Korigad (also called Koraigad, Koarigad or Kumwarigad) is a hill fort located about south of Lonavla in Pune district,

Maharashtra Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a states and union territories of India, state in the western India, western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the List of states and union te ...

, India. Its date of construction is not known but likely predates 1500. It is about 923 m above sea level. The planned township of

Aamby Valley Aamby Valley City is a township developed by the Sahara India Pariwar on the outskirts of Pune, India. Construction and connectivity The city, founded in 2006, is spread over of hilly terrain in the ''Sahyadri hills'' of the Western Ghats. ...

is built over the fort's southern and eastern foothills. The closest village is Peth Shahpur, about north of the fort.

History

This fort was incorporated into his kingdom by the Maratha ruler

Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shivaji Bhonsale I (; 19 February 1630 – 3 April 1680), also referred to as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was an Indian ruler and a member of the Bhonsle Maratha clan. Shivaji carved out his own independent kingdom from the declining Adils ...

along with the forts of

Lohagad Lohagad is one of the many hill forts of Maharashtra state in India. Situated close to the hill station Lonavala and northwest of Pune, Lohagad rises to an elevation of above sea level. The fort is connected to the neighboring Visapur for ...

, Visapur, Tung and

Tikona Tikona also known as Vitandgad) is the dominant hill fort in Maval in western India. It is located near Kamshet around 60 km from Pune. The village nearest to the fort is called Tikona-Peth. The 3500 foot high hill is pyramidal in shape an ...

in 1657. On 11 March 1818, Colonel Prother tried to take over this fort but even after a prolonged siege could not make any headway. Finally on 14 March, by igniting the stored ammunition by means of a loose cannonball he succeeded and this fort went to the British. Korigad sometimes

Geography

The fort is located about above sea level, rising over higher than the neighboring valleys. To the east, there lie two artificial lakes part of the Aamby Valley project which later drain into the Mulshi reservoir. There are two lakes on the top of the fort.

Structures on the Fort

A temple to its patron goddess Koraidevi also exists along with several smaller temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. The former has been recently renovated and has a 3-foot-high Deepmala(tower of lamps). The interesting part of the fort is that its wall is completely intact and one can walk along its entire perimeter(about 2 km). Its massive gate is also intact. Several ruins of older structures within the fort still exist. It has six cannons - the largest of which called the Laxmi Toph is located near the Korai Devi temple.''Timetotravel'', Korigad - How to go, places to visit, things to do, 2 October 2010
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How to reach

To reach Korigad you should have your own vehicle as there are very few transportation options available from Lonavla. Take the Aamby Valley road from Lonavla, keep driving till Peth Shahpur village. Parking is provided near the bus stop on the road. A 5-foot wide earthen road leads to the foot steps of the Korigad fort. It is an easy climb up to the fort. You can also hire cabs from Lonavala. The Aamby Valley buses from Lonavala bus station are also available. This fort can be visited in any time of the year. Even a night trek during summer gives nice experience. There are lot of camping sites on the fort. There are three temples on the fort which provide ample cover. The Korai Devi temple can accommodate 25 persons.

References

Korigad Trek info
{{Forts in Maharashtra Forts in Pune district Lonavala-Khandala Buildings and structures in Lonavala-Khandala