Fort : Manikgad

Distance	128 km	Height	1876 ft / 507 m
Days	1 day	Difficulty	Simple
Base Village	Vadgaon
Shelter	No shelter available.

Overview

Manikgad(also called Gadchandur) is an ancient fort in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. Manikgad is not a full fledged fort, it's similar to the mordern day check post. Manikgad is situated on a range that is isolated from the main sahyadri range. It can be seen while one is travelling on the old Mumbai - Pune highway.
Manikgad is situated in the north Konkan near Chowk village. To reach Manikgad one has to first get to Karjat by local trains from Mumbai/Kalyan. S.T. service is available to Vadgaon(base village) , however the frequency is quite less, otherwise one can reach Chowk village by S.T. bus or six seaters. From Chowk village auto rickshaws are available to Vadgaon. From Vadgaon 2 - 2½ hours walk will take you to the top.
There are number of tombstones which give proof of history. Local legend holds that the fort was built by a Gond king. And the name of this Gond king is Mankyal. And so the name is Manikgad.

Places of Interest

There is one entrance gate. And the gate has Naga image carved in relif. There is no proof of Gond emblem of lion and an elephant so the legend is not true. The fort was built of large black stones. Also there are ramparts walls of the fort and old buildings. The bastion which is at the south side is collapsed with its supporting wall.
If you want to visit this fort then follow the route which as given. First reach Karjat by Local train. From Karjat take a direct bus to Vadgaon (frequency is less), or take a bus to Chowk and then take a six seater to Vadgaon.

History

Manikgad was built by the last Mana Naga King - Gahilu. The Mana Nagas settled in this area around 9 CE. Initially, the fort was named Manikagad after the patron deity of the Mana Nagas - Manikadevi - but later on this got shortened to Manikgad. Local legend holds that the fort was built by a Gond king named Mankyal(hence the name Manikgad). However, the lintel of the entrance gate has a Naga image carved in relif and not the Gond emblem of lion and an elephant. So this legend is not true. The fortifications on the top, which are of extremely rough workmanship, were probably raised by Angria, to whom it was ceded in 1713 by the Peshwa. [Mr. Cumine's MS.; Grant Duff's Marathas, 193.] In 1862 the fort was ruinous. Water was abundant and food supplies available.

How to Reach

Pune - Lonavala - Khopoli - Wadgaon.

Food Facility

Carry your own.

Drinking Water Facility

Carry your own.