ans 1. The Visapur trek is a 3 to 4-kilometre long hike that takes around 30 to 40 minutes to reach the top. The Trek is relatively easy and has a moderate difficulty level. There are signs along the path that ensures that tourist is on the right track.
Ques 2. By whom was the Visapur Fort built?
Ans 2. The Visapur Fort was built by the first Peshwa of the Maratha empire, Peshwa Balaji Vishwananathn, from 1713 to 1720.
Ques 3. What is the weather like at Visapur Fort?
Ans 3. The weather at Visapur Fort is pretty pleasant and is in sync with the season. During the summers, the temperature can go up during the day but falls at night. The winters are moderately chilly and very enjoyable. During the rainy season, the area receives around 7 to 8 inches of rainfall when the waterfalls are at their prime.
Ques 4. How long does it take to complete the Visapur Fort Trek?
Ans 4. The Visapur Fort trek is 3 kilometres long, starting from the Bhaja Village. It takes around half an hour to forty minutes to complete the trek and reach the top where the fort is located. There are signs along the path to help the trekkers complete the trek further.
