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 ...

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

References

{{Forts in India Forts in Nashik district Forts in Maharashtra

Access

Gallery

See also

References