Manikgad is a mountain fortress and temple in Gherakilla Manikgad, India. Located among rolling hills, the temple is a popular hiking spot. Manikgad was built to oversee the trade route from Maval (
Pune
Pune (; ; also known as Poona, (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name from 1818 until 1978) is one of the most important industrial and educational hubs of India, with an estimated population of 7.4 million ...
) to coastal ports. The fort is situated near Vashivali (
Rasayani MIDC), which is 27 km from Panvel.
History
The fort was built by Sarkhel
Kanhoji Angre
Kanhoji Angre (Marathi: कान्होजी आंग्रे, Help:IPA/Marathi, anʱod͡ʒiː aːŋɡɾe, also known as Conajee Angria or Sarkhel Angré (August 1669 – 4 July 1729) was a chief of the Maratha Navy in present-day Ind ...
, to whom it was ceded in 1718 by Peshavas.
[ ]
Description
Only ruins of the fort remain. A big rock-cut cistern on the fort is called the "Darya take". A small
shiva linga
A lingam ( sa, लिङ्ग , lit. "sign, symbol or mark"), sometimes referred to as linga or Shiva linga, is an abstract or aniconic representation of the Hindu god Shiva in Shaivism. It is typically the primary ''murti'' or devotional im ...
and a few small rock-cut cisterns are present. The Ganesh gate is the only standing structure. A circular trench is cut in the rock for
lime
Lime commonly refers to:
* Lime (fruit), a green citrus fruit
* Lime (material), inorganic materials containing calcium, usually calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide
* Lime (color), a color between yellow and green
Lime may also refer to:
Botany ...
mixing. Other nearby forts include Karnala, Prabalgad, Chanderi, Malang gad, Irshalgad, Sondai, Lohagad, Visapur, and Sankshi.
Gallery
File:Manikgad(Raigad)4.jpg, Sunrise in summer
File:Manikgad(Raigad)1.jpg, Hanuman gate
File:Manikgad(Raigad)2.jpg, Rock cut water cistern
File:Manikgad(Raigad)3.jpg, Fortification
References
{{MarathaEmpire
Forts in Maharashtra