Alang Fort (also known as Alangad or Alang) is a fort located in the
Kalsubai
Kalsubai ( mr, कळसूबाई शिखर) is a mountain in the Western Ghats, located in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Maharashtra. Its summit, situated at an elevation of , is the List of Indian states and t ...
range of the
Western Ghats mountains,
Nashik
Nashik (, Marathi: aːʃik, also called as Nasik ) is a city in the northern region of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Situated on the banks of river Godavari, Nashik is the third largest city in Maharashtra, after Mumbai and Pune. Nashi ...
, (
Maharashtra,
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
). Alang Fort,
Madangad Fort,
Kulang Fort, and the trek connecting them are known as Alang, Madan, and Kulang (AMK). Alang Fort is regarded as one of the most difficult places to reach in the region. As the Maharashtra Culture Government website notes, "Alang-Madan-Kurland is one of Maharashtra's most challenging treks, especially because of its challenging stretches of water and dense forests." This route is suitable for experienced mountaineers. While the forts are difficult to access because of heavy local rains and poorly marked trails, they remain a popular tourist destination.
The fort is situated on a large natural
plateau
In geology and physical geography, a plateau (; ; ), also called a high plain or a tableland, is an area of a highland consisting of flat terrain that is raised sharply above the surrounding area on at least one side. Often one or more sides ...
. Inside the fort are two caves, a small temple, and 11 water
cisterns
A cistern (Middle English ', from Latin ', from ', "box", from Greek ', "basket") is a waterproof receptacle for holding liquids, usually water. Cisterns are often built to catch and store rainwater. Cisterns are distinguished from wells by ...
. The two caves can accommodate up to 40 people. Remnants of historic buildings are spread throughout the fort. To the east of the fort lies
Kalasubai, Aundh Fort, Patta, and
Bitangad
Bitangad Fort ( mr, बितनगड, बिटका) is a fort in Nashik district in the Igatpuri taluka in Maharashtra state of India.
Location
The fort is located about 130 km from Mumbai. The nearest town is Ghoti. The fort lies about ...
; to the north,
Harihar
Harihara ( also called ''Harihar'') is a city in Davanagere District in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Harihara Taluk. Harihara is famous for Harihareshwara temple, also known as "Dakshina Kashi", a ...
,
Trymbakgad
Trymbakgad Fort/Brahmagiri Fort ( mr, त्र्यंबकगड किल्ला ) is a fort located 30 km from Nashik, in Nashik district, of Maharashtra, India. This is an important fort in Nashik district. It is located on a hill ...
, and
Anjaneri
Anjaneri, one of the forts in the mountain range of Nasik- Trimbakeshwa. Anjaneri is located 20 km away from Nasik by Trimbak Road. It is a popular trekking spot, especially in the rainy season.
History
Anjaneri is an attraction of Nasik ...
, and to the south,
Harishchandragad
Harishchandra Fort is a hill fort in the Ahmednagar district of India. Its history is linked with that of Malshej Ghat, kothale village and it has played a major role in guarding and controlling the
surrounding region.
History
The fort is quit ...
, Aajobagad, Khutta, and
Ratangad
Ratangad ( mr, रतनगड) is a fort in Ratan Wadi, Maharashtra, India, overlooking the locale of Bhandardara, one of the oldest artificial catchment area. This fort is located in the Ahmadnagar district of Maharashtra. It is on the bounda ...
.
Due to the remote nature of this trek, even experienced climbers are advised to carry sufficient amounts of food and water to sustain the round trip.
Access
Access to Alang is via the village of Ambewadi — while
Kasara
Kasara is a census town in Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The town is on the busy Mumbai–Nashik route, which is one of the four major routes that lead into Mumbai. Kasara is served by a railway station on the Mumbai Suburb ...
or
Igatpuri
Igatpuri (Pronunciation: ɡət̪puɾiː formerly known as Egutpoora) is a town and a Hill Station. It is also a municipal council in Nashik District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is located in the Western Ghats. Igatpuri railway stati ...
is reached by train or bus. There is a bus service from
Ghoti
''Ghoti'' is a creative respelling of the word ''fish'', used to illustrate irregularities in English spelling and pronunciation.
Explanation
The word is intended to be pronounced in the same way (), using these sounds:
* ''gh'', pronounced as ...
to
Ambevadi , available at 7:30 a.m, which takes around three hours to reach the fort. From Ambevadi, one can see Alang, Madan, and Kulang. The bus travels the ridge between Alang and Madan from where the fort is visible. To the left is Alang and to the right is Madan.
Alang fort is accessible from
Ghatghar
Ghatghar is a hill station and small town in the Ahmadnagar district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a town located at a higher elevation of Deccan Plateau and Naneghat valley. There are two Ghatghar Dams.
{{coord, 19, 17, N, 73, 42, ...
via Ghoti-
Bhandardara
Bhandardara is a holiday resort village near Igatpuri, in the western ghats of India. The village is located in the Akole tehsil, Ahmednagar district of the state of Maharashtra, about from Mumbai and from Ahmednagar.
Bhandardara sits by th ...
. From there, in 2 hours, one can reach the third cavern by way of Bhandardara from Udadvade. Another way is by way of Bhandardara from Udadvade Gaon. It leads to the plateau, and then connects to the second route.
Gallery
File:Alang Steps.jpg
File:Alang view with caves.jpg
File:Alang_Curvature.jpg
File:Alang Construction.jpg
File:Water storing on Alang.jpg
File:Anang Cave.jpg
File:Mandan from Anang cave.jpg
File:Close door on Alang Fort.jpg
File:Anang Madan Kulang - 3 forts range.jpg
File:Sunset from fort Alang.jpg
See also
*
List of forts in Maharashtra
This is list of forts in Maharashtra a state of India
# Achala Fort (Nashik)
# Agashi Fort
# Ahmednagar Fort
# Ahivant Fort
# Ajinkyatara
# Akola Fort
# Akluj Fort
# Alang Fort
# Ambolgad
# Anjaneri
# Anjanvel Fort
# Ankai Fort
# Antur Fo ...
References
{{Forts in India
Forts in Nashik district
Forts in Maharashtra