Visapur
The various forts built and captured by Shivaji Maharaj, stand tall to this day and remind us of the great Maratha emperor and his glorious empire. Each of these forts offers a peek in the rich history of the state and serves as an escape from our mundane city lives. Visapur is one such fort, which played a big role during the reign of the beloved king of Maharashtra. Located on the same plateau of Lohagad, Visapur was historically important as it served as a watch tower to keep a watch on the activities in the surrounding areas. Just 2.5 kilometres from Malavli station, Visapur stand approximately 3500 metres above sea level.
Located close to Lohagad, Visapur can be reached via three different routes. You can reach the Malavli station by a local train and then head towards the base village of Visapur called Paatangaon via Bhaje caves. Once at the base, a set of broken steps take you through the jungle directly to the top of the fort. Another path is from Lohagaon, where you take a left from Gaimukh Khind to come across another set of steps which take you up via the jungle. If you manage to reach the base village directly, the road from here is easier and pleasant. On the way to the top from the base village, you will come across a number of caves and well carved idols of Lord Hanuman.
Visapur is noteworthy for the Bhaje caves, which have been carved out in the same mountain and its huge plateau which gives the fort a distinct construction as compared to other forts of the Maratha Empire. The long stretched walls are eye catching and its unique design leaves you in awe of the mastermind responsible for its construction.
Once on top of Visapur, you can explore many caves, old constructions, well decorated arcs and water reservoirs. The remains of the old constructions are believed to be the palace and governing offices of the Peshwas. The fort also houses a number of Hanuman temples which are worth visiting. Other attractions include a well which is presumed to be built by the Pandavas and an iron canon, ten feet long and of four-inch bore located on the north wall of Visapur. Historians believe the canon belonged to the English and was gifted to the Peshwas by the Maratha naval forces. The huge stone wheel used for grinding jaggery, lime, and lead – the mixture used for construction purposes in the olden days, also makes for a popular tourist spot.
The trek to Visapur is not very tough and regular trekkers can easily make their way to the top. There is no arrangement for food on the top and so it is advisable to carry your own meals. Alternatively, you can ask the local villagers to prepare a meal for which they will charge you a nominal amount. A getaway to Visapur is ideal during the monsoons and winters as a trek in summer can prove tiring due to the scorching heat.
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