Fort : Tung

Distance	75 km	Height	3500 ft / 1073 m
Days	1 day	Difficulty	Simple
Base Village	Tungwadi
Shelter	NA

Overview

Tung Fort, also known as Kathingad, is a fort in the peak (tung means peak) and is very difficult to approach. Fort Tung was built with the intention to keep a watch on transport from Bhorghat & to protect the region of Pavan Maval. Very strategically located, other forts namely Lohagad, Visapur, TIkona & Pavan Maval can be easily located from this fort. One of the first innovations of civilization appears to be the construction and growth of defences. When a chief residing in a town felt that his own house needed a special protection prepared residences or gadhis came into being. The gadhis dotted all over Maharashtra are a good example of such equipped residences. Tung or Kathingad, a fortified post fort located on top of a hill of height 1073 metres is located near Lonavala. A small fort, capable of holding a stronghold of two hundred troops, whose main function, was to act as a screen to the main fort, not capable of withstanding a siege of any significant duration, and to increase the range of inspection patrolling and communications was more like a watch tower. There are a lake and a cave at the fort region. The Tung fort is a tough and rough adventurous trekking destination.

Places of Interest

NA

History

Tung Fort was built before 1600 CE. It was built by the Adil Shahi dynasty but was captured by Shivaji. It is small, not being able to hold more than 200 troops at a time. As such, it would not have been able to defend itself on its own for a long time. Its shape and structure suggests that its main function was as a watchtower guarding the road to Pune city. Dhamale family one of the Deshmukh from maval region was charged with ensuring the security of fort tung. During invasion, it served to provide a temporary distraction for invaders. Thus, the major forts of Visapur and Lohagad would have time to ready themselves (to meet the invading army).

How to Reach

Pune - Lonavla - Peth Shahapur - Tungwadi

Food Facility

NA

Drinking Water Facility

NA