Chandan Vandan Dual Fort Trek

Chandan Vandan Dual Fort Trek

This is a Motorcycle adventure Tour.

 Trek Date: 19 June 2011
 Trek End: 19 June 2011
 Location: Chandan – Vandan Fort
 Duration: 1 Day
 Difficulty Level : Easy
 Transportation Arrangement: Own Motorcycle

Chandan-Vandan, twin forts, are situated at about 105 Kms. from Pune. These forts can be easily identified from Pune- Satara route because of their flat plateaus.These forts lie on the boundary of Satara city & Mahabaleshwar region.

These forts are situated in comparatively rain shadow area and hence best season to visit these forts is the monsoon.

About Fort:
 Height of Fort: *Chandangad : 1171m (3842ft)
*Vandangad : 1171m (3842 ft)
 Base Village: Kikli
 District : Satara
 Route from Pune: Pune - Shirval - Bhuinj- Kikli
 Distance From Pune : 105 Kms.

History:

According to the evidences of Tamralekh (Copper- insription) of 1191-1192 B.C., these forts were built-up by King Bhoj II of Shilahar dynasty. Shivaji Maharaj overpowered Chandan-Vandan during the campaign of Satara in 1673. Maratha ruled this region up to 1689 B.C. Afterwards Mughals ruled this fort. In 1707, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj won these forts. Later, British ruled over these forts.

Interesting Spots:

Fort of Chandan:
There are two bastions at the entrance gate which are presently half- demolished state. 15 steps ahead there is a demolished edifice & a Banyan Tree which is known as ‘ Panchvad ’ (as it is comprised of 5 banyan trees ) at the upper side of the structure. There is a temple of lord Shiva near the tree. About 15 steps ahead from the temple, there are huge stones arranged one above the other.

There is a mosque on the fort. An intact bastion can be seen at the north end of the fort. There is a large quadrangular raised platform called as SADAR, at the center of the fort & a storage room for ammunition can be seen at the southern part of fort.

Fort of Vandan:
There are two entrance doors for the fort, where first entrance door is sturdy having bastion which are still intact. The second door has completely tumbled down & Persian inscriptions can be seen on the arch of the door. ‘GHANA’, a mechanism where cementations material is mixed & ground to be used for construction of structures, can be seen on the lower side of entrance steps.

Schedule of Trek:

Meeting Time & Place: Deccan Bus Depot, Jangli Maharaj Road, Pune at 6:30 am
 Start Journey from Pune at 7:00 am
 Breakfast @ Shirval
 Reach Kikli @ 10:30 am
 Start Climbing Chandan fort , Reach on top by 11:30 am & Site seeing
 Start for Vandan Fort at 1:00 pm.
 Lunch at 1:40 pm at Vandan Fort & Site Seeing
 Start Descending by 4:00 pm
 Reach Base camp at 5:00 pm
 Start return journey at 5:30
 Reach Pune by 7:30 pm

Mandar Kale.

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