Torna Fort | Information Pravasi | Prachandgad Fort | Velhe | Pune | Pious Pravasi

Information Pravasi Series - Torna Fort

Torna Fort is located in Velhe taluka of the Pune district and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj captured this fort which laid the foundation of "Swarajya" (Self-government). This fort is also known as Prachandgad Fort. We will take brief information about this fort in this blog.

Velhe is a village at the base of the fort. This village is 60 km from Pune and about 200 km from Mumbai. The nearest railway station to reach the fort is Pune. Buses are available from the station to Swargate first and from there to Velhe village. The height of the fort is about 4603 feet and it takes about two hours to reach the fort. Torna fort trek is considered a medium-range trek, and the trek seems easy at first but becomes difficult as the fort is approached due to the steep climb.

A concrete road is constructed from Velhe village towards the fort and there is parking space ahead. The trek starts from here. Looking at the size of the fort, one can understand why the fort is called Prachandagad. Gradually, the path that seems easy becomes a vertical climb.

One can reach the entrance of the fort after a two hours trek. Behind the entrance is the temple of Toranjai Devi. It easily takes 2-3 hours to tour the entire fort. You can also visit some selected places in the fort as per your convenience. The impenetrable ramparts, the thrill while approaching Zunjar Machi, the view of Rajgad and Sinhagad fort from the fort, Torneshwar Temple, Mengai Mata Temple, Konkan Darwaza, the vast Budhla Machi, and many more. A route leads from Budhla Machi to Rajgad Fort. Rajgad Fort, being very close, the fort ramparts, Balekilla, Padmavati Machi, Sanjivani Machi, Bastions, etc. can be clearly identified.

Apart from this, there is also the samadhi of Gondaji Bhuruk, the fort keeper of Torna Fort, at the base of the fort. Along with the Samadhi, there are also some historical monuments (stone inscriptions, idols) and temples of Lord Shiva and Hanuman.

To read other blogs in this series, click here at Information Pravasi.

To read other blogs of the Pune district, click here at Pune.

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