Sinhagad Fort for Picnickers and History Students

Life in Pune is beautiful. It is a much smaller city as compared to the other metropolitans, but here, you will find everything to lead a modern lifestyle. All around Pune, you will find many beautiful hills, temples, lakes, wildlife sanctuaries and forts. In fact, some of the best forts in Maharashtra are located all around Pune. There are plenty of opportunities to go on short weekend trips.

Take for instance the Sinhagad fort, which is just about half an hour or so from the city. It is today in ruins. But there was a time when the Sinhagad fort was all action. You will hear many interesting stories of gallant battles and sacrifices here. This is where the epic battle between the Mughals and Tanaji Malasure (who was the General in Shivaji’s army) was fought. Later, Sinhagad was the summer house of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the great freedom fighter. The house where he stayed has been maintained. You should also visit the bungalow of G.D. Madgulkar, the Marathi poet. Most of it is in ruins. But you can still see the walls, the military stables, the gates, and a water tank.

Sinhagad Fort – A Popular Picnic Spot

Sinhagad fort has over the years become a very popular picnic destination for Pune residents. You will find hundreds of picnickers particularly in the winter. Buy you could go there on a casual trip any time of the year. If you are a student of history or interested in stories from the past, then you can of course treat your visit as a kind of field trip. There are indeed many reasons to visit the fort.

Sinhagad Fort for Trekking

There is a road that takes visitors to the fort. You can take your own car, and there are shared taxis too that climb to the top. PMPML buses will however take you just to the base of the hill.

A lot of people however love to trek to the top. It’s an easy climb that will take you just about an hour. There is no need to have prior mountaineering or trekking experience. As you reach the top, you are rewarded with a stunning panorama of the valleys below. It is certainly a satisfying experience. Cadets of the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasla are regularly sent to the Sinhagad fort for trekking and running. They are seen in full battle gear as they try to increase their stamina and endurance.