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Mohandar Fort / Shidaka fort is a fort located 55 km from Nashik, in Nashik district, of Maharashtra, India. This fort is an important fort in Nashik district. The three forts Achala, Ahivant, and Mohandar are very close by. This fort was constructed to guard the Ahivant fort. This fort can be seen from a long distance due to the presence of needle hole in the cliff below this fort.[1]
| Mohandar Fort/ Shidaka fort | |
|---|---|
| Part of Ajintha Satmal Hill Range | |
| Nashik district, Maharashtra | |
 Mohandar Fort from Mohanderi Village | |
  Mohandar Fort/ Shidaka fort | |
| Coordinates | 20°26′33.2″N 73°53′39.9″E / 20.442556°N 73.894417°E |
| Type | Hill fort |
| Height | 3900Ft. |
| Site information | |
| Owner |  IndiaGovernment of India |
| Controlled by |  Ahmadnagar (1521-1594) Maratha Confederacy (1670-1676) Mughal Empire(1676-1754) Maratha Confederacy (1754-1818) United Kingdom
India (1947-) |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Stone |
History
editThe history of the fort is similar to the Achala and Ahivant forts.It seems that this fort was aloof from the battles or events that happened in the past.[2]
How to reach
editThe nearest town is Vani which is 44 km from Nashik. The base village of the fort is Mohandarigaon which is 13 km from Vani. There are good hotels at Vani. The trekking path starts from the Ashramshala ( Tribal boarding school)[3] towards the hillock north of the village. The route is very safe and wide. There are few trees on the trekking route. It takes about one hour to reach the fort. The night stay on the fort cannot be made due to lack of potable water on the fort. The villagers from the local village make night stay and food arrangements at a reasonable cost.The trek route takes detour along the hill until it reaches northern side of the hill. From the saddle point one path leads to the top of the fort and other leads to the needle hole. It requires rope to climb down the needle hole,[1] which is 12 feet high[3]
Places to see
editThe Ahivant fort is occupied on a large flat triangular plateau. All the structures are in ruined state. The ruins of store houses can be seen on the fort. There are some three rock cut water cisterns and foundation of the Kiledar residence on the fort to be seen.[3] There is a large pond in the middle of the fort. It takes about half an hour to encircle the fort
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b trekshitiz. "Mohandar(Shidaka)". www.trekshitiz.com. trekshitiz. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ nashikoutdoors. "Mohandari fort". www.nashikoutdoors.com. nashikoutdoors. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
- ^ a b c Admin, Loksatta (15 October 2014). "Kille Mohandar". No. Nashik. Indian Express group. Loksatta. Retrieved 3 May 2020.