Mahuli Fort. At 2815 ft., this is a sought after trekking destination.
Reaching there: Asangaon on Mumbai-Nashik highway (91) Kms from Mumbai. 5 kms inside on to the left is the Mahuli village. A temple and a humble home of Mataji Geetabharati is at the base. Temple dormitory and camp area can be reserved. Mataji provides authentic maharashtrian vegeterian food on advance information.

History: The creator of this fort is unknown. In 1485 this place came under rule Nijamshahi dynasty. When Shahaji Raje became the secretary of Nijamshahi, Mughals of Delhi tried to end Nijamshahi. In 1635-36, Shahaji Raje transferred himself with Jijabai and Shivaji to Mahuli. When Khan Jaman attacked the fort, Shahaji asked Portuguese for help, who refused and Shahaji surrendered.

Shivaji took this fort from Mughals on 8 Jan 1658. In 1661 it was given back and was won again by Shivaji. In treaty of Purandar, in 1665, Marathas lost these forts again. In Feb 1670, Shivaji Maharaj tried to conquer Mahuli, but failed, thanks to an alert Manohardas Gaud, who was the in charge of the fort. Thousand of Marathas were killed. Manohardas Gaud, soon gave up his position and Alveerdi Beg took over. On 16 June 1670, after two months, Moropant Pingle conquered the forts and Mahuli, Bhandargad and Palasgad became part of Swarajya. Till 1817, Shivaji's dynasty owned the fort and later by the Britishers.

A distant view of Mahuli from Asangaon 

Road to the village. The famous jain temple - Manas Mandir on right side

Base camp 

Sunset at Mahuli 

Learning the basics of pitching the tent 

Campfire

Photo courtesy: Arun C

Games. Some discovered the actor within them

Photo courtesy: Arun C

Games people play

Photo courtesy: Arun C

Tent' er memories

Sunrise 

Warming up for the journey

Photo courtesy: Arun C

Call of the mountains 

Map of Mahuli fort area inside the temple at the base camp 

The journey begins. Listening to the birds, trying spotting them, looking at various trees, shrubs....... 

A 'river' to cross on the way. During monsoons, the flow can be very dangerous, explains the guide

Curious camera eyes capture the distant fort 

A plateau after a short climb

Another view

Photo courtesy: Arun C

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A short break

Photo courtesy: Arun C

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Photo courtesy: Arun C

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Two lives. And a dead tree 

A wild beauty